20 Best Road Trip With Kids Game-Changer Tips

5 Essentials For A Road Trip With Kids

Road trips are a great way to see different parts of the country with your family, but they can also be stressful when traveling with children.

When you have road trip ideas for kids, it’s important to be prepared.

Here are five essential tips to make sure your road trip with kids goes smoothly!

1. Snacks And Drinks

Having plenty of snacks and drinks when traveling with kids is always a good idea.

Not only will this help keep their energy up, but it can also help prevent meltdowns caused by hunger or thirst.

Be sure to pack various snacks that will appeal to all members of your traveling party, including healthy options and some special treats.

And don’t forget the drinks!

In addition to water, bring along some juice boxes or milk for the kids.

2. Games And Activities

Keeping kids entertained on a long car ride can be difficult, so it’s essential to come prepared with plenty of games and activities.

Coloring books, puzzles, and hand-held electronics are all great options when traveling with kids.

If you’re traveling with more than one child, it might be helpful to pack individual activity bags, so each child has his or her own set of things to do.

3. Inflatable Foot Rest And Blanket

Keeping your kids comfortable during a long car ride is essential to a successful trip.

An inflatable foot rest like Koala Kloud and a blanket will help them do just that.

The foot rest will keep their feet propped up and out of the way, while the blanket will keep them warm and cozy.

Another great thing about the Koala Kloud foot rest is that it comes with free printable games that your kids can enjoy!

4. First-Aid Supplies

You never know when someone might get a cut, scrape, or stomach ache while traveling with children, so it’s always best to be prepared with a basic first-aid kit.

This should include items like bandages, antibiotic ointment, antihistamines, and pain relievers.

If anyone in your party has any chronic medical conditions or allergies, include any necessary medication or supplies in your first-aid kit.

5. Extra Clothes

Spills happen, especially when kids are involved.

Be sure to pack at least one extra set of clothes for each member of your traveling party in case of an accident.

Pack an extra sweater or jacket in case the temperature drops unexpectedly or someone gets cold during the trip is also a good idea.

If you’re still wondering what to pack, here’s an ultimate packing list for traveling with kids!

5 Road Trip Games When Traveling With Kids

If you’re planning a road trip with kids, you might wonder how you will keep them entertained for hours.

After all, even the most patient of children can get antsy when confined to a car seat for an extended period.

Luckily, there are some fun games that the whole family can play to make the time pass by more quickly.

Here are five of our favorite games on a road trip with kids!

1. I-Spy

This classic game is perfect for young kids just starting to read.

To play, one person picks an object within eyesight and says, “I spy with my little eye something that starts with…” and then names the letter that the object starts with.

The other players then take turns guessing what the object is.

For example, if the person spying sees a dog, they might say, “I spy with my little eye something that starts with D.”

The first person to guess correctly gets to pick the next object.

2. Simon Says

If you’re traveling with children, try this one. This game is a favorite among kids of all ages.

To play, one person takes on the role of Simon and gives orders to the other players (e.g., “Simon says touch your toes”).

The players must follow Simon’s orders exactly as they are given; if they don’t, they’re out of the game.

The last player remaining is the winner and gets to be Simon for the next round.

3. The License Plate Game

This one is perfect for a long car road trip with kids because it gets everyone looking out the window instead of staring at their phone screens or books.

To play, players keep track of all the license plates they see from other states (or countries, if you’re traveling internationally)!

The goal is to spot plates from as many states (or countries) as possible.

The player who spots the most wins.

4. 20 Questions

This game is similar to I-Spy in that one person thinks of an object, and the others have to guess what it is.

However, instead of giving clues about what letter the object starts with, players are allowed to ask 20 yes or no questions to figure out what it is.

For example, if someone is thinking of a cat, they might ask, “Is it a mammal?” or “Does it live in Africa?”

Once a player has used up their 20 questions without correctly guessing the object, they lose, and someone else gets to pick an object for the next round.

5. The Alphabet Game

This game can be played individually or as a team and is perfect for kids who are starting to learn their letters.

To play, choose a category (e.g., animals) and then take turns naming objects within that category that starts with each letter of the alphabet.

For example, if choosing animals as your category, you might name an ant for A, a bear for B, etc., all the way through Zebra for Z.

If you get stuck on a letter and can’t think of anything, you lose!

5 Snack Ideas For A Road Trip With Kids

It’s essential to ensure you’re prepared for the long journey ahead when traveling with children.

One way to do this is to pack plenty of snacks to keep your little ones full and happy throughout the trip.

Here are five snack ideas on a road trip with kids to please even the pickiest of eaters!

1. Homemade Trail Mix

This is an excellent option for people traveling with children because you can control the ingredients and ensure that there’s something for everyone.

Plus, it’s easy to make ahead of time and doesn’t require any refrigeration.

Simply mix your favorite dry cereal, nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips.

Add some pretzels or Oreos if you want something more indulgent!

Remember to pack it in an airtight container so it doesn’t get stale.

2. Popcorn

Popcorn is always a hit, no matter what age you are.

It’s light, airy, and easy to eat on the go. Plus, there are so many different ways to jazz it up.

You can go classic with salt and butter or get creative with flavor combinations like caramel, cheddar cheese, chocolate, and peanut butter.

Just be sure to pack extra napkins!

3. Veggies and Dip

This is an excellent option if you’re looking for something healthy when traveling with kids that will still fill them up.

Cut up some carrots, celery, cucumbers, or other veggies your kids enjoy and pair them with their favorite dip.

They’ll get their daily dose of vitamins and minerals without even realizing it!

4. Fruit Leathers

These are fruit roll-ups without all the sugar.

You can find them at most grocery stores these days, or you can make them yourself home using nothing but fruit puree and a dehydrator (or your oven set on its lowest setting).

Either way, they’re a delicious and healthy snack option for a road trip with kids.

5. PB&Js

This is a classic for a reason when traveling with kids!

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are easy to make, easy to eat, and always satisfying.

Plus, you can switch up the flavors however you like.

If your kids are tired of grape jelly, try using Nutella or honey instead.

There’s really no wrong way to do it!

5 Road Trip Hacks When Traveling With Children

Road trips can also be a recipe for disaster if you’re unprepared.

Here are five hacks to help you make the most of your next road trip with kids.

1. Make Sure Everyone Has A Job

Traveling with kids has many perks, but you should always have a plan.

You know what they say—Many hands make light work!

Before you hit the road, sit down with your kids and assign them each a task.

Whether helping to pack the car or keeping track of rest stops, involving your children in the planning process will help them feel invested in the trip.

They will also be less likely to get antsy along the way.

2. Invest In A Good Car Seat

If you spend hours in the car, you want to make sure your child is as comfortable as possible.

A good car seat will help keep them safe and secure while also giving them a place to sleep if they need to take a nap.

Don’t forget to bring along a few pillows and blankets to ensure they’re cozy!

3. Plan Your Rest Stops Ahead Of Time

Trying to find a rest stop in the middle of nowhere is not fun when you’re on a road trip with kids.

Plan your rest stops ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry about it when you’re already tired and cranky!

Look for rest stops that have playgrounds or picnic areas so your children can run off some energy.

4. Create an Emergency Bag

No one likes to think about emergencies, but it’s always better to be prepared when planning a road trip with kids.

Put together a bag with items like bandages, wipes, sunscreen, snacks, and drinks—anything you might need in case of an unexpected detour or delay.

This will help you avoid stressful situations if something happens along the way.

5. Plan Your Route Carefully 

Depending on how long your trip is, you’ll want to plan your route carefully so that you can avoid major highways and cities as much as possible.

This will help reduce the traffic congestion you encounter and make the trip less stressful for everyone involved.

Plus, it’ll be more fun for everyone if you can find scenic routes that offer plenty of chances to stop and explore along the way!

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can make your next road trip with kids smooth sailing!

Just remember to plan as much as possible, pack plenty of snacks and drinks, choose your entertainment wisely, take breaks often, and be flexible with your schedule.

With a little bit of preparation (and maybe some bribes), you can survive—and even enjoy—your next road trip with kids.

What are your favorite family road trip ideas and hacks for traveling with children? Let us know in the comments!

Koala Kloud is the #1 flight essential to keep your kids comfortable & happy on long trips, transforming your cramped, uncomfortable plane & car seats into a super soft surface you and your kids can kick your feet up on or lay down and relax for hours!

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