When it comes to family vacations, road trips are one of the best options you can go for. After all, a holiday is all about spending quality time together, and it’s impossible not to do that when you’re stuck in a car with one another for hours on end.
Unfortunately, unless you’re properly prepared, your lovely family road trip can quickly descend into disaster. With that in mind, here are six essentials you need to take with you on your family road trip.
1. Sat Nav
If your road trip has a destination in mind or a specific route you want to follow, then you need to ensure you bring a sat nav. This way, you can follow the map and actually get where you need to go. However, you should also make sure that you bring a few physical maps with you too. These would come in handy if you sat nav stops working for some reason.
2. Food And Drinks
Although you will take breaks along the way, it’s vital that you pack some food and drinks for your journey. After all, the restaurants on the side of the road tend to include fast food and nothing else, and this is far from the healthiest option. Make sure that all of your kids have a few of their favourite snacks on board so that they can keep their energy levels up and no one gets cranky.
3. Pillows And Duvets
Sitting in a car can get uncomfortable incredibly quickly, so it’s important that you bring along a few things to make the journey a little more bearable for you and your children. Pillows are essential, as they can be sat on or leant up against while napping. You might also want to bring a duvet or a few blankets, for if your kids get chilly or want sleep.
4. Some Entertainment
Road trips can be incredibly fun, but only if you make them so. If all you plan to do is sit in silence, then you’re going to start hearing some whining pretty quickly. Because of this, you should make sure to pack or plan some entertainment. This could be something as simple as a favourite CD or something as inventive as a road trip scavenger hunt.
5. The Family Car
You’re not going to get very far without a car, so, if you don’t have one already, ensure that you buy or rent a vehicle before you go away. Make sure you shop around for used auto loan rates or car hire costs to get the best deal. If you already have a car, then make sure that it is prepared for the journey, by washing it and doing any necessary maintenance or repairs.
6. Your Children
It wouldn’t be much of a family road trip without your kids, so make sure that they can actually come with you. If you’re planning to travel during school time, then you will need to get permission from a head teacher or attendance officer. If your kids are part of a sports team or other group, then check that your trip doesn’t clash with any important events or matches.
Road trips are a great way to spend some proper quality time with your family. If you want to make the most out of your journey, then ensure you have the six essentials listed above.
