Summer is passing quickly, but there is still time to plan a summer road trip with kids.
Given the current COVID-19 travel restrictions, now is the perfect time to explore new places close to home. Recently, my husband and I planned a fantastic four-day Cape Breton adventure, and today I’m sharing my best tips and tricks for planning your own family road trip.
Spontaneity is great, but when you are travelling with kids, a plan is key. For our trip, we researched popular attractions, mapped out where we wanted to go and what we hoped to do (including travel time), and booked our accommodations. We weren’t afraid to deviate from our plan, but the framework we created kept us focussed and organized.
Of course, another road trip “must” is making sure everyone is comfortable, hydrated, and well fed. We love stopping at popular local eateries, but we always have water bottles, snacks, and a well-stocked cooler in our van. Healthy snacks and supplies to make sandwiches “on the go” are always accessible.
I make it a priority to have healthy options available for my boys, but on special trips, I put together individual “travel snack packs” for their backpacks.
To make a simple travel snack pack, start with a plastic hardware storage box from the dollar store, clean it, and pack each section with a different vacation treat. Individually wrapped items are best because they travel well and will stay fresh for the duration of the trip. Taking travel snack packs on family vacations has become a cherished family tradition in my home, and my boys look forward to it. My boys really enjoy this simple and fun idea, and I love that my kids aren’t constantly asking me for snacks.
You’ll also want to make sure to pack non-medical masks, Ziploc bags (which are great for storing wet bathing suits and leftover food), baby wipes (for cleaning dirty hands and spills), and hand sanitizer.
Having options for entertaining passengers on long treks is also a fantastic idea. (Even beautiful scenery, like the Cabot Trail, only holds kids’ attention for short periods of time). Movies, music, podcasts, road trip scavenger hunts, and e-books/regular books are great options for passing the time. And, if you want to add an extra element of fun, you can wrap up some dollar store trinkets and treats for kids to open along the way. Chocolate bars, games, glow sticks, activity books, silly putty, and gum are wonderful options when kids need a distraction.
Of course, the ability to make frequent stops and build in time for physical activity is what truly makes a road trip a fantastic vacation option for families. Kids are not designed to spend endless hours trapped in a vehicle, so if the kids need a break, or you see something interesting on the side of the road, stop.
The stops along the way really are what make a family road trip fun and memorable. Our Cape Breton vacation included stops at local eateries, gift shops, a petting zoo, a golf course, a horse race, look offs, hiking trails, beaches, a local swimming hole and waterfalls.
My family had a wonderful four-day road trip adventure, and we are hoping to squeeze in another one before the summer comes to an end. I hope I’ve inspired you to pack up your own vehicle and hit the road.
Gina Bell writes the East Coast Mommy column, which runs every second week. Follow her blog at or contact her at [email protected]
