Keep Little Travelers Warm This Winter Season

Whether you are traveling for the first time with a newborn baby or you are packing up your car with young children and tweens to head out for some holiday fun, car trips and cold weather call for some advance strategizing. Getting into and out of a car with a good heater in sub-zero temperatures can leave teeth chattering and put your children’s moods in the basement.

There are a few things you can do to ease the transitions from inside to out when you are on the road. To make sure everyone is snug and does not suffer too much from the extremes, try to:

• Set the heater at a reasonable temperature – You do not have to drive around with the heater blasting so hot the inside of your car feels like the tropics. Doing so might feel comfortable now, but it can make those transitions back into the outdoors really rough on you and the children. Plus, it can dry out little noses and generally make everyone miserable. Keep the heat on, but avoid blasting it.
• Take heavier jackets off in the car – If you and your little ones stay bundled up the entire ride, your coats might not provide the protection you would desire when you make your exits. Instead, take off the heavy wear and put it on before you exit the car. If you are too cold inside, consider lap blankets or lighter jackets instead.
• Keep a holding bag on hand for other gear – When you get back into the car after a rest stop, have a bag handy to hold onto hats, gloves, scarves and other gear. You do not need these in the car, but being able to find them before you get out is important.

Traveling during the winter can require a serious balancing act when it comes to staying warm and comfortable. Strike the right balance by treating a heated vehicle like an indoor environment.