Driving with a baby or child

Finally, you can indulge in the travel fever again! And you don't even have to go far – so many beautiful places are nearby. Traveling by car is often very practical, especially with small children: All your belongings are packed into the trunk at home, you don't have to check them in hassle-free, and there are no baggage restrictions to worry about (except for the size of your trunk J). With enough passengers and a certain distance, the CO₂ emissions of your car are also reduced – for larger families, this can be a sustainable option compared to other modes of transportation. But do check if you can offset the climate impact of your trip!

But long car rides in the or child can also become a challenge. When your little explorer is terribly bored, urgently needs to go to the bathroom right now, or absolutely refuses to fall asleep. We know! And that's why here are the best tips for traveling by car with a child.

The right equipment

In addition to the for your little explorer, there are some other accessories that make car journeys with a baby or child easier. Especially in summer, you should think of a suitable , and in winter, your little explorer might need a cozy blanket. Also useful are some bags or a resealable box for trash, or in case one of the little passengers feels unwell. Kitchen roll or help to clean up spills. If your child still wears diapers, of course, you should also have a within reach. :-)

Storage pockets hanging on the back of the front seats seem practical at first glance. But keep in mind that small children often cannot reach them on their own when they are buckled into their car seats. In that case, it might be more practical to store necessary items in a basket or bag in the middle of the back seat. For slightly older children, a lap tray is a good solution. They can draw and play on it, and the side barriers prevent things from falling off. Additionally, many of these trays have side pockets where toys, pens, and similar items can be stored within easy reach.

The right nutrition

Plenty of snacks are the A and O on long journeys – not just for the little ones, if we're being honest! Are you still your little explorer , definitely plane sufficient breaks one. You can already select the suitable rest areas before the trip so that the break is also relaxing and restorative. At most rest stops, you can get hot water for baby food and warm up (or have warmed) jars of pureed food.

For snacks in the car, foods that neither crumbling nor spilling practical, fruit and vegetable slices, for example. Or you rely on the classics like open-faced sandwiches or pretzels – here, knee trays can also serve as good crumb catchers. Also consider sufficient drinks , preferably water. There are bottles and cups with leak-proof lids for this purpose. Extra tip: There are grip bands that allow you to attach the drinking bottle to the car seat. This way, your little explorer only has to pull on the strap if the drink falls down. You won't have to turn around and look for the fallen bottle. This is especially important when you're out and about alone with your child.

The right entertainment and activity

Boredom causes a bad mood in the car – no one really enjoys that! That's why it's good to have age-appropriate entertainment prepared. For very young babies, it's sensible to just drive when the baby is already sleeping. But as children get older, their naps also become shorter J.

For car rides, you can use a little trick: bring new or borrowed toys that your child doesn't know yet. This way, the travel time flies by! Practical items include, for example, magic boards or wipe-and-go coloring books, on which drawing can be done without much mess. The aforementioned lap trays are especially good for this. Your little explorer can also play with Duplo bricks or small toys on them. Extra tip: distribute (new) toys to your child one by one throughout the trip. This way, they can always look forward to variety. Before the trip, you can already create a playlist with favorite songs and stories together. It can then be listened to either through the car speakers or (depending on age) via child-friendly headphones. Of course, classic car games are always popular. "I spy with my little eye," "What color is the next car," "Who sees 10 blue cars first," and similar games are most fun when everyone participates.

As a little ace up your sleeve for emergencies, you can prepare suitable games or movies on your phone or tablet from a certain age. In our article on the , you'll find some tips about it.

Travel times and breaks

While car trips with a (sleeping) baby are often quite relaxed, it can become more challenging with a lively toddler. Therefore, plan many breaks where your little explorer can move around freely. You can already select rest stops with playgrounds before the trip. Take a good look at your route and consider whether an exciting place is along the way. Maybe there is a leisure or wildlife park you can visit? In summer, a swimming lake can also be a worthwhile destination for a little cool-down.

Pack a ball, a jump rope, or sidewalk chalk for the breaks – this way, you can relax a little and your little explorer stays busy. For very long trips, an overnight stay at a nice place might even be an option. This divides the journey into stages and makes it more pleasant for everyone. A general tip for traveling with babies and children is: allow more time than less. Additional stress occurs when things don’t go quickly enough during a break or if you get caught in traffic, leading to bad moods for the whole family.

With such good preparation, the car trip to the holidays can only be a complete success. We wish you a safe journey and a wonderful vacation!