Tips For Keeping The Jolly Spirit Alive In The Car

It might be the season to be jolly, but tell that to your kids 10 hours into a 15-hour road trip and they are likely to look at you like you have grown a second head. If you want to keep the holiday spirit alive and moods happy during the trip, there are things you can do in the car to help.

No matter how old your children are, you can keep holiday road trips more enjoyable and bearable by doing these things:

• Make sure the temperature in the car is comfortable – Vehicles can get very stuffy, especially during long road trips. Unfortunately, opening the windows is not always possible during winter drives. Just make sure to keep the vehicle warm, but not hot. If the windows need to be opened to air things out, hand out lap blankets to keep everyone cozy.
• Provide activities – Long car rides are fun for the first hour or so and then they can become boring. Make sure to have plenty of activities along to keep the kids busy. Consider age-appropriate games, movies for a portable DVD player and other similar time passers.
• Stop and stretch – Stopping might drag out a trip a little longer, but it can keep everyone happier. Try to stop every few hours, or more, to let the kids get out, stretch their legs and catch some air. If it is too cold outside to walk around, stop at a store or restaurant where they can at least walk and stretch out for a short while.

Just because you are traveling during the holiday does not mean your moods will be jolly. Have a strategy before you leave to keep children’s spirits high and your sanity in check.