Christmas... Road Trip... Children
If the thought of putting “children” and “road trip” in the same sentence makes you feel a little queasy, then perhaps a bit of planning will help make your next road trip a whole lot easier!
Planning
Whether you are staying with family over Christmas or going on an adventure, once you start that planning . . . you need to start that list.
The bikes, the fishing gear, first aid kit, presents, dog food, someone to house sit, water the garden, collect the mail. . . the list is endless and with some things you need to make sure you have them serviced, which includes the car. A list will make it so much easier not to miss anything being packed.
Get the car serviced
No one wants a breakdown, so before heading off this Christmas, make sure you have checked the tyres, renewed your breakdown service, had the car checked and the warrant is up to date.
Using a child restraint correctly plays a vital role in keeping your children safe in your vehicle so check they are all in good working order . . . because sometimes food ends up in the strangest of places!
Entertainment on the road trip
Whether a toddler or an 8-year-old, an entertainment bag is always a winner. It is great for long haul flights as well. It is a draw string bag that you can easily make yourself and in it you add new books, small toys, pad and pencils, some dried fruit and a few small treats. They will be entertained for hours with all the goodies they will find. Download some movies on your child’s tablet prior to the trip (if they are lucky enough to have one). Pack their favourite pillow and toy as hopefully there will be some sleeping done while the travelling happens.
Children need to have breaks on a long trip, as do the adults, so stopping off at a local park so the children can blow off some steam and the adults maybe a well-deserved barista coffee.
If you haven’t ever played car bingo, you need to give it a try as the children will love it. So, it goes like this . . . who’s the first to spot a driver in a hat, a spotted cow grazing, a purple car - you get the idea! And there’s loads of festive things you can add in there like a house with Christmas lights, or even a house with a sleigh in the garden! It all helps to pass the time while travelling.
Make a well-orchestrated playlist
With several hours of driving to contend with and not a lot to keep the children and you amused, why not get in the festive spirit with a few Christmas tunes and stories?
You’ll find ready-made playlists on various music streaming services, or you could even make your own featuring all your favourite festive tracks. You will have both avid Christmas lovers and grinches singing along in no time.
The pooch
If you have a beloved pooch, they probably won’t want to miss out on all the festive fun, so you’ll probably be planning to take them with you on your Christmas road trip. That might mean giving up your boot space but means less room for all the bags. Hiring or buying a roof box is a great solution (not for the dog of course!).
If you are not going to take your pooch, remember to book them in for their kennel stay well before you are planning on leaving and make sure they have had all their vaccinations.
You need to have handy
Wipes, wipes, wipes. . . you will need to have plenty of these on hand. Plus, it won’t hurt to have a spare container in case someone decides they are car sick and that could very well be the pooch! You will need water and some snacks.
Check your trailer or caravan
If you are travelling with a trailer or caravan, check all towing attachments and make sure the couplings are compatible. Also remember to check the safety chain, trailer lights, tyres and brakes. Make sure your trailer or caravan has an up-to-date warrant. Remember, if you’re towing a trailer, your maximum speed limit on the open road is 90km/h. Keep left and pull over when it is safe to let other vehicles pass.
Remember
You are sharing the road and when you are heading off on your Christmas road trip it is likely to be scorching summer weather. Think of the other drivers as well, be courteous, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and remember a long trip is tedious for the children so have some breaks along the way so everyone can stretch their legs and let off some steam.