Travelling with kids can be challenging (to say the least) so it’s good to prepare yourself (and them) for the journey ahead. Here are ten ways to smooth your path…
Travelling with kids can be challenging (to say the least) so it’s good to prepare yourself (and them) for the journey ahead. Here are ten ways to smooth your path…
Christmas is a time for families, and as many people have relatives dotted around the country, this often means long car journeys are a big part of the seasonal festivities.
1. Be prepared
The time before a long journey is a good opportunity to take a thorough look at the car. Check the oil, water level and air pressure in the tyres to keep your car roadworthy. With cold weather forecast it might be time to invest in a proper window scraper and some anti-freeze. Sun screens for the back windows allow sleeping children to stay asleep and a steering wheel lock can provide peace of mind.
It is always nice to travel in a clean car, so throw out any mouldering apple cores and sweet wrappers. A cordless, hand-held vacuum will get rid of the remaining dust and crumbs.
2. Pack it in
If you can maximise the storage space in your car, you can pack more, which can make holidays much easier. Children can bring their favourite toys and be surrounded by belongings they feel comfortable with, and you don’t have to buy things that you already have at home.
A roof box means everything can be stowed neatly away, so children aren’t uncomfortably wedged between bags and suitcases. An array of differently sized suitcases and bags means you can pack things you won’t need during the journey at the bottom of big bags/suitcases, in the boot, while keeping the things you might need near to hand, at the top of smaller bags.
3. Get comfortable
Comfy kids are happier kids. Get them all cosy with warm blankets and pillows and ensure they are in the right sized booster seat for their age/weight. If you’re lucky, they might sleep for at least part of the journey. Comfortable clothes, such as tracksuits or pyjamas mean that melted crumbs of chocolate (a good bribe for later in the journey) and crumpled outfits won’t matter. They can change into their good clothes when they get to your destination.
4. Keep calm and carry on
Reduce the stress and strain of the journey, knowing you've got everything you need. A torch, first aid and emergency travel kit with a hazard sign, travel wipes and towels should keep you covered for most eventualities.
5. Don't get lost
Nothing is more likely to fray tempers than a missed turn or incorrect directions. Keep family relations cordial and invest in a satnav system.
6. Be entertained
There's only so long eye spy can keep you occupied...sticker books, Etch-a-sketch even origami can help keep children busy. Alternate these lo-tech activities with watching DVDs, listening to the latest Mp3 downloads or playing computer games.
7. Beat travel sickness
Children are more prone to travel sickness than adults, and looking down can make them feel worse. Ensure they don’t read books and make sure the DVD player they are watching has a screen which is fixed up at head height. Let them choose the music you play, have a singalong with music they know the words to, or bring a selection of audio books. Encourage sleep with cosy blankets and pillows. Ginger biscuits and peppermint sweets can also help prevent the nausea.
If the worst comes to the worst, towels covering the child and as much of the car's upholstery as possible can make cleaning up easier. Travel bands or travel sickness tablets can also help.
8. Stock up on food and drink
This is where some serious planning comes in. Will your journey take place across a mealtime? Where will your en route stops be? Avoid spending a lot of money on service station food by bringing your own. A mix of healthy food and treats should mean that meltdowns are avoided – the healthy food to sustain them and prevent sugar highs and lows, and the treats to reward good behaviour – ok, ok, it’s bribery.
Cool bags keep things fresh and tasty, resealable zip slide bags and little plastic snack pots are easy for children to use. Non-spill beakers prevent damp patches, and don’t forget to bring a bottle of water to top up their drinks. Foods such as bread sticks, grapes, cherry tomatoes, satsumas and clementines are easy for little hands. Portions of cheese, small sandwiches, bitesize chunks of buttered malt loaf are also popular. Keep some chocolate on hand for when it all gets out of hand – but keep the portion size small so little fingers don’t get too sticky. Miniature packets of chocolate buttons should keep them busy.
If your child gets travel sick it is good to avoid dairy products, and make sure they don’t eat too much before and during the journey, as this can make travel sickness worse.
9. Take a break
The Highway Code recommends taking a 15-minute break every two hours of driving. This should involve changing positions, so the best thing is to take a short walk. This isn’t always easy with children, although they need a break too. Make it fun by bringing a football along, or some bats and ball to give everyone a runaround on the grass. Keep raincoats and an umbrella to hand.
10. Keep busy
If the children are happy (or asleep) and you're not driving, time in the car can be used to catch up on tasks that get ignored at other times. Catch up on your texts, organise your photos or make to-do lists and budgets on your phone so by the time you reach your destination you’re feeling in control, on top of things, and ready for a fun time with your family.
