The summer road trip is a rite of passage for those seeking valuable family time, but restless little ones in the back seat can test the most patient drivers.
Constant grumbles like “are we there yet?” and “I’m hungry!” from the kids, drive most road-tripping parents crazy. But with careful planning, the annual family road trip might be more memorable and a fun start to the holiday.
Planning should cover a number of areas—entertainment, comfort, communication and, most importantly, food. Make sure you have a range of toys or books that will keep your passengers entertained but won’t make a mess. Bring pillows for the back-seat crew so sleeping and snuggling is easy.
Explain to the kids how long the trip will take, when stops are planned and what’s expected of them, so they can keep their own track of “how long ‘til we get there?”
And, of course, ensure tummies are taken care of by bringing a nutritious stash of healthy food options, like these:
Frozen fun
Freeze some healthy popper drinks like natural fruit juice or UP&GO and let them slowly defrost throughout the trip. Not only do the slushy drinks fill bellies in a fun way, but they are mess-free and can also act as ice bricks for food that needs to be chilled, like cheese sticks or yoghurt tubs.
Mix and match
Prepare a range of sandwiches with a variety of fillings that won’t spill. Cut them up into small pieces to make them last longer, pop them in a big container and give the kids a “lucky dip lunch”.
Crunch time
Make your own crunchy crisps by oven-baking some pita bread and sprinkling herbs and spices on top. Give the kids their own “pack of chips” in a mini container that they can close when they’ve had enough. Ready-made options like muesli bars or Weet-Bix GO also work well without the need for baking or prep.
More easy road trip snack hacks
Fresh is best. Chop fruit or veggies into bite-size pieces that can be handled and consumed easily. Think non-stick, non-drip and non-staining like apples, bananas and sliced grapes. Older kids who aren’t as likely to spill can dip veggies in hummus or another tasty dip.
Tasty treats. Reward good behaviour with some treats that are both delicious and nutritious. Try making a family favourite slice like chocolate beetroot squares.
Drink up. Don’t forget the liquids! Keeping hydrated is an important part of any journey. A reusable water bottle makes younger kids feel more adult as they can refill with fresh water at each stop. A water stop is also a great reason to break up a long drive.
