IS IT LONG? 7 Tips for Traveling with Kids
Traveling with children requires parents to prepare in advance so that their children feel comfortable during the trip. For children, the approaching vacation is always a source of excitement, and they need to be made aware that the trip is also part of their trip.
Ideally, all vehicle occupants should participate as much as possible (especially the driver) in the games planned for the children. There are various ways and means to keep them occupied and distracted, making the trip more enjoyable and avoiding stress and tension for parents.
1.- Plan the route
Taking a wrong route with children as passengers can be a very stressful situation for the driver. The best way to avoid this is to plan the route properly and in advance. The use of navigation systems is becoming more widespread, and every smartphone has one. Ultimately, Google Maps allows you to search for the most suitable route, providing distance and time information, and can be printed as a travel guide.
2.- Have planned stops.
If you plan a trip of more than two hours, make several stops depending on the distance. There's no need to wait for children's physiological needs; stretching their legs and running around for a bit will cheer them up a bit and take the edge off their boredom. As a general rule, add at least 30 minutes for each stop to your trip to get a realistic estimate of your arrival time.
3.- Choose the departure time
One of the advantages of traveling at night is that children will spend much of the trip sleeping, which can reduce the number of stops. In this case, children can travel in pajamas, so not only will they be more comfortable, but they can go straight to bed upon arrival at their destination. If traveling during the day, it's important to adjust your schedule to coincide as much as possible with the hours when children, especially younger ones, normally sleep. The key is to adapt the trip as much as possible to their children's daily routine.
4.- A hungry child in a car will never be comfortable
We're not supposed to blackmail little ones with food, but on long trips, regular snacks can alleviate boredom and lift spirits. 
If lunchtime coincides with your trip, it's a good idea to bring a decent picnic lunch if you don't want to suffer the high prices at gas stations. Pack a bag with a variety of healthy snacks. Dried fruit, crackers, rice cakes, and cheese cubes are good allies for the trip. Avoid things that stain easily, like chocolate.
5.- Adapt the environment and safety
Regulate the vehicle's interior temperature and check the restraint systems, which must be suitable for both children's safety and comfort.
6.- Have everything at hand
Children, especially young ones, are unpredictable, so you need to think about what they might need and have easy access to it: diapers, pacifiers, etc. It's also very important to give them regular water, so water is essential.
7.- Fun on board
Animated movies are a great option, but they shouldn't be the only ones. Ideally, they should be combined with activities that involve the other occupants in the car. Making up stories with educational toys like " Tell Me a Story " is often very fun and helps stimulate a child's imagination. 
Although somewhat louder, singing is a good option that the child can complement with a musical instrument appropriate for their age. 
Taking a wrong route with children as passengers can be a very stressful situation for the driver. The best way to avoid this is to plan the route properly and in advance. The use of navigation systems is becoming more widespread, and every smartphone has one. Ultimately, Google Maps allows you to search for the most suitable route, providing distance and time information, and can be printed as a travel guide.
2.- Have planned stops.
If you plan a trip of more than two hours, make several stops depending on the distance. There's no need to wait for children's physiological needs; stretching their legs and running around for a bit will cheer them up a bit and take the edge off their boredom. As a general rule, add at least 30 minutes for each stop to your trip to get a realistic estimate of your arrival time.
3.- Choose the departure time
One of the advantages of traveling at night is that children will spend much of the trip sleeping, which can reduce the number of stops. In this case, children can travel in pajamas, so not only will they be more comfortable, but they can go straight to bed upon arrival at their destination. If traveling during the day, it's important to adjust your schedule to coincide as much as possible with the hours when children, especially younger ones, normally sleep. The key is to adapt the trip as much as possible to their children's daily routine.
4.- A hungry child in a car will never be comfortable
We're not supposed to blackmail little ones with food, but on long trips, regular snacks can alleviate boredom and lift spirits. If lunchtime coincides with your trip, it's a good idea to bring a decent picnic lunch if you don't want to suffer the high prices at gas stations. Pack a bag with a variety of healthy snacks. Dried fruit, crackers, rice cakes, and cheese cubes are good allies for the trip. Avoid things that stain easily, like chocolate.
5.- Adapt the environment and safety
Regulate the vehicle's interior temperature and check the restraint systems, which must be suitable for both children's safety and comfort.
6.- Have everything at hand
Children, especially young ones, are unpredictable, so you need to think about what they might need and have easy access to it: diapers, pacifiers, etc. It's also very important to give them regular water, so water is essential.
7.- Fun on board
Animated movies are a great option, but they shouldn't be the only ones. Ideally, they should be combined with activities that involve the other occupants in the car. Making up stories with educational toys like " Tell Me a Story " is often very fun and helps stimulate a child's imagination. Although somewhat louder, singing is a good option that the child can complement with a musical instrument appropriate for their age.
