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How to Survive Traveling with the Kids
As the summer season approaches, so does the potentially stressful family trip. This year, arm yourselves with fun games, audio books and music (and get them free at your public library!) to keep your kids occupied on the road
It's the kick-off of summer. For many families, that means one thing: road trip. Yet parents who have spent eight hours with their children in the car know that holiday cheer could quickly turn to fantasies of leaving the kids at the gas station.
This year, maintain your sanity by arming yourselves with fun games, audio books and music to keep your little ones occupied during the long trip ahead.
The Art of Travel Prep
DeEtte Howell, her husband and their three very active kids are frequent road trippers. As such, they’ve long since perfected the art of packing for traveling. “My husband and I are not very patient car riders ourselves, so adding three children to that mix would just start the trip off on a sour note,” says Howell.
Before making the trek from St. Louis to South Carolina last year Howell took her kids to the library to choose books and movies they wanted to take along. She also broke down and bought a portable DVD player.
Include variety to address individual needs. Each of Howell’s children fills a backpack with items of interest. In the past, the two oldest haven’t been able to read in the car due to headaches. So, books on tape were added to the mix.
Find Your Routine
Some kids fall asleep in the car; others need a break every two hours on the nose. Once they’ve done it enough times, families eventually find routines that work for them.
Renee Pease, a children’s librarian at Welles-Turner Memorial Library in Glastonbury, Connecticut, acknowledges that times have changed. “These days, kids are so used to having something going on, they’re not as content as we were to sit and watch the scenery.”
Pease’s kids have known the drill since they were small. “We have a basket that fits in the seat between them, and before we leave, they fill it with handheld computer games, books, CDs, notebooks and pencils.”
Mix it Up
Whether traveling by plane, train or car, the question isn’t just what you want to take, but in what format you want it. You might be surprised by what may be available at your library. A Harry Potter fan? You can choose between a book, CD, DVD, game, electronic version and, yes, a cassette.
Did you know that you could request “vacation loans” at your local library? Speak to a librarian and they will be able to arrange the due date to coincide with when you return. For your next road trip consider these car-friendly options:
Audio books—If you have a preschooler, for example, choose picture books with accompanying CDs that kids can follow along with in the car—like Jonathan London’s beloved Froggy series .
Playaways—Check out these self-contained MP3 players with pre-loaded books (you may need to supply your own batteries and head phones).
“We started a collection for children this year,” says Pease. Though most books in the collection are for grades three and up, Playaways titles exist for all ages, she says.
Music CDs—Let’s face it: Your kids may not read for the entire trip. Libraries also offer a variety of choices for different musical tastes. How about something they’ll sing along to, like the High School Musical soundtrack, followed by mellower music for your own sanity, like The Classical Child series.
Downloadable books—Tap into your library’s online database of downloadable audio books, then load up your iPod or MP3 player.
Some allow you to copy certain titles onto CDs, as well.
Movies—Many cars have built in DVD players. On their trips, Pease says, “We pretty much carry everything: the Disney classics, 'High School Musical' for older kids, PBS shows.”
Game books—Don’t forget something interactive. Game books will keep their minds engaged while encouraging family bonding. Check out the Parents’ Collection for books like Travel Wise with Children: 101 Games and Ideas to Make Family Travel Fun for Everyone by Mary Rodgers Bundren. The book has games for varying ages, from educational activities to an activity that involves recording accounts of the trip.
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