Taking the kids on a road trip doesn't have to be stressful -- we asked CityLine guest expert and mom-of-two Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault for her advice on staying sane while travelling with the tots and here's what she had to say:
Snacks and Meals
If you
are hoping to get an early morning start, skip a big meal at the breakfast
table (especially if you have a slow, picky eater) and instead whip up a fresh
fruit smoothie in to-go cups that will be filling and help you get a few hours
on the road under your belt. For the
little ones that may be prone to spilling or dropping their drink, use a
plastic spill-proof sippy cup or a stainless pop-top sport bottle.
Packing
a variety of healthy snacks (and sweet treats) is essential for a long road
trip. Take along a small knapsack or
pick up some dollar store loot bags and allow your kids to fill them with their
favourite snacks to have in the backseat during the drive. Just be sure that the items don’t pose any
major choking risks since you will not likely have your eyes on them at all
times.
Avoid
the crowds and cost of lunch at a rest stop by packing a surprise picnic. Lay out a disposable plastic table cloth
under a shady tree which you can use to roll up all of your garbage in when you
are done. Re-useable plastic containers
and a small cooler will keep food fresh and can be filled up again with a quick
stop at a grocery store before the trip home.
Fun and Entertainment
Having
a variety of games and entertainment on hand for any trip will not only keep
your kiddies occupied, but will keep you sane! Here is a list of my favourite road tip activities and games:
- Portable
DVD player with headphones
- Books
with read along CDs
- Electronic
handheld games (and extra batteries)
- Disposable
camera for snapping photos of scenery along the way
- Puzzle,
brainteaser and joke books
- Hand
or finger puppets
- Crayola Color Wonder lap desk
- A
good old fashion game of “Eye Spy”
- Homemade
“Road Trip Bingo”
Prior to leaving, pick up a new toy or book for your child to surprise them with as
soon as boredom sets in. Having
something new to play with should keep them engaged for at least a little while
and make the trip that much more enjoyable for everyone.
Staying Comfortable and Cool
For
kids of any age, sitting in one spot for a long period of time can be both unpleasant
and uncomfortable, so why not make the trip a bit cozier in a pair of pajamas
and slippers. For little ones who will
need to nap en route, a favourite pair of PJ’s will be less restricting and
with the addition of a soft blanket, travel pillow and stuffed toy, they should
have no problem catching those all important ZZZ’s.
Sun
protection is as important inside of the car as it is out. If your windows are not tinted, apply
sunscreen and have a hat and sunglasses on hand to keep your kids safe from the
burning, blinding rays. Inexpensive roller shades can be purchased and easily
installed to keep the backseat cool and dim, and will definitely come in handy
at nap time.
Rest
stop bathrooms have to be the least enjoyable part of any road trip. Two words….HAND SANITIZER! Also, be sure to pack a few rolls of toilet
paper for the drive. You laugh now, but
you’ll be thanking me when you don’t need to use the sandpaper in the public
washrooms, or when you have to pull over for that emergency trek into the
woods. Travel packs of disposable toilet
seat covers can be purchased inexpensively at your local drug store and if you
are toilet training a toddler, folding travel potty seats are a great
investment. The other item that you can
never have enough of is baby wipes. Whether they are needed for diaper changes or sticky fingers, a large
supply will definitely prove useful. And
did I mention to pack HAND SANITIZER!
So
make your list, check it twice, and hit the road for some summer family
fun! Bon voyage!