Tips for Successful Road Trips with Kids

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During the fall, we go on a lot of road trips as a family. We all enjoy the spontaneity of hopping in the car and exploring new towns together. Since we have gone on dozens of trips over the years, we learned a lot about what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to keeping the kids happy on long car rides. From using a safe, comfortable car seat to bringing along non-perishable snacks, I’m sharing my best tips for successful family road trips today.

1. Plan plenty of breaks along the way!
For every road trip we take, we schedule plenty of stops along the way. For us, we never really want to drive more than about an hour at a time. So we stop at rest areas so the kids can use the bathroom and so we can all stretch our legs. For young kids, it really helps to break up a long drive into multiple, shorter segments. During an especially long road trip to Vermont a few months ago, we found a petting zoo along the way. We stopped and the kids had a blast petting & feeding some of the animals.

2. Choose a safe, stylish car seat!
One of our essentials for family road trips is a safe, comfortable car seat. We recently installed the Maxi-Cosi Magellan™ Max 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat. This revolutionary new 5-in-1 convertible car seat can be used from birth to 10 years (5lbs. to 120lbs.)! I love that a single seat can transition over time to suit a growing child.

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There are actually five modes of use: Baby Rear-Facing, Toddler Rear-Facing, Toddler Forward-Facing, Child Forward-Facing, and Belt Positioning Booster. I appreciate that it’s so easy to transition from one mode to the next. Charlotte is using this seat in the Child Forward-Facing mode currently. When she gets a bit older, I can easily transition the seat to Booster mode. Keeping her safe & entertained on long car rides is my top priority. Knowing that she is in a Maxi-Cosi car seat gives me peace of mind. By the way, the seat features premium, machine-washable fabrics, and a modern, streamlined design. The Magellan™ Max is available in Maxi-Cosi’s popular Nomad fashion: Nomad Blue, Nomad Sand, Nomad Purple, Nomad Black, Nomad Grey.

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3. Pack plenty of non-perishable snacks!
When hunger strikes, moods can often go downhill. We always bring along with us plenty of non-perishable snacks. Some of our favorite options include crackers, pretzels, dried fruits, and nuts. The kids also love applesauce in pouches – they’re convenient to serve and don’t need refrigeration!

4. Sing songs together!
There comes a time in every road trip, when the kids start to get restless. What I usually like to do at that time is to turn to music. We will often sing songs together. Now that my older daughter (7 years old) is starting to recognize songs on the radio, I also like to create a personalized playlist with her favorite tunes. I put them on a CD and we all enjoy the melodies together.

5. Make an activity kit!
We always bring fun activities for the kids with us. I recently made my own activity kit using an old DVD case. This craft project could not be any easier and it provides the perfect entertainment for kids in the car. Simply remove the paper & plastic cover from the outside of the DVD case. Paint the exterior of the case with some chalkboard paint and let dry.

Now you have a small, portable chalkboard for kids!

The best part? The chalk fits right inside the case!

6. Plan activities for the kids!
When we’re on vacation, we try to schedule at least one activity that’s geared to the kid’s interests every day. On a recent trip to Pennsylvania, we stopped at a kid’s play place that offered mini golf. It was Charlotte’s first time playing mini golf, but she had a blast! Isn’t her golf form adorable?!

7. Have the right mindset!
Traveling with kids can certainly be unpredictable. The kids may drop the ice cream. There may be a detour along the highway. The weather may not cooperate with your plans to visit the beach. It’s important to maintain the right attitude and go with the flow! After all, when traveling with kids, it’s about the adventure above all else.

Don’t forget to learn more about the Magellan™ Max 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat. Do you take family road trips often? What is your best tip for a successful experience?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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