How to Survive a Road Trip with a Toddler

Spida and Sheree Everitt have a great TV show and website The Great Australian Doorstep. Check it out for heaps of travel tips and adventure stories.

How to Survive a Road Trip with Toddlers is just one of their helpful articles...

* Try and choose caravan parks where kids can get physical! Most parks these days cater enormously for kids. Plenty of space to run about. If not, tackle a beach or big town park, and really wear them out. Try to do this every day. Kids will get grumpy and irritable if they don’t have adequate outside running around time.

* Make a set time every day for ‘fun time’, one parent get washing in and start on dinner while the other does fun time with the kids. Run them ragged, then put them in the shower (always best in daylight with little ones) then have them ready for bed when they sit down for dinner. With tired legs and a full tummy they will fall asleep before you know it.

* Rewards – reward the kids when they are good. Extra play time is always a great option!

* Dirty nappies, dispose of them as far away from your campsite as possible! Double bag, put them in a plastic container with a lid and pour Listerine mouthwash inside the tub. Keeps ants, cats & dogs away.

* Plenty of distraction while driving. When they are really little coincide your long drives with their sleep times. Keep them entertained and engaged. Games, using their brains, involve them in your chats so they are kept busy all the time. Make up little stories.

* Avoid lollies and fizzy drinks! This will only hype them up and after the hype there is the fall and we don’t want grumpy kids.

* Keep them safe. All toddlers are curious and keen to explore but keep them in eye sight at all times.

* Plan your days. Irritated and wound up mums = unsettled kids. If you fight, the kids become unsettled.

* Sightsee at places that are kid friendly. Taking a very active toddler to an art museum could be fatal.

* Think it thru. Put your babies needs before yours. Happy baby = Happy Mummy

* Bathing in chilly bin/esky – nice & clean and no mess. All outside if possible. I would boil the jug and warm the water, or put the solar shower outside during the day to warm the water.

* Toilet training, can be disastrous if not tackled properly. Always have plenty of spare plastic bags and wipes! When they need to go they need to go! Pack a potty, no matter their age and carry the new kids folding toilet seats (some public loos are horrendous) you can get them in their favourite character, little plastic folding toilet seats, fantastic!

* Front carry packs, harnesses or hiking baby packs on your back are essential.

* Kids always prefer familiar things. Take their favourite teddy, who cares if it gets wrecked. I can assure you, it will be worth it.

* Portable shower, which heats in the sun - these are essential and really cheap to buy. great for giving them a quick wash down

* Portacot, for sleeping and playing during the day and moscuito net

* Cheap tent to put up for play times, out of the sun and away from creepy crawlies

* Sterilise in the camp kitchen in your own pot, or in the billy over a fire

* Engel car fridge is a must. Milk & water, medicines etc. All essential.

* Take a jolly jumper, they are small to cart around and can tie to almost any tree. Just make sure its secure!

* Full First Aid kit - ensure you always know where a doctor is at each place you stay

* Keep your home routine as much as possible. If they normally go in the jolly jumper at 10am, then try to keep to that.

* loads of Sunblock and insect repellent. (you can get ankle bands for insect repellant, great and best of all they cant put it in their mouth)

* Teach them the dangers. Don’t just keep them away from the dangers, teach them so they understand.

* When you’re at home, think about everything you do for your baby as you do it and them try to imagine how you’ll cope away from amenities. When you go on the road you will have to forgo some conveniences, but that doesn’t make it impossible lets just say it could be a little bit more time consuming. You can also keep a list of things to take but at least you will know you've thought of everything.