Travel Hacks for Road Trips with Kids

Planning a campervan holiday with the kids? Worried about the long hours of driving? Road trips with kids do not have to be stressful experiences. With a little planning, there are plenty of ways to keep the kids occupied on the road and have fun yourself at the same time! The following are some travel hacks for spending a few weeks in a campervan with kids.

Keep Them Busy

Keep lots of things in your campervan to keep the kids occupied. Depending on their age, you can give them colouring books, picture books, or toy catalogues and magazines for them to flick through. You could even buy a cheap tray for them to use as a hard surface for colouring. Another good idea is giving them a disposable camera to play with (or lending them yours if you’re trusting enough!). The novelty of taking their own pictures will give the kids hours of fun!

Play Old-school Games

Even today, you can’t beat old-school games. You don’t need a game board or any materials, they make the time pass quickly and the whole family can get involved. Games like ‘I Spy’ or ‘Twenty Questions’ are great road trip games for kids. Another good one is the lesser-known, ‘I’m Going on a Picnic’, an alphabet-based memory game great for kids aged five and up. To play, the first player says “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing…” followed by something that begins with A, like apples. The next player repeats what the first player said, then follows it with something that begins with B, for example, “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing apples and bread.” The game continues with the rest of the alphabet. If someone forgets an item, he or she is out of the game. The last person to be able to list all of the items wins.

Music!

Stick some music on the radio or CD player that everyone will listen to or take turns choosing what to play. Encourage everyone to sing along – don’t be afraid to let go! You could even start your own ‘sing-song’ without music. This is a great way to connect with your kids and have lots of fun at the same time.

Keep Them Comfy

Because of the long driving distances, kids can get tired and ‘fidgety’ on a road trip. You can make sure they’re comfy by giving them cushions or pillows. If they like their own personal space, you could give them a travel pillow so they’re not fighting over space to lay their pillows!

Stock Up on Snacks

When on holidays with kids, hunger pangs come more often. Stock up on lots of snacks, such as fruit, nuts and muesli bars. You could also keep a secret stash of treats for occasional indulgence – you are on your holidays after all! Make sure you also have plenty of water at hand to combat dehydration.

Keep in Mind of Where You’re Camping for the Night

Use the TV or activity rooms at holiday parks – it’s an awesome way to keep the kids occupied if it’s dark, wet or if you need to cook, clean or pack up. All you will need to worry about is which grown-up stays with the kids, and which one does all the work! It’s also a good idea to stay in places where there is a nearby walking track or road. If one of the kids gets cranky or bored, you can take them for a walk.

A road trip with the kids is one of the most rewarding things you can do together as a family. Eager to get on the road? Then check out the latest deals and specials on campervan hire in Australia.

We’ve got many more Family Travel Tips to read and inspire you on your next adventure, come and explore.