Kids activities: Are we there yet?

Family trips are a time formative memories are made for our kids. That being said, hours on the road heading from A to B can be testing even for the most patient of children. Fortunately, we’ve whipped together an ingenious guide to keeping the little ones entertained over a road trip spanning several hours or days to keep them happy and make it all a little more bearable for all. Here are some ways to achieve a happy trip with your family rental car:

4. Snacks

One word that puts a smile on any kid’s face. Break out the rusks, the nuts, the fruit and the chips for when the young’uns start feeling peckish or start to get restless. Pre-nap, post-nap… we’ve seen kids eat mid-nap! Offering snacks during the drive will prevent you from having to stop for food every other hour saving you time and a few tantrums along the way.

3. Entertainment

The New Zealand scenery is nothing short of breathtaking. More than 2 hours in a car will almost guarantee you sea, mountains and native bush. Not many countries can boast that. We’re afraid some young kids aren’t quite as enthusiastic about hour after hour of window views. For this, they need somewhere else to focus their attention. We suggest downloading a film from a streaming service, handing them picture books or playing music from their favourite show. Alternatively, you could listen to Baby Shark on repeat 137 times. It could be worth investing in a tablet mount for behind your headrest.

2. Strategic stops

It is important to plan out your roadside stops carefully in order to stick to a strict schedule, should you need to. The fewer interruptions, the quicker you can get to your destination. Also, being able to tell the kids you are stopping in X amount of time helps them manage their own urges for food or the bathroom. Having this all planned out can help prevent any uncertainty on your trip.

1. Trip tracker

This is a great tip for keeping our little helpers happy. Make your children part of the trip by turning it into a fun game for them. Create a simple and colourful map with all your stops along the way and sights to look out for. They can tick these off as they go and receive a treat for each. For example, you may stop at Kaikoura where you’re likely to see a colony of NZ fur seals. To mark this point of the trip you might present your children with a seal toy.

These tips and tricks are essential for making long road trips easier and more memorable for your passengers. Hire a safe and reliable family vehicle from NZ Rent A Car today and start making memories.