Tips To Prepare You & Your Kids For a Road Trip

Preparation is important on every road trip, and knowing what (and how) to pack is true art! Always be prepared for cooler weather (even if the sun is shining) and a change of clothes for the kids is always a great idea.

Now that clothing has been taken care of, we suggest packing a few extra things (just in case!)

• Extra battery/charging packs for gadgets
• A first aid kit
• Baby wipes
• Hand sanitiser
• Plastic bags for garbage

Being prepared is always a smart idea when you’re heading on a road trip. The above items will help to make sure things run a little bit smoother along the way.

We checked, and it is not officially a family road trip without snacks! So however many snacks you think you need, double it, TRIPLE IT even.

Road trips make everyone hungry, but you’ll want to avoid a backseat full of kids on a sugar high. Pack nutritious and low in sugar food like rice crackers, popcorn, nuts and protein bars as they won’t go off no matter how long you are on the road for.

It is also a good idea to pack some basic food prep tools. We recommend bringing:

• A knife
• Peeler
• Travel cutlery
• Reusable containers

These things will allow you to quickly prepare, store and carry food like easy-to-carry picnic lunches. Rest stops can get expensive, and their food options are sometimes limited.

Cut down the list of things you need to do before you leave by grabbing supplies and snacks along the way at local vendors! This is not only a great excuse to stop for a break on the drive, but supporting the communities you visit is a great way to thank them for their hospitality!

You’ll likely find some local produce, unique flavours, clothing art and wares that you don’t usually see at your usual shops. Take home some mementos and shop local!

Before you hit the road, it is vital that you ensure you have a useable spare tyre. Signing up for roadside assistance in case of any other emergencies is also a good idea.

Always think about and plan your route. Are you driving through adverse weather conditions like snow? When popping up to Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, we recommend that families pack de-icer and antifreeze, along with some blankets for the kids.

In cases of heavy snowfall, two-wheel drive vehicles are required to carry wheel chains. It is always a good idea to check current road conditions, snow reports and other weather forecasts before you head off on your journey.

When you map your journey, research any opportunities to stop along the way with points of interest for you and the kids. Look for playgrounds and parks, kid-friendly cafes, museums, wildlife parks and anything else that will make the journey a bit more exciting (bathroom breaks aren’t that much fun).

Pro tip: Leave extra early and put the kids in the car before they wake up to get a few hours of peaceful driving while they are asleep.

Consider some of the following to keep car boredom at bay:

• Family car games such as ‘I spy’ are classic go-to’s, but you can liven these up a bit with travel bingo and 20 questions
• Pack an entertainment bag with travel board games, cards, toys and activity books
• Bring a ball or Frisbee for stops (steer clear of messy toys like slime and Play-Doh)
• Don’t be afraid to let the iPad handle the entertainment duties for a few hours (just be wary of car sickness)

Most importantly, the tunes! Road trips are the perfect opportunity to give your kids a music 101 lesson. So load up the devices with family-friendly bangers and settle in for some carpool karaoke. You can also bring audiobooks and podcasts that your kids will enjoy to keep them interested throughout the journey.

Road trips are a lot of fun, a cost-efficient family holiday, and above all, a great opportunity to teach your kids about Australia. Make sure your kids are involved with the route and maps to help them learn about the places you’re visiting and the day-to-day journey to get there.

You can also start small, working up to longer road trips once you have mastered closer destinations. Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is a great destination to start with, as we are the closest alpine snow Resort to Melbourne. We are just a short two hours drive from Melbourne CBD with over 35 km of world-class cross country skiing trails when you arrive!

We also have plenty of activities for the kids, and we make it easy for people of any age and ability to enjoy the mountain at any time of the year. So follow the tips above, pack the car, and take your first family road trip today!