Trifter

Living a 12 hour drive from our family is tough. But getting there or anywhere else for that matter,shouldn’t have to be torture for anyone in the vehicle. Traveling with children is even more stressful but there are some suggestions I have for making it a pleasant drive. As a mother of a 2 year old I have found some tried and true methods of keeping everyone in the car sane. Also for some, keeping the cost of food at a minimum is also a concern. So the next time you pack up the car here are some suggestions to make it a better trip.

Snacks and beverages: Pack a cooler with lots of cold drinks. Around 3-4 per person for every 12 hours of the trip. For toddlers it’s easier to buy juice boxes or Capri sun drinks but if they don’t know how to drink from those yet fill their sippy cups up with water and take some single packets of crystal light or Kool-aid to mix in with it.  Snacks such as chips,cereal,cookies,crackers, and candy will always get messy and leave you cleaning them ou of the car. The best snacks for trips with little mess are granola bars, fruit leathers,nuts, and beef jerky.

Entertainment/Toys: To keep children entertained and from having a melt down let them pick 4-5 toys a piece to take with them in the car. Or designate a small bin/box as vehicle toy box and fill it with small toys. Another way to keep kids entertained is to have a portable dvd player in the vehicle but if you cannot afford that buy books on CD to put into your stereo and let the kids listen to the story while you drive.

Cranky tots: If entertaining your child doesn’t seem to work and they aren’t hungry or thirtsy either, it’s time to take a break from the car. Pull over at the nearest gas station,store or truck stop and have a bathroom break and short walk. This usually stops their crankiness.