As any parent who’s decided to take a full weekend devoted to wholesome family activities knows, you get approximately a day before it all falls apart. We’re talking tantrums, fighting siblings, scrubbing glitter out of furniture and feeling completely exasperated.
One different idea that’ll keep them thoroughly entertained? A mini road trip. A couple of hours in the car to a cool new destination, like a campsite or a city you’ve never explored before, while working in a couple of stop-offs, will give them a blast of something novel, new memories to replenish your bank and won’t cost you loads of cash.
Yes, it can be done. Here’s how.
Get the snacks in
Rule number one when you’re embarking on a car journey with kids? You can feed them 12 breakfasts, but they will still instantly ask for more food once they get into the car. So come prepared. Bottles of milk for babies, fruit, rice cakes, breadsticks and sandwiches all work wonders. Plenty of water is also key.
Make a plan
When it comes to kids and car trips, there is no room for spontaneity. Like, less than zero. First up, get your ride sorted. With Europcar’s Deliver and Collect service, you can get away stress-free. Your car is dropped off at your door and picked up at the end of the trip, so you don’t need to exhaust the little ones by dragging them across town to pick it up.
Get a route sorted that’s no more than a couple of hours away from your home, map it out and check out the traffic situation before you go anywhere. Plan your fun stops: is there an obstacle course, stately home or adventure playground en route? A cute restaurant that’s little people friendly? For the full road trip experience, you need to weave these extras in.
Get on your bike
A morning car journey is nicely offset by a busy afternoon. If you’re keen to plan a more active day or overnight trip that gets you and the kids moving, there are gorgeous cycle routes up and down the country that offer traffic-free, family-friendly paths which are suitable for younger riders. A few to look up? Try the North Wales Coastal Route, Moors Valley Forest in Hampshire and the Crab and Winkle Way in Kent.
Let them entertain... themselves
For younger kids, a goodie bag of treasures (notebook, colouring pencils, Lego pieces, toy cars) can help with the travel fidgets, while older kids may enjoy family games like Pub Cricket or The Alphabet Game – at least for a portion of the journey.
Then there’s always the iPad. Now is not the time to be sanctimonious about screen time: let them watch movies or play games to their heart’s content. Just make sure you’ve charged any electronics beforehand.