When we think of a family road trip, quite often the first thing that comes to mind is an incessant stream of \u201care we there yet?\u201d, but if done correctly a road trip with kids can be one of the most rewarding experiences you\u2019ll have as a family. Caravanning as a family is an excellent way to aid in your child\u2019s development; they\u2019ll be able to see so much more of the country than they would have otherwise, they\u2019ll experience so many new things, and after a week or so of experiencing the delayed gratification that comes with driving to each new destination, their patience will have improved as well. Not to mention that the lasting memories you\u2019ll make and outdoor adventures you\u2019ll have along the way will bring you closer as a family.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re considering hitting the road together, here are some quick road trip tips for families that\u2019ll save you from experiencing too many tantrums and (in our experience) decrease the frequency of the dreaded \u201care we there yet?\u201d.<\/p>\n
1. Keep up with a routine 2. Get your kids involved 3. Stop for regular walks 4. Have kids pack their own activities 5. Give each kid an overnight backpack 6. Prepare a playlist 7. Pack health, easy snacks 8. Give the kids jobs 9. Prepare road trip rewards 10. Bring all the wipes There are plenty of family road trip tips and hacks out there, but the most important thing to remember when setting off in the caravan is safety \u2013 packing a fully stocked first aid kit is absolutely essential, as is getting insurance, but equally as important is having a safe way to charge up your caravan. Ampfibian adaptors are the trusted name for safely and legally connecting wherever 15A power is not available.<\/p>\n Travel safely with Ampfibian.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\n<\/strong>This may seem counterintuitive given that you\u2019ve taken this trip to escape the everyday, but following some kind of schedule will help younger children adjust to life on the road with less of a fuss. We recommend sticking to a regular bed time, meal times, shower time, and time spent driving each day. Routine helps children feel more confident and secure, and it also minimises the chances of complaints.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Letting the kids pick out a few stops before setting off on your epic family road trip will help them feel more involved and more in control of the trip, which means they\u2019ll be far less likely to act out. Similarly letting them pick out a few family activities will give them something to look forward to and will take the strain off of you trying to pick something they\u2019ll enjoy.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Stopping for regular walks isn\u2019t just a great way to keep the kids\u2019 energy levels under control, the whole family will be thankful for the chance to stretch their legs and explore the local area in a new and less touristy way. The walks don\u2019t have to be long, in fact you\u2019ll reap the benefits from just a five minute stroll. In order to keep things interesting we\u2019d suggest playing games of I Spy along the way.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>This tip will only work for older kids, but it\u2019s a great one to keep in mind. Trying to come up with kids’ road trip activities can be stressful, but luckily for you, your kids already know what they enjoy doing in their free time. So we suggest giving each of them a small tote bag and asking them to pack their favourite toys, puzzles and books to keep them entertained on the road. As with our previous tips, this gives them more control and avoids common power struggles that tend to crop up on holidays.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>To avoid digging through luggage at each rest stop or in emergency situations, keep a small backpack filled with each kid\u2019s essentials on hand. Things to pack in these backpacks include toothbrushes and toothpaste, a change of clothes, plenty of underwear, a hat, and a small toy.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Before setting off, prepare (or find) a playlist that both you and the kids will enjoy listening to on the road. Don\u2019t underestimate the importance of good tunes in keeping everyone\u2019s spirits up and ensuring a smooth ride. Pro-tip: there\u2019s only so many times you can listen to Baby Shark in one sitting, so make sure there\u2019s a mix of your favourite songs in there too.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>For obvious reasons you\u2019ll want to avoid packing anything too messy for them to snack on during the drive, but it\u2019s also important to remember not to pack anything too sugary lest you deal with a sugar high in a confined space (followed by the inevitable and very much dreaded post-sugar-high-crash). Pre-packing snacks also minimises the number of stops you\u2019ll need to make and helps you get to your destination that much quicker.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Assigning kids their own jobs for around the caravan and campsites will give them a sense of agency while also freeing up some of your own time. Simple chores like setting up tents, hanging up the washing, helping prepare meals, collecting firewood, and washing the dishes will go a long way to help your kids feel like they\u2019re an important part of the road trip.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>By far one of the best road trip hacks for kids that we\u2019ve come across is this; pack some cheap \u2018prizes\u2019 you\u2019ve acquired from the dollar store to hand out along the road at various points. It\u2019s an easy way to keep kids happy and engaged in the trip, and when used correctly can also help encourage good behaviour.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>You\u2019ll always need more baby wipes and flushable wipes than you think. They\u2019re perfect in a pinch for sticky fingers and accidents, so remember to stock up before you head off.<\/p>\n