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Home › Webmother's Musings

Fun Family Travel for Road Warriors

By Elisa Ast All

We're hurtling through space, seeking our ultimate destination. We're making great time, alternating between games, art, music and even movies. We haven't stopped for provisions in more than 200 miles – until a tiny but determined voice trills out, "I have to go potty!" Time to find a clean and safe rest stop and regroup with our family.

We took our first serious road trip when the twins, Cassie and Jules, were just 6 months old and their brother, CJ, was 3. People told us we were crazy for embarking on a three-day trek to Orlando, Fla., but despite the every-two-hour breastfeeding breaks, rest area diaper changes and a numb arm from reaching into the back seat, the trip was fun for everyone.

The next time we took the kids on that same trip, Jules and Cassie were 2 and CJ was 4 1/2. The issues we dealt with were different – refereeing arguments, providing activities and healthy meals on the road – but the kids enjoyed the adventure and looked forward to new sites each day.

This summer, we're all older, wiser and travel savvy. The twins are 3 1/2 and CJ is 6, making trips an ideal time to share basic knowledge about the world around them. On a recent nine-hour trip to Missouri, we used our time together to discuss the United States, study the map, scout for different colored signs, different types of vehicles and different crops in the changing terrain. We practiced art for hours, using Travel Magna Doodles as well as Crayola's portable white boards with colorful dry-erase markers. We sang along to Raffi and made up seated dance routines. When all else failed, the portable TV/VCR played a favorite video. The car trip itself became part of the tapestry of vacation memories.

Here are some more ideas for how to make family car travel fun and educational:

  • Hunt for semi-trucks – Have each child choose a color to look for. Whenever they see a semi-truck that is the color they chose, they call it out and receive a point. You can play this until someone reaches 25 points, or until it gets old – whichever comes first. This game is good for improving attention skills and color identification.
  • Learning with license plates – Have each child be on the lookout for certain states' license plates (the more common ones are from adjoining states). Each time they see one from their state, they get a point. Alternatively, have them look for letters or numbers on license plates. If one child picks the letter A, for example, each time he spots an A he gets a point. This game helps kids learn the states, the alphabet and numbers.

These activities can be tailored for younger and older children. Reward kids with small trinkets you keep in the car's "goody bag."

If you plan to travel by plane this summer, here are some ideas to consider:

  • Fly at off-peak times – Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the day are the least populated.
  • Request bulkhead seats – They offer more room to maneuver, especially when changing a diaper.
  • Shoot for naptime – Flying during naps may ensure a quieter experience for everyone.
  • Book a nonstop flight.
  • Stuff your carry-on with more than you think you'll need, such as snacks, milk and juice, diapers, wipes and small toys.
  • To reduce pressure in the ears, bring something to suck on, chew or swallow during takeoffs and landings.
  • For safety and comfort, purchase each child a seat of his own.

For more on family travel, visit iParenting's Home & Travel Channel.