summer vacation: the car ride

[our beach trip July 2011] 

The car ride can sometimes be the hardest part about going on

vacation with little ones but I tell you, the more I do it

the more I learn so I'm doing this post to make a list

for myself but to also help moms and dads out there 

who have a vacation planned and need some idea's!

keeping busy

you always want to make sure you bring enough things

to keep the kids busy- this results in less boredom

which we all know leads to unhappy kids

and parents who want to pull their hair out. 

you can bring coloring books and crayons

it's always a big hit with my kids.

a fresh new coloring book

and sharp new crayons- there is nothing better!

I just bought two dry erase boards that

came with the marker and eraser from Target

for $1.00 each, they keep my kids content

for hours- so it was a steal.

make sure you have their favorite music

downloaded on your ipod, mp3 player or on cd.

this could make a tantrum or boredom

turn into a dance/singing party.

you can pack their favorite books

and read to them or have them read it to you!

another level up to make books fab on your car ride

books on tape/cd- you can even download them now a days.

games are a little harder for younger kids

but travel size games are always great-

this can include flash cards, card games, all

the way up to I spy or connect four- you name it. 

they make all sorts of games now in travel size

so it's easier for your kids to play

in a much smaller space.

My kids have the leap pads- those are

great for car rides, just remember to bring

all of the games and extra batteries

if you don't use the rechargeable ones!

Always make sure to grab one or two

of their favorite toys from home, something they

are familiar with in case they do get bored 

with the newer things or aren't happy 

with them to begin with.

moms minivan dot com has 

some really great idea's too!

<<<>>> 

I mentioned iPods and electronic devices

just make sure they are juiced up for the first

few hours and remember to bring your chargers-

including a car charger which may make it easier 

to charge up if it dies- you want to make sure

they are in working order and don't shut off

while their favorite book or song is playing.

Also for parents who let their kids play

games or do things on their phones,

great time to let them play!

 

pack snacks

I always want to get to where we are going as
fast and safely as possible and by fast I mean
if we don't have to stop, that's ten times better.
For me, this means packing enough snacks for the 
car ride and if we are on the road for 
lunch or dinner, to pack wisely for each.
This means more money in our pocket for our trip!
We always make sure to grab a bag of ice
and fill up our cooler- some of my ideas;
a fruit salad with melon and berries
I bring toothpicks to make it fun to eat- they love it. 
bananas and apples are a perfect pre-wrapped snack
as well as raisins, banana chips, or dried fruit.
Shelled edamame are super tasty cold and fun to eat 
with fingers as are carrot and celery sticks
with peanut butter or hummus. 
We also really like frozen grapes- it's a huge hit.
For lunch I like to make sandwiches like, 
pb&j, hummus and cheese or turkey and avocado.
Pasta or bean salads with veggies and 
an herb vinaigrette are also good idea's that 
keep up well in the cooler on the ride.
For toddlers, pre-made toddler and baby foods like 
Sprout Organics, Plum Organics, Happy Baby Foods
are good to think about and bring as well.   
Whole wheat crackers, soft bagels, no-salt pretzels
 rice cakes, dry cereals, sugar free yogurt with granola,
string cheese; all good things to bring as well.
I like to stock up on a few avocados and saltines- 
I peel the skin back and voila
perfect mommy/daddy snack for the car ride!
Always make sure to have tons of water and juice boxes.

I have a really great tip for no mess juice boxes, too.

you know the triangle flaps on either side?

pull them up!

have the kids hold them by the flaps

instead of grabbing it by the sides to prevent

squeezing and juice going everywhere.

like this; it works every single time!!

  

<<<>>>

for those with smaller children

snacking isn't always a good idea in the car.

there is a choking hazard where as it would be hard

to aid a child who is choking.

it may be easier to stop at a rest area

and use that time to have a small picnic

and take a potty break!

 taking turns

make sure if you have your partner with you

or even a friend to take turns with the kids.

you need a moment to yourself even if it's driving

or laying in the passenger seat to rest your eyes.

It can be stressful and exhausting- let the other drive 

and take turns making sure the kids are content

and hey, if they are already take advantage of

that time and let them be solo as long as possible

who knows they may just fall asleep

and then none of this information will even 

be necessary until the car ride back, if even then!

 if they can be happy by themselves

the less hectic and more fun the car ride will be.

Bring some music and ear buds with you

grab an avocado or a bag of popcorn

and your ice cold water with lemon,

put your feet out the window,

close your eyes, take a deep breath

and imagine being on the beach 

or where ever you may be going-

 it's totally worth it

and before you know it you'll be there!

<<<>>>

What ever you do, don't let the kids sense
that you're tense about them being unhappy-
 If you need to stop to stretch, do it! 
It may end up being just what they needed.