Get Through A Family Road Trip All In One Piece.
Family road trips are what great memories are made of. Though, they can also be fire starters for family arguments. Keep restlessness and hostility down with these tips.
Embrace Technology
Pack the kids' favourite DVDs and put them to use with a mobile DVD player. Piece of advice: Pick movies that won't drive you up the wall. South Asian Media has some good suggestions, like Matilda and, of course, Frozen. Also make sure to have a kids playlist ready on the iPod, have them weigh in on what songs to add beforehand.
Word Games
Pass the time with clutter free word games. Play the Alphabet game using different themes, like food (A- Apple B- Banana etc.) or take turns finding rhyming words (One player says “dove” the next says “glove” and so on. Other games include saying the name of a place, and the next player using the last letter of that name to start a name of a new place (Arizona, Algonquin, Nebraska). These games not only pass the time, but get young ones thinking about their spelling.
Food
Things get a tense when a car full of hungry people are involved. Keep cravings in check between stops by packing healthy, but filling snacks. Celery and carrot sticks are certainly healthy, but according to Everyday Health, adding dip will be what satisfies hunger, “The flavor and the fat will keep you feeling full longer and can help your body absorb nutrients like beta-carotene more effectively.” The website also recommends fruit, “An apple, or a serving of grapes or berries, all make the list of most filling foods.” Nuts are another filling snack. A small amount goes a long way because of the fat and protein nuts like almonds contain. Fraser Health has a list of other tasty treats in their list of Common South Asian Snacks. Keep water handy as well, sometimes when we think we are hungry, we are actually thirsty. Your family should be drinking two glasses of water every 30 minutes, so stock up!
Lap Desks
Kids can use their laptops, read, write, or colour, keeping stable with a lap desk. Kids Woot! has some fun designs, or for the DIY parent a how-to tutorial on how to make one is here.
Owl Laptop Cushion/Kids Woot!
Clutter Free Games
Before your trip fill a 2-litre bottle with rice along with household items like shells and paperclips. Create a list of the objects in the bottle and have your kids find each item by shaking the bottle. Make sure to seal the bottle tight! Travelmate suggests keeping a travel diary. Keep the kids busy with their own notebooks to fill with writing and drawings. Everyone can share later share the story of their trip experience.
Notice how whenever you get into another person’s car they apologize for the mess? It is really easy for a vehicle to get cluttered, fast, especially with kids involved.
Be Prepared
Keep these items in your trunk, just in case:
• Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
• Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid
• Tow rope
• Jumper cables
• Fire extinguisher
• Warning light or road flares
Even with these ideas in mind, pack headphones. For everybody.
Any road trip tips or stories you'd like to share? Leave a comment below!
Feature image couresty of Patheos
Hillary Di Menna
Author
Hillary Di Menna is a freelance journalist who manages to publish her scribblings while raising a six-year-old skateboarding ballerina and sharing her home with two snuggly black cats. Her parenting blog, Misfit Matriarch, follow her adventures in parenting. You can find all her work at
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
The Hunt For Amritpal Singh: What Exactly Is Happening In Punjab?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I Had A Miscarriage And Our Family's "Be Grateful" Sentiments Really Hurt
-
Indiaspopup.com Hosts A NYC Power Summit Honouring 5 South Asian Women For IWD 2023
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Underage Nephew Expects Me To Buy Booze For Him
-
Warm Up To The Fusion Delights Of Ushna in Dubai
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Boyfriend Is Pressuring Me To Attend His Sister's Wedding But I Can't Afford It
-
IWD 2023: 11 Inspirational Quotes From Powerful South Asian Women
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My In-Laws Are Giving Me The Cold Shoulder
-
7 South Asian Female Fitness Pros Who Will Level Up Your Workouts
-
Why Seattle’s Anti-Caste Law Is An Historic Power Move For Human Rights
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: My Brother Doesn't Think My Aging Mom Should Stop Driving But I Do!
-
Zabardast Serves Up Delish Desi Delights
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! I Need To Move Out Of My Parents' House
-
We Tell You Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Invest
-
5 Ways To Build A Great Relationship With Yourself This Valentine's Day
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! I Can't Stop Shopping!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I Can't Say No To People Without Feeling Guilty
-
Let’s Talk … About Your Relationship with You!
-
This Is Why Amsterdam In The Winter Is Simply Wonderful
-
Dear Dr. Monica Vermani Being Back In The Office Is Giving Me Anxiety
-
Indian Afternoon Tea At Bobby's In Leicester UK? Yes Please!
-
Dear Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Ex Tells His Friends His Cheating Is My Fault
-
Travel The World With Tamarind Modern Indian Bistro's Global Cuisine
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Winter Depresses Me, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Parents I Don't Want To Go To Business School?
-
Fabulous Holiday Gifts For Kids
-
Why 'Heroin Chic' Is A Dangerous Trend For South Asians
-
Highlights From The South Asian Literature And Arts Festival (SALA)
-
Ask Dr Monica Vermani: Her 5 Break Up Rules You Should Know
-
Roti Chai Is The Perfect Eatery To Hit Up While Christmas Shopping
-
I Loved Visiting This Quaint Town Of Bath
-
Indian Alley Brings Delhi's Iconic Roadside Eats To Camden Market
-
This Is Why Mauritius Is A Traveller's Dream
-
"Making Happy" By Sheetal Seth Is The Book Kids Need When Their Parent Is Sick
-
International Day Of The Girl: How Women Of The Sundarbans Are Saving Their Girls
-
The Murder Of Mahsa Amini: Will The Global Outcry Make A Difference?
-
South Asian Literature And Art Festival Is Bringing Together The Biggest Names In SA Lit And Here's Why You Need To Go
-
Canada's Most Powerful Women Were Celebrated At The Women Empowerment Awards 2022
-
It's All About The Home Cooked Veg Goodness At London's Ananda Bhavan
-
What Exactly Is A NFT And Why We Need To Stop Ignoring It
-
TIFF 2022: Checking Out The Fabulous Bask-It-Style Gift Lounge
-
Gopal’s Corner Blend Malaysian And Tamil Cuisine Creating An Unforgettable Bite
-
We Celebrate National Wildlife Day With Our 5 Fave Sanctuaries In India
-
Canary Wharf Heats Up Your Palate With Chai Ki
-
Ready To Find Your Match? You'll Need These 4 Desi Dating Apps In Your Life
-
Where Does Hinduism, Islam & Sikhism Stand In The Abortion Issue?
-
Never Forget: 12 Movies & Books To Help You Continue The Partition Conversation
-
From North To South London's Award-Winning Bayleaf Restaurant Elevates Indian Cuisine At Whetstone
-
Here's Why I Fell In Love With The Sea Views Of Southampton and Portsmouth
-
Shree Krishna Vada Pav In London Celebrates India's Iconic Veggie Dishes
-
The Pope’s Apology: A Closer Look At His “Pilgrimage Of Penance"
-
Want To Go To Marrakech? This Is What I Did
