If you’re a parent, then you know that there are a million things to think about when heading out on the road with a baby or toddler for an extended period of time. Planning is key – and it starts before your departure date.
Road trips with little ones can be scary. There are so many things to think about before you even get in the car. How long is the drive? Will they have enough snacks? What if they need a diaper change or some Tylenol on the way? These are just some of the questions that come up when planning a road trip with a baby or toddler. Follow these seven tips before hitting the open highway!
Keep all family members safe during your road trip
The safest place for a child is always in the backseat, so buckle them up with an appropriate car seat or booster. This will ensure that they are not thrown around if there is an accident, and it keeps their airway free of obstructions should you need to brake suddenly.
Never leave kids alone in cars- even for just five minutes! It’s hot out, especially when summer rolls around, and someone could break into your vehicle while you’re gone (or worse). Keep pets close by too; animals can easily escape from unattended cars which poses another risk factor for heatstroke among other things.
Have one adult in the back seat with the baby or get in the backseat for playtime. Keep the baby or toddler entertained. Bring along some toys that are easy to clean up if they spill/drop during playtime! Pack plenty of food & snacks. Make sure they contain minimal messes to avoid a huge clean-up later!
Don’t have any distractions while driving
While this should go without saying, many parents claim that they’ve been distracted by their kids before- sometimes even causing accidents! It may seem like common sense not to talk on the phone or text while driving with children in tow, however, it’s still important to remember. If you must use your cell phone for something during a drive, park somewhere safe first so everyone can get out of the vehicle. This will also give them a chance to stretch after being cooped up for too long.
If your baby or toddler starts crying during a long drive, do not turn up their volume- it’s actually better for babies’ ears when music/audio isn’t played too loudly. If possible, try singing along with them instead! It may help keep everyone entertained while keeping all family members safe during your road trip. The journey will go by much faster than expected!
Make stops frequently & find places of interest to visit along the way
If you’re only traveling a few hours, it might not be necessary. However, if you have a long road trip ahead of you or plan on taking breaks during your drive, try and find places that will interest both adults and children alike. Visit some historical sites (there are plenty in America), go for some mini-golfing, fishing, or hiking/camping at different locations as well! These activities can keep everyone occupied while also teaching kids about American history and culture ;). It’s also great bonding time with the family members we don’t usually get an opportunity to see all too often. Pack food & snacks…but stay away from messy ingredients
Keep Supplies Nearby
Pack foods that contain minimal messes such as crackers, fruit, sandwiches, and yogurt. There’s nothing worse than soggy crackers or a banana that’s half-peeled when you’re starving! And don’t forget the rest of your family members either; pack foods which everyone can enjoy to keep guilt away from hungry belly complaints. Don’t get too hung up on packing specific items for each person though; after all, it is just one trip.
Download some apps before setting off if you plan on using GPS
Many people rely heavily upon their phones’ built-in GPS functions while traveling abroad these days, so why not load an app onto yours before heading out? You’ll save battery life by only having one running at once (as opposed to multiple), there are plenty available with free trials and you’ll know exactly where to go!
Make sure everyone is buckled up safely- including yourself!
We can’t stress enough how important it is that every member of the family wears their seat belt when in a moving vehicle. This includes babies, toddlers, and adults alike; not only are all passengers safer while riding with seat belts on but so are people outside of your car if you happen to be involved in an accident. Always keep them fastened unless at a complete stop or parked somewhere safe.
Don’t forget your chargers & entertainment!
With all these new rules and safety precautions in place, don’t forget your chargers for any devices you’ve packed (especially if they’re tablets like an iPad)! Keep Supplies Nearby (snacks, toys, and entertainment). Bring some more snacks/foods along too but be sure to keep them away from messy ingredients.
Keep everyone entertained with apps or downloaded games on long car rides. Listen to music during the journey, sing songs, and tell jokes, watch movies on the road; not only will this make the time fly by faster than ever before but it’ll ensure that no one gets bored either!
Don’t get caught up worrying about every single thing that could go wrong during a road trip because there’s always something unexpected that might happen. All of our best-laid plans can fall apart around us at certain points however we should try as hard as possible to prevent accidents from occurring in the first place. Try your best to prevent them through proper preparation though so everyone stays healthy and happy throughout their travels!
