I don't know about you but we're a family who tries to pinch pennies in any way we can. And we make no exceptions with traveling!! Traveling with kids can be tough and expensive but it doesn't have to be. Especially when you're spending a lot of time on the road. If you've had a road trip with children before then you know that it involves frequent stops and agitation. Kids don't really understand the concept of time. They struggle with the fact that they have to sit in one spot for many hours and may pester each other just out of pure boredom. Keeping them occupied is important but there are also other aspects to traveling such as stopping for food and potty breaks. If you're looking for some ways to save your sanity, money, and time, check out the following tips.
1. Leave while it's still dark outside.
I know this sounds cliche, but this is the number one time saver when it comes to traveling with kids.
Not only will the kids fall back to sleep, but driving is also usually easier because there is little to no one on the road. It's dark outside and car rides are just naturally soothing for little ones. How many of us parents can be honest and say that we've taken our toddler for a car ride just to get them to take a nap? Leaving at this time also gives you a slight advantage in avoiding all the frequent pee breaks you would be taking within the next hour or so and helps keep kids on their normal sleep schedule.
Snacks for seven people
2. Pack several snacks and drinks.
Your snack packs may look different. We overdid it a bit this time around but we shaved off time and money from our trip by simply doing this. We packed snacks such as crackers, chips, pretzels, etc in sandwich baggies and then packed them in a gallon-size bag for each child. Each bag was labeled with the child's name and was given to them when it was snack time. They chose one or two snacks out of their bags and then we put the bags up until the next snack time. You could also pack a lunch if you have the extra space. Taking a cooler with you provides a way to have cold drinks on hand and a place to store your cold snacks or lunches. If you really want to save money you can always opt for refillable thermos water bottles or plastic cups and keep a gallon of water in your cooler for refills.
3. Stop and let the kids play.
Sometimes we want to get where we're going as fast as we can but we have to remember that kids have a hard time sitting still. Especially smaller ones. Breaking up a road trip makes things easier and more enjoyable for everyone. It's also good to stretch your legs and get the circulation in your legs pumping. Believe it or not, there are plenty of healthy people out there who have suffered from a blood clot in the legs just from simply traveling in a vehicle without stopping. We all need bathroom breaks and trying to find a local park is always a great option. We were lucky with this park because it had restrooms, trails, and a really AWESOME playground that the kids just loved!!!
4. Hand sanitizer and wipes.
Just because!!! I mean, how many times have we needed these things and didn't have them? These are excellent resources to have on hand when you don't have a sink nearby. Baby wipes also make fantastic cleaning wipes for spills, dirty faces, dirty dashboards, etc. I'm going to be using them for the rest of my life!! I'm sure you already know how wonderful and handy baby wipes are, you don't need me to explain. This is just a reminder for those mommas who have kids out of diapers and may not be using them much anymore. So, don't forget the hand sanitizer or baby wipes for those unexpected moments!
5. Pack your kid's sentiments.
We all have that one child who has a teddy or toy they just can't be without. You know, the one your kid absolutely needs to keep them comfortable and happy? Yeah, that one! You know the trip will be much more enjoyable for everyone if you don't forget that special item, so don't forget it. Just a friendly reminder if you don't want to lose your sanity.
6. Travel pillows
As mentioned above, sentimental items are necessary and they can include items such as pillows. If that's your kid, you can just scroll down to number seven. We know you're not going to forget that one. Pillows can be some of your children's favorite items but if not, I recommend getting travel pillows so your kids can rest their necks on something when they do fall asleep. If your kids complain about their necks hurting or you have a very long trip, you may want to get those kiddos some travel pillows. Looking in the rearview mirror and seeing your child's neck hanging down to their elbow while fast asleep really makes you want to cringe inside. I mean....how? How can they sleep like that? It makes you want to stop and pull over to adjust their head. If you find that your kids do this a lot or wake up with their necks hurting, try using these travel pillows.
7. Entertainment and Activities
I know some hardcore parents out there can tune their kids out when they are complaining or whining about how bored they are and that's great! You get a gold star!! Honestly, I had parents like that and I remember counting license plates and playing games with my brothers just to pass the time in our old station wagon. We were a little older though so that made a difference. But for the rest of us who want to have a more peaceful ride and avoid these agitating circumstances with little ones, we really need to think about what can distract and entertain our kids while traveling. The obvious is a tablet or some kind of electronic. This wouldn't be my first choice but it is for many parents. If you're looking for an electronic-free option you can find some ideas right here.
8. A Plastic Cup You Will Never Use Again
Okay, so it doesn't necessarily need to be a plastic cup. It could be any cup you don't plan on keeping like an old fast food cup, coffee cup, solo cup, etc. So this tip will be for the boy mommas. You probably already know why. But if for some reason you don't, please let me explain. There are going to be several times in your life when your little man-child is going to need to pee at the most inconvenient time. And I'm pretty sure this will be one of those times. You just asked them if they needed to use the restroom. In fact, you just left the rest stop and they didn't need to go. Ten minutes up the road, they now need to use the bathroom so bad that they're going to pee their pants. You have two options here. You can either pull over on the side of the road and let them handle their business or option two, you can have them pee in an old cup. I prefer option two because there aren't many places where you can pull over and have your kid pee in privacy. This is also a time saver because you can dump and go. If option two grosses you out (which I can't imagine that it would since you're a boy mom) there is always option three. Which leads to my next tip.
9. A Portable Potty
If you have a child who is potty training or has bowel issues, I can't stress this one enough. This item is so convenient to have on hand, especially for those long trips. The downside to this would be cleaning it out. That's never enjoyable but hey, you're being consistent with their potty training, so way to go!!!
10. Download a kid-friendly playlist
Most kids love to listen to music and dance, it brings them joy. If you know what your kids like, go ahead and download a playlist ahead of time and surprise them with it. To make it fun and memorable, sing along with your kids. They will love it! Music helps pass the time and will definitely distract a child from boredom. Another option would be to download some of your children's favorite books or even educational podcasts.
If you can think of any other helpful tips or ideas for traveling with little ones, please list them in the comments section below, I'd love to hear them and use them as well. Thanks so much for reading! Stay blessed and humble!
