13 Ways to Make Road Trips With Little Kids Stress-Free

Long drives and road trips aren’t always fun for the whole family. Crying, fights in the backseat, and car sickness can take its toll on any parent, especially if they need to handle driving alongside so many other responsibilities. However, it isn’t impossible to make road trips more tolerable for you and your little kiddos.

Whether you’re travelling by car or by plane, having a good set of essential tools really makes things easier. You should also keep your child’s needs in mind during long trips and ask essential questions to quell tantrums and crying—is your kiddo more prone to car sickness than others? Does your little adventurer like to nap during the daytime? To make road trips easier for you and your kids, simply follow these safe and sensible travel tips.

1. Keep Trips Short and Simple

Little kids aren’t going to like sitting for long periods of time. Even perfect angels can fall victim to boredom and agitation when they have nothing to do but sit down all day. Instead of driving for several hours straight, divide your road trip into manageable segments. After maybe 1 or 2 hours of driving, leave some time for walking outside or eating at a restaurant. You can also occupy your kids with a special activity, then take a short break once they’re done.

2. Give Siblings Some Space

Sudden wars and arguments in the backseat are no doubt one of the biggest headaches for any parent. Walking away from a fight with a sibling isn’t really an option during long drives, so what can you do to lessen trouble between your kids? If possible, leave plenty of space between your children. Don’t make them sit too close to each other. Instead, give them their own safe space in the car. Ask trusted caretakers to sit between siblings, and do spend some one-on-one time with each child during breaks.

3. Stock Up on Travel Toys

Little kids may not be old enough to enjoy a movie on the road just yet, but they can always benefit a lot from fun travel toys. To lessen tantrums and bored tears during long trips, have your little bring a favorite toy to the car. Use the toy to come up with fun games, and play along with whatever new and exciting adventures your child has conjured up. Remember to pick toys that are non-toxic and travel-friendly, though. Robots with projectile missiles and dollhouses with tiny furniture pieces may not be great to use in a moving car.

4. Prepare Meals and Snacks

Empty stomachs are one of the most common causes of tears and car sickness. You can’t always depend on roadside restaurants and convenience stores to satisfy your child’s cravings, so don’t forget to prepare enough meals and snacks for the road. If your child is old enough for solids, bring some baby food pouches or food slices for them to munch on. You can also heat up food and milk for your little ones with travel warmers, and reduce spills with safe and durable food containers.

5. Sing and Listen to Music

Who doesn’t love singing along to a good song during road trips? To keep your kiddo entertained, prepare CDs or flash drives with their favorite songs and singers. Do download plenty of songs to reduce your risk of listening to the same three scores over and over again. Also, try letting your children listen to your favorite music selection, too. Who knows, maybe you’ll all have fun singing your hearts out to your favorite all-time classics. Of course, it’s vital to pick songs that are age-appropriate—no swears, rapid drum solos, or loud and terrifying instrumentals. When in doubt, stick to artists that have always been recognized as kid-friendly, such as The Wiggles or Kidz Bop.

6. Limit Liquid Intake

Sometimes it just isn’t possible to pull over and look for a bathroom. Wet nappies and car seats are always a likely possibility, so avoid letting your kids chug down huge cups of juice and water in one go. Have your kids use straws instead of drinking directly from sippy cups if possible, and pour a manageable amount of liquid into their bottles and travel cups.

7. Pick a Reasonable Travel Time

You can’t always count on your kids to fall asleep in the car, especially if you’re driving during the day time. Whenever possible, schedule drives during your child’s designated sleeping time. Your kids will have a much easier time sleeping peacefully in the car if you drive at night or in the early morning than late in the afternoon.

8. Use Durable Travel-Friendly Bags

Plastic bags may be fine to use during picnics and short trips to the mall, but they aren’t that great for long drives. It’s much easier and far more practical to use a durable travel bag for family vacations, instead. Look for suitcases large enough to accommodate all your baby care essentials, such as diaper packs and wipes, and go for bags that are specially designed for easy transport. Luggage bags with wheels and canvas bags with handles are a number-one choice for any family of adventurers.

9. Bring Foldable Strollers

Foldable strollers aren’t just for short walks and airplane trips. They can become reliable lifesavers during road trips. When it’s time to take a break from driving, you can simply have your little one sit snugly in a stroller instead of chasing them around. Bring along lightweight strollers that can easily fit into car trunks, or pick jogging strollers that can keep your kids well protected on any kind of terrain.

10. Don’t Rely Too Much on Electronics

Cellphones and music players do make a reliable distraction for kids, but don’t rely on them way too much. Babies and toddlers can benefit more from watching the scenery outside and daydreaming than from watching a screen for hours on end. Parent-child bonding activities also make a better choice of entertainment since these keep kids occupied while also enhancing cognitive and socio-emotional skills.

11. Let Your Kids Wear Comfy Clothing

What you wear can make a huge impact on your mood during long trips. Certain fabrics and clothing items, such as dresses and denim jeans, may feel comfy during short walks, but they can become pretty uncomfortable during road trips. Your child is going to have to sit for long periods of time, so you’ll need to let them wear clothes that don’t irritate the skin even during prolonged contact. Have your little one wear loose-fitted clothing to reduce discomfort, and prepare a quick change of clothes in case of tantrums, spills, or potty emergencies. Don’t be afraid to let your kids wander around in pyjamas if that’s what they feel most comfortable wearing.

12. Bring a Travel Potty

Toddlers and preschoolers will always need to stop and go during road trips at some point. What can you do when there aren’t any rest stops or convenience stores around? Well, the solution is pretty simple and easy. Just bring out a travel potty, then look for a safe and secure place where your kids can do their business. To help your little one feel more at ease, bring potties that they often use at home, or let them become acclimated to smaller travel potties first before taking them on a road trip.

13. Prepare a Family First-Aid Kit

Cuts, bruises, and medical emergencies can always happen no matter how careful you are. Dealing with these troubles at home is pretty easy and straightforward, but what about when you need to go on a long drive? When it just isn’t possible to get to a pharmacy right away, you can handle any emergency with a well-prepared family first-aid kit. Of course, if your child is experiencing more serious medical trouble, it’s far safer to drive to the nearest hospital or call emergency services.

Baby nasal aspirators are one of the most important essentials for any family first-aid kit, especially since babies can end up with runny noses during long trips. The Watolt Baby Nasal Aspirator is specially designed to clear up runny noses safely and effectively using advanced vacuum pump technology and safe, non-toxic silicone material. Make your family trips more fun for your kids and order yours from our online store now!