How to Enjoy a Holiday Road Trip with Kids

It's officially the time of year where everyone is traveling to see family. After all, there's no place like home for the holidays!

Unfortunately, that means fighting crowds, traffic and inclement weather to reach your destination. Add kids to the mix, and holiday travel can be downright stressful.

I've done my fair share of road trips with the kids in all types of weather. If I've learned one thing, it's that preparedness is key. Here are some tips for making your holiday road trip the best one yet:

Put Together an Emergency Car Kit

First, make sure you have the essentials for your car, such as jumper cables, a window scraper and a spare tire. You should also be prepared for the possibility of an accident or breakdown with a first aid kit, blankets, hand warmers, flashlights and flares in case you need to be found at night.

Finally, keep some nonperishable food items and water bottles in the trunk in the event you're stranded somewhere for hours, or even overnight.

Get The Car Ready

All great family road trips begin with a prepared car. Schedule a checkup and an oil change to make sure everything is in working order. Inspect your tires, especially if you're going to be driving on snow and ice. Make sure you have enough windshield washer fluid.

If you want to go the extra mile for your own sanity, clean out and vacuum the inside of the car. An organized vehicle will start your trip on a peaceful note.

Pack Those Snacks!

Our family loves to bring actual groceries in the car with us whenever we travel. We find it saves us money in the long run and helps us make better health choices.

Produce, granola bars and sandwiches make great road trip food. We also include a treat we wouldn't normally buy for the kids to make travel days feel special. Don't forget a plastic bag for trash!

Stretch your Legs

Choose pit stops where the kids can burn off some of their endless energy. Look for rest stops, as they often have grassy areas or parks that aren't too far from the interstate. While the kids run and play (if driving through a warmer-weather locale), the adults can get their blood flowing by walking or doing jumping jacks.

Even if the weather is a little chilly, everyone will be in better spirits after moving their bodies, and it's a great way to see the surrounding area.

Keep the Kids Entertained

Traveling long distances with kids is not for the faint of heart, so prepare accordingly.

Pack a bucket of toys, coloring books and crayons for each kid, and store them under the seats. Try to save electronics and movies for bedtime or for when the kids are getting squirmy so it feels special and actually holds their attention.

Get the kids involved by giving them a map so they can follow along with the route.

Try an audiobook the whole family will enjoy. Don't forget to prepare a road trip playlist for a family jam session!

Get Cozy

Have everyone bring his or her favorite pillow or stuffed animal and blanket. When it starts to get dark, tuck the kids in and turn on a movie to signal that it's time to calm down. An advantage to leaving before bedtime or really early in the morning is that the kids will sleep through the bulk of the drive, and you'll hit less traffic along the way.

The adults can bring one blanket and pillow to share, so whoever is not driving can get some shuteye before it's their turn to take the wheel.

With a lot of planning and a little luck, holiday road trips will make for some wonderful family memories to savor.

---

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore