7 Essentials for Your Family Road Trip

Before we go on a trip, I like to tell my kids where we’re going and get them excited about what we’re going to experience. They get especially roused up when they hear about all of the experiences they’ll be able to have.

7 ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR FAMILY ROAD TRIP

1. entertainment

Long car rides and road trips can be tough on kids. It is fun and interesting for the first five minutes. Then, they start to get bored.

• iPad
• DVD player and DVDs
• hand-held gaming devices
• music
• headphones
• chargers and/or backup batteries
• new items purchased from the dollar store just for the trip, including: pinwheels, peg games, books, small action figures, mini puzzles, coloring pads. If you’ll be traveling at night, glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark toys.

2. clean up supplies

Someone is bound to spill a drink, drop some crumbs, or have some other liquid accident that will need to be cleaned up. Take these supplies with you and it will reduce your anxiety when the inevitable happens.

• trash basket
• wipes
• napkins
• tissues

3. comfort

Having some of the comforts of home makes traveling easier for your kids. Having something to snuggle and get comfortable while in the car. Also, if you turn on the air conditioning or have a cold-natured child, this will help keep the peace when everyone else is hot.

• lovey
• pillow
• neck pillow
• blanket
• sunshade
• jacket
• socks

4. first aid kit

Having first aid supplies on hand will prevent you having to go to a convenience store or schlep everyone inside a store for boo boos or minor pain.

• items to handle minor injuries, tackle common cold symptoms, and treat allergies
• bandages and antibacterial ointment; small plastic bags for trash; a roll of paper towels; medicine for anyone prone to motion sickness; and plenty of wipes for cleaning up spilled milkshakes or rogue ketchup splatters.
• Ready-to-go kits

5. activities

With kids being used to having technology at their fingertips to stay in touch with friends, play games, and watch videos, it’s a hard habit to break. Here are some items that are a mix of high tech and no tech:

• books
• audiobooks
• travel-friendly games like:
• magnetic checkers
• cards
• activity books
• coloring books & crayons
• printable road trip scavenger hunts or bingo
• license plate checklists
• I Spy templates
• maps
• mazes
• word searches
• crosswords

6. roadside assistance kit

• jumper cables or a jump starter, spare fluids for your car, a spare tire, road flares, and a flashlight with extra batteries, reflective triangles, a fleece blanket, bottled water, and a few protein bars.
• it would also be a good idea to have change for tolls or parking meters

7. quick and nutritious snacks

Purchase snack size packages or to save money buy in bulk and divide portions into snack size zip bags.

Pack an insulated tote bag that contains the following:

• pretzels
• Cheez-its
• Craisins
• dried fruit
• apple sauce
• fruit cups
• granola bars
• crackers
• carrots
• apples
• Cuties (clementines)
• grapes
• Lunchables (crackers, cheese, deli meat)
• yogurt tubes or drinkable yogurt

Danimals is a quick and nutritious snack my kids love during road trips. Before one of our trips, I like to stop by Walmart to pick up snacks and Dannon® Danimals® Yogurt Smoothies Strawberry Explosion®. I have to get a 12 pack or the kids will definitely be fighting over them!

Kids will love the great taste of Danimals and parents will love the on the go convenience of their products and great nutrition. Danimals dairy products provide kids with a good source of calcium and vitamin D to help kids build strong bones and regulate muscle function.

What’s on your list of road trip essentials?