With spring break around the corner and summer not far behind, we figured it was the perfect time to advise families on the best ways to travel. Taking a road trip with little kids can seem daunting, but with a little planning, the right products, and a few creative tricks, you can have a fun and stress-free journey. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a cross-country adventure, these tips and product recommendations will help make the ride smoother for parents and kids.

This post kicks off a series here at RegistryFinder: Travel with Kids. This week, we’ll cover all the necessary details (and realness) of traveling with small children. Today, we start with the iconic family road trip!

In an ideal situation, I imagine piling in the car, taking in the scenery, and enjoying cozy, uninterrupted quality time with my husband and kids while we drive to our destination. However, kids are unpredictable, and that dream can turn into traffic jams, temper tantrums, and general claustrophobia.

Packing like a Pro:

• To avoid feeling overwhelmed, make lists and start early! Make an individual packing list for each family member.
• The week before your departure, open up the suitcases and fill them with each family member’s items.
• If your kids are old enough, let them help! Have fun teaching them planning and organization skills. My mom always let us fill a cute backpack with items to keep us entertained on the drive. 
• Highlight last-minute items that you’ll need to throw in right before you walk out the door (ex, sleep sacks or sound machines you’ll be using the night before the trip!)

The Sleep Secrets:

• Go with your kids’ habits. You know your kids’ sleeping habits. If your kids love sleeping in their car seats, an overnight drive may be best. If not, plan to drive between wake-up and naptime.
• Be sure to have car pillows and a blanket to help your little ones sleep comfortably in the car.
• If you’ll be staying at a hotel for the night, try to recreate your child’s sleeping environment as much as possible. Get creative to create a dark, quiet place for sleep! Amazon has a great Pack n Play cover that helps you keep your child’s sleep space dark without turning off all the lights in your hotel room.

• We recommend bringing your own Pack N’ Play from home instead of relying on hotel cribs, which vary in quality and availability. We love the 4Moms Breeze Pack N’ Play because it’s compact, can convert into a bassinet, and has a changing table attachment.
• Remember to grab a portable sound machine to block out hotel noise and bring familiar blankets and sheets from home.
• Once your child outgrows the Pack N’ Play, transition them to a blow-up toddler bed.

Staying Busy:

• For toddler activities, think “mess-free!” Our favorites are a magnetic sketchboard, paint-with-water coloring books, magic ink books, twistable Crayola crayons, and reusable sticker pads!
• For older kids, pick up something like this license plate game and a kid-friendly map to mark your journey. If the kids are engaged in the trip, they will have more fun, and the drive will be worth it! Older children may also like on-the-go game pads, Wikki Stix to create 3D doodles, joke books, trivia, and this handheld puzzle game. 
• Store everything in a backseat organizer to keep your car clutter-free and have everything within easy reach of your little ones.

Snack Breaks:

• Pack your kiddos’ favorites. You can keep the main stash in the trunk, and at each stop, get more out to keep within reach. We like cooler bags with freezer packs to keep milk, cheese sticks, yogurt, fruit, and drinks cold.
• My kids love Bentgo Boxes, which keep their snacks cold and organized for easy lunches. We also love Whiskware Stackable Snack Cups, which are the perfect size for snacks. 
• Use large wipeable bibs to avoid having to clean car seat straps. The bib will also come in handy if your child gets carsick.

Technology:

• For the adults: our go-to travel apps are Trip Advisor, Gas Buddy, and Google Maps. I also recommend signing up for stay rewards at your favorite hotel and downloading their app to track your points.
• For the kids: Try holding out on technology for the kids until you absolutely need it as a last resort. Don’t have the iPads or tablets strapped on so the kids can see (and beg for) them. Try to limit in-car screen time by only starting within 2 hours of arriving at your nightly destination. However, when all else fails on those long days, just don’t worry about “too much.” Do whatever it takes to keep your family content! We recommend this iPad or iPhone headrest holder, which holds your technology in the perfect spot for movies.

Remember, it’s about the journey:

Road trips with little kids don’t have to be stressful. With the proper planning, activities, and products, you can turn your journey into a fun-filled adventure for the whole family. From staying organized to keeping everyone entertained, these tips and must-have products will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. So, pack your bags, buckle up, and prepare for an unforgettable road trip with your little ones!

Ready to Hit the Road?

This piece is the first in our two-part travel series here at RegistryFinder.com. Subscribe to our blog to make sure you don’t miss a post!