Road-tripping essentials for long journeys with kids

We’ve driven 53,000 kms in the last 20 months as we travel around this vast country, so we’ve learnt a little something about long road-tripping days with kids.

Some days we could see ourselves doing 10 hour days just to get from one campsite to another - so preparation is definitely key!

Here’s a couple of our top tips to make your road trip that little bit easier

(This photo is taken on the epic Great Barrier Reef drive, a beautiful (and windy) 140 km stretch of road where the reef meets the rainforest from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, Queensland)

Burn off their energy first!

We usually try to head off early so the day doesn’t drag on, and we can arrive at our next destination before the whole day is gone. This means the kids have all that stored up energy from the night before. So we always send them out to ride, run & jump whilst we pack up the caravan and get ready to depart.

Let the kids be DJ & have sing alongs

Believe me they love it & yes sometimes listening to another Post Malone track will send me nuts but it’s better than listening to arguments or whinging!

The kids make their own playlists on our phones or take turns in making requests, it really does put everyone in a happy mood getting to belt out some songs together

Plan your breaks

We always look up on Wikicamps to find playgrounds or places of interest, or even just find a place with some trees to climb.

Instead of eating in the car we take a decent break and jump in the caravan to make lunch (sometimes even cooking up a meal) whilst they explore

Load up with games and books

This is a given - each kid has a car seat organiser in front of them and a tub in the middle of the seats.

They pack different games and books for each journey to mix it up and keep from being bored by the same options. We also check out Op shops, libraries and reject shops to pick up a new bargain game or book, and then swap the ones they’ve grown bored of at caravan parks that offer this option.

Some of our favourite car games and books are:

Battleship -they can compete against each other or even the front passenger.
Lego tub - probably wouldn’t recommend for young kids, but ours manage to play with this quite successfully on their laps.
Jokes and Trivia cards - Australia Post always has a selection of these. The Aussie ones are great for learning or being impressed by just how much your kids have taken in on their travels.
Travel Australia with Kids has a family quiz book suitable for all ages
“Where’s”? Books …….. Similar to “Wheres Wally” they are books with hidden images and can wile away the time (“Where’s Santa?”, “Where’s the Easter Bunny?” “Where’s Llama?”, “Where’s Wookie?” to name just a few)
Rubix cubes
Thinkfun educational games

For the glove compartment

Keep Kwells (car sickness tablets), vomit bags, baby wipes, hand sanitiser, tissues, and toilet paper - you can never predict when you may need these

Bring all the (non sugary) snacks! (And then some)

Not only does this save money it keeps the boredom at bay.

The longer they take to eat or assemble - the better also!

Some examples are:

Cut up veggies with a tub of dip, cut up cheese, cabanossi and biscuits, popcorn/ pretzels, nuts/ trail mix, fruit, protein balls

Also, don’t forget their own water bottle - we love the insulated bottles that keep drinks cold for the whole day

Avoid the "are we there yets?"

When we have a long drive ahead we prepare the kids - we tell them how long it is, what stops we will be having, landmarks to look out for, roadsigns with the distance and when we expect to arrive, so they know what to expect and can prepare for it and countdown the kilometres.

Last but not least - yes the dreaded electronics!

I know some people will disagree, but a movie on the last leg of the journey can get you across the finish line, which is what it's all about in my opinion.

Download movies, audio books, music and offline games and make sure to pack headphones for each child.