What is important on a long car journey with children?
"When will we get there?" A question most parents probably hear regularly from their offspring. This is especially true when they're going on vacation . Then the little ones' stomachs and bladders start to rumble .
Long car journeys with children are not for the faint of heart. How can you best prepare ? Which child seat is suitable for long car journeys? What should you always pack ? If a long car journey with children is planned, when should you leave ? We'll answer these and other questions in the following guide.
Tips and ideas for long car journeys with children
If you prepare well for a long journey with children, you can save yourself a lot of trouble. It's also a good idea to involve the children in the planning process , as this will help them prepare for the long journey and better understand what to expect. We've compiled nine tips for your long car journey with children .
- Keep blankets and pillows in the car so your children are comfortable and can sleep when they 're tired . This is especially important if the car journey is at night.
- Make sure you have enough food on board so that you can avoid detours where you would have to get what you need.
- Before you start your journey, find out where you can stop and take a break .
- When taking a long car journey with children, a comfortable child seat is a must.
- Install sunshades on the windows to prevent your children from being blinded, and stow your luggage so that there is enough space for the little ones and nothing can fly around in the car when you brake hard .
- Although these are not mandatory, you should equip yourself with additional safety vests for long car journeys with children .
- Since children get bored quickly, you should always provide entertainment during the journey .
- Use your children’s sleep phases for the car journey.
- Prepare for traffic jams, motion sickness , and other surprises.
In some cases, it may be a good idea to take a long car journey with children at night . This allows the children to sleep for part of the journey. A long car journey with sleeping children can then be a bit more relaxing , provided drivers are comfortable driving at night.
Which child seat is best for a long car journey with children?
Many parents probably ask themselves: "Which child seat is suitable for long journeys?" Well, there is no single right one—the best child seat for long journeys . What's important is that the child seat fits well and is appropriate for the child's size and weight.
Comfortable child seats for long car journeys: Safety comes first , and therefore takes precedence over comfort. Furthermore, well-fitting child seats are generally the most comfortable option for little ones.
Therefore, always make sure that you adjust the child seat to your child's size and weight for long car journeys . The child seat should be neither too small nor too large. If you plan to purchase a used model, you should carefully check that it is in perfect condition. This way, you can transport your children safely .
A long car ride can make even the best car seat uncomfortable. Therefore, make sure your children have a chance to stretch their legs and move around during breaks . For very small passengers, it's worth packing a play mat so they can stretch out and lie on their tummies every now and then .
Below we have summarized useful guides for child seats and a long car journey with children:
A little thirsty, a lot of hunger, or the other way around? The right food for long car journeys
A long car ride with children is coming up: What should I bring? The best snacks and drinks to bring with you on a long car ride with children depend, for example, on the age of your offspring . If you have an infant on board, you should have plenty of formula and warm water . You can keep this warm in thermoses. Once your children are past the infant stage, it's important to make sure you have plenty of drinks .
We have listed below which snacks are suitable for a long car journey with children.
- Sandwiches
- fruit and vegetables
- Nuts (if the children are old enough)
- Pastries
Remember: Traffic jams are unpredictable . Always plan for plenty of time and take too much rather than too little —especially drinks!
Against boredom: This should not be missing in your luggage
For a long car ride with children, you should plan games . Of course, it's difficult to unpack board or card games in the car. To survive a long car ride with children without—or with little—boredom , a little creativity is required. What games and activities are available in the limited space?
- I pack my suitcase and take with me…
- I see something you don't see
- Finger games
- Read aloud
- Guessing games or quizzes
- Guess traffic signs