This is how to travel fun with children in the car

10 super tips (if I may say so)

Traveling with children is a hassle. Yes, I can't make it any more fun. But if I have to choose between the plane or the car with young children, I choose the latter. At least you can set your own schedule, you don't have to wait in line at customs and check-in, and you can easily stop if they really don't feel like it anymore. Moreover, you don't have to feel guilty if they kick hard against the seat in front of them or have their DVD player turned up too loud. But twelve hours in the car is also no picnic. That's why I gathered some tips to make that ride a bit more enjoyable.

1. Involve them

Tell them that you are going by car. Give each one their own bag that they can fill with their favorite toys for the journey. The stuffed animal, a coloring book, a vacation activity book, markers. This way you can be sure that what they bring is to their liking.

2. Anticipation

Go to the candy store with them a day in advance. Let each make their own bag of candies for the journey. This way they look forward to what is to come. My children normally don't get a bag of candies, so this means a party and they actually look forward to the car ride.

3. Tablet

Treat yourself to the fact that each child has their own tablet. You can easily buy second-hand (refurbished) tablets. Take a picture of each child that you install as a screensaver so it's immediately clear whose is whose. Make your children (if they are old enough) the boss of their own tablet. Give them a bag with a tablet and charger. They have to make sure their tablet is sufficiently charged. They will enjoy that and you have enough on your mind. Go together to buy fun apps that they can only play for the first time in the car. There are also many educational apps like the letter maker or the Hexa puzzles from Block.

4. Movies

Buy a few movies on iTunes in advance that they can only watch in the car. Make sure the movie is fully downloaded, because if you have to do that on your 4G, you won't make it.

5. Netflix

Since June 15, providers are no longer allowed to charge high roaming fees abroad. So let them enjoy Netflix.

6. Tip

Buy each child a pair of headphones. Each a different color, so there is no hassle about that either. This way you can enjoy your own music or talk to your loved one. That is also nice for a change.

7. Audiobooks

Many children get car sick when they look at tablets or read a book. Then an audiobook is a solution. There are many fun audiobooks narrated by good actors.

8. Gifts

Buy a few small gifts, it often doesn't matter what it is. If there is a wrapper around it, it quickly becomes fun. Every few hours treat them to a gift. Also fun: buy a medal in the toy store and give it at the end of the ride because they did so well.

9. Scavenger hunt

I can imagine you don't have time for this, but it's fun. Make a scavenger hunt on paper. A photo of a recognizable building that you encounter on the way, a rebus, a few trivia questions about a city you pass by, a coloring page of another landmark... This way they have an idea of what is coming and can estimate how long it will take.

10. Tip

Put a potty in the trunk. Often the restrooms on the way are so dirty and children are usually not that great at peeing outside. Put them on a potty, rinse it clean with a bottle of water, and you can go again. While you're at it, make sure to have plenty of hygienic wipes and a disinfectant spray.

Good luck! And before you know it, you'll be lying by the pool. Hold on to that image.