Let's play!
Travel games are always essential for long trips. But they must be chosen well. A game with several small pieces or requiring reading (hello headache!) is not suitable for the car. Here's a tip: ask the children to each choose one or two games that they like and add a "surprise" game for yourself, which you will take out of your bag when the first ones are used up.
Our choice: the Mini Travel collection by Djeco , - a favorite of the Charlotte and Charlie stores! -, includes games to play with the family to occupy the endless journeys. These games to take everywhere will fill the waiting moments with fun and laughter! From 4 years old.
Don't forget the little ones, who also need to be stimulated and amused while traveling. Educational toys, rattles and stuffed animals are perfect for babies. We also like the soft fabric educational books from Kaloo . They can handle them alone, in complete safety.
A nap in complete comfort
When she was a baby, my daughter had car sickness. Can you imagine how many times we washed her car seat? Luckily, this little ailment quickly disappeared as she grew older.
So our trick was to leave just before her nap time, so that she would quickly fall into the arms of Morpheus. This is also the trick of many parents!
To ensure that little travelers sleep comfortably, don't hesitate to bring their pillow, a comforter or even a neck support. Naps will be more comfortable if their head is well supported.
Keep baby warm with this new knitted blanket from Uppababy .
A muslin blanket is always practical, whether for breastfeeding during breaks or for comforting or cuddling baby during his nap. We love this Little Unicorn comforter whose transport patterns will entertain the child during the journey!
A snack at your fingertips
“ I’m hungry! ” This is a phrase that comes up a lot in the car. Plan ahead! Bring a small snack to satisfy cravings. If your child tends to get nauseous, offer him crackers or low-sugar cereal. Fruit and cheese are also good choices. Don’t forget to have a bottle of water on hand (avoid juices and sugary drinks).
A classic: The OXO Flippy Cup features soft, comfortable flaps that make it easy to access food and keep it in the cup. The lid screws on and stays securely in place even if the cup tips over.
Take breaks
Driving without stopping? It's practically impossible with children. An urgent need to go to the bathroom, the need to stretch your legs or to fill up with gas: there are many reasons. Before leaving, note down a few places where you can stop: rest areas, gas stations, family restaurants or municipal parks.
Better yet, make it an outing! A dinner at a restaurant, a stop at a cheese shop, a picnic in a park or even a visit to a small farm will be great travel memories.
Prioritize practical accessories
Travel accessories are more than just gadgets. They can help make traveling more enjoyable. Here are some of our favorites:
Your car has sunshades in the front, but what about the back? Add a removable sunshade, which you can move when your child is sleeping or to keep the sun out of their face.
Why is baby crying? Does he still have his pacifier? To watch over him even if his seat is turned around, the mirror is an essential for many parents.
We love this mirror from JJ Cole that makes it easy to see your child in the car. Plus, it can also be used as a travel stand for your tablet.
Everyone has their own cover!
It's inevitable: long journeys are often a source of conflict. Not liking to be confined in a small space for so long, children get impatient and argue. My trick: each one has their own pouch. Each one has in their possession their pouch or a bag of objects that they have chosen themselves: book, iPad, cuddly toy, snack. They can of course make an exchange if the other agrees.
Discover at Charlotte et Charlie: Pehr's new On The Go accessories collection has been designed to make traveling with children easier. This organic cotton travel pouch is large enough to hold everything you need. Perfect for a stay at grandma's, a weekend away or simply to keep all of baby's things organized.
Singing with the family
Before leaving, make your selection of music, which ideally will suit everyone's tastes (or take turns!). Sing as a family (even if you sing out of tune!), have fun, clap your hands. My children's favorite game is La Fureur. I play their favorite song and then mute it without warning for a few seconds. Whoever has the exact words wins a point!
Seek and find… on the road!
Have you exhausted travel games and, by extension, your ideas? A classic remains the Seek and Find. You know, that game where you have to spot specific objects on the road. I remember playing it when I was a child.
A tip: before leaving, prepare a list of objects to find on the road depending on your journey. For example, on the highway, analyze the vehicles (foreign license plates, car color, bike rack, etc.) while on country roads, take full advantage of the landscapes (farm animals, signs, types of houses, etc.).
Have a good trip!
Cover photo: courtesy Clek Company
