A long drive with the kids has the potential to become one of our most precious memories. The fun, laughter, and excitement as you cruise down country roads can sometimes be just as enjoyable as the holiday itself. However, without preparation, the experience can be quite different. Here are ten family road trip essentials that will help ensure boredom, temper tantrums, and snack-related meltdowns don’t ruin your next big drive.
A long-distance road trip with toddlers involves several variables. When heat, hunger, tiredness, spills, boredom, and other unpredictable events come into play, it can quickly become a nightmare. If you’re planning a trip across long stretches of road in high temperatures, the smallest issues can turn into unbearable stress. This is why it is essential to ensure you’ve completed your family road trip checklist.
Thankfully, preparation isn’t too taxing. With a few simple steps, you can create a relaxing environment for everyone travelling. By anticipating the needs of your children, they’ll be much more settled, allowing you to have an immensely pleasurable journey. Of course, every family has different needs, but this road trip packing list for kids is a massive step towards creating a family drive you’re going to love.
Probably the most non-negotiable item when it comes to packing for a long drive with the kids is a basic safety and emergency kit. This should include a first-aid kit stocked with plasters, bandages, antiseptics, personal medication, and pain relief meds. It should also include a selection of basic tools for the car, such as jump leads, a tyre pressure gauge, spare tyre equipment, and a torch. Remember, it should always be accessible and not buried under luggage!
We should always travel with important documents like registration papers, a driver’s licence, and a roadside assistance membership, but when kids are involved in the trip, not having them to hand can turn a fun trip into an unimaginably frustrating experience. Additionally, it is always worth having a digital backup in case they get lost in the chaos of packing.
Heat and sun exposure can be detrimental to a family road trip, especially in countries like Australia. If you miss this from your family road trip essentials, it isn’t only uncomfortable; it can be damaging to children’s health. Always pack sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and wide-brim hats, as well as kitting out your car with vehicle-specific window shades, like those from Snap Shades. Doing so will enhance every journey you ever go on with your little ones.
One thing that can make or break a long journey with children is preparing the right snacks. Due to their indecisive nature and sudden mood changes, you should pack a wide variety of snacks for a road trip with toddlers. Pro tip: Use a cooler to ensure snacks and drinks taste perfect, and try to avoid high-sugar beverages as these can easily lead to post-sugar spike crankiness.
When it comes to kids’ car travel essentials, entertainment is paramount. Packing a varied range of books, toys, colouring supplies, stickers, and card games can massively enhance the journey. For a particularly long drive with kids, there are also child-friendly audiobooks and podcasts that can keep them engrossed for hours.
One inevitable aspect of a long drive with kids is mess. Products like wet wipes, hand sanitiser, tissues, and rubbish bags are family road trip essentials that you should always have within arm’s reach. It is also worth packing a spare travel outfit in case of large spills, travel sickness, or other unexpected accidents.
If you’re on a long drive with kids, it is likely to overlap with their usual naptimes. As well as their favourite blankets and plushies, you can add a little extra comfort with travel pillows and bedding for them to make a nest in the back seat. However, ensure they have proper head and neck support for maximum comfort.
If you’re embarking on unfamiliar roads and you want to avoid drama during long drives with the kids, navigation is essential. However, don’t forget to bring a charger and possibly a small power bank in case of emergencies. It’s also worth downloading the maps in advance for areas where the signal is a little weak.
Always keep some spare clothes accessible during a road trip with toddlers, as you never know what’s around the corner. Additionally, a couple of plastic bags for wet clothes, towels, and anything else that comes to mind could always come in useful.
Chaos doesn’t like organisation, so giving each child a small backpack or container with their essential snacks, drinks, activities, and comfort items should always be included in a family road trip checklist. There are also some great backseat organisers for kids, so it’s worth checking them out.
Remember, road trips in Australia come with a unique set of concerns. Always be aware of heat, invest in high-quality UV protection car shades, and take regular breaks in shaded areas. You should always ensure you have enough fuel, too. Sometimes, you can spend hours without passing through a town. When going on a long drive with kids, a little preparation goes a long way.
Here is a simplified version of our family road trip checklist you can make a copy of when you’re packing:
Once you remember your family road trip essentials, long journeys become much less overwhelming. With a little preparation, you’re going to create some memorable moments with your kids.
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