Fun family vacations aren’t things that just happen. They require a lot of planning and even more patience. But I’m happy to say that, after spending almost the entire summer on the road last year, my family is able to thoroughly enjoy a road trip. I bet you’re wondering what my secrets are. Well, I’m here to share.
You can’t have too many games and activities
Rational adults look at a travel game and see at least an hour of worry-free travel. Children look at a travel game and see something to fight over. Rather than using duct tape to draw a line down the center of the backseat, buy two new activities for every couple of hours you’re on the road. Despite all the advances in technology, my kids love the cheap, old fashioned travel games the best. Automobile Bingo, for instance, is easy enough for every age group. Kids love winning prizes, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Visit a party favor store before you hit the road and buy individual favors for about a quarter apiece.
Save money on snacks so you can buy more souvenirs
Gas station snack cakes, candy bars, sodas and ice cream add up fast. Why not take your own snacks and a cooler filled with unique drinks as well as everyone’s favorites. Kids love souvenirs and keeping them happy is the easiest way to keep mom and dad happy.
Be prepared for car sickness…and everything else
Buy motion sickness bands for each of the kids and make them wear them whether they feel sick or not. Also keep a cold compress in the cooler, and throw some Pepto, baby wipes and sanitizing wipes into the glove compartment. Speaking of the glove compartment, check the batteries on the flashlight in there. Other glove compartment necessities: a few plastic forks and spoons, extra napkins, toothpicks, extra batteries for MP3 players and hand-held games, antacids, ear plugs and empty plastic bags.
Don’t be above bribery
I know it’s not right to bribe your children, but we’re all guilty of it from time to time. Vacation can lead to some very sticky situations. Everyone’s tired of being in the car. Nobody’s stomach feels quite right. You’re sick of the noise coming from the backseat. Find a treat that you can constantly hold over the kids’ heads when they start acting up and fighting. LegoLand worked for me. It’s only about 40 miles from our house, but we had never been. Once the kids found out we were willing to stop there on the way home, provided that they were on their best behavior the rest of the trip, we had very few problems. It’s amazing what a little incentive can do.
That goes for you, too. Go ahead and schedule a little pampering at the spa for yourself the day after you are scheduled to arrive home. You can thank me later.