Family Travel: How to Successfully Navigate Getting Around With Kids
Whether you’re planning a family road trip, need to transport children from school to daycare, or take a vacation with the whole family, there are a few terrific and family-friendly travel tips to help make your journeys more successful. Read more for our fool-proof tips for successfully transporting children.
Safety Is Essential
When it comes to getting around with kids, safety needs to be the top priority. Carrying car seats and booster seats that have been correctly installed is the best way to minimize risk. The National Safety Council suggests that you always buckle up and make sure the seat belts are snug when traveling. Other great safety tips include making sure all passengers stay seated while the car is in motion, avoiding distractions while driving and using car pools or ride hailing services whenever possible.
Make It Comfortable
Traveling with children can be a long and tiring journey for both parents and children alike. Parents should be sure to plan for snacks, entertainment and comfy seating. Pack plenty of snacks and drinks for kids who get hungry during the ride, and be sure to keep plenty of toys and books handy to keep them entertained. Soft seating, such as car booster seats, offer more comfort for longer trips and will help to keep kids happy and engaged.
Plan Ahead
As with any trip, it pays to plan ahead. For family trips, be sure to plot out take off times, stops and rest stops along the way. Map out the route ahead of time, so you can plan out the best way to get to your destination hassle-free. Additionally, if using public transportation, plan the best times and routes to get to your desired location. Lastly, be sure to make sure everyone knows the plan so you don’t get lost along the way.
Make It a Fun Experience
When it comes to transporting kids, there is no better way to make the journey an enjoyable one then by making it an adventure. Bring along books or audio books to help pass the time or have the kids make up their own stories. Help kids to learn how to read maps if you are driving from place to place, or play the alphabet game and come up with items that start with each letter. Keep in mind that travel can be fun for the entire family with just a few mindful strategies.
Know What to Bring
Besides food and entertainment, there are other items that parents should keep in mind when traveling with young kids. Be sure to bring diapers, wipes and spare clothing, especially for babies and toddlers. Also important are sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer so everyone can remain neat and germ-free. Lastly, be sure to bring extra charger cords and enough chargers to keep everyone’s gadgets happy.
Overall, transporting children with minimal hassle can be easily achieved with just a little bit of planning and the right gear. Stay safe, have fun, and make the journey the best part of your adventure.
Need More Family Travel Tips?
Visit our Family Travel Guide for more tips and tricks on how to make the most out of your family trips, as well as advice on finding the best destinations and activities. We wish you a safe and fun journey, wherever your adventure may take you.
