Finally, you can indulge your 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: You can pack everything into the trunk at home, you don’t have to check anything in, and there are no baggage restrictions to worry about (except for the size of your trunk!). With enough passengers and a certain distance, your car’s CO₂ emissions per person are also reduced—for larger families, this can be a more sustainable option compared to other modes of transportation. Still, do check whether you can offset the climate impact of your trip!

But long car rides with a baby 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! That’s why we’ve put together the best tips for traveling by car with a child.

The right equipment

In addition to the essentials for your little explorer, there are a few other accessories that make car journeys with a baby or child easier. Especially in summer, think about suitable sun protection, and in winter, your little explorer might need a cozy blanket. It’s also helpful to bring a few bags or a resealable box for trash—or just in case one of the little passengers feels unwell. Kitchen roll or wet wipes help you clean up spills. If your child still wears diapers, of course, you should also have a changing kit within reach. :-)

Storage pockets that hang on the back of the front seats seem practical at first glance. But keep in mind that small children often can’t reach them on their own when they’re buckled into their car seats. In that case, it may 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 great solution. They can draw and play on it, and the side barriers help 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! If you’re still breastfeeding your little explorer , definitely plan sufficient breaks in. You can select suitable rest areas before the trip so that each break is relaxing and restorative. At most rest stops, you can get hot water for baby food and warm up (or have warmed up) jars of pureed food.

For snacks in the car, foods that don’t crumble or spill are especially practical—fruit and vegetable slices, for example. Or you can rely on classics like open-faced sandwiches or pretzels; here, lap trays can also serve as great 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 search for the fallen bottle. This is especially important when you’re traveling alone with your child.

The right entertainment and activity

Boredom leads to a bad mood in the car—and no one enjoys that! That’s why it helps to have age-appropriate entertainment ready. For very young babies, it often makes sense to drive when your baby is already asleep. But as children get older, their naps also become shorter.

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 options include, for example, magic boards or wipe-clean coloring books, which let your child draw without much mess. The lap trays mentioned above are especially helpful for this. Your little explorer can also play with Duplo bricks or small toys on them. Extra tip: give your child (new) toys one by one throughout the trip. That way, they’ll always have something new to look forward to. Before you leave, you can create a playlist of favorite songs and stories together. You can then listen 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 joins in.

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 a few tips on this.

Travel times and breaks

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

Pack a ball, a jump rope, or sidewalk chalk for breaks—this way, you can relax a little, and your little explorer stays busy. For very long trips, an overnight stay in 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 rather than less. Extra stress builds when things don’t move quickly enough during a break or when you get caught in traffic, which can lead to bad moods for the whole family.

With this kind of preparation, your car trip to your holiday destination is sure to be a success. We wish you a safe journey and a wonderful vacation!