8 tips for road tripping with kids

It's almost summertime, which means the school year is coming to an end and the season for road tripping begins.

Before you leave on any family road trip, it's wise to be properly prepared. Long road trips with kids can be challenging (read: meltdowns) and you want to make it as fun for them (and as hassle-free for you) as possible. With a little planning ahead of time, you can do just that.

Here are 8 tips to help make your family road trip a successful and enjoyable one.

The last thing you need on a road trip is for your vehicle to break down in the middle of nowhere, and to make matters worse, with kids in the car. Before you leave on any road trip, you should get your vehicle prepped.

Get (or conduct your own) car service check including an oil change, checking tire pressure and replacing air filters, if needed. An overall maintenance and engine check is recommended, especially in the summer months when there are higher temperatures.

You should already have an emergency kit in your car, but if you don't, it's time you put one together. Make it even better by adding items specifically for road trip emergencies. The difference between having and not having an emergency kit could make or break your family trip. Here's what you should have in a basic emergency kit:

Jumper cables
Ice scraper
Tire pressure gauge
Ratchet set
Pliers
Screwdrivers
Electrical tape
Automotive fuses
Reflective hazard warning sign
Flashlight
Work gloves
Blanket

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To make it more road-trip appropriate, add these items:

Sunblock and bug spray (perfect for unexpected side trips)
First-aid kit
Bottled water (depending on the size of your family, you may want to keep a case in the trunk)
Snacks, especially snacks with higher protein.
Wet wipes (the uses for these are too many to count)
Road atlas
External battery pack or power bank for your phone charger

Pillows might seem like a luxury, but they are crucial on a long road trip. They may take up some much-needed space, but you'll want them. Trust us.

Your vehicle is going to get messy during a road trip, and fast. The best way to mitigate the inevitable mess is to purchase (or make) a car seat organizer to hold things like DVDs, coloring books, crayons, books, some of those handy-dandy wet wipes and snacks so they're not cluttering the seats and floor of the car.

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Make sure you have several different activities available for a long car ride, and ones that are appropriate for all the ages in the car: cards, books, coloring books, travel games, movies, etc.

Tip: the smart folks over at Burlap and Denim ^[1] had the genius idea of using a cheap cookie sheet as an all-purpose activity lab table and eating tray. The flat surface is great for coloring, playing cards, using as a magnet board and for snacking.

Sometimes some of the best fun during a road-trip is the planned for (and unplanned for) stops and side trips along the way to your final destination. Build in some extra time in your travel itinerary for a few side trips like stopping at an interesting or historic place, playing at a community park or having a picnic in a town you would normally pass through. Not only will it help break up the drive, the kids will enjoy stretching their legs for a bit.

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Chances are you'll have multiple overnight stays at hotels and motels during your trip. If you can, try to book a hotel with an indoor pool. The kids will be able to burn off some extra steam, have a great time splashing around and probably sleep better from all the activity.

You can make snack time last longer and occupy the kids for a while at the same time. Foods like sandwich sushi (try rolling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches into bite-sized rolls) and munchie necklaces are especially fun for kids. For the necklaces, just string a few snack foods together like pretzels, cheerios, or anything a piece of string will fit through, to make a nice long necklace and tie up the ends.

Here's another tip: for things like yogurt and applesauce that can spill all over the car, just stick a straw in the lid. That way you never have to open it up.

Looking for a great car for your next family road trip? Check out the selection of new and used vehicles at KSL Cars ^[2].