Contributor Dr. Elise Herman
If you have a family road trip coming up this summer, you may be dreading the challenge of being together in the car for hours (or days). But with a little planning, you can employ some strategies to make this go more smoothly. Consider starting out when kids will sleep through the first part of the trip- either in the wee hours of the morning or at bedtime and remember to take any ‘loveys’ (favorite blanket or stuffed animal) along for the ride.
Plan on stopping about every 2 hours for younger kids (though we all need breaks from the car) and pick places like a park or playground so kids can get some fresh air and exercise. Have lots of healthy snacks on hand when you get out of the car; young kids should not eat in their car seat due to choking concerns. Avoid processed snacks with high sugar content which can spike the blood sugar and affect your child’s mood. Water is fine but sticky liquids like juice can be a big mess in the car. If anyone has symptoms of carsickness (queasiness, nausea), open the windows a bit and make a quick stop if you can. A bland snack like crackers can help.
Have everything you need for your child in a separate bag in the front, so it is easy to find things quickly. Bring lots of books, toys, puzzles (with big pieces that are less likely to get lost), crayons and paper, etc. Etch A Sketch and magnetic drawing boards work well for a variety of ages. Kids are more entertained by new things—or at least new to them; see if you can borrow from a friend as opposed to buying lots of new stuff.
Depending on the age of your child, classic activities such as “I Spy with My Little Eye” and license plate bingo work well; there are lots of variations found online. Singing songs together is a perennial favorite, as are word games such as GHOST (each person adds a letter with the goal being not to end the word). Kids’ podcasts (for example, NPRs “But Why?”) and kids’ music playlists and audiobooks can help pass the time.
Older kids can help navigate and point out interesting places along the way. Give them a paper map (remember those?!) and ask them to give input on routes, provide updates on location, and how much distance has been covered and how much lies ahead.
Screen activities can have a place in your road trip, but much better to use judiciously than have everyone with their head down on their own device the whole time. Try to save this till later in the trip when you ‘really need it’. If there is whining for devices, don’t give in—these are a privilege and are ‘awarded’ for good behavior.
Family road trips can be exciting and lots of fun, but it is realistic to expect there may also be crabbiness and bickering. Acknowledge to your child that it may be challenging but that you are on your way to somewhere special. Remember this is also a time for kids to learn patience, kindness, and compromise. With planning and preparation, you can all have a pretty good (and memorable) time on your adventure.
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Dr. Elise Herman
Dr. Herman is passionate about community health outreach, school programs, and child/family health and wellness. She has more than 31 years of experience as a pediatrician in Ellensburg, Washington, the last 3 with KVH Pediatrics. In 2022 Dr. Herman mostly retired from practice and continues to contribute blog posts and remain a visible advocate for kids in the community.