Always An Adventure

Real hope and encouragement for REAL life.

by

Essential Road Trip Routines (That Make Everything Easier)

These road trip routines make everything easier! Pin this post for your next trip.

Unless you take long trips by car very frequently, you probably don’t have road trip routines. But you totally should! Every just like in every other area of life routines have a magical power to keep things simple and on track – exactly what you need for a road trip!

Here are four road trip routines that make everything easier:

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. . Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

1. Try these road trip routines before you head out:

Create a routine for what needs to be done before you head out for the day. On shorter day trips this might just be something that you do once but for longer trips it’s so helpful to start every morning on the road in the same way.

Here are some ideas for what to put on your “Before Heading Out” road trip routine:

  • When you’re loading up, make sure to load frequently used items last so that they are easy to access if needed throughout your day. (Think: coolers, snacks, diaper bag, extra blanket.)
  • Start each road trip day with an empty trash container/bag in an easy to reach spot.
  • Make sure each person in the car has a beverage and/or snack, activity and extra clothing layer within reach.
  • Check tire pressure, fluids and fuel levels before you go.

Related: 10 Road Trip Essentials That Could Save You Hundreds

2. Create a road trip routine for stops along the way.

When traveling on US Interstates we try to stop no more than every two hours. What this looks like for us is that every other stop will fuel up our vehicle and on the other stops we try if it all possible to use a rest stop instead of a gas station or convenience stores. This saves us money and makes getting in and out much quicker. Also rest stops usually have more room to walk around and stretch your legs.

Here’s the routine we use for each and every road trip stop:

3. Set up road trip routines for when you stop for the night:

Stopping for the night is the biggest reset of all, especially when you’re on a longer trip. As tempting as it is to pile into the hotel room and crash in the bed, or hot tub, what will help the most is to make sure you’re set for the morning before you relax for the night.

  • Empty all of the trash out of the car. Clean up toys and activities, and make sure that you’re grabbing everything you need for your stay for the night.
  • Don’t forget to grab water bottles and snacks for while you’re in your hotel room, plus any activities or books to read while you’re winding down for the evening.
  • Last but not least, reset all of your luggage so that it will be easy to pack up again in the morning when you’re headed up out of your hotel. The more organizing you do as you go the easier it will be to get in and out without too much hassle.

4. Start an end of road trip routine:

Debrief with your crew. Ask questions as you’re get close to home. Find out what everyone’s favorite parts of the trip were. What wasn’t great? What would we like to do more of next time?

Take note of these mental notes, but write them down of course! Along your trip make note of inexpensive stops, great restaurants, and hotels that have pet friendly policies, if that applies to you. What are things that you wish you had brought along on this trip? Write these down so you’ll remember them for future road trips.

Save all your receipts.

This may sound like a weird tip, but saving all of our receipts has been so helpful in planning future road trips! Not only do you have hard copy records in case there are any credit card disputes, but you also have a to the penny record of how much your trip cost. This data is so helpful for budgeting future trips.

Reset right away.

Unpack and do laundry as soon as you can once you’re home. Quick clean the car. Restock toiletry bags and other travel essentials before packing your luggage away.

Routines are the saving grace of a busy life, and our road trip routines have made travel so much easier for our family. Is there anything you would add? Please comment! Was this post helpful? Please spread the love by sharing the link with your friends!

These road trip routines make everything easier! Pin this post for your next trip.

by

Best Ever Road Trip Hydration Hack (No Extra Bathroom Stops!)

Learn how to stay hydrated on road trips without making a million extra stops. This road trip hydration hack really works!

We love to road trip as a family and there are few tips that I’ve learned that make everything so much easier. One of the best things I’ve learned is how to stay hydrated on a road trip without having to make a million bathroom stops. This road trip hydration trick is especially helpful as a parent traveling with kids (though it works for all ages!) I’m so excited to share it today.

PIN TO READ LATER

Road trip hydration is important – here’s why:

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. . Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

Staying hydrated on road trips is super important. You’re exposed to all sorts of new germs, and making sure you stay hydrated is a great way to support your immune system on the trip. Plus there’s nothing like riding in an air-conditioned vehicle all day long to really dry you out. But how do you stay on top of drinking water without having to make a million extra stops?

Here’s how we do it:

We plan to stop every two hours, but not more unless someone is ill or it’s absolutely necessary. And, for every bathroom stop we make, everyone in the vehicle has to at least try to go the bathroom. Then we implement…

Our road trip hydration hack that works every time:

About 45 minutes before we plan to stop we hand out the water bottles and encourage everyone to drink up. This allows everyone to get a good amount of water in, with enough time for it to filter through our systems in time for the next bathroom break.

DISCLAIMER: We don’t keep our kids from drinking in between times but the idea is to just take sips of water if you’re thirsty and wait to really fill up until it’s almost time for your next stop.

We also don’t encourage drinking a lot of juice or sodas on our trip, because it seems like everybody downs those a lot faster – making for more bathroom stops. However, for a kid who’s not keen on drinking a lot of water at once I do hand out these low sugar lemonade pouches  or these healthy drink mix packets when it’s hydration time to encourage them to drink more liquids at once before we stop.

This tip isn’t just for kids!

I actually learned this in college while making 12-hour trips home and back with a friend on holiday breaks. She had a super fuel efficient vehicle, and was committed to only stopping once in 12 hours to refuel. (Crazy! I know!!) Her rule for anyone who rode with her was that they needed to bring their own drinks and snacks and that she wasn’t making any extra stops.

I learned to not drink at all except for tiny sips for most of the trip and then I would drink one or two bottles of water about an hour before we stopped so that I wouldn’t really need to use the restroom until then. In the years since I’ve used this with my kids and taught my husband the same trick. It works! Thank you Amanda from college. 

RELATED LINKS:

This road trip hydration trick has saved us SO many headaches and unnecessary stops on the road. I hope it’s as helpful to you as it has been for us. If so, please help spread the love by sharing the link with your friends!

Learn how to stay hydrated on road trips without making a million extra stops. This road trip hydration hack really works!

by

Stress Reducing Road Trip Prep (You’ll Never Regret This!)

Road trips can be stressful, but they don't have to be! This road trip prep list will help you reduce stress and have a better trip!

Road trips are a ton of fun but they can also be really stressful too especially if you’re not prepared. There are some things you can do though to make sure that you’ll have a stress-free trip as possible. Here are four things to prep before your next trip.

PIN TO READ LATER

Stress reducing road trip prep:

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. . Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

Get your car serviced.

It seems like a common-sense advice but taking your car in for a quick check and service is something that so easy to forget in your road trip prep. It doesn’t take very long and it’s definitely worth it!  Getting your car serviced before you go can even prevent costly repairs on the road.

Related: 10 Road Trip Essentials That Could Save You Hundreds

Clean and declutter your car.

There is nothing worse than starting off a road trip and an already cluttered up and grungy car. Taking the time to vacuum, wipe everything down, and get rid of any unnecessary clutter will definitely start your trip on the right foot. This is also a great time to find containers to organize any stuff that needs to stay in the car so it’s not just rolling around.

Check your emergency equipment.

Is your spare tire is filled with air? Do you know where your jack and tire iron is? Do you know how to use them? Is there a working first aid kit in the car? Are all of the contents fresh and up-to-date? Answering these questions will make sure that you’re prepared for any minor emergencies that arise on the trip. It’s not fun to think about them, but let’s face it life happens. It’s just better to be prepared.

Do a quick document check.

You’ll want to make sure that your license and registration are up-to-date before setting out on your next road trip, but that’s not the only paperwork to have on hand. Make sure you have proper identification for children if you’re taking them out of state, as well as any info for roadside assistance, updated health insurance cards, and any other documents you might need should an emergency arise on the road.

Related: 30+ Frugal & Healthy Road Trip Snacks

Take some time in  your road trip prep to make sure you’re on top of these four things. It doesn’t take long, and can make all the difference in reducing stress while you’re on the road. You will never ever regret being prepared.

For more great tips for road trip travel, click here. Was this helpful? Please spread the love by sharing the link with your friends. Click here to Pin on Pinterest:

 

Road trips can be stressful, but they don't have to be! This road trip prep list will help you reduce stress and have a better trip!

by

7 Reasons to Travel Together (And How It Makes You Stronger)

Did you know that when you travel together, it actually strengthens your bond as a couple? Here's how:

Travel is amazing no matter how you slice it, but there is something extra special about sharing a trip with the one you love. This has definitely held true for us, in fact choosing to travel together has been one of the most enriching things we’ve ever done for our relationship.

Here are 7 ways that travel together will strengthen your bond as a couple:

PIN TO READ LATER

1.You’ll see the world through their eyes.

Is there anything better than experiencing new places or stunning scenery hand in hand with the one you love?

2. You’ll find out things about each other that you never knew.

Whether it’s a scenic reminder of an unshared memory, or a plate of food that includes an ingredient you didn’t realize he hated, travel together brings up best stuff!

3.You’ll build unique memories as a couple that will strengthen your bond.

It’s science. New experiences, new food, shared experiences – just look at how many travel-related things made it on this list!

4. You’ll find space to regroup away from everyday distractions.

Sometimes this is just what you need to get perspective and create a plan of action together.

5. You’ll have some of the best talks ever.

It seems like new scenery always sparks new conversations. Remember when you were dating and could talk about nothing for hours? Travel together can bring you right back to that sweet spot.

6. You’ll have the chance to overcome challenges together.

It’s these experiences – getting lost, seasick, or even just disrupted plans for the day – (and overcoming them) that strengthen your relationship most of all.

7. You’ll experience the adventure factor.

Being in new places doing new things with the one you love breathes new life into your relationship. This article from Lifehack explains it so well.

Have you traveled as a couple? What was the most challenging or rewarding side to that experience? Please share in the comments below! For more great travel tips and hacks from Always an Adventure click here.

Did you know that when you travel together, it actually strengthens your bond as a couple? Here's how:

by

10 Road Trip Essentials That Could Save You Hundreds

Don't leave home without these road trip essentials! This tried and true list could actually save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.

It’s that time of year again! You’re getting ready to load up your car and hit the open road. Road trips are a great way to see the country, and for many can be a frugal way to travel. They can also be quite expensive, if you’re not careful! Use this list to make sure you don’t forget any of these road trip essentials – they could literally save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

PIN TO READ LATER

Don’t forget these money saving road trip essentials:

Roadside Assistance Membership Info

A roadside assistance policy is absolutely one of the best ways to save money and have peace of mind on the road. Breakdowns and accidents happen – it’s part of life! The membership fee for roadside assistance is tiny compared to the cost of paying out of pocket for someone to tow your vehicle should it break down just once on the road. This one tip alone could save you hundreds of dollars!

Also, many insurance companies offer roadside assistance as part of their policies (or as an inexpensive add-on). Take the time to find out your benefits and have the info handy should you need it on the road. You won’t regret it! With that, don’t forget to make sure you have:

Current Proof of Insurance + Registration

Heaven forbid you get in a fender-bender or get pulled over, but you’ll want to make sure all your necessary documents are on hand and current – just in case. This might save a bit if you’re ticketed for some reason, but it’s worth it’s weight in gold for peace of mind. It’s nice to have your ducks in a row. Also, don’t forget to pack a:

Tire Gauge

Before your trip, find out the ideal pressure for your vehicle’s tires, and then make a point to check your tires at the start of each day. This $4 tool could save you the price of a new tire, and at the very least make sure you’re getting the best fuel mileage possible. And, speaking of fuel mileage – you’ll want to download a good:

Fuel Price Finder App

On our last trip we used Gas Guru, and it saved us up to 40 cents per gallon on each fill up! It is so nice to be able to look up fuel prices ahead of time, and know that we were getting the best deal. And the savings really do add up.

Another road trip essential that could save you hundreds is to make sure you bring:

Plenty of Cash

Paying cash at gas stations is THE BEST WAY to avoid credit card skimmers at the pumps. Also, paying with cash can help you stick to a budget for your trip. We try to carry cash for all travel purchases, plus a backup stash that could get us home if for some reason there was an issue with our cards or bank account. Along with plenty of cash, you’ll also want to bring plenty of:

Bottled Water

Buying a case of bottled water at the grocery store will cost pennies on the dollar per bottle, compared to convenience store prices. Also, when you bring a cooler of ice cold water you’re more likely to stay hydrated – a great way to stay healthy and keep your immune system strong on your trip. Also, don’t forget to pack loads of:

Healthy Snacks

Bringing your own snack foods will save you boatloads of cash on your trip – and if you pack healthy snacks you’ll feel better too. (Here’s a list of 30+ Frugal and Healthy Road Trip Snacks!)  Not buying snacks and drinks at convenience stores and vending machines can save you $5 or more per person, per stop. That adds up fast! Another helpful way to save is to bring your own:

Travel Mug

A simple, insulated travel mug is safer to drink from while traveling, and will keep your hot beverages warm longer, and your cool beverages cooler. We like to fill ours at the hotel prior to checkout, insuring we’ll have a nice cup of coffee to start the day’s drive. Average savings? $3-$5 per day.

Another thing that is super helpful but commonly forgotten:

A Well Equipped First Aid Kit

Bringing a well equipped first aid kit (more than just bandages and antibiotic ointment) should top your list of money saving road trip essentials. Knowing you have the right supplies on hand to clean and bandage a cut or deal with nausea gives so much peace of mind. It can also prevent an expensive detour to a pharmacy or urgent care.  To any comprehensive first aid kit (like the ones below) I like to add/make sure to include simple OTC medications for pain, nausea, motion sickness and allergies.


Also, don’t forget to bring updated copies of your:

Health Insurance Info

If you do have to visit an Urgent Care or Emergency room, knowing what locations are covered by your insurance could save you hundreds (if not thousands!) on medical bills. Make sure to have current copies of your cards, as well as what numbers to call if you need directions to the closest covered facility.

It Never Hurts to be Prepared!

As you can see, just a little advance planning could save you hundreds on your next road trip. And why not? Use the savings to go farther or do something fun! Or just let these road trip essentials make your journey more relaxed and enjoyable!

You Might Also Like:

Love these tips? Please share the link with your friends! Also, we LOVE to hear your feedback. Think I missed something on the list? Please share in the comments below!

Don't leave home without these road trip essentials! This tried and true list could actually save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.

by

How to Make a DIY Travel Kitchen and Save Money on Road Trips

 

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

When we were planning our last road trip, I had this crazy thought: What if I could create a DIY Travel Kitchen that could be used in any hotel room – allowing us to save money and eat better by preparing home cooked meals? Was it even practical? Would it be more hassle than it was worth?

CLICK HERE TO PIN FOR LATER

After a little research I found a few ideas for how to cook in a hotel room, and set out to create my own travel kitchen, which I’ll share below.

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

As you go about creating your own DIY Travel Kitchen, here are some suggestions for things you’ll probably want to bring with you on the road:

 

A PORTABLE HEAT SOURCE

Depending on what you like to eat, this could be anything:  a mini George Foreman grill, Slow Cooker, or an extra deep electric skillet like this one. An Instant Pot looks like another good option. After reading this blog post, I decided to use a large rice cooker we already had and were comfortable using. It turned out to be a great choice for us, more on that below.

VERSATILE COOKING UTENSILS

This could include:

  • Can opener
  • Paring knife with safety cover
  • Slotted serving spoon
  • Pancake flipper
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and/or spoons if needed

DISHWASHING SOAP AND SPONGE

You’ll definitely want to bring dish soap and a sponge to clean your dishes. Hotel room sinks can be small, so you may want to bring a small dish tub as well. I ended up using the insert for our rice cooker as a tub to wash dishes in, and rinsed under tap water before laying them out on a towel to dry.

MINI SPICE COLLECTION

Empty Tic Tac containers make excellent mini spice jars. I brought 3, and filled one with seasoned salt, one with a mix of salt and pepper, and one with garlic powder. We barely used them, but they were nice to have on hand.

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

PLATES, BOWLS AND PLASTIC SILVERWARE

For our last trip, we brought reusable bowls and disposable utensils. The plastic bowls packed nicely for travel, and were easy to clean up. We were tight for space, and I didn’t want the hassle of trying to keep paper plates and bowls from being crushed while traveling. I brought disposable utensils because we had them on hand, and I didn’t want to risk losing pieces of my flatware set on the road.

PAPER AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS

Consider bringing:

  • sanitizing wipes for surfaces before and after cooking
  • paper towels (we used these for napkins as well)
  • ziploc bags for storing leftovers, etc.
  • small trash bags

A word on the trash bags – even the nicest hotel rooms we stayed in had tiny, very thin trash bags. It’s worth bringing your own extra trash bags so that you can dispose of any food-related waste properly – it makes everything much nicer.

You Might Also Like: 10 Road Trip Essentials That Could Save You Hundreds

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

HERE’S WHAT WE BROUGHT IN OUR DIY TRAVEL KITCHEN:

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

I was able to pack everything except the food and roll of paper towels inside of the rice cooker. Since we were traveling with two kids (5&6) and a cat, it was nice to pack in such a small container. The only thing I REALLY wished I had brought along was a slotted spoon for scooping out pasta to drain.

We ate simple meals on our travels. I practiced at home to test cooking times and serving sizes – I didn’t want to have any leftovers. Here are some of the types of meals we ate:

  • Kielbasa, potatoes and canned green beans.
  • Macaroni and cheese with canned chicken breast.
  • Burritos with refried beans and shredded cheese.
  • Hearty canned soup and crackers.

We had a good stash of healthy snacks with us, so most of our meals included a side of fresh veggies or fruit from our snack bag.

WE LOVED OUR DIY TRAVEL KITCHEN

It’s true, it did take a little effort and experimenting to put it all together – but it was totally worth it! We saved money, and had a more relaxing experience overall. Several times we prepped the food and then relaxed in the hotel pool while our meal was cooking – how cool is that?

Hotel room cooking isn’t for everyone — and it’s not necessarily something we’ll do on every trip. But there are some times when it is necessary, and I love knowing that if needed, we can make do in any hotel room with our DIY travel kitchen.

OTHER HELPFUL ARTICLES FROM AROUND THE WEB:

How to cook real food in a hotel room.

The complete beginners guide to cooking in a hotel room.

Necessities for cooking in a hotel room.

How to use the Instant Pot in a hotel room.

Do you have any great tips for hotel room cooking? I’d love to hear them!

With this DIY Travel Kitchen, you'll be sure to have everything you need on hand for cooking healthy, money-saving meals on your next road trip!

by

Kid Friendly Fun in Winter Garden Florida

Historic Downtown Winter Garden is both charming, and surprisingly kid friendly. It's the perfect Central Florida destination for a day trip or weekend getaway.

Winter Garden Florida seemed like just another town on our map.

Until recently, that is. In the three years since we transplanted to Central Florida we’ve done a lot of exploring. But it wasn’t until I had three friends (in so many weeks) RAVE to me about this “charming” little town they had discovered, that I decided to check out Historic Downtown Winter Garden.

But was it kid friendly?

I wasn’t sure. None of the people who recommended Winter Garden’s Historic Downtown to me had young kids, so I did a little research to make sure it wasn’t too fancy for our active girls. While there are some nice restaurants and shops, overall it seemed pretty relaxed and low key.

There’s also a popular Farmer’s Market every Saturday – and that (along with the enthusiastic recommendations of my friends) was enough to make us grab our day pack, load up the family, and head out for a day in Historic Downtown Winter Garden.

RELATED: How to Prep for Family Outings So That They Are Easy to Do + Actually Fun

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

The Winter Garden Farmer’s Market is Awesome.

Located in the Downtown Pavilion, the market is spacious and welcoming. As you can see, it’s also kid and pet friendly.  There’s wide paths between stalls, easy stroller access, and lots of places to rest in the shade. I was honestly surprised at how many families with young kids were there, until I discovered,

There’s also a FREE Splash Pad right next to the Market.

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

Our girls were totally thrilled about that! The splash area was a total surprise to us, so we hadn’t packed bathing suits. We did let them play for a bit – there was plenty of time to dry off in the sun while we wandered the market. Next time we’ll pack a lunch, and plan on some real soaking wet fun!

There are a ton of vendors with everything from fresh fruit and flowers, to gourmet treats and jewelry. Towards the back end of the farmer’s market, there’s a covered patio with a huge selection of fresh fruits and veggies — right next to this is the public bathrooms. (Always handy to know!) There was also some comfortable seating in the shade, right in the center of the market.

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

After the Farmer’s Market, we headed to Harry & Larry’s BBQ for lunch.

But we totally had to stop and check out this kid-friendly train display in a storefront on our way there.

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

As you can see, it was a hit for several of the kids passing by. There’s actually little buttons where the kids can turn the trains on themselves — and we stayed there for quite awhile just to watch the fun!

Harry & Larry’s BBQ is a true, hole-in-the-wall restaurant. We walked past the entrance twice, trying to find our way in! The relaxed atmosphere and kid friendly food options made it the perfect place for us to relax for a bit. It did take awhile for the food to get to our table, but it was worth the wait. We loved checking out the fun vintage style decor while we waited.

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

When our meal came, we dug in before I remembered to take pictures! The food was yummy though – you’ll just have to try it out for yourself.

The Centennial Plaza Fountain was actually our favorite part of Winter Garden’s Historic Downtown.

It’s circled by benches and swings, and is nicely shaded. Such a pretty spot! We actually spent quite a while there. The girls were happy to play around the fountain, and we were happy to sit and chat. When I looked over our pictures from the day, I could see the relaxation in our faces:

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

It’s hard not to be relaxed though, when you’re surrounded by this:

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

While we were hanging out by the fountain, we saw people walking by with these huge, delicious looking ice cream cones. When we were planning our day, the girls decided that finding an awesome ice cream shop was the one thing they really wanted to do on this particular day trip.

Scoops Old Fashioned Ice Cream Shop totally fit the bill.

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

There were so many flavors of ice cream to choose from – and the cones were HUGE. Definitely more than we could eat! On our way into the store, I could hear people outside raving about how good the ice cream was. And it was totally delicious. And check out the old fashioned charm!

Scoops is located on the ground floor of the historic Edgewater Hotel, which now functions as a bed and breakfast. We accidentally exited out the back door of the ice cream shop and found ourselves in the old hotel lobby – it felt like we were transported back in time! I  had to snap a few photos:

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

Historic Winter Garden Florida turned out to be a surprisingly relaxing and  kid friendly destination for us.

We could have spent another hour at least at the splash pad, and barely scratched the surface of the Farmers Market. The Heritage Museum and the Central Florida Railroad Museum are both places we would have liked to explore, but our kiddos totally ran out of steam. We’ll have to hit them next time, I guess!

All in all, it was an awesome way to spend a Saturday in another one of our everyday adventures!

We discovered so many kid friendly things to do on our spontaneous getaway to Winter Garden Florida.

 

by

How to Prep for Family Outings So That They Are Easy to Do + Actually Fun

Day trips with kids can be either awesome or awful, depending on what you do. Here's what we do to prep for successful family outings that are actually fun!

We are a family on a budget that loves to travel and experience life together. We absolutely love doing day trips – they’re easy to plan, budget-friendly and relatively easy to do, even for families with infants and toddlers. But outings with kids aren’t automatically fun and easy. In fact, they can be downright awful if you’re not prepared. Thankfully, with just a little prep work, you can set the stage for family outings that are both easy, and actually fun!

(There are affiliate links in this post, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

How to Prep for Successful Family Outings That Are Easy and Actually Fun:

PLAN AHEAD.

We can’t plan for everything, but it helps to plan for what we can. Here are some helpful questions to ask, whether you’re planning a remote mountain hike, or a day at Disney:

  • Will snacks and water be readily available or will we need to bring our own?
  • Are we going to be outdoors or indoors or both?
  • Is our outing going to overlap regular nap or meal times?
  • What essentials will we need to bring? Diapers/Sunscreen/Medication?
  • Will we need cash on hand or will credit/debit cards be acceptable?
  • What is the weather forecast for the day?

COMMUNICATE YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

What is the purpose of the outing? Is it focused on one single person – like a birthday trip or reward day? Are you wanting a family day to bond and relax? Is your goal to experience a destination, or just get out of the house to burn energy? If you know what you’re hoping to get out of your family outing, you are much more likely to accomplish it!

If you’re a budgeting family like us, you’ll also probably want to set a budget for the day. Day trips can be expensive if you’re continually dropping $30 here and $20 there – it really adds up! Setting a budget for the day before you go can help determine if you’ll need to pack a lunch, and whether or not you’ll be splurging at that pricey ice cream shop.

Depending on the ages of your kids, it’s wise to communicate these expectations with them as well. For our 5&6 year olds, we discuss:

  • What our plans are for the day.
  • How we expect them to behave.
  • That we might not always get to do what we want to do, but we can choose to have fun anyway.
  • What they most want to do or accomplish on our family outing.
  • Our goal for this particular day trip or outing.

This is a really fantastic way to empower your kids to know what to expect, and to feel like they have a measure of control over the day. It also helps them to have realistic expectations – we really can’t do All. The. Things. on this trip, but that’s okay.

Day trips with kids can be either awesome or awful, depending on what you do. Here's what we do to prep for successful family outings that are actually fun!

MAKE ROOM FOR DOWN TIME.

I’m likely not the only one who gets so excited about going and doing, that I end up overfilling our schedule? Case in point: Last year we took in all of IKEA and hours at the beach in one day with our (then) 4&5 year olds. We made it work, but only because they were able to nap and relax during the drive time between places, and it ended up being an overly exhausting day.

Take time to stop and smell the roses, relax at a coffee shop, or even just chill on a park bench for part of your outing. Especially if you have little ones, making room for down time is an essential way to prep for a successful family outing.

FILL THEIR TANKS.

THIS is a pro tip! Cranky, hungry and dehydrated kids are just no fun to be around, and can ruin a family outing in a nanosecond. Make sure you have healthy snacks and water on you at all times – you won’t regret it. Also, pay attention to their regular nap and meal times. At school, my kiddos eat lunch at 10:50 am. This is wayyy earlier than I ever even think about eating lunch. Forgetting about this natural difference in our meal schedules can leave me with hangry, whiny kids who are miserable and miserable to be around. To avoid this, we always carry a refillable water bottle, plus snacks in our day pack. (More on that below)

Related: 30+ Frugal & Healthy Road Trip Snacks

KNOW WHEN TO WRAP IT UP.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m an overachiever in the scheduling department, and many times have pushed my kids (who are awesome little troupers) far further than they can comfortably handle. There’s a sweet spot – when everyone is still having fun, and no one is overtired yet – and THIS is the time to wrap it up. Don’t wait until everyone is cranky and overstimulated. Do your best to wrap things up and head home on a high note… this will set you up for regular family outings in the future that everyone can look forward to.

Day trips with kids can be either awesome or awful, depending on what you do. Here's what we do to prep for successful family outings that are actually fun!

TRAVEL LIGHT — Plus WHAT WE BRING IN OUR (MINIMALIST) DAY PACK:

Ever since we started on our family’s journey towards minimalism, I’ve become a huge fan of traveling light. Bringing ‘just’ the right amount of stuff and nothing more can make things way easier when you’re doing an outing with kids.

Of course, finding the balance between not packing enough, and packing too much is the tricky part. Packing too much is the worst – it’s so frustrating to be dragging around bulky strollers, backpacks, shopping bags, coolers, etc. I’ve found that unless you’re trekking into the wilderness, it’s better to err on the side of bringing less. These days, we can fit almost everything we need for a family outing in our lightweight day pack, plus a small cooler bag if we’re packing a lunch.

Our day pack (we call it our Go Bag) hangs on a hook by the door, and is always packed with the following essentials:

When we’re headed out the door, we’ll stuff in:

  • lightweight sweatshirts or cardigans
  • swimwear & these lightweight beach towels (if needed)
  • a change of clothes for each kid — usually lightweight tees and either shorts or cotton leggings.
  • apples/oranges and other snacks if needed
  • juice pouches
  • a few refillable water bottles — we’re partial to this style.
  •  phone, wallet, keys, etc.

Day trips with kids can be either awesome or awful, depending on what you do. Here's what we do to prep for successful family outings that are actually fun!

I’m always amazed at how much we can fit into our day pack, and how comfortable it is to carry around. This is (more or less) what comes with us whether we’re go canoeing, headed to the beach, or trekking around Disney Springs for the afternoon. Usually my husband and I will switch off carrying the pack, but it’s light enough that the girls can carry it if they need to.

So there you have it — this is how we prep for our many family outings and day trips, plus the (current) contents of our minimalist day pack. I’m totally in love with seeing the world through my kid’s eyes, and travelling light in the process.

What are your thoughts on day trips with kids? Any tips for on how to prep for successful family outings? Please share in the comments – I’d love to hear your thoughts!

by

How to Road Trip With a Cat

Is it possible to road trip with a cat?

A few months ago I asked myself this question. Since we just returned from a 3,000 mile road trip with a cat and two kids in the back seat, I wanted to record our experiences. It actually went better than expected, with just a few challenges to overcome. Here’s how we did it:

Can you road trip with a cat? Turns out you can! We just got back from a 3,000 mile trip with two kids and a cat in the back seat. Here's how we did it.

When we decided to take our cat on a road trip, I couldn’t help but wonder – are we crazy?! Cats are notoriously bad travelers so even though our cat is super social and easy going, I did a ton of research before we decided to bring her along.

Eventually we decided to bring our cat on the road with us because:

  1. We weren’t sure exactly how long we would be gone.
  2. Our trusted house sitters/caregivers were not available.
  3. A daily drop-in for food and water and to clean the litter box would not be enough attention for our social cat.
  4. Even with supplies and pet fees, bringing her with us was the least expensive choice.

When I started researching, I found I wasn’t the only one asking how to travel by car with a cat.

Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of good information out there. Most were recommendations to ask your Vet for kitty valium as a sedative. While I might consider that for a travel-hating cat on a cross-country move, we would only do that as a last resort. While we haven’t needed to use it, I’d probably start with this more natural remedy instead.

Can you road trip with a cat? Turns out you can! We just got back from a 3,000 mile trip with two kids and a cat in the back seat. Here's how we did it.

After a ton of research, I finally decided to buy these two items a few months before our trip:

(The links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

The first thing I bought was a sturdy, soft-sided pet carrier. Apparently most cats feel more comfortable in a soft carrier rather than a hard crate. I would have preferred this carrier, but the ‘giant’ size was too large for our vehicle. This is the pet carrier we ended up getting – I love that it comes with an extra bed pad in case of accidents. It was smaller than I liked, but it fit our 9 lb cat adequately for short periods of time – it worked especially well for transporting her in and out of hotel rooms, and to keep her contained in the vehicle during bathroom breaks.

I also ordered a kitty holster cat harness. It wasn’t cheap, but the reviews sold me on it being the most reliable option. We measured our cat according to the instructions before ordering and the harness fit perfectly. It came with a brochure on how to harness train your cat, which was very helpful.

Our cat was not a fan of the harness right away. The first few times wearing it she acted as if she was paralyzed! This would have surprised me, but I knew to expect it from reading the reviews on Amazon. We had her practice wearing it for a few hours every day and gave her lots of affection each time. Within a few days she was much more comfortable wearing the harness. Eventually we added some carrier time in the mix, to get her road trip ready!

Can you road trip with a cat? Turns out you can! We just got back from a 3,000 mile trip with two kids and a cat in the back seat. Here's how we did it.

We gathered a few other essentials for our road trip with a cat:

For a travel litter box we ended up using a shallow plastic bin with a snap-on lid and a few inches of her normal litter. I purchased a new litter scoop for the trip. We carried both, plus food and dishes in a duffel bag for easy transport in and out of hotel rooms. This set up ended up working really well for us.

On the road with a cat – how we made it work: 

We took our cat on a short day trip a few weeks before our real trip, just to see how she would do. After a few loud complaints, she curled up in her carrier and napped the rest of the ride. This definitely gave us of peace of mind about the real trip.Can you road trip with a cat? Turns out you can! We just got back from a 3,000 mile trip with two kids and a cat in the back seat. Here's how we did it.

We traveled in a crew cab pickup with two kids and the cat in the back seat. The cat carrier ended up fitting best on the floor of the back seat, right in the middle. This position allowed every person in the car to reach the carrier, which was really nice! It also gave her a break from the whizzing scenery and a cozy cave to hide out in.

We kept the cat in her harness at all times in the vehicle for safety. We also always kept a short leash on her harness. This allowed us to keep her safely contained when she roamed around. She was never allowed in the driver’s area, but spent a lot of time in all the other laps. We zipped her into the carrier for every stop, and by the end of the trip she would climb into her carrier when it seemed like we were getting ready to stop. (Smart kitty!)

It might sound strange, but we only offered food and water once we stopped for the night. From my research it seemed like this was the best choice to avoid motion sickness and nausea. When we got to our hotel room the cat stayed in her carrier until we had the litter box and food/water set up in the bathroom. I would close the door of the bathroom, let her out, and stayed in there with her until she was relaxed enough to use the litter box. She adjusted to this routine quickly and didn’t seem to have any problems with dehydration, nausea or bathroom accidents.

After she used the litter box, our cat was allowed to roam free in the hotel room. She loved being out of her harness, and able to explore! Any time we needed to leave her in the room, we shut her in the bathroom for safety. This kept her from darting out the door when we returned. A few minutes before we were ready to head out in the morning we would put on the harness and zip her in the carrier. It turned out to be a pretty simple, easy routine.

Can you road trip with a cat? Turns out you can! We just got back from a 3,000 mile trip with two kids and a cat in the back seat. Here's how we did it.

Turns out – You CAN road trip with a cat!

We successfully traveled 3,000 miles with two kids (6&5) and a cat in the back seat. Just like traveling with kids, a road trip with a cat is a little more work. For us though, it was totally worth it!

We spent about $50 for the harness and carrier, and $110 for pet fees. ($100 was the pet fee for our week at a vacation rental.) 3 of our 4 hotel stays were at La Quinta Inn & Suites, which has a fantastic pet policy. We were so impressed after our first stay, we ended up seeking them out for the rest of our trip.

Can you road trip with a cat? Turns out you can! We just got back from a 3,000 mile trip with two kids and a cat in the back seat. Here's how we did it.

Taking a road trip with our cat was something I never expected to do. Really, who does that? But it turned out to be a good experience overall. It’s also nice to know we have everything we need to safely and comfortably travel with our cat, whether it’s to the vet or cross country!

Can you road trip with a cat? Turns out you can! We just got back from a 3,000 mile trip with two kids and a cat in the back seat. Here's how we did it.

Have you ever taken your cat on a road trip? Any questions or advice? Please share in the comments below!


by

30+ Frugal & Healthy Road Trip Snacks

Need ideas for healthy road trip snacks that you actually want to eat? These are awesome.

Our Favorite Frugal & Healthy Road Trip Snacks

We’re headed out on a 1,500 mile journey next week with our two kids (and a cat!) in tow, so I’ve been making plans and of course, coming up with a list of our favorite healthy road trip snacks. In general, we eat a pretty nutritious diet, so I try to keep that up especially on the road when we need our immune systems to be at their best.

For the sanity of everyone involved I try to avoid super messy or crumbly snacks. This is one area where individually portioned snacks are definitely helpful, so I’ll either spend a bit more on individually packaged items or portion out a bigger container into snack size zip lock bags before we hit the road.

(There may be affiliate links in this post, meaning we’d get a small commission from any purchases you make. We only recommend products and services we actually use and love. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.)

Need ideas for healthy road trip snacks that you actually want to eat? These are awesome.

Easy to eat fruits and veggies are an obvious choice for healthy snacks for a road trip. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Oranges – especially clementines as they are so sweet and easy to peel.
  • Grapes – washed and in snack sized portions.
  • Apples – washed and whole or in slices.
  • Baby Carrots – with or without ranch for dipping.
  • Cucumbers – peeled and sliced into snack sized bags.
  • Olives – black or green, drained and portioned individually.
  • Celery – awesome for dipping in hummus or peanut butter.
  • Grape tomatoes – washed and ready to eat.
  • Bananas – delicious and easy to eat, but must be stored gently.
  • Applesauce – either in pouches or cups (don’t forget to bring a spoon).
  • Dried fruit such as banana chips, raisins or apricots.

Side note: I absolutely love chopping up fruits and veggies. It’s so relaxing! Am I the only one? 

Of course fruits and veggies aren’t the only healthy road trip snacks. We like to pack our cooler with at least a few of these each trip:

  • Cheese sticks – both cheddar and low fat mozzarella.
  • Yogurt – the cups work if you have a spoon, but the tubes are especially nice. We really like greek yogurt for the added protein boost.
  • Cottage cheese – look for individual portions, some even have fun fruity add-ins.
  • Meat & Cheese Roll-Ups.
  • Hard boiled eggs – don’t forget a small container of salt and pepper!
  • Sliced grilled chicken breast – this is a surprisingly good healthy road trip snack!
  • Hummus, ranch or peanut butter for dipping.
  • Granola bars or Lara Bars.
  • Individually wrapped dark chocolates.
  • Bottled water.
  • Juice pouches or boxes – we love these because of the lower sugar content!

We have found that the best snacks to take on a road trip have to include fresh, juicy foods like fruits and veggies, a good source of protein, and of course something salty and crunchy.

The salty/crunchy category is the hardest to keep in the healthy category, but we try! You will notice there are a few less-healthy options on this list:

  • Dry roasted peanuts.
  • Roasted salted almonds.
  • Roasted, salted, mixed nuts.
  • Gardetto’s or Chex Mix – we buy a family sized bag and portion out into individual servings.
  • Pretzels
  • Trail Mix – savory or sweet. (Watch out for melty stuff if you’ll be travelling in warm weather though.)
  • Popcorn.
  • Pirate’s Booty.
  • Cheeze-its or goldfish crackers.
  • Pita chips and hummus for dipping.
  • Crunchy puffed veggies like these.

Of course we don’t bring everything on the list for one trip.

I usually pick a few items from each category that are in season or on sale, and if I’m restocking mid trip I’ll go for more of the convenience food options that don’t require much prep (like baby carrots, clementines and packaged hard boiled eggs and cheese sticks).

Packing good road trip snacks has been so helpful to us – we save money, feel better eating healthier options, and save time (less wasted time trying to choose from overpriced convenience store snacks). In fact, when we bring our own favorite road trip snacks, we only stop at gas stations when we absolutely have to – most of the time we are able to stop at rest stops for bathroom breaks and to stretch our legs. It’s one of the biggest reasons I take time to pack healthy snacks to take on a road trip!

What are some of your favorite healthy road trip snacks? Is there anything that I should add to my list? Please let me know by sharing in the comments below!

Need ideas for healthy road trip snacks that you actually want to eat? These are awesome.

Pin It on Pinterest