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This summer, America’s hitting the open road in search of bold adventures. But if you don’t want to drag family drama across state lines, these kid-friendly road trip tips keep it copacetic in the back seat. (Let there be Cheez-Its.)
Whether it’s the annual trek to the lake house or a day trip to the beach, if you’re one of the 61.4 million people road-tripping over July 4th weekend, traffic looks clearer with your travel plans on lock. Gas prices may be steep, and the vacation budget tighter than ever, but the only way to experience America is to see it for yourself.
As for an itinerary, we’re taking inspiration from “The Great American Road Trip,” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy’s America 250 travel series where he and his wife Rachel Campos-Duffy — and their nine children — explore America’s greatest hits. From the desert dunes of Maine to a “Stonehenge” made of cars in Nebraska (yep, that’s a thing!), iconic stops like these mean you don’t have to travel the globe to discover the world.
You’ll still be able to make a Diet Coke drinking game out of every “Are we there yet?” But packing a few of these tips in your duffel will make the journey as awesome as your destination. Buckle up! We’re going on a road trip.
Get ready to rumble
Some might advise that you never take a road trip with small children. But we don’t need that kind of negativity in our lives. That next-level energy can work to your advantage.
Get kids on the same page by planning your trip with them. Little kids can help pick out snacks at Costco and get hyped up about hotel pools or playgrounds along the route. But older kids can contribute with meaningful tasks. Is your daughter obsessed with the family calendar? Put her on road map duty. Does your son communicate solely through text? Have him message your Airbnb host that you’re on your way.
Making sure kids (and adults!) get some real exercise the day before a stint in the car guarantees that residual exhaustion will lead to less restlessness on the road.
Prep your ride
We’re officially beyond the full tank of gas and a 3,000-mile oil change. When you’re road-tripping with kids, it’s essential to stock that glovebox with supplies.
Baby wipes are a no-brainer. Whether they’re hand sanitizing or flushable, if you think you have too many, pack more. Reusable water bottles let you fill up for free at the next water fountain. And about that first aid kit, don’t be afraid to repurpose tampons to stop a nosebleed like a boxing champ.
It’s also smart to pin pit stops on your map ahead of time. The last thing you want to do is hunt down Artist’s Palette in Death Valley while your phone searches for WiFi somewhere between gas stations.
Pack road-tested snacks
No one tries to start a hunger-induced car fight, but they happen. To avoid this easily preventable phenomenon, pack snacks — and make those goodies count.
Aim healthy, not messy. Baby carrots, Cuties, string cheese, apple wedges, and grapes fit in a cooler. Shelf-stable yogurt pouches, meat sticks, and freeze-dried mango, bananas, or peaches tap in as handy room-temp treats. Craving crunch? Veggie straws, pretzels, and Goldfish understand the assignment. But if you wanna get creative, pack mini cooked cheese tortellini in zip-top portions to mix it up. (Skip the sauce!)
Older kids can prep their own daily snack bags to eliminate the “Mom! I’m hungry!” chorus, and save some cash at rest stops. Still, if you pass Buc-ee’s, you’re legally required to pick up a bag of those Beaver nuggs.
Turn up the entertainment
Good news: The analog car games of your youth still hit. “I spy,” the alphabet game, and rocking out to songs everyone loves will dutifully occupy the miles.
“My sister and I would play this game we called ‘Cows vs Cemeteries,’” one Redditor shared. “If you passed a cow pasture that was on your side of the car, you counted the cows and those were your points. You kept your points the whole trip, unless you passed a cemetery on your side of the car. Then you lost all your points and had to start over.”
A short stack of favorite books, a secret stash of surprise goodies, and dry erase markers for window art coax creativity. And a few rounds of “Would You Rather” sparks hilarious conversation for all ages.
But if the crowd’s getting restless, intentional screen time comes in clutch. Preload an iPad with kid-friendly audiobooks or podcasts (like Brains On!, “Wow in the World,” or “Relax With Animal Facts”), and save it for longer stretches of highway.
If all else fails, stick grandma (or another capable adult) in the back seat to play with the kids. If grandma’s into it, it’s a win-win.
Carve out some quiet time
Add a sense of calm to your road trip rager by designating quiet time on your trip — even if the kids aren’t napping. Two hours into kids scream-laughing while you chug the Starbucks, and you’ll be singing the praises of this technique.
Cozy blankets, pillows, and cranked A/C help convey the relaxing message, and independent activities like coloring or sticker books focus growing minds. The mental break offers parents time to recoup some of their sanity without low-key “losing the will to live” before the next exit.
Make those hours count
Maybe you could grind out 17 hours straight if you were traveling solo, but you’ve got to give kids lots of breaks. And setting time limits can actually make your travel days even more efficient.
Set a maximum number of driving hours for the day, as well as in between stops. Drive at night while the kids are sleeping (or start before the crack of dawn) if you want to make the best time.
When you need a break, seek out rest areas with playgrounds. And whatever you do, don’t rest. Challenge kids to jumping jack contests and push-ups to blow off some steam. And make sure everyone goes to the bathroom every time you stop.
Choose your own adventure
You could book that all-inclusive in Cabo and fly straight to lazing by the pool. But stepping outside your comfort zone for a family road trip might be the key to a stronger family bond.
Hilariously, research shows that shared stress actually brings us closer together. (Great news for every family!) And in a vote for recounting the best part of the day, studies prove that passionately recalling your favorite moments helps you remember them even longer.
Lastly, don’t sweat the small stuff. Whether or not you make it through all the verses to “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” without turning this car around, you’re making memories that last. Take the scenic route and let the journey unfold.