Parents, check out these top tips for travelling in the car with kids. Big car trips can be boring for the little ones, so it's up for you to be prepared.
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1. Car travelling fun bags
Eighteen25 made their Disneyland trips as magical as possible by creating these gorgeous Disney Trip Fun Bags. Inside there are stickers, toys, Disney gift cards and other neat (and cheap) items that kids will love. As well as bags for when the kids got into the car, they also had bags labelled 'Do not open until we get to the hotel!'. This is a great idea for keeping the kids surprised and entertained. You can tailor each bag to each car trip you go on - if you're going to the sea, include puzzles and toys to play in the sand - there are so many different things you could do!
2. Use a shoe organiser in your car
Hang a shoe organiser over the front seat headrest and fill it with all the items you'll need on your long car journey. If you have babies or young children, consider putting in baby wipes, toys, snacks, nappies - if you have older children pack in books, snacks and things for them to do. If you're on a journey with adults fill it with delicious snacks and drinks! You might also want to include a first aid kit, tissues and car cleaning products.
3. Let them sleep
Here's a great tip - if you have children, set off in the car when it's time for bed. If you travel in the day you'll have to make lots of stops, for visiting the loo and for eating. Travelling in the evening will mean you'll have lots of uninterrupted drive time. Don't forget to dress them in their pyjamas so you can just lift them straight from the car into bed when you arrive at your destination.
4. Pack a spontaneous idea bag
If you're going on a long journey then make sure you pack a bag with all the items in the back of the car. Fill it with everything you might need for spontaneous fun, including a towel (in case you come across a beach), snacks, a blanket (to keep you warm) and a disposable camera to capture any wonderful memories. Now you'll be free to divert the journey if you see somewhere interesting you'd like to check out along the way.
5. Play with an I-Spy bottle
Keep the little ones entertained with their very own I-Spy bottle by following the instructions at Pbs.org. Fill up a clear bottle with little objects you've collected over the years and the kids can shake them around to find everything. There's a surprising amount of things you can do with rice - check out my post on 19 astonishing uses for that rice in your cupboard for more ideas like this.
6. Buy a plastic cereal container
Get yourself a plastic container and house all your rubbish such as ice cream wrappers, dirty tissues and food packets in it. Keep it in the footwell of the passenger seat so it's easy to get to. Make sure you have a little plastic bag inside so you can remove it easily when you get to a big bin.
7. Always find your car when travelling
If you're cruising through a big unknown city and you have to leave your car to go in search of food, then use your iPhone to 'drop a pin' on your map app. You'll then be able to leave the car and later find your way back to where you've parked with ease!
8. Cheap phone in the glove box
Keep and old mobile in the glove box just in case you need one in an emergency. You never know when your phone might run out of batteries and you'll need to use it.
9. Fill an old tissue box with plastic bags
Store useful plastic bags by stuffing them into empty old tissue boxes. You can use the plastic bags for all kinds of things, from storing wet clothes after swimming to filling it with rubbish after a lunch picnic by the roadside. Make sure you visit 21 smart tips on how to clean & organise your car for other lovely suggestions like this.
10. Pack a sickness kit for travelling
This is a useful tip, especially if you're taking unknown passengers along with you. Pack a little sandwich bag full of useful items such as:
- travel sickness medication
- a cereal bar
- hayfever tablets
- pack of tissuesplasters
Now you'll be prepared for anything!
11. Don't forget your baby wipes
As you'll discover when reading Anushka's 39 unexpected uses for baby wipes, baby wipes can be used in all kinds of situations. On a long car journey, they can be used to mop up spills, clean grubby hands or clean the car. Don't forget to pack them!
12. Put your dice in a see-through container
Grab a tiny see-through plastic snack container and put your dice / die inside. This way, the kids can play games, roll and the die will never be lost in the footwell again.
13. Make a DIY mobile phone holder
You don't need to buy an expensive mobile phone holder. Use a trusty elastic band instead! Thread your band into the vent and then slip your phone through. Now your passenger can scroll through the music selection with ease. For other amazing tips, visit Anushka's 35 incredibly smart uses for elastic bands you need to know.
14. Create an I-Spy checklist
Get on the computer and create a fun checklist of things your children have to see and tick off. Consider types of cars, places, animals - whatever you want! Include pictures to make it more exciting.
15. Washable window markers
Keep the kids entertained with a pack of Washable Crayola Window Crayons from Amazon. They can draw all over the window and to keep the entertained for hours, give them themes which they have to follow - for example, 'Farmyard' or 'Space'. You can judge the winner!
16. Take a screenshot of the route before travelling
If you're using your mobile phone to get your from A-B, make sure you take screenshots of and maps and route details so if you find yourself without Wi-Fi you'll still be able to find your way.
17. Cupcake liners
This is a genius tip! Use cupcake liners to help keep your cupholders clean and organised. If you've got a long journey with lots of toll roads then they're the perfect place to store all your loose change in.
We hope you enjoyed the blog post and your long car journey! Have you got a travelling tip? We'd love to hear it in the comments below...
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