
A road trip can be the best way to take a holiday, if it’s planned right. You’re in control – you can decide on a destination and a route to take, and even plan in visits to interesting spots along the way. In the eyes of many, it’s very much the kind of holiday that suits couples or groups of adults, because there is a certain amount of patience required. But if your view of the future includes a lot of family holidays, then getting road trips right early on can make for a great string to your bow when it comes to picking holidays. It just means you have to figure out the best ways to get your kids to enjoy road trips.
Make it easy to nap on the road
Road trips present a chance to see more of the world as you make your way around it, and drinking in the views as you drive is a major part of the process for adults. For kids, though, it’s not as important to see every mile of the trip. We all know how things can get when tired kids become impatient, so using the hours on the road to ensure they get some sleep is a great way to ensure the trip doesn’t become stressful. While it’s quiet, you can make good time on the road, and once they wake up it can be a good time to stop for bathroom breaks and refuelling for both the car and yourself.
Limit unnecessary stops
There is no way of making a road trip without some stops, for the aforementioned reasons and also because there will be some places you want to explore between your starting and stopping points. But more stops means a later arrival and less momentum, so a car with good fuel mileage will definitely help. When picking a new car, look for a VW approved used or a similar model with good MPG, something that can handle long trips without having to stop at every filling station along the way.
Involve your kids in planning
Kids are always more excited to go somewhere when they have had a part in deciding where to go. While it is probably best that you decide the end destination, it’s useful to explain to your kids that you’ll be driving to that destination and passing through some places. Then you can show them pictures, brochures and videos of the places you’ll be going and see what appeals to them. If your end destination is Paris, then spots like Lille and Le Touquet can be fun places to stop, look around, and maybe pick up some souvenirs.
Be prepared to change plans
The best plans are ones which have a little room for tinkering when necessary. Driving over long distances can place a lot of demands on both you and your kids, and sometimes it’s going to be best to go with the flow rather than sticking to a hard plan. You need to keep an element of structure, so there should be some non-negotiables, but if it makes sense to stop half an hour earlier than intended so the kids can get some fresh air, or later so that you can avoid traffic, do that. Allow some elasticity in your time of arrival so this doesn’t upset plans.