Tips for traveling with small children
If you have to take a long road trip with small children, there are a few things you can do to make the trip a little easier for everyone. If possible, I recommend traveling at night. If you leave a couple of hours before dinner, you can stop along the way to eat, change into pajamas, change diapers, and get ready for bed just before heading back on the trail. Then most of the trip will be spent sleeping without interfering with normal sleep times.
You also need to work overtime to account for breaks for all passengers. A trip that took my husband and I about 11 hours takes about 12.5-13 with two small children. It’s hard for them to get comfortable when strapped into car seats, so we make sure to stop and let them stretch and move around a bit. We usually make at least one long dinner break at a kid-friendly fast food place, preferably one with a playground, and then short stops at rest areas with a large grassy area where it’s safe to run. The long break helps kids release some energy and also gives the driver a chance to stretch and recharge.
It is important that you travel prepared. Keep a couple extra blankets and a pack of baby wipes in the car, and also pack snacks and drinks for yourself and the kids. I also recommend getting a travel changing pad that contains diapers and wipes if any of your children are in diapers. These are found in most stores in the baby department. That way you have a clean changing surface anywhere and you don’t have to carry your entire diaper bag to the dirty bathrooms. Another good tip: always have at least one extra change of clothes per person in the car, including adults. Kids can easily soil their own clothes with a bad burst diaper and you don’t want to be searching through your luggage for a clean shirt if your toddler accidentally spills a drink on you or some other messy accident.
Finally, if you’re at the end of your rope, a portable DVD player can save your life. We went on a 16 hour ride without using ours, but it was charged up and ready to go just in case. A favorite CD is another great distraction to have on hand for children. And if you’re traveling at night, a suspenseful audiobook can help entertain the driver through the long stretch of darkness.
No one knows your own children better than you do, so try a few different things and see what works best for your family. Long drives don’t always have to be terrifying and exhausting; With the right planning and preparation, you can avoid a 70mph nightmare and create some great family memories.