Setting off on a road trip with young children can feel like you’re packing your entire household into the car (and risking your sanity). From diapers to snacks to a mountain of toys, a road trip with your kiddos can feel more like work than a vacation. But with some strategic planning and mom-approved hacks, your family road trip can transform from chaotic to smooth(ish) sailing. From keeping your kiddos entertained to avoiding the dreaded “Are we there yet?” question, we’ve got you covered.
This article is jam-packed with practical tips for everything from organizing mess-free snacks to scheduling to entertaining pit stops, all tailored to keep your little ones content and make the miles fly by. So, grab your map and hit the road with confidence, knowing you’re earning your road warrior stripes.
Choosing the Right Destination
When it comes to selecting a destination for your family road trip, let practicality be your guide. Look for locations with family-friendly attractions, like national parks with easy trails, beaches with quick waterfront access and restrooms, or cities with interactive children’s museums, zoos, splash pads, or aquariums. Consider the time it takes to get there—closer may be better to keep the car time manageable, especially for the pre-k crowd.
Packing Essentials
Packing for a road trip with kiddos involves way more than throwing clothes into a suitcase. Start with the essentials: Diapers, wipes, a portable changing pad, snacks, drinks, and plenty of clothes for those inevitable spills and messes. Pack a small first aid kit with band-aids, a fever reducer like Tylenol, and antiseptic wipes. Don’t forget allergy medications like epi-pens. Make a checklist a few days before your trip to ensure nothing gets left behind in the last-minute rush, especially non-replaceable items like:
- IDs and insurance cards
- Credit and debit cards
- Necessary medical paperwork
- Prescription medicines
- Comfort items for your little ones
Setting Up Your Car
Fight the urge to overpack and leave room to create individual “zones” for your kids. Cramming in too many bags and gear will squish your little ones together and—in our experience—cause unnecessary fighting.
Pre-Road Trip Vehicle Prep
First, ensure your car is in tip-top shape—check the oil level, tire pressure, and brakes. Consider a professional checkup if it’s been a while since your car’s last service appointment. Double-check that your car seat is installed correctly (it’s often worth having a certified car seat tech confirm). Organize your car so that everything you might need—snacks, toys, diapers—is within easy reach.
Smart Scheduling
Timing is everything, and babies and toddlers can be inflexible. Plan to drive during your kiddo’s usual nap times to make the drive smoother for everyone. Adjust departure times to avoid rush hour whenever possible, especially if your little one doesn’t care for the car seat. If your trip spans several days, consider driving shorter segments daily to keep everyone from getting too cranky.
Play Classic Car Games
Long road trips can be an endurance test for little ones, so having a range of games and activities ready is a lifesaver. Classic car games like “I Spy,” “20 Questions,” “Would You Rather,” and “License Plate Bingo” can encourage everyone to engage with each other and their surroundings. For younger children, magnetic board games, reusable sticker books, and simple puzzles can keep kid’s hands busy, little brains active, and stave off the boredom.
Use Technology Wisely
While we might normally hesitate to plug our kids into screens for hours, technology can be a lifesaver on long trips. Before you leave, download some age-appropriate apps—these are some of our faves with an educational component:
- Busy Shapes 2 (age 2+)
- LEGO DUPLO World (age 2+)
- My PlayHome (age 2+)
- Khan Academy Kids (age 3+)
- Sago Mini Road Trip (age 3+)
- Wheels on the Bus (age 3+)
- PBS Kids Games (age 3+)
- Tales Untold (age 4+)
- Skybrary—Kids Books & Videos (age 4+)
- Drawing Pad (age 4+)
- Pango Build Park (age 5+)
- Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens (age 5+)
- Barefoot World Atlas (age 5+)
Don’t forget that most streaming apps allow you to download movies and shows, so load up on all the Bluey episodes you can manage. We suggest attempting to set clear screen time limits—perhaps only during certain hours of the trip or as a reward after an hour of screen-free play. It can help prevent a tech overload and keep the peace in the back seat.
Pro parenting tip: If you’re experiencing screen time guilt—and we don’t advise it on a road trip—the Daniel Tiger study concluded that preschoolers learn social and emotional skills by watching. When you feel so mad that you wanna roar / Take a deep breath! / And count to four—solid life advice at every age.
Pump Up the Jams
Never underestimate the power of a good playlist or an engaging podcast—even for kids! Prepare a mix of family-friendly music that everyone can enjoy, with some favorite tunes from their most-loved TV shows or movies for maximum volume sing-alongs. When everyone needs a little quiet time, look for children’s audiobooks or podcasts designed to spark young imaginations, like stories of adventure or science exploration. We love Wow in the World, Storynory, and The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd.
Pack Mess-Free Snacks and Meals
We all know hungry kids are grumpy kids, so keeping a stash of mess-free snacks on hand is essential. Think string cheese, pre-sliced fruits, dry cereal, and granola bars—all easy to handle and relatively tidy. For drinks, consider water bottles with spill-proof tops to avoid any accidents. If you’re planning on-the-road meals, pre-pack lunches in individual containers so your kids aren’t fighting over food. Cooler bags are great for keeping perishables fresh, and remember, portable trays and laptop desks can make eating easier and contain crumbs.
Managing Car Space
With kids in tow, your car can quickly feel more cramped than cozy. Backseat organizers hold toys, snacks, and other essentials within easy reach. If your road trip includes overnight stops, pack a separate overnight bag so you don’t have to unload everything each time. Also, a car trashcan will change your life—we aren’t overselling it.
Plan for Stops
Long stretches on the road can be tough for everyone, especially your little adventurers. When planning your stops, look for rest areas with space for kids to run around safely, or better yet, try to incorporate family-friendly stops. (Exploring a park, playground, or a place like Wall Drug will reset any kiddo’s attitude.) Fun pit stops break up the monotony of the drive and give everyone something to look forward to.
Pro parenting tip: Babies should only ride in car seats for two hours at a time, so plan for breaks. Get your little one out of their car seat for some fresh air, a feeding, or some cuddle time before strapping them back in.
Shake the Sillies Out
After sitting for hours, everyone’s legs need a stretch—kids most of all! Regular stops (every 2-3 hours) to let everyone shake out the stiffness and for kids to expend some pent-up energy are worth every minute of lost drive time. Encourage games of tag, bring a frisbee, or simply race from one point to another. These short bursts of physical activity help maintain physical health, improve mood, and even make for better naps back in the car. Remember, a tired kiddo is often a happy, more relaxed traveler (probably!). Ideally, you may be able to use your map app to find a nearby park where you can play.
Mental Prep (For You)
Before hitting the road, mental preparation is as important as preparing logistics and planning (vacationing with toddlers isn’t for wimps). Start your journey rested—try to get a good night’s sleep before departure day (if possible). Keep your expectations realistic; understand that there will be bumps along the road, and that’s perfectly okay. Preparing and packing easy-to-reach essentials can also help make unexpected moments—like sudden car sickness— less stressful.
Sharing Responsibilities
A road trip will run a lot more smoothly when duties are shared. Discuss how you’ll divide driving shifts, childcare tasks, and other responsibilities like navigating or preparing snacks. It’s important to communicate openly and adjust your plan as needed, depending on how the trip progresses. Flexibility and teamwork can turn tricky situations into shared challenges that you overcome together. Remember, this is a joint adventure, and working as a team can help make this a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents and hope you feel empowered to find the right baby gear for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or [email protected].