1. Load up on snacks
Nothing slows a trip down faster than having to stop every few hours for food. But if you bring a cooler full of yummy, healthy snacks, then you can keep driving and you'll be less likely to hit the drive-thru.
Snacks like whole grain cereal, granola bars, low-fat yogurt, cheese sticks, carrot sticks, trail mix, and whole pieces of fruit like bananas and apples are all healthy and kid-friendly.
2. Plan your trip around sleep schedules
If you are traveling with little ones who still take a nap or two during the day, you'll want to keep these times in mind when you're planning your trip. It might be wise to hit the road right before the child would normally sleep, so that they will be resting for a good portion of the drive.
And if you have older children, you might consider leaving early in the morning. This might give the driver a few hours of peace and quiet.
3. Pick attractions to see along the way
Driving for hours on end can be a long and boring process for children. Giving them something to look forward to will help pass the time and give you more opportunities to bond with your offspring.
Before you head out on the open road, have your children help you pick a few places to stop along the way that might interest them. Whether it's a Civil War battle site or the world's largest ball of wax, it will be a welcomed distraction from traveling.
4. Play car games
Not only will this help give your children something to do, but it will also encourage positive sibling interactions. You can pick some old favorites like the license plate game or I spy, or make up a new game. It might even be fun to write down some trivia about your destination and create some questions to ask your children along the way. Offer prizes to those who can answer correctly.
5. Bring a few of their favorite things
Traveling can be scary for young children who aren't used to being far from home. Make sure to bring some comfort items like a favorite teddy bear or the book you read to them every night. Having these reminders of home and their normal routine will lessen the likelihood of a meltdown.
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