9 Safety Tips for Road Trips with Kids

A road trip is a great way to spend some quality time with your family.

It is very exciting to be able to just jump in your car with your significant other and the tiny humans you have created, and cruise through the open roads.        

Then there’s all the fun you can have along the way.            

A road trip gives you a chance to move away from your screens and explore nature in all its glory.

You can admire the magnificence of a waterfall, swim in a pond in the middle of nowhere, soak in the fresh air of a forest, build sand castles at a beach, and marvel at the sight of majestic mountains.

The fact that you get to do these things with the people you love makes the experience even more special.                

As fun as travelling with kids might be, you always need to make sure that they stay safe during your travels.

You also need to plan your road trip in a way that minimizes tantrums, stress, and chaos in the car; especially if your kids are still young.

So, we bring you the following nine safety tips for road trips with kids—

1. Pack an emergency kit and a first-aid kit.

Even when you plan your trip meticulously, there’s always a chance of facing unexpected situations. So, it is important that you keep certain emergency supplies within reach.

These emergency kits will help you handle sudden illnesses and small cuts without any delay.

These supplies will also aid you in roadside emergencies that may arise during your trip.

a. Things to include in your Emergency Kit-

i. Portable battery jump-starter with jumper cables.

ii. High-visibility reflective vests, warning triangles and flares.

iii. Basic tools such as a jack, tire pressure gauge, and lug wrench etc.

iv. A good flashlight with extra batteries or a rechargeable headlamp.

v. Extra bottles of drinking water and non-perishable emergency food items.

b. Things to include in your First Aid & Health Kit-

i. Adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, sterile gauze, and medical tape.

ii. Children’s fever reducers, pain medicine, and droppers to measure those medicines.

iii. Creams for relief from bug bites and rashes.

iv. Prescription medications. Make sure that you keep these in your main cabin bag, not locked in the trunk.  

v. Medication for allergies, motion sickness and diarrhea.

2.  Establish backseat rules and safety protocols to prevent distraction.

Did you know that driver-distraction is a leading cause of car accidents on the highway. And the chances of driver-distraction goes up when there are kids in the car.

It happens because the driver or the front-seat passenger may try to break up backseat arguments, pass snacks to the backseat passengers, or pick up toys that may have landed at the front.

One second of distraction is enough for a major car crash.

So, before setting off on your great big adventure, it is paramount for you to discuss road trip safety with kids.

You can do the following things to prevent driver-distraction.

a. Explain the rules again before pulling the car out of the driveway.

Once everyone’s buckled in and ready to go, you need to remind your kids about the car safety rules.  

Some basic rules you can teach them-

i. Never stick out your head, arms or legs out the window.

ii. Seat belts must stay on at all times.

iii. No fighting in the back seat.

iv. Do not throw toys or food at the people sitting at the front seats.

v. The person who’s driving should not be disturbed.

b. Use backseat organisers.

There are different types of backseat organisers available in the market. Choose one that is apt for your kids.

You can use these backseat organisers to keep stationary items (crayons, sketchbooks, etc.), books, handkerchiefs, snacks, water bottles, and portable board games within reach, for your older kids.  

This way, you don’t need to keep turning back to face them when they ask for these things. Thus, minimise the risk of distraction to the driver.

c. Remember the phrase, “When in doubt, pull over”.

This is an important one when it comes to family road trip safety tips.

It basically means that if you are not sure how to solve the problem that has risen at the back seat of the car, then you need to stop the car before trying to solve it.

For example, your child had dropped her favourite toy or a device she was using and needs it back immediately, or she is on the verge of having a meltdown, and you know you can’t do much to help her unless you are near her.

So, what do you do?

You need to resist the urge to turn back and help the child, even if you are the co-passenger and not the driver.

What you should do instead is find a safe spot on the side of the highway, or an exit that has a rest stop, drive your car to that spot, park the car, and then deal with the situation.        

This way, the problem gets solved, your child is happy, and everyone remains safe.          

3. Pack smart snacks and keep everyone hydrated.

Driving long distances with kids can be quite challenging. One big reason is that when kids get hungry, they get cranky as well.

And if your kids are small, they might even throw tantrums when they are hungry. Especially if you don’t feed them immediately.

So, give them snacks whenever they say that they are hungry.

However, keep in mind that feeding kids in a moving car comes with certain safety hazards that you might not be aware of.

While feeding your kids during a roadtrip, you would need to pay heed to the following things-

a. Avoid choking hazards.

Some foods are choking hazards, especially for young kids. The risk of choking increases if the car is moving while your child is eating a snack.

And the standard rear-facing or forward-facing car seats parents use make it difficult for a driver to notice if a child is choking or in distress.

Hence, it is best to avoid the foods that pose the threat of choking. Those foods include popcorn, nuts, hard candies, whole grapes, and big pieces of raw vegetables etc.      

b. Choose car-safe foods.

There are foods that are safe to be consumed even in a moving vehicle. Foods that your children won’t choke on. Pack those food items for your road trip.  

Choose foods like yogurt pouches, sliced bananas, small crackers, cheese sticks for your child to snack on.

c. Keep them hydrated.

It is important to keep your children hydrated at all times. It is best for you to give them water instead of sugary juices. Be it before or during your journey.

Avoiding sugary juices would help you to minimise urgent bathroom breaks while on the road.

d. Make a stop for full meals.

If you are planning to have full-size sandwiches or multi-course meals at main- mealtimes (breakfast, lunch and dinner), then it is best to stop the car for having those meals.  

The safest way is to pull up your car to a rest stop or a picnic spot and have the meal spread out on the table, and then consume it.

Doing this would give everyone in the car a physical as well as a mental break. It also promotes healthier eating habits.    

4. Conduct a thorough check of the car.

A fun road trip with your loved ones can easily get disrupted if your car breaks down on the side of a busy highway; or at any place for that matter.

So, taking some time out for vehicle maintenance before a long drive with kids is an absolute must.

Take your car to a service center for a proper tune-up a week or two before your big road trip.

Make sure that you get the following things checked—

a. Brakes and Suspension.

Your car’s brake pads and rotors need to be in good shape in order for them to be able to handle the extra weight of luggage, other belongings (camping gear, power banks, storage kits etc.), and passengers.

b. Tire Pressure and Tread Depth.

When the tires of your car have proper air pressure and tread depth, handling, braking and fuel consumption of the car becomes more efficient.

Don't forget to check the pressure of your spare tire too!

c. Car battery.

A car’s battery life can get drained in extreme weather conditions— hot as well as cold weather.

So, you would need to confirm that your car battery is fully charged before your road trip with your family.    

d. Fluids and Wipers.

You would need to check the levels of the fluids in the car, and top them off if needed. You may also have to change the fluids if it’s time to do so.

The car fluids you need to take care of include engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid.

Also, if the wiper blades look worn out, you need to replace them. Otherwise, they won’t work properly during heavy rains.            

5. Install the car seat properly.

Children need different types of car seats based on their age, weight, and height.

In a lot of countries, parents need to use car seats for their kids according to law. Usually, it is advised for children in the age range of 0- 12 years old.

Even if car seats are not mandated in your country, it is best to use them while going on a road trip.

After all, your vehicle's car seats are the most critical line of defense for your children in the event of an emergency.  

So, if you have been wondering, how to keep kids safe on a long car trip? Go purchase some car seats ASAP.

And remember, before you pack your car with luggage and people, take the time to do a thorough check of every child restraint device that you plan to use during your trip.

a. Check the fit and expiration of the car seat.

A proper fit is very important for the car seat to work the way they are supposed to. So, make sure that each car seat is compatible with your child’s height and weight.

Also, car seats have expiration dates due to the degradation of the materials it is made out of.

Car seats usually expire about 6 to 10 years from the date of manufacture.

Ensure that the car seat you are using has not crossed the expiration date.

b. Install the car seat properly.

It is so important for the car seat to be installed properly. If it is not, then the car seat simply won’t work efficiently.

So, check and recheck that the car seat is secured tightly using, either the LATCH system or the seatbelt path.  

Keep in mind that the car seat shouldn’t move more than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path.

c. Avoid heavy winter clothing.

If a child is wearing a bulky winter coat while buckled into the car seat, those coats can get compressed during a car crash. This would create a slack in the harness of the seat.  

And this slack could prove to be dangerous, life-threatening even.      

So, instead of heavy winter clothes, dress your kids in thin layers, secure the harness snug against their body, and put a blanket over them afterward if it’s cold.

When it comes to car seat safety tips for long drives, this is one of the most important.        

d. Adjust the height of the harness.

For the safety of your child, it is imperative that you put the harness straps at the correct position.

For rear-facing car seats, the harness straps need to be positioned at or just below your child's shoulders.

For forward-facing car seats, the harness straps need to be positioned at or just above your child's shoulders (never below).

6. Take frequent breaks.

You might get tempted to drive non-stop for 8-9 hours in order to reach your destination quicker. It is not a good idea.

If you drive continuously for that long, you will get exhausted. Plus, there is the extra exhaustion that comes from managing kids who are being restless or throwing tantrums.

All of these factors increase the risk of the car getting into an accident.

So, it is advisable for you to take frequent breaks during a road trip. You can try the following things to minimise everyone’s tiredness.

a. Follow the two-hour rule.

Plan a road trip in such a way that you are able to make a stop every 2-3 hours.

Getting out of the car in regular intervals is crucial for proper blood circulation in the body.

The driver gets a chance to rest their eyes, and everyone in the car gets to stretch their arms and legs properly.

It would also be helpful in avoiding tantrums in young kids.

b. Prevent driver fatigue.

Driver fatigue is very real and very much preventable.

Other than taking frequent breaks, you can take turns while driving a long distance.

If you are the solo driver, use those stop-overs wisely. Walk around or do some stretching, drink plenty of water, and clear your head before getting back behind the wheel.

c. Choose safe stop locations.

This one is kind of obvious, especially if you are travelling with your family. However, it needs to be mentioned.  

You need to choose your stop-over locations carefully. Make sure that those locations are safe.

Do not stop at places that are not lit properly.

Choose spots that have proper lighting, public parks, visitor centers, or an actual rest-stop with some basic facilities such as restaurants and restrooms.

These places are great for you to walk around and stretch, and your kids to run around and burn off some energy.            

7. Make the backseat environment safe.

Keeping toddlers entertained and safe in the car is no easy feat.

Children are curious by nature. They love to walk around and explore everything in their vicinity.          

Young kids can be relentless. Just because they are strapped to a car seat does not mean that they will stop exploring the things around them.

So, to ensure that the kids stay safe during a roadtrip, you would need to childproof the space where they will be seated.

a. Use the child safety locks feature.

Almost all cars have power windows these days. So, you can activate the power window lock switch on the driver’s door and turn on the child safety locks on the rear doors.      

If you do this, your kids won’t be able to open the windows when the car is moving or stopped at traffic lights.

b. Shield them from the Sun.

A little bit of sun is good for health. But too much of it can cause harm to the delicate skin and sensitive eyes of your kids.

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can also cause kids to get overheated and dehydrated. Which can cause further health complications.

You can install clip-on or static-cling sunshades on your car windows to protect your kids from strong sunlight while driving long distances.

c. Secure loose cargo.

Toddler road trip safety precautions lists often forget to mention this point, but it is something that you can’t ignore.

In fact, this car safety tip is important even if you are not travelling with kids.

It is vital for you to keep all loose items inside the car secured, at all times.

Which basically means that you must put heavy luggage in the trunk or the cargo area at the back. If possible, tie it down with a rope to make it extra secure.

This way, the luggage won’t come flying at the passengers in the event of a car crash or a sudden stop.

If you want to use organisers or storage bins (for snacks, toys, and stationary etc.) in the space where the kids are seated, use the ones that are soft-sided.  

So that, even if the storage bins get swayed during a hard-brake, no one would get hurt.  

8. Don’t leave your kids alone in the car, ever!

This one's a given but it still needs to be said; because a lot of people around the world still keep making this mistake and end up paying the ultimate price.

One of the most important child road trip safety tips is— do not leave your kids alone in the car; for any reason, for any length of time.

It may feel harmless, safe even, to step away from the car without your kids.

You might want to avoid the hassle of unbuckling and then strapping-in your kids back in their car seat or you might hate waking up a sleeping child; especially if the task at hand would take just a few minutes.

But you must avoid this temptation.

Temperatures inside a parked car can rise to dangerous levels within minutes, even on days when the sky is cloudy.

And in harsh winters, the car might get cold enough for your child to develop hypothermia.

Putting the AC on won’t guarantee that it would stay on. And you can’t really leave a child in the car alone and keep the engine running. That is even more dangerous.

What’s more?    

In extreme summer heat, when the car is under direct sunlight, the solar radiation can create a greenhouse-like effect inside the car, constantly transferring heat into the car.

This transferring of heat happens faster than a standard AC unit can cool the car, hence making the AC ineffective.

In addition to the risk of quick change in temperatures, there are other risk factors for you to consider.        

Kids, especially young ones, are experts in putting themselves in dangerous situations. Mainly because they are still learning how things work.

A kid alone in a car might knock the gear shifts out of park. If this is done, the car might start moving on its own, and move towards an unsafe place.

They might roll down power windows and fall out through the window. They might even choke on a piece of food they are snacking on.

All of the above mentioned scenarios can prove to be a threat to your child’s life.

And these things can be avoided simply by taking your kid with you when you leave the car for a few minutes.

Some people might forget that their child is strapped to the car seat, and leave the child in the car while stepping out for a few minutes.

If you want to avoid this from happening, you can use this family car trip safety tip.

Put your wallet in the backseat right next to your child’s car seat so that you are forced to open the back door every time you exit the vehicle.                                                  

9. Plan for scenarios where you need to find your child.

Places like petrol stations, parks, tourist spots, and rest stops can get quite crowded.

All it takes is one second for your toddler to disappear amidst the people. And because of their height, it would be very hard for you to spot them once they are out of your sight.

Even if your child is a bit older, there is always a chance of them getting lost.

So, while preparing an essential safety checklist for family road trips, include a “how to find your lost child” protocol in it.

Take heed of the following suggestions if you want to find your child quickly.

a. Dress your kids in bright colors.

Bright colours are easy to notice. The brighter the colour, the better the visibility.

So, while travelling, dress your kids in super-bright colours. Choose neon colours. Neon pink, neon orange and neon green are good options.

b. Use ID cards or bracelets.

Your kids may be too young to memorise your phone number.

In such a case, you need to get a good-quality silicone ID wristband for your child. Mention your child’s name, your name and phone number in that ID.

If your child finds it uncomfortable to wear a wristband and refuses to wear them, you can also get ID cards for them. These ID cards can be clipped onto the clothes your child wears.

So, you don’t need to worry about their little necks getting hurt from the neck lanyard of the ID cards.

c. Talk to your kids about safe adults.

After you sit in your car for your trip, remind your child to look for a safe adult if she ever gets separated from you.    

Tell her to try and find a store employee, a police officer or another parent with kids, and ask for help.

d. Take departure photos everyday.

As a parent, you may not even want to think about these things. The thought of a child getting lost is painful and scary.  

But in an emergency situation, this is something that will be of great help.

So, every morning, before you start your journey, take a few photos of your kids on your smartphone. Doing this would help you keep a record of what they are wearing on a particular day.

And if your child gets separated from you at a crowded place, you will have an exact, up-to-date photo showing what they look like and what clothes they are wearing that day.

This would be very helpful to the people who try to find your child. And having the photos on your smartphone would make it easier for you to share those photos with them.

Safety Tips for Road Trips with Kids

What's the hardest age to travel with kids?

The toddler years (15-24 months) are considered to be the hardest age to travel with kids.

What can kids do on a road trip?

You may find it a bit hard to stop kids from creating chaos when travelling in a car for a long period of time.    

Kids being rambunctious in a car can cause accidents. So, during road trips, it is important for you to keep them occupied with something or the other.

You can keep them busy with music or movies, fun car games, and (mess-free) hands-on activities.  

How to stay safe while travelling with children?

In order to keep your children safe while travelling, you need to pack some essential items such as emergency medications and a first aid kit.

And if you are travelling by car, make sure that you use a car seat. Especially if the children are below the age of 8.

Also, teach your kids what to do in case they get separated from you. This one is an essential part of safety tips for road trips with kids in India, or any other country.

What is the best age to take kids on a road trip?

The best age to take children on a long road trip is any age after they turn 6 years old.

Around 6 yo., they are finally out of the ‘tantrum phase’. Also, this is when they start communicating their needs more clearly.

And it's also easier to keep a 6 year old entertained within the confined space of the car, than a 3-4 year old child.

Which country is safe to travel with kids?

Japan, Switzerland and Iceland are considered to be the safest countries to explore with kids.  

These countries are also deemed to be the most family-friendly countries in the world for traveling with kids.  

How to make travelling with kids easier?

Kids get bored and restless easily, especially when they are kept confined in a small space, with not much to do.        

So, there are a few things you can do to make travelling with kids by car easy for everyone.

For younger kids (2-6 yrs. old), give them a surprise with new toys. This would keep them occupied for some time.

For kids of all ages, keep snacks handy. Hungry kids are prone to throwing tantrums. So, pack their favourite snacks for the journey.      

Also, pre-download their favourite shows and movies on the tablets. So that, if there’s a loss of signal/wifi, watching their shows won’t get interrupted.