371 W. Patrick St. | Frederick, MD 21701

371 W. Patrick St. | Frederick, MD 21701

Frederick, MD How to Survive a Car Trip with the Kids

How to Survive a Car Trip with the Kids

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How to Survive a Car Trip with the Kids

Long car rides can be challenging for anyone, but for kids, they can be nothing short of torture. However, with a little planning and some supplies, you will not only survive your next car trip with the kids, you will enjoy it. Let’s take a look.

How to Survive a Car Trip with the Kids

1. Give Yourself Extra Time

Whether they’re buckled up or in a car seat, sitting still for hours on end isn’t fun for anyone. Make sure you give yourself extra time to make plenty of stops along your route.

Highways will usually have rest stops every so often with bathrooms and picnic tables that you can take advantage of. Bring a ball for a quick game of soccer or catch to help your little ones get rid of some of their energy.

2. Travel During Nap-time

So while you’ve gone ahead and scheduled your stops ahead of time, also keep in mind nap schedules. Ask any parent and they’ll tell you—a sleeping child is a happy child and this is especially true during a car trip. So try your best to schedule your travels during regular nap times, or later at night, when they’d be going to bed anyways.

3. Everyone Loves Snacks

Hunger can make even the most level-headed kids get crazy in the car. Not to mention the fact that you’ll probably start to get cranky after not eating for a while as well. Bring plenty of yummy bits to munch on. Things like fresh fruits, veggies, pretzels, small sandwiches, and slices of cheese are all good options. Bring plenty of water and some juice as well. It’s important to stay hydrated and you’ll probably be stopping regularly anyway.

4. Don’t Forget the Entertainment

Electronics like your iPad are going to come in handy here if your child is old enough to be trusted with it. You can set them up to watch a show or play some games for a while to keep them occupied.

If you don’t want to give them electronics, art supplies are great. Try to invest in a magnet doodler or twistable colored pencils so that your kids won’t need to sharpen them and can color and write as long as they please.

5. Maintain the Mess

Sticky fingers, spills, and diaper leaks are all inevitable parts of roadtripping with kids. Before you set off, make sure you have the following:

  • Baby wipes
  • Easily accessible diapers
  • Paper towels
  • Waterproof car seat protector
  • Gallon-sized resealable bags (for diapers)
  • Sippy cups with lids

6. Get Your Car Checked Out

If you think driving with the kids is a challenge, imagine the car breaking down on the side of the road. It’s not going to be pretty. Thankfully, we at Ken’s Automotive and Transmissions are here to help you. We are an experienced auto repair shop in Frederick, Maryland, so bring your car to us and we’ll make sure you’re ready to roll.