A long car journey with kids can make Christmas a nightmare – but there are ways to make the journey much more bearable, says the AA’s Edmund King
As families across the nation prepare for the festive season, the magic in children’s eyes is undeniable when they partake in nativity plays and eagerly await Santa’s visit.
However, anyone who’s tackled a Christmas road trip with kids in tow knows it’s no ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ singalong.
The reality of holiday travel can be far from the idyllic scenes depicted in Chris Rea’s classic tune. But fear not, Edmund King, president of the AA, has come to the rescue with sage advice to transform potentially fraught journeys into joyful memories.
With the majority of Brits expected to hit the roads on December 22 and 23, King offers reassurance: “For those making journeys with children, it can be especially tricky to keep everyone happy in the car and stop the Christmas excitement bubbling over into squabbles and whinging.”
He adds, “Luckily, Christmas gives an extra bit of inspiration for games and tricks to make your journey as much part of the fun as the big day itself. With a little bit of planning, you can help ensure your journey runs smoothly and doesn’t turn into a nightmare before Christmas.”
So let’s dive into the top ten tips that promise to sprinkle your family’s festive travels with a touch of magic.
Make sure the kids are relaxed and comfy
First up, ensuring the little ones are snug and content is key.
A mother’s guide to stress-free Christmas travel with excitable youngsters has gone viral, featuring top tips from travel expert King. Maintaining that it’s crucial for parents to create a snug environment in the back seats to help their little ones nod off during the journey, she says: “If you’re travelling over naptime or bedtime, let your children choose teddies, pillows and blankets to have in the back with them to help make them comfortable and sleepy.”
Be savvy with the kid’s drinks
Additionally, to avoid excessive loo breaks, King suggests choosing water over fizzy drinks, noting: “Limit the number of ‘I need a wee’ moments by only giving children water in the car instead of flavoured drinks. They are less likely to ‘over-drink’ water.”
Get your game face on
King also recommends various ways to keep kids occupied and stave off the ‘Are we there yet?’ question, including classic car games or portable consoles—a few sweets as prizes could sweeten the deal further.
Be prepared for heavy traffic/breakdowns
Lastly, she reminds parents to be ready for any travel hiccups like heavy traffic or breakdowns.
While long waits and car troubles are never ideal, it’s crucial to stay focused and not let the situation get to you. King advises: “Plan so you’re prepared if the worst does happen and you’re stuck in traffic or break down. Plan your route, pack extra snacks and drinks, and make sure your phone is fully charged.”
Make NOT saying ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ into a game
We’ve all had a laugh at Shrek 2 as Donkey annoys our favourite ogre by constantly asking the same question. However, this year, we’re all dangerously close to that journey to ‘Far Far Away’ becoming a reality.
But luckily, King has a solution. He suggested: “Let them choose some pick and mix sweets before your journey on the understanding they can have them when they arrive, but every time they ask ‘are we nearly there yet? ‘ they will lose a sweet from their stash.”
While kids love video games and TV, nothing captures their attention quite like a well-narrated audiobook, through the words of a creative author. King enthused: “Stephen Fry narrating Harry Potter is a classic, and at eight hours and 25 minutes, it should see most people through their Christmas journey.”
Prepare a Christmas playlist for the car
Getting into the festive mood is all about the tunes. From traditional Christian carols like ‘Little Donkey’ to modern classics like Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Underneath the Tree’, it’s worth spending some time on Spotify to curate the perfect Christmas playlist.
For a unique choice that the kids will adore, try ‘Penguin, James Penguin’ by Brad Paisley, a charming song about ‘A dapper little guy. He looks like a well-dressed duck, in a three-piece tux, he’s Santa’s secret spy’.
King suggests: “Get it all set up in advance and leave any changes to your passengers.”
Avoid ‘hangry’ children
A content child is a fed child, so ensure you’re stocked up with all the snacks they could want. From healthy options like apples to sweet indulgences like Maltesers, it’s crucial to keep them satisfied and not hungry.
If you run out, there’s always the option of a pit stop at McDonalds. King emphasises: “Don’t let hangry [hungry + angry] children – or adults – ruin your journey.”
Plan breaks in your journey
Plan breaks in your tripWhile we’re all eager to reach our destination quickly, it’s vital to prioritise safety and keeping the kids active.
Allowing them some time outside the car can make a world of difference. King recommends: “Plan these and make the break more enjoyable for the kids by stopping off the motorway at a garden centre or park where the children can expend some energy.”
Enlist the help of an elf
With Santa’s workload being shared among his team of busy elves, you can even enlist the help of one to keep the kids in check on a long car journey. According to King: “Start the journey with your elf having made some mischief in the car,” she recommends.
“It will get the children in a good mood to start with, and the elf can travel with you to encourage good behaviour.”
