Headed on a road trip with kids this summer? Here are 5 tips that you might not have thought of to make it a smooth ride!
Are you headed on a road trip this summer? We are. I’ve done so much driving from Arizona to California that I consider myself a professional. Seriously. It usually takes us around seven hours to get to our destination. While I used to drive it at night, so the kids would sleep, I found it’s much more fun to have them awake. Here are my top five tips to for an ultimate road trip with kids.
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Tips for an Ultimate Road Trip With Kids
Audiobooks – Our family loves music and singing in the car is always fun. But on long car rides there are multiple kiddos who want to play D.J. and the arguing ensues. Our SUV came equipped with a DVD player, but it’s glitchy and the kids get more than enough screen time at home. On the last road trip I had the brilliant idea of listening to an audiobook. There are a ton of kid friendly audiobooks, many of them books I read as a kid. Using a player like Audible or iBook makes it easy. This has been a game changer on our road trips!
Personal cups with lids – Everyone needs drinks on a road trip. Whether it’s water or something the kiddos rarely get like soda, they need their own cup. I prefer each kiddo to have their own kid sized cup. That way I know how much they are drinking and it creates less waste. I always bring a large jug of water, that can be poured in to their cups. Everyone stays hydrated and happy.
Pillows and blankets – Even if you have an über fancy ride with heated and cooled backseats and individual dials for each area, someone is going to be uncomfortable and complain. Therefore, each kiddo must have their pillow and a light blanket in the car before we leave. I can’t count the number of times someone has forgotten their pillow or blanket. Now those are the first things we load into the car!
Flip flops – Maybe it’s just my kids, but they all take off their shoes on road trips. I get it, I’m more comfortable without shoes too. It drives me nuts when we stop to check out some cool attraction or for a break and the kids are fumbling with their shoes. Flip flops are easy on, easy off and cut down on the time when we have to race to the bathroom (you know it happens!)
Snacks – This is a biggie! Even if it’s a two hour drive, I always end up hearing “I’m hungry” from the backseat. I try to avoid giving the kids the overly sweetened and artificially colored candies and chips, especially on road trips. We are all stuck in the car together and no one needs to be hopped up on sugar in an enclosed space!
Hippeas sent us a a fun pack with all their flavors for us to try, and they are perfect for a road trip! Hippeas are Organic Chickpea Puffs that are light and crunchy and full of flavor. Plus they are full of protein and fiber. I like them for myself and the kiddos because they are USDA organic and non-GMO. Plus they are vegan, kosher, nut-free, soy-free and certified gluten-free. So you are free to eat them!
Hippeas come in five flavors: Vegan White Cheddar, Sriracha Sunshine, Bohemian Barbecue, Pepper Power and Far Out Fajita. The kids prefer the Vegan White Cheddar and the Bohemian Barbecue of course, but I am all about the Sriracha Sunshine! You can find Hippeas at Starbucks, Whole Foods and 30,000 other retailers across the country. Of course you can order them from Amazon or Thrive Market as well!
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Do you have hints or tips that make a road trip with kids fun and easy? Let us know in the comments!
PIN THIS FOR LATER!
Yes, we “discovered” audiobook about 5 years or so ago and we just LOVE them for road trips!! I typically have my kids come with me to stock up on snacks with the rule that it can not be melty or chocolaty. Pinned.