A summer road trip is a great way to spend quality time with your family, experience new food and activities as well as educate your kids about geography and different places in an exciting way! While road trips can be a fun activity to do with your family, if you have little ones, it may be hard to keep them entertained during the long journey. The fussing, bickering, and continuous “Are we there yet” can get old after a while. By planning and adding a few special things to your itinerary, you can make sure to have the easiest trip possible with your kiddos. We’ve outlined a road trip survival guide to make sure that your family has the best trip possible!
Step 1. Make food a priority during your journey.
Meals are extremely important to scout out before a road trip. Try looking at towns and cities that you will be passing through and pick out spots that seem like local favorites. We also recommend including mess-free snacks for your trip in case your little ones are hungry along the way.
Step 2. Plan surprises (or games) on the way.
Another great way to keep your kids engaged is planning surprises. Purchasing games such as playing cards or board games can be a great idea, as it gives them something to do along the way. If your child likes to be creative, some new coloring books or a craft could be a good choice. Or if your kids are prone to getting car sick, you could try introducing them to some new car games or activities. Our team’s kids love the license plate game (try to find license plates from all 50 states) and the “person” game (someone thinks of a person, real or make-believe, living or from history, and everyone else asks yes or no questions about them until someone guesses the correct person).
Step. 3. Let your kids plan stops.
Giving your kids a choice of where to go will keep them excited for the journey. Let your kids choose a few destinations along the way that they would like to go to and see.
Step 4. Include exercise in your journey.
Sitting in the car for a long period of time can create some antsy kids! Find some trails to walk along the way or a playground. You can also bring a ball to kick around or a frisbee to throw at rest stops to get some energy out.
Step. 5 Change seating arrangements.
Never-ending arguing between siblings can be a struggle. Consider switching up the seating along the way. This will give a new view and some separation. If your child is old enough, consider giving them a chance to sit up front.
We hope you have a great time on your upcoming road trip. Before embarking on your journey, be sure to check that you not only have everything on your checklist packed but also that your estate plan is updated in case something happens. Give us a call to schedule a review meeting or a free consultation so that together, we can take care of your family.
