words Al Woods
For all those people who are planning for a long drive, it is important that they are well-prepared to have fun. A road trip can be very tedious when you are not prepared in advance with the best entertainment options. This is why there are also many hacks that could make your journey more beneficial and fulfilling. Here are some tips.
1. If You Have A Baby, You Need A Car Sunshade
In order to shield your baby from too much heat and light, you really need a car sunshade. This is also very significant if you are traveling with an infant or small child. This way, the little one will stay comfortable during the drive. If you don’t want the hassle of making your own, there are many brands on sale that you could buy online or in stores. You can find a must-have car sunshade for a baby that has fun designs or colors. These are also very helpful in ensuring that the baby’s skin is not exposed to dangerous UV rays and heat during the day. If you have a tot, you really need one of these in your car. They come in different shapes and sizes, so look around first before getting one for yourself/your kid.
2. Create A Car Playlist
Aside from getting the best car sunshade, you also have to find ways to keep yourself and your family entertained. You could create a car playlist for everyone, so you will have the best musical accompaniment as you drive. This is also a great idea if you are traveling with friends or your loved ones, as you can listen to songs that will bring back old memories and have fun together. There are many kinds of music these days, from rock n roll classics to today’s hits, so simply going on Spotify or YouTube and typing in ‘Best Road Trip Songs’ will give you a list of suggestions that might work for your playlist. You just have to pick out the songs most suitable for everyone who is taking the road trip with you.
3. Pack Snacks
It’s always best to have some snacks on hand just in case hunger strikes. Packing your favorite munchies will give you something to snack on during the ride, especially if the travel time is going to be long. If you have kids with you, it’s best to pack healthy food for them, so they won’t feel cranky or irritable because of a lack of energy due to low blood sugar levels. You don’t want everyone reaching their limit early into the trip, do you? So make sure that everyone has a nice mix of fun snacks and healthy ones too. You could even try making snacks at home before departing, so they will be easily packed for road trips. Here are some easy recipe ideas: brownie bites, trail mix, peanut butter crackers, and banana bread.
4. Map Out Your Best Route
It’s always best to know the directions before getting on the road. Otherwise, you may end up wasting too much time trying to find your way around town or relying on other people for directions. There are many online tools today that can make planning your route an easy task. You can simply link up the destination on Google Maps, put in your starting point and endpoint, then it will give you directions with various routes to choose from. This means that you could save time by selecting the shortest route possible without missing any points of interest along the way.
5. Take Photos of Your Trip
As you travel, you should have some pictures for remembrance too, so take photos of the places that are not just scenic but also have something unique about them, so it won’t be hard trying to find where each photo was taken. For instance, if you are in a forest, take photos of the little things around the area, so it will be easier to locate them later on. You could even take photos of people alongside your car, so it would be great memorabilia too. It all depends on what you want to take pictures of but remember that if you want the best shot, then make sure that everyone is ready before clicking away!
6. Take Your Dog Along
There are a lot of people who would normally leave their pets at home just because they don’t think that they will be able to handle the long hours in the car, but as long as you have everything that your furry friend might need during travel, then go for it! It could give everyone some company, especially if you spend most of your time inside the car. It is a great way to have fun and to bond with your family or friends. You can even plan some stops to allow the dog to stretch its legs and enjoy some outdoor time too. Online, you can find some tips on how to keep your dog entertained and calm during car rides.
7. Play Road Games
Road trip games and trivia are excellent and fun ways to pass the time, and they will make sure that everyone will be engaged, including you. If there is a long ride ahead of you, then these types of games could become your best friend! Car games such as ‘odd one out’ are perfect if the road trip is going to be about three hours or more because it has many questions that everyone can answer, even those sitting in the back seat. It would also give those who don’t know each other a better chance to communicate by answering some questions about themselves, so it is a good icebreaker too.
8. Listen To Radio Show and Podcasts
If you think that gets boring after a while, then you may want to listen to some radio shows and podcasts. Of course, you will need an internet connection in order to do this, but it is a good way for everyone to enjoy the ride and learn something new at the same time. There are many apps nowadays that can provide access to different radio stations and if ever there is none, then simply ask Siri or Google Maps for help. You can usually find them on Spotify and browse some categories to find what you are looking for.
Now that you know the top 8 hacks to make your road trip more fun, are you ready to hit the open road? Plan your route with one of the many online tools available today, and don’t forget to take photos of what you see. Happy travel!
