Car journeys with kids can be a bit of an endurance test — but not if you’re prepared! As a mum of two very active boys, I’ve clocked up many hours in the car with them since they were tiny. Here are my top 10 tips for happy car travel with kids.
Travelling with kids means being organised, or else your journey can quickly turn into a stressful one. These tips are based on real experience — hopefully they help make your next car trip with the kids a smoother ride.
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Tips for Happy Car Travel with Kids
#1. First Things First — Be Prepared for the Worst
No matter what age your kids are, there’s nothing worse than not having what you need if a child feels sick or unwell on the road.
Always pack a change of clothes, nappies if needed, some antiseptic wipes, a couple of rubbish bags, and a basic first aid kit with any medication your family normally uses for minor aches or travel sickness.
A handy trick: pack a washcloth in a resealable plastic bag for each person, with a quartered lemon for extra freshness — great for freshening up mid-journey.
Don’t miss: 8 Practical and Simple Tips to Ease Motion Sickness in Kids
#2. For Babies and Younger Kids
Install a child view mirror so you can keep an eye on them from the driver’s seat. Don’t forget sunshades for the rear and side windows so the sun doesn’t irritate them on the road.
#3. Comfort for Little Ones
With car seats, make sure the appropriate head supports are in place for napping.
A useful trick: tie favourite baby toys onto the car seat with a piece of string, so they can be easily retrieved when — inevitably — they get flung out several times during the journey!
#4. Comfort for Older Kids
Cushions, neck supports and seat belt adjusters make car journeys more comfortable and safer for children who’ve outgrown car seats.
I encourage my kids to bring their own pillow and favourite blanket on long journeys as a familiar comfort from home.
#5. Be Organised
Hang a back-seat organiser on the driver or passenger seat and fill it with toys, games and drinks the kids can easily reach themselves.
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#6. Entertainment
Audiobooks and music playlists help keep kids happy and content. These work particularly well if your children are a similar age, so the whole family can enjoy something together while you drive.
#7. Entertainment for Older Kids
Tablets, handheld games consoles and portable DVD players are an easy way to keep older children entertained on car journeys, letting them watch a favourite show or play games as you travel.
Remember to pack several sets of headphones if you have more than one child, or the car can get noisy fast! A headphone splitter is also handy for when two children want to share the same device or listen to the same music.
#8. Car Games
Play plenty of fun car games. Some easy favourites include:
- I-spy (with very flexible rules)
- Spotting a red, blue or green car — or a tractor or combine harvester
- Counting bridges
- Seeing who can get other passengers to wave back
You may also enjoy: 30 Car Ride Games for Kids Aged 8–12 Years
#9. Take Regular Stops
Stop every couple of hours for a break. Apart from avoiding driver fatigue, it’s inevitable that everyone gets a bit restless after a while.
Regular stops let everyone stretch their legs, get some fresh air, and break up the journey.
Don’t miss: Top Tips for Travel with Kids
#10. Pack Some Healthy Snacks
There’s something about long car journeys that makes everyone feel a bit peckish, so pack some healthy snacks your kids already love.
If you’ll be travelling over a mealtime, why not prepare a simple picnic and find a grassy spot to stop and enjoy lunch before continuing your journey?
You’ve reached your destination! Do you have any other tips for surviving a long car journey with kids? Share them in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important thing to pack for car travel with young kids?
A well-stocked “just in case” bag is essential — a change of clothes, wipes, rubbish bags and any medication your family normally uses. Being prepared for spills, sickness or mess makes the whole journey far less stressful.
How often should we stop on a long car journey with kids?
Aim to stop roughly every two hours. It gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs, use the bathroom and reset, and it helps keep the driver alert too.
What are good entertainment options for kids of different ages?
For babies and toddlers, a child view mirror, window sunshades and toys tied securely to the car seat work well. For older kids, audiobooks, music, tablets or handheld consoles (with headphones!) can keep everyone happily occupied.
How can I stop kids from getting bored on a long drive?
A mix of simple car games like I-spy, audiobooks, a back-seat organiser stocked with toys and snacks, and regular stops all help break up the journey and keep boredom at bay.
Related Articles
- Survive the Drive with these 7 Useful Tips
- 8 Practical and Simple Tips to Ease Motion Sickness in Kids
- 10 Incredibly Useful Parenting Hacks for the Car
- 30 Car Ride Games for Kids Aged 8–12 Years
- Top Tips for Travel with Kids
Save These Tips for Your Next Trip
Planning more family days out or trips away? Browse our travel section for more parent-tested ideas, or save this article so you’ve got it handy before your next long drive.
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