Kids hate sitting still, so it’s no wonder they throw their toys when cooped up in a car for several hours. “Many families are expected to take to the roads this holiday, rather than the skies, even as travel restrictions continue to be lifted. Road trips certainly offer a bit more flexibility, because with all the disruptions of this year they can still be planned at the last minute or cancelled easily. Road trips also reduce contact with other travellers and allow families to have a rewarding experience together, often at a lower cost,” says Riaz Haffejee, CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, manufacturer of the iconic Dunlop tyres (Dunlop). But as families look to reconnect after this crazy year – whether it be with relatives and friends or nature – they’ll be wanting to do so safely.
Take the road again, together – Dunlop’s new year-end campaign – has all the tips you need to survive road trips with kids in tow:
Have a plan in place
While it’s true that the best parts of a road trip are usually the spontaneous moments, this year isn’t the time to wing it, especially with children along for the ride. Check in advance that your planned holiday stops are still in operation. Map out your route. Make reservations in advance and minimise the chances of being stuck en route with crabby kids.
Make the right choice
Are you at ease taking the family to bustling cities and busy beaches, or would you prefer more natural and open spaces right now? Decide what works for you and your family and go with it.
Ditch screen time
Most of our kids have had a year full of quaran-screens. Switch it up a little during your road trip by letting their imaginations run wild with the Dunlop podcasts brought to you in association with Book Dash on Are we there yet? With captivating audio stories in English, isiZulu, Setswana, and Afrikaans, your youngsters are guaranteed to be enthralled. What’s more, you’ll be supporting a noble cause – Book Dash is an NGO with a goal of putting 100 books into the hands of every child under the age of five, and the books are written by South African authors. To find out more, donate or download free print versions of the books, click here.
Don’t forget the snacks
Never risk the wrath of a hungry child! Pack plenty of snacks and non-perishable food items to keep the journey relatively smooth and tantrum-free. It’ll also help you to avoid unnecessary stops on the road and limit your family’s exposure to others.
Ensure your car is problem-free
The last thing you want to deal with on a road trip with kids is car problems, especially now. Do all the important checks on your vehicle ahead of time. Make sure your car and your tyres, the only part of your vehicle to touch the road surface, are in peak condition and ready for the adventure ahead. For more on what to look out for, explore the tyre safety tips here.
Remember to pack masks
Remind your children that you’ll still have to wear your masks in public places along the road trip, just as you would when you’re close to home.
Cruise control vs 4×4 mode
Go onto Google Street View and check out the terrain you will be tackling, to ensure that you have the right vehicle – and tyres for the track ahead. Show the children and get them excited ahead of time. For older kids, ask them to find out and share interesting and fun facts about the places you will visit. Offer a prize for the first one to spot, on the trip, something that they saw or researched in advance.
Bring along wipes
Make sure you have all the COVID-19 hygiene essentials with you and that they are easily accessible – hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes, disinfectant, disposable bags, tissues or toilet paper and spare face masks. Don’t assume you’ll get these easily during your trip or at your destination – there’s no guarantee. Limit public restroom stops. You might even want to check in with establishments ahead of time about their COVID-19 hygiene and safety protocols.
Have fun
Plan fun in-car activities the family can enjoy en route. It could be anything from a few rounds of I Spy to colouring in, or for older kids something more tech-focussed, but a few moments of regular fun will help to pass the time and reduce the dreaded questions of, “Are we there yet? How much longer?”
