7 Road Trip Hacks for Parents
If you are planning on traveling with children or even tweens anytime soon, you might be wondering how to make your trip as smooth as possible. Luckily, there are some hacks you can implement when taking a road trip to make it fun, peaceful, and more enjoyable for everyone. If you plan on hitting the open road soon, take a look below at these 7 road trip hacks for parents that you can try!
Make Mini Trash Cans
Take old Pringles containers or baby wipes containers (even shoes boxes will work) to make mini trash cans for each traveler. This way trash can all stay collected and the car won’t turn into a garbage dump before you reach your destination.
Make Mini Snack Packs
Fill baggies with fresh cut veggies, pretzels, almonds, granola, and other high protein, low sugar snacks. This will keep kids fueled and satisfied without causing any sugar rushes. Place the snacks in an easy to access cooler where kids can help themselves.
Play the Mystery Bag Game
Fill a bag with fun items such as crossword puzzles, playing cards, mini toys, even healthy dried snacks. Every thirty minutes, if the kids have been quiet and behaving, let them draw an item from the mystery bag to enjoy.
Travel with a Lint Roller
A lint roller is perfect for picking crumbs off of clothing and car upholstery. Kids will also love using it and they will help you with the clean up task! Throw a few lint rollers in the glove compartment so you are ready to banish crumbs.
Make a Magnetic Board
Find a cookie sheet and magnets to keep kids occupied when traveling. Magnets can be found in letter and word sets perfect for children of all ages to create stories with, funny jokes, messages, or anything else they can think of. You can also use shapes to create your own magnetic tic-tac-toe game.
Craft “Decision Sticks” for Fairness
Avoid arguments over the radio and where to stop for lunch when you make “decision sticks.” Write each family member’s name on a wooden craft stick and place it in a bag or jar. When a decision needs to be made, draw a name. That person gets to choose. Remove the name from the jar when done so a new person gets a chance during the next decision.
Make Crafting Grab Bags
In brown lunch bags include the supplies for an easy craft. If children get board they can open the bag and give it a whirl. Examples may be a pom pom caterpillar, a bookmark to color, or a foam craft.
When you implement these travel hacks, you can enjoy a road trip that is peaceful for everyone. Give them a try and see which one becomes your favorite!
Do you have a travel hack that you suggest? Share in the comments below and join the conversation on our Facebook page.