So, the family trip this year requires a road trip. The thought of everyone packed in the car or van for hours may cause some anxiety, but it doesn’t have to. These hours on the road can be an opportunity to build family bonds and create one-of-a-kind memories that you all will be talking about years from now. Although it may take some planning and a little imagination you can head on out with confidence, excited for the journey, as much as the destination. Depending on the ages of your family you can put together a road trip adventure kit that is sure to engage everyone in the vehicle.
Day Trippin’
Depending on how long the trip will be, you can plan it out by the number of scheduled stops. For one day trips, you can have everyone weigh in on when to stop and for how long. Including everyone in the logistical planning can create a sense of anticipation even before you hit the road. Making individual snack boxes or bags with each persons' choice of travel-friendly foods is a great idea. A small cooler to carry beverages and food items that need refrigeration is another good idea to keep passengers satisfied and the road trip, on the road. Individual activities such as books and 3-d puzzles (think Rubik cubes) can keep some travelers entertained. But if you have a passenger that tends to get a bit carsick, you can have them try a road trip scavenger hunt. Options are available online to print out and cover different kinds of areas you will be traveling through; for example, city, country or even mountain areas.
Many Miles to Go
If your road trip unfolds over the course of a few days, your planning will need to be a bit more detailed. Think about making a map with the route and stops marked with stickers for the younger travelers to use as a tracker. Then every time you hear that infamous question "Are we there yet?" you can refer them to the map and have them find where you are currently and how long it will be until you reach the next scheduled stop. Older travelers may want to plug in their electronics that entire way, but you can challenge them to take a selfie every 100 miles or so to document the trip process. With some planning, your family road trip will be an enjoyable part of your time together.
Next time you are planning a trip try having each person pack their individual activity bag with some car-trip friendly items and see what they invent.
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