Are We There Yet? Keeping Children Happy on Car Hire Road Trips
As the peak car hire season draws closer, thousands of you will be driving across Spain, France and Portugal with little ones this summer. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of handy tips to help keep everyone sane on the car hire journey ahead.
Buckle-Up:
Ensure that all children wear their seat belts and young children are sitting high enough to see out of the window. For comfort and safety, children should be sitting in suitable seating for their age.
Don’t Sweat It:
If you haven’t hired a car with air conditioning and are travelling in warm weather, make sure that the car is kept well ventilated by opening a window or two. This will prevent dehydration and help avoid motion sickness.
Eat Little and Often
Don’t gorge on heavy meals before and during your road trip. Bring along some (small) plain drinks and snacks. Water should be sipped rather than gulped.
Mapped Out
Make a map of your journey for the children or keep a travel journal listing the sights and landmarks that you’ll be seeing along the way. The children can look out for them and tick them off as they pass them.
All Bound for Morning Town
If your itinerary is flexible, travel overnight so that children can sleep through the journey. If possible you could even begin your journey in the early hours of the morning and stop off for breakfast when the children wake up.
Stop and Start
Set yourself a generous amount of time for the journey to include frequent stops. This alleviates boredom and gives parents a chance to share the driving.
The More the Merrier
If you’re one of those who pack everything but the kitchen sink, splash out on a larger vehicle, everyone will be much more comfortable.
I Spy….
Children prone to car sickness should avoid hand-held computer games and choose old reliables like I-Spy instead.
Something Old, Something New
Allow children to bring along an old familiar toy as well as something new to keep them entertained along the way.
Movie Magic
Nothing quietens down exasperated children like their favourite movie. Invest in a cheap portable DVD player and favourite children’s movies, these are guaranteed to keep the little ones in the back entertained.
These are just suggestions. If you have any tried and tested tips we’d love to hear them!
Written by F.H
