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Helpful
Hints for Long Car Trips!
With the summer right around the corner, it’s time to start
planning for the much-anticipated family road trip. To help you and
your kids survive the summer drive, here are some essential tips to
ease the stress and make your family vacation a trip to remember.
1) Involve Your Kids From The Start:
To help create
excitement, get the kids involved in the planning process. Set aside
a couple of nights to plan the trip together and allow your kids to
map out stops along the way.
2) Plan Ahead: It’s never too early to book your summer
accommodations! Make your reservations well ahead of time and look
for national hotel chains that cater to families, such as Days Inn
hotels where kids 12 and under stay free when sharing a room with an
adult.
3)
Fun For All Ages:
Pack a special travel bag
full of favourite items such as games, plush toys, activity
booklets, CDs and electronics. These items will help time fly by and
keep kids entertained for hours.
4) Snack Attack:
Be sure to pack an assortment of snacks
to keep the kids from getting hungry between meals. Make the car
ride memorable with special treats that they don’t usually get at
home.
5) Say Cheese!
Don’t forget to pack a
disposable or digital camera for the kids. Let them help create
memories by taking plenty of pictures – you’ll return from a great
trip with pictures that captured the moments.
6) Schedule Stops Along The
Way: Make the road trip
exciting and take advantage of sights along the way. Plan routine
breaks so that the whole family can burn off some energy. Before you
leave check out the ‘route planner’ on
www.daysinn.ca for great route
ideas.
7) Avoid Disappointment:
Remember to book
entertainment, family attractions and outdoor adventures well in
advance. Summer time is a busy time, but with a little advanced
planning you can avoid unexpected hassles.
8) Comfort Counts:
Long hours on the road can get the kids
feeling restless. Don’t over pack the car with too many bags and
make sure they have enough room for personal space. Save room for
the kids to pack a pillow – it makes all the difference during a
long car ride!
9) Safety First:
No matter what the distance, make sure
all passengers buckle up. If you are travelling with smaller kids,
ensure they are secured with seat belts and child safety seats.
10) Be Prepared For The Road
Ahead:
Always carry an emergency kit and
keep it stocked with the basics like first-aid supplies, extra
water, blankets, flares and a flashlight.
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