Now that Winter has finished, and Spring is here we are really looking forward to enjoying the warmer weather and taking our two little ones out to enjoy the countryside. With that in mind, I felt like it would be a good idea to put together a short list of things to remember before heading off for a day trip or even a weekend away.
Obviously, the first thing to work out is where you’re going to go and importantly how you’re going to get there. With two young kid’s car journeys can be a challenge, so planning a route that is going to be manageable for them is important. The more time they spend in the car, the more used to it they will become but knowing their limits is essential. There are some things you can do to make journeys more enjoyable for them. Bringing some of their favourite toys is always a great option to give them something to focus on while driving.
Depending on where you go and what you’re doing its often a good idea to bring a change of clothes for the kids as you never know what could happen on a day out. It could be as simple as a spilt drink in a café or something a little more problematic such as slipping in a muddy puddle in a park and being covered in dirty water. We all know to expect the unexpected when it comes to kids and having a change of clothes means that regardless of what happens they will always have something clean and dry to change into if disaster strikes!
Another unknown with little ones is when hunger is going to strike. I find that having just a few small snacks in my bag at all times can really help even if it’s just something to get them through till the next meal.
If your day trip is to somewhere like the beach or a nice countryside park, it can obviously be a great idea to bring a picnic with you. That way you can bring all the kids favourite foods, and it gives you more control than hoping a café or restaurant will have food they will eat. Also, all of our kids can have different food allergies so being able to control exactly what they’re eating at meals without worrying that they could get ill from an unknown ingredient in a café.
Being able to bring your stroller is a must for anyone going on a day trip or weekend getaway. Depending on the age of your kids the amount of time they may want to spend in the stroller will differ but having it available is always important. The stroller can also help in carrying your child’s stuff around for the day and leave you with hands free for other things.
All of this stuff sounds like a lot, and it can definitely take up a lot of space! Having a car that you can transport all of it in is essential. As kids get older, the amount of stuff we parents need to bring can decrease, but often it just changes to different stuff! With the Summer coming up it could be worth looking at investing in a different car that can accommodate all your storage needs. Have a look around for garages in your area which offer new or used cars. Word of mouth can often be a great way of finding the best deals, so if you live in Aberdeenshire for example, ask your friends if they know where the best Aberdeenshire car sales are, or if they know a particular car brand they have found good for travelling with kids.
Taking trips out with your kids is one of the great pleasures of being a parent, and hopefully, these tips can help you enjoy the warmer months with your little ones and make it a more enjoyable experience.
