Tis the season for NOVA families to take a road trip!

Top 7 Tips for Road-Tripping with Kids this Holiday

The holidays can be a hectic time, making travel a possible stress test that is anything but merry or jolly! Our family often makes the car trip from Fairfax, Virginia to St. Louis, Missouri, so we’ve had our own challenges! Here are some tips for our Northern Virginia moms and dads that will keep everyone full of joy and good cheer. As a working mom, I treasure family getaways… but I definitely use these tips with gusto when traveling in the car! Here are your Top 7 Tips for Road-Tripping with Kids this Holiday.

1. Anticipate needs. Have these items on hand at all times:
   • tissues
   • antibacterial wipes
   • disposable plastic bags/zip-lock bags
   • umbrella
   • sweater or jacket
   • plastic rain ponchos that fit in a shoulder bag(in case of an unexpected shower while in a restaurant, shop, park, rest-stop)
   • a first-aid kit
   • treatments for common ailments (headache, upset stomach, car sickness, etc.)
   • a flashlight (with fresh batteries),
   • snacks and drinks and extra, clean sippy cups (if appropriate)
   • extra socks and shoes

2. Pack smart. If you’ll be doing a multi-day trip, pack one overnight bag with the basics everyone needs for the night — pajamas, toothbrushes and the all-important bathing suits (consider an indoor pool in cold climates—it’s the least you owe kids who have been stuck in a car seat/seat belt for hours!). With this additional packing, you only have to take one suitcase into the hotel each night—no need to unpack the entire car, carry in three-plus suitcases, clutter up the room, and then repack and carry everything out again the next morning.

3. Consider nap times. If possible, always schedule your departure when it’s almost a baby’s nap-time. If you leave one to two hours before they normally sleep, you can get a little bit of chill time with them when they first adjust to the road. You’ll have a little playtime, and then the feeding and next thing you know, they are asleep and you just got a good three to four hours of driving in.

4. Make it a game. One of my husband and my pet peeves is the ever-constant “Are we there yet?” How about a game? Get your kids involved with the trip itinerary. Print the fidgety little ones a copy of the directions with the miles, time estimates and map included. Also, carry along a clipboard and colored pencils for each child and an analog clock. Before you pull out of your driveway, give each child a set of driving directions and note the estimated total trip time. Have them predict if they will arrive at their destination earlier, later or just as predicted. During the trip, kids watch the passage of time on the analog clock while they get data at set intervals (parent decided) about where they are along the route. It turns “Are we there yet?” into a fun activity.

5. Let the music play. Prompt your kids to come up with a playlist of their favorite songs in advance of hitting the road. My daughter LOVES this and is more than happy to operate the iPod. Then, create your own road trip radio station that will broadcast ‘live’ over the course of your travels. Let your kids take turns in the role of ‘guest DJ’ for a 30-minute block of time and introduce and comment on each of their tunes as the on-air host of their own radio show.

6. Listen up. Bringing audio books for the whole family is both a shared experience and entertainment, plus some kids are less likely to get carsick than if watching a DVD. Depending on the age of your kids, bring a book the whole family can listen to together and talk about. It makes for great conversation, both explaining parts the kids might not understand and trading turns giving opinions on the characters, their motivations and actions.

7. Don’t forget to take care of yourself! To stay alert, snack on healthy foods such as carrots and almonds, and keep water on hand to stay hydrated. Yes, drinking may make for an extra bathroom break, but it can give you a chance to stretch your legs and refresh. Pack an adult beverage to share with your co-pilots when you finally get off the road! Let these top 7 tips for road-tripping with kids this holiday season end with cheer ... Happy Holidays!