9 Sanity-Saving Tips for Surviving Road Trips with Kids -

9 Sanity-Saving Tips for Surviving Road Trips with Kids

Published on May 7, 2025

Long road trips with kids can feel like an Olympic event in patience — especially during school holidays. But here’s the good news: chaos doesn’t have to come along for the ride. With a little preparation and some clever planning, your next family road trip might actually be… fun. (Or at the very least, bearable.)

Here are 9 tips to help you keep your cool (and maybe even enjoy the ride):

1. Forget the dice — pack the devices
No built-in car entertainment? No problem. Load up those tablets with the kids’ favorite shows and playlists before you hit the road. And whatever you do, don’t forget the chargers and headphones (you’ll thank yourself later).
Pro tip: Get an adapter for your 12-volt car socket if you’re low on USB ports. Oh, and kid-friendly headphones are a must — unless you enjoy Baby Shark on repeat at full volume.

2. Be ready for spills and thrills
Between motion sickness and mysteriously sticky juice bottles, messes are a given. Stock your car with wipes, rubbish bags, spare towels, water bottles, and yes — vomit bags. Better to be over-prepared than cleaning up a disaster on the go.

3. Snack smart
Skip the sugar crash and pack a mix of healthy, mess-free snacks. Think cut-up apples, carrots, popcorn, and other finger-friendly foods. Label snack bags to avoid fights, and save the sugary treats as your secret weapon for emergency meltdowns.
Hot tip: Bring refillable water bottles and a 10-litre jug to top them up. No overpriced servo water needed!

4. Create a car-friendly organiser
A cheap caddy or supply organiser can be a lifesaver. Use it to stash extra clothes, wipes, toys, and random “just in case” items. It keeps everything in one spot and prevents the backseat from becoming a black hole.

5. Yes, they do need to try
Aim for a pit stop every 1–2 hours — even if no one “needs” to go. Let the kids stretch their legs, run around, and hit the toilets. And if you’re potty training, this is one time when a pull-up might be your best friend. Save yourself the stress of roadside potty drama.

6. Get them in on the journey
Older kids will love tracking the trip with a kid-friendly map or atlas. Let them spot landmarks and check your progress — it’s a fun way to keep them involved and cut down on the “are we there yet?” questions.

7. First aid, but make it fun
Bumps and bruises happen — even in a car. Keep a mini cooler (esky) with some ice packs and a few icy poles to soothe injuries (and tempers). Pack some plastic cups so the kids can play with ice on hot days — just don’t stress over a little water on the seats.

8. Harness the power of new toys
Fresh toys = major distraction. Bring along a new colouring book, puzzle, or travel game. Hold back a surprise toy to reveal when tensions rise. For pit stops, pack a soccer ball or frisbee to burn off energy fast.

9. Take the scenic route
If you’ve got a bit of flexibility, detour through quirky towns, scenic lookouts, and roadside attractions. You’ll avoid greasy fast food joints and make real memories — the kind that don’t involve tantrums in traffic.

Bonus Tip: Bring patience. Lots of it.
Road-tripping with kids is an adventure — sometimes a wild one. Pick your battles, laugh at the chaos, and remind yourself that someday these might just be the stories you laugh about over dinner.

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