“Over the river and through the woods!”
If you’re packing your little ones into the car for a road trip, don’t stress—we’re here to help make the journey fun for the whole family! Whether your drive is 20 minutes, a few hours, or a couple of days, a little planning can go a long way. With the right prep, you might even look forward to car trips with your kids.
These tips aren’t foolproof, but they will help you feel more in control and give your kiddos something to look forward to.
🚗 1. Pack the Snacks
Snacks are your first line of defense against crankiness. Think low-mess, low-stress. Yes, healthy snacks are a great goal—but also think survival and fun. What won’t crumble into oblivion or make you cry when it falls into the car seat abyss? Go with that.
🧦 2. Dress for Success (and Comfort)
Layers are your best friend. Bring socks, a cozy blanket, and maybe flip-flops for those quick stops. Ask yourself:
- Is your child always cold or constantly overheating?
- Do you and your co-pilot need opposite temps to drive comfortably?
Dress everyone accordingly—and keep backups close at hand.
🧻 3. Plan for Minor Disasters
You probably won’t have a perfectly smooth ride, and that’s okay. Be ready for:
- Diaper blowouts
- Spilled drinks
- Surprise car sickness
- Random scrapes or cuts
Pack:
- Towels (paper and cloth)
- Baby wipes
- Extra diapers/pull-ups
- A puke bucket or bag
- Spare clothes (easy to grab!)
Being prepared helps you stay calm and carry on—even through chaos.
😴 4. Time It Right
Plan your drive around meals and naps if you can. When kids sleep in the car, it’s pure bliss—you get a quiet stretch of road, and maybe even a podcast or playlist you actually want to listen to.
🛑 5. Turn Rest Stops Into Mini Adventures
Every stop is an opportunity for movement and play:
- Balance on curb stops
- Kick or throw a ball on the sidewalk
- Break out the sidewalk chalk for messages or doodles
- Stretch it out on a bench or do a quick yoga flow on the grass
Getting the wiggles out helps kids reset and makes the next leg of the trip much smoother.
🚽 6. Potty to Go!
Pack a travel potty and turn anywhere into a bathroom. Seriously. Options include:
- Travel potty with plastic bag liners
- Wet wipes for cleanup
- Our favorite? Ziploc bags for “the goods” and toss at the next trash can.
It may sound gross, but when your 3-year-old has to go on a deserted back road… you’ll be thrilled you brought your own personal porta-john.
🎧 7. Play What They Love
Entertainment makes the ride feel shorter.
- Play fun, upbeat music for in-seat dance parties
- Bring audiobooks they can follow with a physical book (bonus points for movie tie-ins—they’ll recognize the voices!)
- Try kid-friendly podcasts (yes, they exist and they’re awesome)
Mix it up to keep everyone engaged.
🪑 8. Think About Seat Placement
Strategic seating is underrated.
- Sometimes the grown-up needs to ride shotgun to navigate
- Other times, an adult in the backseat helps with snacks, toys, or morale
- Seat kids together or apart—whatever keeps the peace in your family
Don’t be afraid to rearrange mid-trip if needed.
🎲 9. Play Those Classic Car Games
Bring back the road trip games from your own childhood!
- Alphabet game: find words that start with each letter
- Road trip bingo (printables or reusable boards)
- License plate spotting
- “I Spy” and “I’m thinking of…” games
If your child receives ABA therapy, try incorporating intraverbals (like fill-in-the-blank phrases or story-building).
Example: “Let’s make a story—once upon a time there was a silly duck who…” These games encourage language, attention, and usually lead to lots of giggles.
🧩 10. Pack Fun, Low-Mess Activities
If your trip is on the longer side, don’t unload all the fun at once. Try offering one activity or toy every 30 minutes to keep the excitement going. Simple ideas include:
- Reusable sticker books
- Magnetic drawing boards
- Felt activity kits
- Mess-free coloring sets
We’re happy to help you brainstorm more based on your child’s age and interests!
📱 11. And When All Else Fails…
Bring on the screen time—guilt-free. Pop your phone or tablet into a headrest clip, cue up Disney+, Blippi, or whatever their current obsession is, and take a deep breath.
With the right tools, a little flexibility, and a sense of humor, road trips with kids don’t have to be overwhelming.
They can be full of connection, silly moments, and family memories—even with crumbs in the car seats.
Looking for a little extra help? Find out more about what we can do for you by contacting us here!
Photo credit: Jack Miller, age 4, and Stephen Miller, age 3
