Road trips with children can be very difficult. I have traveled with my family several times. We have moved across the country with the cat and dog in tow as well. I came to one conclusion. I would rather take the pets on a trip than my kids! They behaved better. Didn't whine, beg or ask if we were there yet! The cat and the dog just curled up and slept the day away. My kids were not so easy. Short or long trips can feel the same to kids. There are some things you can do to make it fun and easier for all of you.

The best tip I have for planning a car trip with your children are backpacks. Purchase one for each child. Including your teenager as well. They will think it is silly at first but they will like it just the same. If they have one from school use that instead of purchasing one.

First fill them with toiletries. Individual items that your child can use themselves are great. Kids love being independent too. Handiwipes, hand sanitizers, and Kleenexes will save you the effort of fishing for these things yourself. Your child can use them when they need to. This is assuming that your children are old enough for these items and know what they are for.

Next in your pack should be snacks. Little packages of cookies, crackers, dried fruit or whatever you want your children to have. Low sugar is best. So is low in salt. Whatever you choose make it easy to ear and not messy. Include a drink of some sort. Juice boxes or cans work great. So do little bottles of water. Whatever you child will drink. This saves on frequent rest stops to eat.

The next items in your child travel bag should be games. Hand held video games and extra batteries are great. Travel games of major brand are available too if your children are old enough and have a sibling partner. Use your imagination and budget. Add plain paper, pens, pencils and crayons too. Coloring books and regular books to read are children entertainers too. Add whatever interests your child.

At each rest stop refill the drinks and snack for your children. Take out any garbage to keep the packs neat. You can include a little money too for your child to purchase a special snacks like a candy bar.

Last for you road trip should be exercise. Take jump ropes and balls. Park farther away from the bathrooms than you normally would. Encourage your children to hop, skip, or race each other to the restroom. Caution them to be careful of others around them and be courteous. Play a few minutes of football or soccer with your children. These tips will get the wiggles out and get your child ready to sit again.

Back in the car encourage your child to cuddle up with a pillow and favorite toy. A nap might give you a little time of peace.

Play family games of guess the make of cars and trucks, the alphabet game or others that your family knows. Give an older child a road atlas and highlighter. Let them mark off the roads you are taking and keep track of the routes. You might find that they are great navigators.

As a parent it is our responsibility to provide for our children. Their comfort and safety is our priority. A car trip is no different. With a little planning and creativity a trip with your children cn be fun.

Learn more about this author, Bethany Harvey.
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