Road Trip With Kids
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of nuisance for a child when in a restaurant – how much more in the narrow cage of a car on a hour-long ride. You have barely left your home when the notorious “Are-we-there-already” starts, sometimes replaced by the equally infamous “How-long-is-it-still-going-to-take” and “I-have-to-pee” (the latter preferrably on highways with no possibility to stop).
So again, the key here is entertainment. It’s more difficult because you have a very limited space in your car and often a very long time to go.
The “surprise bags” described above do a good job also here. In case of a long ride, you can prepare several smaller bags and scatter them in intervals of several hours, thus keeping the excitement going. Be careful with loose plastic boxes and toys, though, they can become missiles heading forward in case of an accident.
Why are kids asking the “How-long?” – question? Well, first of all, because they’re bored and annoyed. But it’s also hard for children to understand a distance of 500 miles or a period of 10 hours. So when you’re planning your trip, just make a simple map for your children, displaying your home, the target and important points in between. Add some pencils or crayons and point out when you’re passing the marking points. This way, your kids have an overview of where you are and adding drawings will keep them busy. Later on, you can put the maps in your holiday album for souvenir. Keep in mind to make a map for each child.
If your child doesn’t mind sleeping in the car, you can consider travelling during the night. That can buy you some peace during the ride, at the cost that you’re tired when you arrive at your destination. If you have a spaciuos car, like a van, you can use some pillows and blankets to turn it into a cozy place.
Entertainment electronics can make your trip a lot easier. A game boy can keep a child occupied for a very long time, and you can even get a small, portable tv / vcr combination for a reasonable price. You can bring your kids’ favourite videos and they’ll probably be fine for the entire trip. When it comes to music, you should consider that you’ll have to listen to it also, so make sure you can stand the constant repetition of child songs. Otherwise, a walkman might do the job.
A major problem with playing in the car is the very limited space. Toys easily fall down and slide under seats, so you have to stop in order to pick it up again. A tray like the ones used in fast-food-restaurants may help there: it supplies a solid, even surface that can be used as a foundation for eating or as a playground. Childrens’ imagination is still vivid, so a plain plastic tray can turn easily into a setting for the favourite action hero’s next adventure. If you have a family, you should get rid of the idea of having a car to impress and rather trade it for something spacious and comfortable. It might be hard at first, but later on you’ll be thankful for the extra space that helps getting through even a long trip without too much disturbance.
November 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Where do you think is a good place in California to take kids for a road trip?
I need ideas!
I would like to take my little sister and little cousins on a road trip some where around the state but Im not sure what kids would enjoy most possibly with a little learning. The kids are 10-13 years old and girls. Any suggestions on places to go and really nice places to stay?
November 30th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
L.A to San Fran, take the Pacific Coast HWY, I think it's HWY 1….I don't live in the U.S, but I visit Cali at least once a year….
One of the most beautiful scenery in the world on that highway…
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November 30th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Is Legoland here?
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November 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
take them up old route 66, you'll see the ocean, old housing and buildings, and the california missions. it would be fun and educational.
don't take them to a theme park or anything like that, it's overrated. and costs more than it's worth.
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November 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Anywhere in Central to Norther California, on the Pacific Coast Highway. I still remember when my parents took me when I was a kid.
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November 30th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Joshua Tree National Park
Sequoia & Kings NP
Yosemite NP
Redwoods NP
Death Valley NP
Lassen NP
Channel Islands NP
Death Valley NP
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November 30th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Yosemite
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November 30th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Eureka
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November 30th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Where in CA? CA is a big place… are you in the LA area, the SF area or SD area?
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November 30th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
PCH is the way to go. Stop at herst castle, santa barbara,
san luis obispo, santa cruz there is the board walk. and off to san fran. Thats a nice road trip i just took it myself. Have fun and be very safe.
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November 30th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Go to Monterey, you can see the Monterey Bay Aquarium, they have great beaches, you can see the Pebble Beach golf course and drive through Carmel.
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November 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
in orange county you have the wax museum and knots berry farm. in Anaheim you have Disney world. in San Bernardino you have lots of mountains. in San Diego they have the mirmar Pacific fleet navy fighter planes and a cool zoo. la has a zoo also and the Hollywood walk of fame. the pacific coast highway runs on the coast for about 500 plus miles of beautiful ocean views. in San Fransisco they have the golden gate bridge. i could go on if you want more info email me.
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i am a fifth generation californian now living out of the state, but i still know cal by the back of my hand
November 30th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Califas is a BIG state but if your down for a true road trip then
I would go up up the gold country HWY49 close to auburn ca.
they have way cool stuff for the kids and active working gold mines still as well as a bunch of closed ones.
Along the same route you can enter the Calaveras county caverns! THIS IS SOOOO COOL For the kids they love it! adults too! its the ultimate exploring feeling yet pretty safe! If you don't know what this is, they are Caverns that go into the ground there is just so much to say about these natural wonders (like spelunking) but serious you little sister n cuzns are at the perfect age for this! google california caverns and gold mines. They have some for all levels of kids and adults. and there is queite a few up there to choose from!
good luck, email me if ya want more info.
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stumbled across a handfull of these one road trip, turned out to be one of the funnest days. have now done it a couple times!
November 30th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
The Avenue of the Redwoods is a scenic road that runs parallel to Hwy 101 through majestic forests. It's pretty far up north in the state though – getting close to Eureka.
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