Family road trips can be a lot of fun – a bit of an adventure for parents and kids, alike, bringing an exciting start or end to your holiday.
But forget to take a few crucial items with you and the journey could turn into a bit of a nightmare.
Packing these essentials should ensure your road trip is as enjoyable as possible for all the family; you stay safe and are prepared for the unforeseen.
Getting there and car emergencies
Making sure you get to your destination as safely as possible should be your priority as a driver – and it’s not just about having a full tank of petrol. Yes, take the sat nav, but try not to rely on it and be prepared for the unexpected. Think about the route and the destination and think about bringing these essentials:
- Map or a printout of your route – for backup in case you sat nav goes haywire or stops working
- Torch and spare batteries – in case you’re delayed or breakdown when driving at night
- Driving licence, car insurance and breakdown cover details – if you have an accident or your car runs into trouble
- Small spade or shovel – in case your car gets stuck in mud or even snow – you never know with the British weather!
Staying safe with first aid
During a long journey, your partner might fall sick, or the kids might get car sick, or take a tumble playing when you stop to stretch your legs. Best to be prepared and have these in the car:
Waterproof plasters – to deal with cuts and scrapes
- Dressing, scissors and antiseptic cream – for bigger grazes or cuts
- Travel sickness tablets and sick bags – in case anyone feels sick during the journey
- A picnic blanket – Not just useful to sit on, but also to keep the family warm if the car breaks down
Food and drink for the journey
You might plan a place to stop off for a bite to eat, but it doesn’t hurt to bring along some snacks just in case your food stop is closed, or you’re heavily delayed in traffic?
Try packing these essentials just in case:
- Picnic, cooler and blanket – in case the weather’s sunny and you pass an ideal spot to stop for a snack
- Refillable water bottles with nozzles (rather than screw tops to help stop spillages) – to keep you and your family hydrated
- Car-friendly snacks – like dried fruit, granola and energy bars, which keep up everyone’s energy levels and won’t leave too many crumbs
Keeping your car clean
Long family journeys can bring drink spillages, crumbs, car seat stains and some unpleasant spells. Keep you car fresh and clean by including these essentials:
- Wet wipes and kitchen roll – to clean up spills, stains and collect crumbs
- Bin liners – A small bin liner just to collect rubbish can help keep the car tidy and organised
- Change of clothes and light waterproofs – in case of an unexpected wet or muddy day out for the kids
Keeping the kids entertained
It’s worth making sure the kids are entertained during the journey. The last thing you need is a chorus of “are we there yet?” keep them occupied with these essentials:
- Portable DVD player and some DVDs – so they can watch their favourite films
- CDs or an iPod – so they can to listen to their favourite songs or audiobooks of stories they enjoy
- Headphones – so they can listen and watch and you can focus on driving
- Travel games –like a road sign game that’s easy to play, helps them take interest in the journey and lets them learn something too.
With the car stocked with these essentials, you can keep you and your family comfortable and safe during the journey. Then you can relax a bit, focus on the road ahead and enjoy the drive.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Auto Advance, a Logbook Loan provider