5 handy tips when taking a road trip with kids

A family vacation is an exciting time for everyone, but preparing your kids for the journey can be a challenge. Here are five tips to keep in mind on your next road trip to ensure the whole family arrives at your destination happy.

Long before you and your family hit the open road, you need to plan a route that offers opportunities for plenty of breaks.

• No matter your kids' ages, they're going to need to get out of the car, unleash some energy and stretch their legs. Chances are they'll need to use a bathroom, too.

Look for kid-friendly stops along your road trip route and schedule some sightseeing along the way to break up the drive.

• In addition to fuelling up, consider making a quick stop for lunch, dinner or a snack.
• A surprise stop at an ice cream shop can make even the crankiest kids smile.
• You can also help your kids let loose and burn off that pent-up energy by looking for local parks and playgrounds along your route. Just a few minutes of physical activity can give your kids the boost they need during the journey.

While scheduled stops are a must when you're road tripping with kids, you don't want endless requests from the backseat for items you don't have on hand.

• Stock up on essential items before your road trip to minimize the need for unnecessary stops.
• Pack a cooler filled with water bottles, juice boxes and individual cartons of milk.
• Toss in individually packaged bags of sliced fruits and vegetables, string cheese and other easy-to-eat foods such as granola bars, crackers and fruit snacks.

A soggy, soiled child is an unhappy one, which will only make the trip seem longer than necessary.

• Pack an "emergency" bag that includes a change of clothes for each kid, and diapers and baby wipes if your child may need them.
• Even if your child no longer needs diapers, baby wipes are handy for sticky fingers and spills in the car.

Entertained children are well-behaved children, especially on a road trip.

• Bring an array of entertainment options for your kids to help the hours pass quickly for them.
• Electronics, whether you have in-car DVD players or tablets that your kids can use for games, videos and more, are an ideal option for a road trip. However, your kids might want more variety than movie after movie. Plus you might not want them zoning out in front of a screen for hours.
• Colouring books and a small pack of crayons, board books and flash cards can entertain younger kids, too. Grab a new chapter book or some magazines for older kids to help them pass the time. If the younger children have a favourite story, the older kids can read to them.

Food, fun, frequent stops and most importantly, flexibility, are the keys to success when you're travelling with kids. With a well-stocked car and a thought-out plan, there's every reason a road trip with kids can be an amazing adventure.