Do you have some long car trips coming up for the summer? Like most people, I will be spending quite a bit of time in my car over the next few weeks as we visit relatives, see the sights, and vacation with friends in the area, and I’m already planning ahead for the road trips with three young kiddos.
To me, road trips are a great way to bond and see the sights both near and far in ways you just can't on an airplane, and I love taking a good road trip {or three} each summer. But, because of limited space and cramped conditions, they can also be a delicate balance of having what you need with fun things to do, without packing your vehicle from top to bottom. The picture below shows a precarious suitcase tower that includes what 5 people need for a snowshoe, ski, sun, and swim trip and even with the bigger car, and all of this stuff really pushed the limits of what is manageable for a road trip.
Here are a few tips for awesome car trips with kids:
- Give everyone their own space. Even if you have a small car like we do, make sure each kid has a space of their own to store their drinks, snacks, and entertainment. If you really are cramped for space, try a backseat organizer so the kids have a place for everything without creating a huge mess all over your floor.
- Let them express themselves. My kids are at the stage where they are ready to express their own personalities. I love encouraging my little reader with a reading light, providing a car-friendly craft kit for my artist, and creating a Hot Wheels carry-all for my little car enthusiast. If your kids are old enough, have them pack a car bag for themselves and then you can surprise them with a treat or two along the way.
- Bring the beats, enjoy the silence. Headphones are the perfect solution for when kids want to rock out, but parents are sick of hearing the same 5 Taylor Swift songs on repeat. Give them some headphones and you get to enjoy the silence. At least until they are hungry again.
- Have some car games in your back pocket. Our family has an ongoing game we play every time we’re in the car, but long trips make for an opportunity to play the license plate game or sign bingo. Plan ahead and purchase pre-made car games at a toy store, or you can download some really awesome ones online and print them out.
- Creativity can strike anywhere. Always be prepared with sketch pads, colored pencils, and more so they can capture all they see and all that they dream up.
- Nourished = Happy. All parents know that the quickest way to make a kid whiny is to let them go hungry, so plan ahead and grab some easy to pack snack items so you won’t have to stop three times before you even reach Grandma’s house. Smart snacks are fresh fruit, veggies, or pre-portioned packets that travel well, even in a purse or backpack.
- Put an end to “Are We There Yet?” with a map program on their tablets that they can use to track our progress. As an added bonus, it also is a great learning tool because they can see the names of rivers, lakes, bridges and mountains nearby along the route. If your little one is too young for electronics, give them a printed out map to follow along on the journey.
- Plan on having down time. If you schedule your car trips around naps and bedtimes you can give the kids a way to recharge in the car so they arrive rested and ready to play. If you are driving through naptime or overnight, comfort is paramount. For long drives, let the kids get cozy in pajamas and with special blankets and you might be surprised at how quickly they drift off to sleep.
- Download some books on tape. We prefer to limit screen time, but long car rides call for some treats, and books on tape {or rather, via app} are a great way to relax and listen to a favorite book, especially for those prone to carsickness. Plug in your headphones and get lost in a book.
- Plot your rest stops. Take a look at your route and find places to refuel where the kids can stretch their legs while they run around and play. Bonus points if you can choose spots where you can sightsee and explore a new place.
- BONUS for Monster headphone owners: Share music with friends with MusicShare. With Monster N-TUNE headphones, the kids can bond with MusicShare capabilities that allow you to connect headphones together to listen at the same time. Listening to music together is one of my kids’ favorite activities, so I love that they can now experience this even with their Monster Color It Loud N-TUNE headphones when we can’t crank up the speakers.
You can keep up with Monster™ on Facebook and Twitter or by following the hashtag #ColorItLoud. You can purchase these awesome headphones on Walmart.com or pick them up in store!
A big thank you to Monster Products for offering a pair of headphones for us as well as one for our fabulous readers. As always, all opinions are 100% ours.
My grandson colors himself loud by wearing “loud” colored clothing and having a “loud” smile with a positive attitude.
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
https://raveandreview.com/2015/12/american-girl-grace-collection-is-30-off-in-store.html#comment-6a0105362badb1970b01b7c7fb80eb970b
By speaking their minds
My kids love to sing and dance to their music.
My son has a huge personality! He is so funny and loves to be dramatic. He always makes funny faces and is so nice to people.
I would have to say my kids color themselves loud buy not being afraid to express themselves and I love that about them!
I make my son “mix-tapes” (CDs) of his favorite songs for his birthday so he can rock out to his jams!
My daughter is in a phase where she only wears “interesting” clothes she will not wear two solid color clothes items at a time either her pants or shirt has to have a loud print.
My son has a huge personality, he tells the greatest stories.
My kids color their selves loud through their clothing.
My kids color themselves through their bright and colorful personalities.
Through their little attitudes! lol :p Thank you for the giveaway!
Loud through their choice of clothing and pop culture.
sing and dance to their music
My always lending a voice to their imagination
My grandson has a loud personality.
My son’s color personality is full of energy.
He does color himself loud with so much energy and a loud voice to go with it.
They color themselves loud with loud clothes, loud colors, loud music, and loud talk.
My kids color themselves loud with their unique outfits they wear.
my daughter colors herself by singing to the top of lungs!
My daughter colors herself loud by always wearing bright colored clothes.
kport207 at gmail dot com
My sons are loud with their unique personalities and sense of humour.
My kids color themselves loud with their out going personality.
My girl speaks her mind and shares what she thinks of something without anything holding her back. Love her confidence!
Singing and dancing
my son colors himself with his big personality
My nieces and nephews are always singing and dancing around the house.. I wish I had all of that energy.
They color themselves loud with bright colored shirts & dancing shoes 🙂
They color themselves loud by expressing themselves through their art.
I let my son dress himself so he can express how he feels that particular day.
I let my son dress himself so he can express how he feels that particular day.
my granddaughter colors herself loud with her unique and very bright clothing as well as with her really lively personality.
My daughter has a very unique wardrobe that she uses to define herself
My kids color themselves loud by by being able to participate in adult conversations.
My kids are quite bold with their fashion choices.
My kids color themselves loud through their creative artwork and craft projects!
Oh he colors himself loud with his Neon lightup drumsticks!!!
Oh he colors himself loud with his lightup neon drumsticks!
My children color themselves loud with music, laughter, and lots of energy.
They color themselves wild with crayons!
My daughter likes to tell jokes all the time. Thank you for the chance.
By Learning to play a musical instrument
My daughter colors herself loud with her outrageous personality. Good for her!
Their energy level dictates loudness!
Lots of enthusiasm and smiles color my son.
My kids are very vocal and express their opinions often. Politely, of course. They also wear bright & fun clothes.
She talks in her own language.
My son colors himself loud by telling jokes! He really enjoys making people laugh. lol Thank-you for a great #giveaway 🙂
He colors himself loud with dancing and making everyone laugh
My grandson colors himself loud by marching to the beat of his own drum.
Both of my kids do color themselves loud constantly.
My kids color it loud by listening to music and singing along.
my kids cover themselves loud by dancing and singing loudly. they love to have a good time with music. it runs in the family.
My son does it by watching movie credits on my phone.
Through her love of music and singing.
finger painting. They love to create fun art
She does it with her clothes.
he likes to sing along with the tunes
My girls have their own style
My son colors himself loud in the way he plays, sings, laughs, and enters the room!
Singing and dancing around the house!
My daughter loves to color herself loud with singing at the top of her lungs while doing pretty much everything lol.
They Color Themselves Loud By Being Creative.
My daughter ‘colors herself loud” by having a gigantic personality and desire to try everything!
My boys color themselves loud with all of their energy.
My kids are grown so they only way they color themselves loud is by listening to really loud music!
by telling me they are hungry
My kids have wonderful personalities and good hearts.
She colors with what we would call the wrong color in her coloring book, for example a purple orange.
My daughter has her own way of dressing. I think she dresses a little too nicely for school but she loves it. Thank you!
My youngest two colors himself loud by playing outside with his friends. My three oldest (two grown, one a teen) color themselves loud with music.
My kids color themselves loud with loud music and loud color clothing.
My daughter always has to have music playing no matter where she is or what she is doing.
My Kids love to do their best at everything that they try. They serious contenders!
My son likes to express his feeling thru music.
They color themselves loud quite literally with the art they make!
My son colors himself loud through his music.
Apparently my son thinks screaming at his video games is how he colors his world. Thank you
They color themselves loud by listening and singing to music
My grandson colores himself loud by using his imagination!
My niece likes to sing.
My kids color themselves with their loud outspoken personalities!
My kids are full of sass and opinions!
My girls color themselves loud with their unique styles, ways of doing things, and for my youngest, with her LOUD voice. The love to sing, dance, and have fun, no matter where they are or who they are with.
My daughter comes up with interesting outfits..it’s nice to see her use her imagination & be creative