Long car drives can be emotionally exhausting for parents and children alike.
Keeping the young ones entertained is a job in itself, and you want to make sure they are safe and comfortable. With the weather becoming warmer, they will not appreciate being cooped up in a small space for hours.
As families prepare for the half-term getaway this week, experts have come up with some tips to help parents make the long drives more bearable.
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Car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com are urging those travelling with children to put safety and preparation first. Their tips are listed below.
A spokesperson from StressFreeCarRental.com said: "When travelling, safety should always come first, and when children are involved there are a couple of extra factors to take into consideration, especially as the weather gets warmer.
"Things like making sure you have plenty of water, keeping cool and taking regular rest breaks may seem obvious but are all crucial to ensuring your road trip is a roaring success."
Take breaks
Every couple of hours, try to make a stop for at least 15 minutes. This will help to tackle tiredness for both the driver and children, whilst giving them a chance to stretch their legs and burn off some energy.
Keep cool
Cars under the hot sun can very quickly overheat. When making stops along your route, ensure you are parking the car under shaded areas where possible. When returning to the car, open all of the windows to let out any hot air and turn on the air con to keep a comfortable temperature.
Sun cream
Sunburn is possible even through car windows. Cover your children in sun cream before setting off on your trip, and make sure to re-apply at every stopping point. Cool, lightweight clothes are also best for kids on long trips.
Plan for travel sickness
Sickness when travelling is common in children, and can be sparked at any time throughout a journey, so it is always best to pack some sickness-beating essentials. Encourage your children to avoid reading books or staring at phones on the route, avoid heavy meals before travelling and keep a constant flow of air in the vehicle.
Do you have any tips on how to make long drives fun for the kids? Let us know in the comments below
Fluids
Pack plenty of water in a cool bag or large insulated water bottles. Whether it is hot or cold outside, staying hydrated is essential on long journeys for the driver as well as passengers.
Games
Staring at iPads, phones and game consoles can encourage travel sickness and cause issues on long travel days, instead try and keep the children entertained through verbal games. Whether they love I Spy, the number plate game, 20 questions or the ever popular quiet game, these can be a success.
Leg room
Resist the temptation to pack the back seat and footwells with bedding and large luggage items, ensure your children have plenty of space to stretch out their legs and feel as comfortable as possible. This is key to keeping everyone happy for the journey. If it means packing less or investing in a roof box, you'll see the benefits.
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