We spend a lot of our summer in our family minivan. With 5 kids of all different ages we are constantly on the go due to baseball, dance, gymnastics, tae kwon do, summer school, and more.
Here is a list of things to have in your car when traveling with kids.
Books – Keep a few age appropriate books in the car at all times and encourage them to hone their reading skills or create their own story based on the pictures.
Blanket(s) – It never fails that we are headed somewhere and I hear that someone is cold or tired and they ask for a blanket.
Baby Wipes – These are a must have with kids as they can be used for so much more than changing a diaper. You can bet that someone will spill, or get an owie or rub up onto something and get dirty.
Snacks – Make sure you have something on hand for when the inevitable I’m Hungry comes out of their mouth.
Beverages – Of course, if you’re going to have a snack, you’ll want to have a car friendly beverage such as bottled water or a sippy cup.
Clothes – Yes, you’re traveling, you have a suitcase of clothes but you should always have an extra outfit readily available for each kid in case someone gets sick or has an accident.
Garbage Bag(s) / Trash Receptacle – I don’t know how they manage to do it but it never fails that there is a mess in the car when you are traveling with kids. Have something handy for them to throw their trash in.
Before heading out on your travels, be sure to have your car inspected by a reputable service center like the in-house service center at Craig and Landreth Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram!
I feel that vacation planning is very important if I want to enjoy my trip. So it’s worthwhile sitting down and planning out the different areas of the trip. Have a look at what I do to help get you started.
Try to Get Deals
Now, we all know vacations can be expensive, and this why you need to get clever. I always check out the same package on numerous different sites. There will be differences you just have to find them. I’m always on the lookout for deals that will save the family money. These deals definitely exist; it’s just a case of hunting for them. Choose options that will give you the biggest savings without affecting the holiday.
Who Are You Travelling With?
Think hard about who you’re traveling with on this vacation. Is it going to be just you and hubby, or will the kids be coming too? If it’s the latter, you’re going to need some extra preparation to account for the kids. I like to make sure I everything I need on hand when traveling with kids.
Check Out Accommodation
I have often found that the accommodation can make or break a holiday. It sounds like it should be the least significant thing, but it’s really not. If you holiday as a couple, hotels are the way to go. However, if I go on holiday with the kids a hotel can be a nightmare. It’s cramped and crowded, and the kids get stir-crazy. There are lots of rules and regulations to adhere to. So instead I like to find a holiday apartment for us all. That way we get much more space and freedom. We can all be together in the same place, and I can keep an eye on the kids if needed.
Plan Out What to Do
Something you’ve got to realise about going on holiday with kids, you always need things to do. I research where we’re going to go very carefully. I get online and look up all the possible activities we can pencil in while we’re there. I know the kids are going to need stimulation, so accounting for their interests is important. Planning out what we’re going to do keeps everything more organised. It also means we all get the opportunity to do things we’d like to do, kids and parents alike.
Take Plenty of Cash
Make sure you remember you’re going to need plenty of cash with you. There’s nothing worse than running out of spending money during your holiday. So make sure you have enough with you. I like to keep some spare cash set aside too in case anything should happen. Think about changing it all up before you go. Though sometimes I keep some money to exchange when I reach my destination. It depends on what the exchange rate looks like.
Be Prepared for an Emergency
Sometimes when you are on vacation, things go wrong and emergency situations happen. When this happens you want to do your best to be prepared. If you are heading out on the road in the family car, be sure to visit a reliable dealership, like Rochester Hills CDJR, to make sure your car is in great running condition.
Going on vacation should be a fun, exciting and magical adventure. But for a lot of us it can be a highly stressful experience. For me, it’s something that I greet with a mixture of excitement and dread. But I’ve learnt over the years that planning is the best way to solve the stress and chaos problems. Make sure you do the same in the build up to your travel.
Going on a road trip should be a fun time for everyone. When it comes to planning for a road trip, I like to make sure we can make a lot of fun stops on the way but I also like to make sure we have everything we need.
There are all kinds of accessories available for today’s road trippers, and I mean all kinds. When we head out on a road trip, we have our must have accessories, and here they are!
1. GPS Honestly, a GPS is a must these days. Save yourself the time, the hassle, and never get lost! A lot of newer vehicles come equipped with an in-dash GPS, but if you have an older vehicle, a GPS unit is a very affordable investment these days.
2. Multi-USB Charger What doesn’t need a USB cord to charge these days? Phones, iPads, tablets, e-readers, GPS, you name it. When we travel we have at least 3 iPads running off of a mobile hotspot which means they all need to be charging while we travel. Having a USB charger that plugs into your vehicle that can charge multiple things at once, is a game changer.
3. Car Organizer For our family, this is a must. A car organizer is a great way to keep the items you know you will need at hand and in a convenient place. Worried how an organizer will look in your car? Check with your local dealership, like Barkau Automotive, to see if there is a specific organizer that was made as an add-on for your vehicle and order one.
4. Wet Wipes This is an item I cannot stress enough and also something I never, ever, leave home without. Wet wipes are great to have on hand because you never know when someone will spill something, get sick, or just need to clean their hands.
5. iPad/Tablet Mount If you have kids who like to watch movies and you don’t have a video travel system, grab a mount for your iPad or tablet so everyone can watch at once.
6. First Aid Kit Be sure you really are ready for anything and equip your vehicle with a fully stocked first aid kit. You can pick up a pre-made kit online or at most major retailers or you can put DIY a roadside emergency kit.
7. Travel Cooler We always pack a small travel cooler that is accessible to us if we are going to be driving for more that an hour. Kids always want drinks and snacks and this way, we can pack something from home and save on extra stops to feed everyone.
These are a selection of our must have road trip accessories, let us know if the comments below if you have anything to recommend.
A trip to Santiago is bound to be unforgettable because this city is fantastic. But to make the most out of your experience, you need to take in all the best sights. So, plan your itinerary to include visits to the most amazing places this magnificent city has to offer.
10 Best Places to Visit in Santiago
1. Cerro San Cristobal
Any journey of discovery through Santiago should start with Cerro San Cristobal. This is the number one of all tourist sights in the city, and it definitely deserves its title. The panoramic view of the city that opens from this hill is spectacular. Like there are many ways to see the San Fran skyline, there are many places in Santiago that offer a great view. However, none of them compare to this iconic hill.
When you’re done being amazed by the view, be sure to take a walk through city’s biggest and one of the most beautiful parks, the Santiago Metropolitan Park. It’s located on the hill and offers many attractions, including two public pools. At the foot of the hill, you’ll find the Chilean National Zoo. It’s a part of the park complex and houses 158 species of animals from all over the world.
2. Plaza de Armas
Plaza de Armas is another of the top tourist attractions. Free walking tours in Santiagowill usually take you there as it’s the historical center of the city. The square houses the Metropolitan Cathedral, one of the most magnificent architectural monuments in the city. The Royal Court Palace and Central Post Office aren’t far behind in terms of beauty and are located there as well.
Plaza de Armas is also the place you should go to if you want to buy the works of talented Chilean artists. They sell their paintings right there and you can enjoy looking at the fruits of local talents while nursing a cup of delightful Chilean coffee.
3. Los Dominicos Village
Shop for souvenirs at the Los Dominicos Village, the biggest Santiago crafts and artisans market. Here you can find a variety of beautiful handmade pieces that will make perfect mementos of the trip. You can also use this opportunity to learn more about the native Chilean crafts and traditions.
The ‘village’ is located at the end of a beautiful park and houses over 200 stores. Some of those are cafes where you can taste local delicacies.
4. La Chascona
Any list of places to visit in Santiago must include La Chascona, the home of one of the most prominent figures in the history of modern Chile. The house currently serves as a museum of its owner, Pablo Neruda. He was a diplomat, a poet, and the Nobel Prize for Literature winner in 1971.
La Chascona is the home made by Neruda for his secret lover Matilde Urrita. It’s one of the most original and romantic buildings in all of Santiago.
5. Museo de la Memoria
One of the most original of Santiago’s museums, the Museum of Memory and Human Rights is dedicated to the memories of Pinochet’s dictatorship victims. The entry is free, and you definitely should visit this place as it shows the tremendous spirit of the Chilean people, who managed to overcome this horrible period in their history and come out stronger for it.
6. Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
This is one of the most interesting places to visit in Santiago as this museum provides insight into the people, who inhabited this land centuries ago. The Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art houses 10,000 years of history in the artifacts collected all over the South and Central America.
7. Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
The number one among the places to visit in Santiago if you are an art-lover. The Museum of Contemporary Art has the permanent collection of 3,000 magnificent pieces, and it often houses exhibits from a variety of artists. Be sure to check its website when planning your trip as the museum often organizes interesting events.
8. Palacio de la Moneda
The Presidential Palace is a vision of luxury and architectural beauty. When visiting it, pay attention to the amazing sculptures in the garden, which are made by Chilean artists. You can also enjoy the Changing of the Guards ceremony, much like you would in London.
9. Parque Quinta Normal
Despite its unassuming name, the Quinta Normal Park is one of the main reasons why you should use every trick to find more opportunities to travel and visit Santiago. It’s an urban park that houses numerous museums and offers you a chance to enjoy a barbecue and traversing a lake on paddleboats.
10. Cementerio General de Santiago
The cemetery is one of the stranger places to visit in Santiago, but this adventure will make your trip more memorable. This cemetery is the final resting place of almost all Chilean presidents. Each of their tombs is 2-3 stories high and is a unique monument to the person buried there and the mark they left on the country.
We spend a lot of time in our family minivan. With 5 kids of all different ages we are constantly on the go due to different events at different schools for each of them.
One thing I have learned over the years is to be prepared for anything when you have kids in the car, you never know what to expect. I learned a valuable lesson at a soccer game once when we forgot the diaper bag at home. Let’s just say my child ended up wearing a grocery bag and towel as a makeshift diaper.
Since that day, I have kept diapers and wipes in the glovebox of our cars in addition to having these items with us whenever we head out for a trip that will have the kids in the car for 30 or more minutes.
Must Have Items
Books – Keep a few age appropriate books in the car at all times and encourage them to hone their reading skills or create their own story based on the pictures. Books also give them something to do instead of them asking you over and over if you’re there yet.
Blanket(s) – It never fails that we are headed somewhere and I hear that someone is cold or tired and they ask for a blanket.
Baby Wipes – These are a must have with kids as they can be used for so much more than changing a diaper. You can bet that someone will spill, or get an owie or rub up onto something and get dirty.
Snacks – Make sure you have something on hand for when the inevitable I’m hungry comes out of their mouth. Fruit snacks, fruit bars, crackers, are all great snacks for in the car.
Beverages – Of course, if you’re going to have a snack, you’ll want to have a car friendly beverage such as bottled water, juice box or a sippy cup.
Clothes – Yes, you’re traveling, you have a suitcase of clothes but you should always have an extra outfit readily available for each kid in case someone gets sick or has an accident.
Garbage Bag(s) / Trash Receptacle – I don’t know how they manage to do it but it never fails that there is a mess in the car when you are traveling with kids. Have something handy for them to throw their trash in.
Do you have any must have items when traveling with your family?
