This is a sponsored post on behalf of Clorox.
Summer is all about the road trips. We hit the road any chance we can get, and with 3 kids in tow, it can challenging. From a 2 hour trip to see family, to an 18 hour trip to our favorite amusement park, we have to plan strategically. Here’s how to plan a road trip with kids, without forgetting a thing. Yes, it’s possible!
Set Seat Assignments
I don’t know what it is about kids and their backseat shenanigans, but it always starts with the seat assignments. One wants to sit behind dad, and NONE of them want to sit in the middle. Have a quick meeting with your kids to figure out what their seat preferences are, and set a schedule. It can be as simple as telling them they can rotate seats during each pit stop. But, this needs to be discussed before you hop into the car.
Plan Your Entertainment
“Mom, I’m bored!” is probably my least favorite thing to hear during a road trip. I most roll my eyes at that comment because I used to say the same thing when I was younger. Car games are always a fun way to help kids pass the time, if you don’t have a fancy DVD player in your car like the rest of the world does. We love playing “would you rather” while driving. The kids get to ask us silly things like “would you rather eat nothing but peanut butter for whole year, or eat nothing but crackers for a whole year?” It’s hilarious. But, if all else fails, default to the radio. We each get to play DeeJay, and they each get to hear 2 of their favorite songs on the radio. It gives everyone a chance to rock out to their favorite tunes, while passing the time.
Snack Duty
All parents know that snacks are key when planning a road trip. Packing everyone’s favorite snacks not only saves money, but it gives everyone something to look forward to during your road trip. Our family has special snacks that we always have on hand during road trips, which makes this more of a family tradition than an exhausting trip. We also give the kids 2 dollars to use during one pit stop to purchase a fun new snack. This small experience makes the trip even more fun for your kids.
Make A Parent Emergency Kit
Remember how I said the kids get to pick a special snack during the road trip? Well, sometimes those snacks can get messy. They can also cause a mess in the car, which is my least favorite thing about a road trip. My emergency kit always includes Clorox 2® Pre-Treat Stain Remover Pen. While the pen doesn’t remove the stain immediately, I simply apply the pen on the stain, wait ten minutes, and toss it in the laundry. I can tackle stains and wipe up messes with ease, and no stress. The Clorox 2® Pre-Treat Stain Remover Pen specially designed to pre-treat stains on colors, and features TripleSolve™ Technology to penetrate, dissolve and eliminate tough messes. It makes the clothing brighter and fresher. It’s glorious!
I also pack the Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes On the Go, which are the perfect size to pack into purses, glove boxes and diaper bags; three places I make sure to fill before a big road trip. A mess is sure to happen during every trip, so I make sure that this tag team is safely sitting in my purse during every road trip.
Plan A Good Time
My biggest secret to a great road trip is to plan to have a great time. Kids are very sensitive to our reactions to experiences, so if we go into each road trip with a plan to rock it, they’ll be excited about it. Let them in on all the planning above, and you’re sure to make some great memories, even when you’re traveling in the family car.
