Image: Benimoto
We are heading up to Mildura at Easter to spend time with my family. Mildura is 550km north west of Melbourne. We have driven the Calder Hwy to Mildura countless times and each time we find some way of refining or improving our preparation. Here are some things that we have found very helpful:
Create a list.
I find it so much easier to pack it I sit down first and write down what we need. Laine at icklekids has great tips for getting the lists together. While your at ickle kids you should check ou her amazing range of Travel Toys.
Make children’s activity packs.
Activity packs help the children to pass the time on long journeys. I like to make a home made set of print outs set to suit each child. Each child has a print of the Spot the sign/animal/vehicle game. I have attached the word document below.
The children simply put a stroke near all the things that they see during a defined time period. Initially when I did this I just let it run, but found it runs out of steam if there is no purpose. So now, we agree on a time frame for observing items. We will choose one sheet at a time. Each child nominates what they think will be the most and least popular items that we spot. By setting up the game in this way, we can have a couple of sessions through out the trip and maintain the children’s interest.
I then make use of a number of online children’s sites, to print out more activities for them;
Toddler:
Preschooler:
- Spot the difference activities – as she can’t read, but can recognise numbers, I write a large number of the top of the sheets, so she knows how many differences to find.
The world bookday site has a number of spot the differences and many other great activities for preschoolers.
School Age:
- Word Searches – I make up my own using this site. I add into the search towns that we will be going through, the children’s names and for this trip words describing Easter.
- Harry Potter Quizzes – Thinker has read all the Harry Potter series and I have just finished reading the first Harry Potter book to Little Rascal, sot hey will enjoy testing their knowledge.
- Brain Teasers and Spot the Differences - A mix of these activities along with the Fascinating Fact Sheets should help get us through the trip.
Hire new audio books from the library for the children.
I collated a list of audio books which are suitable for long car trips, that might be useful if you are looking for some ideas as to what might be interesting for the children.
Baking.
I like to make some home cooked biscuits or slices as a treat for everyone while driving. Food that isn’t too messy or sticky is ideal for the car. Here are some things that we like to make:
Battery Recharge
Recharge the batteries on iPods, cameras, videos and any other devices that you will be taking away with you. It is great to take photos during the journey and it is frustrating if the camera is flat. (Speaking from experience. 
)
Make Ice.
We place containers of water in the freezer a few days before, to make ice. As we like to take our drinks we need a small cool with ice to keep them cool. I also find that fruit can keeps fresher in this as it stays cold.
What tips do you have to prepare for a long car trip?
{ 11 comments }
Our kids are a bit older and we did use a lot of what you’ve mentioned when they were younger but now we just need a snack, a drink and one item – Nintendo DS. lol
Mistress Bs last blog post..I’m gonna be re-jigging the family routine
When its just me driving, it’s so much easier having all the kids favourite songs on a single playlist on the iPod – the longer the list, the less often the same songs come round again and again. Happy Journey xx
Caths last blog post..long drives
Quick question – how long does it take you to do the 550km journey? We have 4 kids (13yo, 3yo and almost 2yo twins) and our family trips are only 2 hours to Shepp (from Melb) so even though there is a little prep required, there’s nowhere near the amount you guys need to do.
Some really good ideas here. I’ll be starting to use some for the younger 3 as they get to the appropriate ages. The eldest is generally stuck into a pod or DVD player or gameboy type thing, but I’d even try her with some of these activities.
Personally I miss this age and travelling – I used to sleep my way to places! Can’t do that now while driving
Raes last blog post..How do you spell frustration?
Thanks for the spot the sign game, my 3 y.o. son will love that. I think the 2 things that help most when we have a long car trip are lots of food and lots of stops.
Catherines last blog post..Easter
Thanks for linking to my blog on travelling with kids!
Along with our travel toys, we also pack a frisbee,footy or cricket bat and ball – something for all of us to play when we have a break. This definitely recharges the batteries before getting back in the car!
Also great as we don’t have to find a park with suitable equipment as any green patch will do!
ickle Kidss last blog post..Mathilda’s Market this Sunday!
I love this post. Our regular “long drive” is from Melbourne to the Western District, so your activity ideas will be great!
My packing list also includes assorted things for “travel mishaps”. Wipes, tissues, plastic bags, etc.
Hoppo Bumpos last blog post..For hire
Mistress B – I do look forward to the years ahead when I don’t have to pack quite so much for the kids!
Cath – Love the iPod idea, we need to get a connection for our car so we can do that.
Rae – When we travel during the day and stop twice for playing it takes us close to 7 hours.
Catherine – Stops are critical to everyone’s sanity when you have little ones.
ickle kids – The ball is a great item to pack. Will make sure it gets on my list.
Hoppo Bumpo – Definitely need the gear for mishaps – with 5 kids there is bound to be at least one!
Great suggestions we are going away this easter holidays and it is always useful to find new ideas for travelling with children.
We find the spot the sign game very useful for train trips also.
The Mini DVD player has become my best friend on long car trips. Heidi has little interest in the regular amusements that keep her sister quiet but a DVD can keep her entranced and happy for quite a while.
I’m going to use Playground Finder to search out good spots to stop and let the girls have a run around.
Top of my list is usually to clean all the crap out of the car that has accumulate so that we have room for the stuff we want to take on a long trip. LOL. Or are we the only ones who have that problem?
Lightenings last blog post..I Found A Round Toit
We recently drove to Melbourne from Canberra – there and back in 36 hours. Sheesh. I loved your piece on planning for this, and all your little tips. We took pillows and towels for our 6 and 8 year old – they made padded cubbies and loved that extra comfort. We also took table trays that could be balanced on said pillows, for easy colouring. I only wish I had a car charger for my laptop, because watching DVDs on it was also a hit. We didn’t stop a lot and when we did, it was briefly. I also believe in giving constant snacks – that will keep them quiet!
Tanias last blog post..Childhood Phases
Lightening – No you are not the only one with the car mess problem. I need to definitely add that to my list of things to do before we go on our trip.
Tania – Your Canberra – Melbourne trip must have been exhausting!
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