Tips for driving with kids in the car is a collaboration with Kwik Fit and their #DrivenToDistraction campaign. It is important to always stay focused when you are driving and once you add kids into the mix it becomes even more challenging. Whether you’re breaking up a fight in the backseat or listening to loud conversations between your children, you can easily have your attention pulled from road.
Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers and that is even more worrying when you are carrying your most precious cargo in the car. Before I start we have some unbreakable rules for anyone travelling in my car, the main one being you have to always wear seatbelts. Believe it or not, I have pulled over until seatbelts have been put back on and even driven to the police station.
5 Tips for driving with kids in the car
Give them your phone!
It is bad enough having kids in the car for distracting you but if you have a phone then the distraction is even worse. Kwik Fit has a great game which shows you just how distracted a phone can make you.
So why not kill two birds with one stone and give the phone to your children and let them play games on it, watch a video or control the music via it. I have been educated in modern music by letting Maxi have my phone!
Keep them Entertained
This is my top tip and although sometimes it means planning it really works. For younger children, it is easy to put together a car activity pack to keep permanently in the car. For older children then we have printable in-car activity sheets and if you are really struggling then we have 10 in-car activities here.
I have always allowed technology in the car (personally I think it is a game-changer for keeping kids occupied) but we also have some low tech activities too to get them to unplug on road trips but also keep them entertained.
We are a huge fan of audiobooks for long journeys too.
Feed and water them
Eating and drinking is a great way to keep kids occupied and also who wants hangry and argumentative children in the back of their car. We tend to freeze some water if we are going on a long trip so they have cold drinks.
Get reinforcements
Take another adult with you and make them responsible. I know this isn’t always possible but it really makes a difference if it can.
Plan
Plan in rest stops for longer journeys. Plan your route so you don’t get stressed. Plan what to take with you. Planning makes all the above achievable and therefore, makes travelling with children so much less stressful.
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