Long Hours Traveling with Kids - Family Travel Hacks

Not many parents look forward to long hours travelling with their little ones as it can be both exciting and challenging.

We know you are very tempted to fold back all seats in the car and place a mattress there for the kids to lie down, push that thought away! Safety always comes first. So, let’s strap on that booster seat or seat belt and continue reading.

Get your kids excited

Start talking about your road trip a few days (or weeks) in advance. Get the kids excited. Explain to them where you will be going and what activities you will be doing. Bribery is completely legal in this situation when you tell the kids they will get something they like (a ‘reward’) if everyone behaves while in the car. Young kids as early as age 3 would understand how this reward system works.

Plan your trip

Plan your journey well - utilize Google Maps or Waze to estimate driving time. Don’t forget to add some extra time for the weather (rainy day), bad traffic, rest stops, or other potential hiccups along the way. Make sure your fuel tank is full and your TnG card is reloaded for a smoother journey. Prepare wet tissues and plastic bags to prevent messes in the car. This preparation is more for you to have a clear mind before driving long distance.

Snack, snacks and more snacks!

Kids get hungry very frequently. Let your kids have a small snack every 1-2 hours, depending on the length of your trip. Remember you are still in a car, so you do not want to bring messy snacks (sorry no churros with chocolate dip in the car). We recommend bringing easy snacks you can buy off the shelves from any petrol stations such as biscuits, buns, curry puffs, potato chips or lollipops, to name a few. We do not recommend anything with chocolate as young kids may smear their clothes or the car seats with the chocolate stain.

Try this Silicone Bib with Crumble Catcher from Chicco! It has an adjustable neck strap that is gentle to children’s skin and a deep pocket to catch any biscuit crumbs. Available in pink, blue and grey.

Try this Pop-Up Cup, suitable for children 2 years old and above. Just flip the lid and sip! Available in green, pink and blue.

Bring along your “digital babysitter”

In this age and time, it is becoming a norm to let young children have restricted screen time, especially when they are in a confined space like in a car. It is highly recommended to use Youtube Kids on your smart phones or tablets for watching online videos. If you already have games and interactive apps in your devices, you can also choose to the in-app purchase to unlock all the different levels in a game or app. It’s up to you to decide if the money spent is worth it in exchange for a few hours of peace and quiet.

Ride in the Backseat with Kids

Road trips can be a great opportunity to spend quality time with your family as you are spending hours together in a car. If you are travelling with another adult, while one adult is driving, the other can join your child in the backseat to keep them company. Babies and young children love playtime. They will be thrilled if you sit next to them and give them your attention, even if it is only for a short period of time.

Whether you're planning a family fun day at the Lost World of Tambun or visiting loved ones in Melaka, traveling with kids can open up new experiences. Most importantly, children have to know the importance of car safety. Teach them to always wear a seatbelt, be aware of the surroundings, and never distract a driver.

Buckle up, drive safe and and enjoy your road trip!

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