Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Plenty of families up and down the country take long car journeys every week. Whether it’s to see family, for a staycation, to visit a new tourist attraction or just because! With long car journeys you can predict 3 things: traffic, boredom and restless children. Don’t worry, Happy Nest is here to help!
- I spy with my little eye…
Starting off with a classic! If you don’t want to say the long winded catchphrase you can take a leaf out of the Goodbye Christopher Robin film and get them to literally just say what they see – for a twist they can’t repeat words and they have to describe in detail what they say!
- Don’t get stressed, just do your best!
I get that it’s easier said than done but they’ll pick up on it and it will make things worse. They look at you for guidance so take a minute and remain calm. Expected the unexpected, be well prepared and remember it will pass.
- Off to dreamland, counting sheep…
Potentially the most obvious one but so easy to forget! Sleep is like time travel! Grab their favourite pillow (perhaps changing the pillow case and telling them this is especially for sleeping in the car), a blanket and get snuggly!
- See how long you can stay quiet for
The golden rule for car journeys is that this is allowed. Prepare for a smiley face and closed lips with an inaudible hum when they try it out though.
- Buy a car flag
Attach a car flag onto the window and let them watch it flap in the wind. It’s the simple things!
- What are you most excited about?
Asking them what they’re most excited about encourages descriptive language and a boost of excitement. It can feel like an eternity travelling something as short as 2 hours for children so remind them where they’re going and watch their faces light up.
- Have you seen it yet?
If you’re visiting somewhere you’ve been before pick a landmark and have children look out for it along the way. They can shout for joy when they spot it, knowing they’re almost there.
- Buy a little camera for the ride
I can’t express how cute the photos will turn out to be! From everything from what’s in front of them to the outside world. Prepare for a few blurry pics with undoubtedly ones where their fingers are covering the lens though.
- Get creative with a Picasso in the making!
Unleash creativity! If you don’t want the hassle of keeping pens and paper intact you can buy a drawing tablet for children which often makes the pictures come out in a rainbow effect!
- Buy a children’s car wheel/satnav
Oftentimes children want to mimic what we are doing. Buy a children’s steering wheel or satnav toy and ask them to drive the car from the back seat.
- Make sure they’re comfortable
Something as simple as brushing their hair and tying it back or wiping their face down can make all the difference.
- Invest in a magnetic doodle board
These are so much fun! They’re similar to the drawing tablets mentioned before but tend to be aimed at younger children and often come with shape stamps. I had one growing up and I used it a lot.
- Films & TV
Use technology to your advantage, even for a little while. Download films and TV shows and let the cartoons entertain them for a bit. This is an excellent distraction in traffic jams. YouTube is also a great source of entertainment with literally anything on there! We’ve put together a guide about YouTube safety for families and nannies alike so check that out on our social media.
- Chomp, chew, mmm… it’s snack time!
Try to make them last. I once travelled down to Bristol from the north and regretted eating everything so soon because I was starving by the time I arrived! Keep their bottles topped up and pop them in a cooler on hot days – there’s nothing worse than warm squash!
- Music
Either headphones or out loud, nothing beats (no pun intended) the thrill of music and a good sing song. It doesn’t have to be kids music either, it can be something the whole family enjoys.
- Take breaks
A short walk around the Service Station can make the world of difference, for everyone.
- Get stuck into a good book
Books are a great source of entertainment, whether your child is book obsessed or not! There’s something for everyone, including a travel activity pack.
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