After 11 years as a mom, taking weekly day trips with my kids has taught me invaluable tips for creating memorable, stress-free experiences, blending fun and learning in every outing. Below are my practical tips including why I put masking tape on my kids' water bottles and our family favorite podcasts.
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Tips for Planning a Family Day Trip
Don't worry about remembering all these items, I put a checklist in tip #9 that you can copy and paste into your notes app!
1) Reverse Schedule Your Family Day Trip
I've learned the art of "reverse scheduling" for our weekly day trips, especially when juggling nap times or activities with a strict schedule. I start by pinpointing our must-do activity or the time we need to wrap up, then work backwards to layout every step needed to get there. This approach has been so helpful, ensuring we enjoy our adventures to the fullest without missing out on anything important. It's about crafting our day around those non-negotiable moments, making every trip a seamless blend of fun and structure.
2) Extra Clothes Come in Clutch
Having extra clothes on hand has come in handy more time than I can count. In my car, I always stash a set of spare outfits for each family member, neatly packed in ziplock bags (because my car's trunk gets dirty!) This practice, honed over my years as a mom, ensures we're prepared for any spills, weather changes, or unexpected adventures that might arise.
3) Always check the weather for your day trip
This is obvious but I confess I have forgotten a couple times! So I've included it as a key point in the checklist below for our family day trips. By being proactive about the forecast, we can adapt our plans as needed, ensuring our adventures are enjoyable come rain or shine. This small act of preparation goes a long way in ensuring a smooth, enjoyable trip for everyone.
4) First Aid Kit for your Day Trip
My husband is the best at making sure we always have band aids and ice packs in the back of our car. I really like these instant ice packs for bruised knees or other small bumps. When my son was a toddler and preschooler, we always had 2 or 3 of these in the car! And this First Aid Kit is great because it's not the overwhelming "400 items one" but has everything you need in a small plastic box.
5) Bring plastic bags
Bringing along plastic bags has become a simple yet genius part of our family trip essentials. They're incredibly versatile, perfect for keeping dirty shoes away from clean clothes, or for holding wet swimsuits after an impromptu splash. Not to mention, they're great for collecting trash, keeping our travel space clean and organized.
6) Charge electronic devices
Friendly reminder and perhaps bring an external battery! We've gone through a ton but this one is so good because it has the cables already built in!
7) Plan for meal times for your family day trip
Planning our meals in advance has helped limit the "hangry moments" on our family day trips. Whether we're researching family-friendly restaurants or preparing a picnic, having a meal plan in place ensures our day runs smoothly. I've found that days without a pre-planned meal tend to be more chaotic.
A useful tip is to utilize Google Maps to search for "kid-friendly restaurants near me," which has been a game-changer in finding great spots that cater to the whole family, making every trip a delightful culinary adventure as well. (And check out our family favorites if you are in DC or Northern Virginia!)
8) Bring a kite or ball or frisbee
Of course the National Mall is a pretty epic place to fly a kite! Full walking tour on my blog.
Bringing along a kite, ball, or frisbee has become a fantastic addition to our family day trips, thanks to my husband's suggestion. We always keep a polyester kite in the back of the car, ready for any opportunity. Whether we're waiting for an attraction to open or stumble upon a spacious field, these simple toys offer a delightful and spontaneous way to enjoy our time together, adding an extra layer of fun and activity to our adventures.
9) Family Day Trip Checklist
Just copy and paste this into your notes app! I pin it to the top so I always have it.
- Weather: ___________
- Lunch options: ___________
- Closest playground: __________
- Charged iPad?
- Extra clothes
- First Aid Kit
- Snacks
- Water bottles with tape
- Library Books (new to them)
- Sunscreen
- Little Toys
Tips for On the Family Day Trip
10) Bring a String and Clothespin for "Are We There Yet??"
Pack a string and a clothespin to visually track your journey's progress by sliding the clothespin along the string at set intervals. This creative method offers a fun solution to the frequent "are we there yet?" inquiries. Alternatively, using a printed map or one from a state rest stop, let the kids mark the distance covered, turning travel time into an engaging activity.
11) Listen to Podcasts That Your Kids and YOU will enjoy!
These are some of our family favorites:
- Story Pirates - Kids love it because it transforms stories written by children into sketch comedy and musical theater. It's incredibly creative and fun.
- Wow in the World - This podcast explores scientific discoveries and inventions in a way that's engaging for kids, making complex concepts accessible and entertaining.
- Smash Boom Best - A kids Debate show that is really fun like:
- Flowers vs Rainbows
- Drums vs Guitars
- Vampires vs Werewolves
- Giant Squid vs Blue Whales (36 min)
12) Free Kids Car Activities:
- Make the time pass with "20 Questions," focusing on themes like food or animals, a favorite we play every week.
- Or you can google Mad Libs and do them in the car as a family!
13) Hydration Game!
On family day trips, I've devised a hydration game for my kids. A small trick I use involves placing masking tape on their water bottles, and marking different times. They're encouraged to drink down to the line by the specified time, ensuring they stay hydrated throughout our adventure.
I talked about our favorite water bottles a ton so here are the direct links to the Kodee Stainless Steel Water Bottles. (I love the handles, 100% leakproof, and the protective half sleeve!)
14) Set Phone Reminders for Sunscreen
Incorporating phone reminders for sunscreen applications during summer day trips has been a game-changer for my family. This practice ensures we reapply sunscreen at regular intervals, safeguarding against sunburn and skin damage.
By simply setting alarms on my phone, we maintain consistent protection from the sun’s rays, making our outdoor adventures safer and more enjoyable for everyone. This proactive approach helps us focus on the fun, without the worry of sunburn, keeping our skin healthy and our spirits high.
15) Use a family tracking app
Using a family tracking app has greatly enhanced my peace of mind during trips to crowded places. By placing AirTags in my kids' backpacks, we can easily keep track of everyone's whereabouts. They also make cool holders for AirTags for kids including:
- Waterproof Kids Air Tag Bracelet Silicone
- AirTag Holder for Kids Shoelaces
- Apple Airtag Holder Pin for Kids
16) Reflecting on the Trip
Wrapping up our family day trips with a reflection session during the ride home has become a cherished routine. We take turns sharing our highs and lows, along with our favorite moments of the day. This simple practice allows us to celebrate our experiences, learn from any challenges, and appreciate each other's perspectives.
It's a wonderful way to end our day on a positive note, ensuring that every trip is remembered fondly and that the special moments we've shared are acknowledged and treasured by the whole family!
Check out my blog post all about 30 Screen Free Road Trips for Toddlers!
