How to prepare, what to pack, and how to ensure you all have a great time (WITHOUT getting on each other’s nerves)
If you’ve got summer on the mind already, and are starting to get itchy feet, it’s the perfect time to round up the kids, load up the car, and head off on an exciting adventure. Here’s how to make the trip an enjoyable one for all of you.
Travel (to and from)
Whether you’re going on a road trip heading for the adventurous outback, or boarding a plane heading for a luxurious city, the trip to and from your destination can be long and tiresome. Add to that a couple of kids in the back seat asking “are we there yet??” every ten minutes while tearing each other’s hair out, and your trip can become tedious and frustrating. Travelling to your destination is often harder than travelling back because excitement runs high, kids are restless and the parents are worrying; hoping everything turns out okay. One tip to manage the trip is healthy snacks. Stay away from artificial sugars! The kids might be quiet for the two minutes while they eat their candy, but they’ll quickly turn rampant and in a confined space, restlessness can be a burden on the parents as well as the kids. Try to calm them down with some light entertainment on the trip. A book, a portable console, a DVD player in the car or a music player can be of great use, giving the kids something to occupy their minds and the parents some much needed time to relax. Another alternative is to leave during the night, so that the kids will sleep for most of the trip, and you arrive at your destination early.
If you’re taking a road trip to your vacation destination, make sure that the car is comfortable to ride in. Countless hours in discomfort can ruin a trip before it even begins. There are plenty of cars for sale, or you could even rent one.
Accommodations
Comfort is key here. This doesn’t mean you need to spend tons of money on a luxury hotel suite, but be sensible about your accommodation choice and make sure that a long and joyful day won’t be ruined by discomfort and sleepless nights. When going camping, make sure your tent is big enough for the whole family so that you will have plenty of room, as well as durable and sturdy; nothing ruins a camping trip more than having your tent blown down during the night and having to sleep in the car (trust me, I’ve been there). Buy comfortable beds to sleep on; hammocks, airbeds and foldable beds are great and affordable. If you’re staying at a hotel, don’t try and save money by having two people sleep in one single-sized bed. Accommodations should be as comfortable as possible. This ensures that after a long day exploring, touring, hiking or any other exhausting activity, you’ll be able to sleep comfortably and be ready for another adventure on the following day. An enjoyable trip can be easily ruined by lack of sleep and general discomfort during the night.
Food
Good sustenance is essential for a successful trip. While it might be tempting to take the easy road and feast on fast food every night, this isn’t a healthy option and should generally be avoided. Try the local cuisine or take the family to a friendly restaurant. If you’re camping, try to cook something yourself; many camping grounds have gas barbeques or you could take a gas-powered camping stove. My fondest memories of camping as a child involve the family helping to cook something simple and delicious and then eating eagerly while in the bush near the beach or a creek.
These tips should help you make the most of your summer holidays. No matter what you have planned, these things are essential to consider.
Author’s bio:
Adrian Rodriguez is a freelance writer and university student who loved to go on road trips in his family’s Volkswagen. Perth, Sydney and Brisbane have all been destinations he’s enjoyed family road trips to, each of which taught him what was necessary for a successful holiday.
