Keeping the Kids Cool on a Summer Road Trip
A summer road trip can be a fantastic way to save money on your summer holiday. Many people with school-aged kids couldn’t possibly afford to travel abroad in the school holidays. So often breaks away in this country are our only chance to spend some quality time together as a family. Driving can make the journey more comfortable. It means that you’ve got your car with you for the whole break; making it easier to get out and about seeing some of the sights. It also means that you don’t need to worry about luggage restrictions as you are only limited by the space in your car and not a formal allowance.
But, travelling on a hot day with young children can be uncomfortable (assuming we manage to get some hot days, of course). They can quickly start to get irritable and tired. The seat belt might begin to annoy and rub and their clothing might start to itch. Even an hour in a hot car with young children can be too much! So if you find yourself faced with crossing the country on the hottest day of the year, it can be tough. Here are some tips to help you.
Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay
Travel in Comfort
You don’t want to be stuck in an old car, without air conditioning, with a musty smell, uncomfortable seats and a high likelihood of breaking down on a sweltering day. If your vehicle is past its best you might even want to consider a new one to make the trip go smoother; LRC 4×4 have some great options.
Pack Lots of Drinks
Dehydration is a big worry on a long day in hot conditions, especially for very young children. Pack lots of small bottles of water, so that they can drink easily, and encourage regular sipping.
Plan Stops
More drinks might mean more toilet stops. But, that’s also the perfect time to get some fresh air, stretch sweaty limbs and spend some time in a nicely air-conditioned service station. Plan stops along the route, but prepare to stop whenever needed.
Dress Sensibly
Our weather is often unpredictable at best. So, the best thing to do if you are off on a long journey this summer is dress yourself and your family in loose cotton layers. Clothing like shorts and t-shirts work well, but also pack light jumpers and spares in a bag that you can get to easily if you need to. I recommend avoiding tight jeans, leather, and wool as they are hot and restrictive.
Shield the Windows
UV rays can be harmful even through car windows, which can magnify its effects. Use window shades to block out the sun. This will keep your kids cooler and prevent possible sunstroke from sitting in direct sunlight for too long. But, even with shades, you should apply sunscreen.
Keep Them Occupied
One of the very best things that you can do in an uncomfortable situation is to take their mind off it. Packing drinks and snacks is a great start, but you might also want to learn some road trip games, and download some of their favourite TV shows onto a tablet.
Guest Post written by Hannah Ferdinand