Disclaimer: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CanadianTire, #QuakerState #CollectiveBias
Road tripping with kids is a touch different than road tripping sans kids.
I have fond memories of my parents loading my brother and I into the back of my dad’s Buick Grand National each summer bound for the Okanagan. It was an annual summer trip that we took for as long as I can remember. T-tops down and wind in our hair, my brother – 7 years my senior, and I would fight in the back seat nearly the whole 4 hour drive there while my parents would slowly lose their sanity all at the start of vacation!
Today, 25 years later, I get to relive these memories from the front seat of my car, while my children – a mere 16 months apart test my patience from the back seat. We road trip often and I’ve come up with 5 tips for road tripping with kids, that will hopefully help make the experience stress free!
Recharge
I don’t allow a lot of screen time on a regular basis, however the key to making it through the “are we there yet?!”‘s and the “I’m bored!”‘s are to ensure that all, and I mean ALL of your devices are charged up and ready. Movies, games, and apps are a lifesaver when it comes to long car rides. Don’t forget to pack the headphones, charging cords and battery packs to fully savour the silence.
Get Changed
I don’t have much of a “pre-trip” routine when it comes to road trips, but one thing that I always do prior to hitting the road is change my oil.
It’s one thing to break down on the side of the highway traveling solo or with another adult, but the thought of car troubles with two kids in tow is enough to make me never leave the house again!
A quick stop to Canadian Tire – the ultimate one stop shop for all your automotive and home needs, for Quaker State® Advanced Durability™ Motor Oil. Knowing that our upcoming trip would see miles of stop-and-go traffic, idling, and extreme temperatures, a great durable oil at a great price was important to me. When changing your own oil, make sure to use the oil necessary for your car, as specified in your owner’s manual. Canadian Tire is made for life in Canada, and there’s no denying that for us!
Stock up
Snacks are a crucial part of road tripping for me. A small soft sided cooler in the car with cold drinks, snackable fruits and veggies, and treats is a must have. Snack sized portions and bags make life on-the-go that much easier. Protein packed trail mix, granola bars, and bananas are some of my faves. Traveling while hangry is never a good idea, so make sure your snacks are stocked before hitting the road!
Pack smart
This may seem like a no-brainer, but when packing in a hurry, it’s very easy to forget. I drive a five passenger sedan, so making sure that I’ve packed wisely greatly increases the likelihood that the majority of passengers will stay happy for the longest time. I can speak from experience that there’s nothing more frustrating than dying of thirst on a long stretch of one lane highway with no pull-outs only to realize that all your water bottles are in the trunk. Or stopping at the beach for a quick dip to discover that your towels and bathing suits are packed in the furthest corner of the trunk leaving you to dismantle the precarious Tetris-like packing job, and praying that you’ll be able to fit it all back in. Making a small picture map of where you’ve put various items can be especially helpful on long trips and eliminate unnecessary frustration.
Plan
Flying by the seat of your pants with kids is not the most realistic travel option, so make sure to at very least loosely plan your road trip prior to heading out. Whether it be through your vehicle or phone GPS, or on an old fashioned paper map (if your kids are old enough, this can be a fun task for them to be in charge of), planning your route will give curious kids some structure and help them know what to expect, but it will also ensure that you don’t miss that awesome beach you’ve been wanting to check out. Proper trip planning can help to make sure you’re getting the most out of your next road tripping vacation.
What are your tips for road tripping with kids?
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Great tips for road tripping! I hope you all had a wonderful vacation. #client