December 15, 2015 4 min read

How to Survive a Roadtrip with Kids

http://www.globalbaby.co.nz/shop/product/117754/Brica-Pop-Open-Cling-Shades2-Pack/Going away over the holidays? Everyone looks forward to hitting the bach or beach for a couple of weeks, but what about the car journeys which, let's face it, can turn in to a nightmare which has you questioning whether it's all really worth it??!! The squabbling, the impatient cries of "Are we there yet?"

Well, of course it is worth it!!!

No one likes to be stuck in a hot car for hours on end with little or no entertainment, there is only so much a book, cd or even a conversation can entertain the kids.

Make the time spent in your vehicle more organised, more efficient and less stressful with some of these practical and fun solutions. I'm no Mary Poppins but it is surprising what a little bit of imagination can do to shorten a journey! No magic needed. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!!!

Roadtrip games

Road trip hunt

This hunt is a fun way to keep the kids entertained on roadtrips as they look out for items as you travel along.

The rules

Before you set out on your road trip, write a list of items your kids need to find while you are travelling.
Give each child in the car a list of items to watch out for while driving.

Your list could include

Stop sign
Sheep
Cow
Bus
Tree
Red car
Tractor

Your children can mark off the list as they see the items. The first one to mark off all the items on the list Road-Trip-Scavenger-Hunt-Jessika-Reed-for-Capturing-Joy

Road-Trip-Scavenger-Hunt-Jessika-Reed-for-Capturing-Joy

Family trivia

The rules

The adults will ask the trivia questions about family members. This is a great way to share family history with each generation. It's a great opportunity to share knowledge about cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents.

BusyBags

Have you seen the latest craze? Busy bags are amazing, and the purse doesn't take too much of a hit.

Busy bags are simple activities stored in a bag for toddlers or pre-schoolers so they are always ready to go! They are engaging activities that your child can do independently. Try preparing a few busy bags to pull out on different legs of the trip, there are 100s of ideas online, we've had a look and you can find our favourites here –

http://handsonaswegrow.com/busy-bag-ideas-road-trips/
http://livingwellmom.com/2015/06/kids-travel-kit-binder/
http://mamapapabubba.com/2014/05/22/portable-activity-kit-for-little-travellers/
They're great to have in the back of the car or in the cupboard for visiting friends and family etc etc.

Gadgets

But what about all the mess???

Available at Global baby theBrica Hide a Mess Organiser with Tablet Viewer lets you zip away the mess in your car, keeping all of your child's gear secure and out of sight. When you want to keep your little passengers entertained, just slip your tablet into the clear, touch-sensitive tablet viewer. Built for use with or without headphones, it will certainly help pass the time during those long trips while keeping your tablet secure. There's even an easy access wipes case for those inevitable messy moments in the car. The unique seat attachment system helps keep the organizer flat against the seat, leaving more legroom for your kiddo. With cup holders and multiple roomy pockets this gives you plenty of storage room for your gear. $49.90

Snacks

Take some healthy, hi-energy snacks with you to keep those hunger pains at bay.

Global Baby Chocolate bliss balls

Banana nut quinoa bars

Safety

It's easy to forget how strong the sun is coming through the car windows. Whilst most adults will have a pair of sunglasses protecting their eyes it may not be that easy for infants. These nifty little sun shades from Brica are easy to put on, take off, and move around your car window. The dual layer mesh simply clings to your window with now fussy suction cups or adhesives. The generous size fits most car windows, and they are compact to store. You can attach them and forget about them, they're also a great way of blocking sun out in caravans and sleep outs.Brica Pop Open Cling Sunshade (2 Pack) $29.90

For the little runners in the family we have theBrica Safety Harness Backpack. Help give your kids a sense of responsibility and independence with this cute, comfortable backpack. With a zippered main compartment, front mesh pocket and two side pockets, this backpack is perfect for toys, clothes, trinkets or snacks. There is even a handy spot for a sippy cup. $39.90

by-my-side-child-safety-harness-backpack-by-brica-1

TheBeSafe mirror provides instant access to your baby, Look your baby in the eye, even when they're rear-facing. Rear facing is the only way for an infant to travel, but it can be difficult to see what your baby is doing, especially when you don't have any other passengers in the car. This BeSafe baby mirror will help you and your child to communicate, and allow you to keep an eye on her. Older babies and toddlers will enjoy chatting to themselves in the mirror. $25

Don't forget to keep handy

Wet wipes

Tissues

Hand sanitiser

Bottle of water

Blanket

Muslin

Band-aid

Antiseptic cream

Hair ties

Lip balm

Ziplock bags

Spare change of clothes for you and the children

And remember, Global baby offer free gift wrapping for all in store and online purchases.

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