Would you believe me if I told you I’ve moved my family across the country on more than one occasion? Well I have and I’m here to give you all the tips for moving out of state with your family. Easily, I might add. No matter if you have one child or five. Check out these options to keep your move organized, stress free, and dare I say it. A little bit of fun too! 

My 18-Step Checklist for Moving Out of State

As someone who has done this a few times, what can I say, I’m a little indecisive. I’ve failed enough times to know what does and does not work. Especially when it comes to moving out of state for the first time with your family. Whether you are gearing up to move within the next few months or just putting it on your radar, with these tips for moving out of state for the first time you’ll be prepared no matter the situation. 

1. Determine Housing Before You Move 

Hi, I’m Jazmyne and the first time I moved my family across the country we had no housing lined up. Don’t be like Jazmyne. 

I know, you probably read that and immediately thought, well of course not. Which is the same thought I had the second time we decided to move. But I’m willing to admit that the first time, not so much. Oh, to be young and optimistic again, lol. 

I just knew we’d get to our new home state and instantly find a home. And if not, staying in a hotel for a few weeks couldn’t hurt. Boy was I wrong. Moving my family of five to the state with the highest cost of living, the largest population of homeless people, and the highest rate of housing scams thinking I’d be able to find the perfect home was definitely partly insane. Well most of that is due to poor planning and an insane amount of naiveness on my part. But you live and you learn, nonetheless. 

One of the challenges of moving to a new state is not being completely informed about everything. I mean, no matter how much research you do, there are just some things you aren’t going to know, until well, you’re smack dead in a situation you didn’t plan for. So it’s always best to plan ahead as much as you can. To somewhat mitigate the chances of any super stressful situations from occurring. 

2. Research Cost of Living Differences and Plan Accordingly 

This is definitely something that can be a shocker to your system if you’re aren’t ready for it. When we first moved to California, well I had a pretty good idea there would be a difference, it wasn’t until I got there that it truly hit me. I mean they have a bottle tax for crying out loud. They literally charge you a tax everytime you purchase any plastic bottles. Now this can be recouped by recycling, but with that being the main way a lot of the homeless population makes money, lets just say the lines can get pretty lengthy. 

Either way, my advice for moving out of state is to make a spreadsheet. Compare the gas prices, the housing prices, shoot the grocery prices while you’re at it. Then calculate how much you spend on those items now (weekly, monthly and yearly) and compare it to what it will be (for those same increments) in your new state. I suggest doing this prior to nailing down any salaries or employment if you can. As it will give you a better picture of what you truly need to be making to live comfortably once you’ve relocated. 

3. Visit the Location Before Moving if Possible

If you are moving family out of state, then this is key. Our latest move to North Carolina actually sparked because of a visit we did prior to moving. Our intentions at the time were just to spend the week there for our ten year olds birthday. But we loved it so much we decided to move. Even more important, our children loved it so much they wanted to move too! 

4. Book Your Moving Company and Supplies Early 

On our move back to Indiana from California, we learned this the hard way. Look, when I said I’d made ALL the mistakes, I meant it. We booked our movers about two weeks before our actual move in date and it was by far the worst experience I’ve ever had. 

The movers did a bait and switch on us. (if you are unfamiliar with that, it’s where they give you one rate over the phone or initially and then show up and double, if not triple it, in hopes that you’ll just pay it out of fear of losing all your stuff.) 

But I’m one to learn from my mistakes, so for our move from Indiana to North Carolina, I booked with U-Haul. From having all the supplies we needed, to multiple options on how to actually move our belongings, Uhual made the moving process that much easier. 

U-Haul offers a variety of options for families looking to move. And you don’t have to do everything yourself if you don’t want to. Outside of their moving kits (which consist of everything you may need to get your place packed based on the size of your home) they also offer containers that they can ship to your current home so you can pack at your leisure. Deliver to your new address or store while you get adjusted to your new home. U-Haul also offers truck rentals, if you’re a  do it yourself mover, like my husband. Their site can also recommend professional movers, if you’re more like me and not looking to pack and move everything on your own. 

The U-Haul Moving Supplies That Made Our Out-of-State Move Easier

One of my favorite things about using U-Haul for our most recent move was how easy everything was. Looking over moving supplies I had no idea how many boxes I would need, nor was I sure if we’d need shrink wrap, peanuts, or wrapping paper. But with U-Hauls moving kits (based on the size of home you are packing) all of that was figured out for me. All I had to do was choose the size of my house and bam I was sent more than enough supplies for our move. Which brings me to another great point, if you get too many boxes, they buy them back! 

For this move we decided to pack our own items. Previously we hired movers to pack and it was clear they weren’t handling our items how we would have. So with this being our first time packing, I had no clue what I was doing. Luckily U-Haul even makes that easy. They offer boxes of all shapes and sizes to fit your needs. Some of my supplies were their book boxes, the wardrobe boxes, and all the supplies that provide a variety of ways to pack your dishes / fragile things. Like, they even have an insert just for dishes, like cups / mugs. And while this may all seem like common sense to some, I was blown away by it all. U-Haul truly does make moving as easy as possible, no matter your level of experience. 

5. Keep All Your Moving Documents and Receipts in One Place

This will definitely come in handy should any issues arise. Remember how I mentioned those “professional movers” we worked with one of the many times we moved, tried to bait and switch us on the rate? Well, not only did they try to double our rate once they arrived at our home, but because we refused to pay anything additional than what was quoted to us we were made to leave MOST of our belongings. Being that we had originally paid for them to pack all of our items, load the trucks and then unpack once they arrived at our new place they ran into some issues.

Since we had to leave behind essentially everything but major pieces of furniture they owed us about half of what we paid back. Well, of course they tried to deny it. But good thing I took photos of everything on the truck, as well as them loading everything.  If I hadn’t had those along with my receipts it would have been an even bigger nightmare then that situation had already turned out to be. So the moral to that story is, document and keep everything. No matter how professional the person you are working with seems to be. 

6. Save Up Extra Money for Moving

Moving is a costly experience no matter if you’re moving from one state to another or even just down the street. And from experience I can say, you never really know what can happen so having some sort of an emergency fund is necessary. Exactly how much money you should save before moving to another state depends on a number of factors.

Are you renting a truck and handling everything yourself with friends and family? Or do you plan to have professionals handle it who can guarantee the safety of your items and back it up with their insurance? And even in those types of scenarios you just never know. Expect something to go wrong and plan for it. Our most recent move resulted in our king bed frame being cracked and unusable. Having done this a few times I had some money set aside as a contingency fund and was able to purchase a new one that same day. 

These are the types of things you want to account for when saving up for your move. Maybe you won’t have to replace furniture but the truck you rent runs out of gas. Or the washer falls and gets cracked as it’s being unloaded. And yes, any reputable moving company will have insurance to cover these things, but that can take months to get reimbursed. Not to mention, they often give you the deprecated value and I have yet to be able to buy anything brand new for what they give. It’s just always better to be safe than sorry. 

7. Don’t Forget to Budget the Travel Costs

When moving out of state, the travel portion of the trip can get pretty costly. Especially if you are driving the truck yourself. We rented a U-Haul truck (the 26 footer) with our most recent move and unbeknownst to us, tolls are doubled based on the size of the vehicle. So we ended up paying almost $40 total in tolls between our two cars and the U-Haul.

Depending on where you are moving to tolls may be something you need to consider. In addition, make sure to budget for gas, hotels (if its a longer trip and you may need to stop), food and anything else you may want to stop and get or do along the way. With it being just us, we stopped a few times along the way to allow our kiddos to see some sights, get souvenirs and other fun things to make the trip a little more enjoyable. 

8. Plan the Trip Early (6 Months Before Moving if Possible)

On the list of things to do 6 months before moving, planning should definitely be at the top. Don’t be like us and randomly decide to move out of state  two weeks before your lease is up. I mean, while it is very doable, the earlier you plan the smoother things will go. Trust me, I know from experience. Exactly how long you should plan will depend on how much time you can / want to devote to it.

If you can spend most of your free time on planning your move, 6 months is a great time frame. If you have a life, like most people, that will probably give you a good idea of the basics and help you become mentally prepared for the move. You won’t be taking a shot in the dark for sure, but I wouldn’t say you’d be an expert on your new state in that amount of time either. 

During your planning make sure you do more than just research the cost of living and all the boring stuff. Look up Youtube videos of others who’ve made the same journey. What were some of their reactions? What’s something they wish they’d known. Before we moved to North Carolina I spent a lot of time watching videos about all the different bugs / pests residents of NC find in their homes on a daily basis. Being someone who is deathly afraid of bugs of any kind, this was the type of thing I needed to know. 

Join all the Facebook groups. The Moms of insert new city group, the insert new city garage sale group, shoot even the insert new city group. Join as many as you can and then just read. Read what people complain about, the types of questions they ask. Look at the things they are selling. This will give you a front row seat into your new state and you’ll learn stuff no google search or youtube video could ever teach you. 

9. Pack in Small Chunks to Avoid Overwhelm

Whether you have children or not, but especially if you do, take your time packing. Which is another reason why you should start planning your move as early as possible. I spent about a month just packing the bottom floor of our home. Doing it one room at a time, making sure to leave out anything of necessity or items I knew would help me children feel more comfortable once we arrive at our new home. 

If you have children, pack their rooms last. This is one of those packing tips for moving out of state that can make or break your move. For the children anyway. It was my goal to ensure they did not feel overwhelmed, or as if their entire world was about to change drastically. I wanted things to be as normal as possible up until the very last minute. 

And once it came time to actually pack their rooms, I gave each one of my children their very own U Haul small box and allowed them to pack what was the most important for them. We then labeled the box and used a different color tape from every other box so it would stand out in the truck. We also made sure these boxes were packed last. This allowed the kids to have their items as soon as we got to the new house and help alleviate some of the stress of the move. 

10. Label Every Box with Room Name and Primary Contents

Seems super easy, but I can tell you from experience that not everyone thinks this way. Remember how I said those movers were not’ really taking care of our items during packing as we would. This was another issue we ran into. Which meant when we got to our new destination it was complete chaos trying to unpack. You’d open a box with dishes, shoes, and kids toys all in one and most of the time wasn’t labeled. A complete disaster. 

Take this a step further and use different colored tape for each room. Such as blue tape for the bathroom, pink for the kitchen and orange for the kids rooms. Then when you are unpacking the truck it’s that much easier to put things where they belong. 

11. Take This Opportunity to Declutter if Needed

This was one of the best tips for moving out of state that I received. You never really know what all you have until it’s time to move. A rule of thumb is; if you haven’t used it in over a year, you probably won’t. Make piles of things you absolutely need, things you can do without, and a may be pile. Then sleep on it. Don’t make any decisions that day on those maybes. A lot of times we make rash decisions based on an emotion associated with an item. Instead of if we actually need it. Once you’ve slept on it, get rid of the items in your maybe pile that you know you truly don’t need. 

12. Host a Massive Garage Sale Before You Move 

I grew up on garage sales so I am always a fan. My mom would take all of us to garage saling every weekend in the summer. It was like a treasure hunt. She’d be looking for something she needed around the house and we’d be looking for a cool toy. 

Garage sales are a great way to declutter without trashing everything. This way you know your stuff is getting a second chance. It’ll be being used by someone else instead of sitting in a closet collecting dust at your new place. Additionally, the things you sell at the garage sale could help offset some of the moving expenses. 

13. Have Your New Utilities Turned On the Day Before You Arrive

This last time we moved over the fourth of July holiday and I completely forgot to do this. Which means we were without utilities for a fews days due to the holiday. Another reason why planning is key here people. Most utilities services have websites or an app where you can connect everything based on a certain date. You can even pay your deposit (if you have one) and set up your automatic payments all in one place. P.S. if you’re reached this level of adulthood I salute you. Show me your ways, lol. 

Let me mention that I recently found out there are companies that can help with this type of thing for you. You provide them with your address and they provide you with all the information necessary to switch utilities over. These services mean no Googling the name of the power company in your new state. Or trying to find what internet provide services in your area. They have this all at their fingertips and send everything you need (with links and coupon codes) to your email. 

14. Make the Move on a Weekday if Possible 

Everybody works during the week, so this may not be doable. But again, everybody works during the week which is why I’m mentioning it as one of my tips for moving to a new state. Traffic is always heavier on the weekend. Especially from others going to visit family, go to their lake home, or coming home from some random convention that you had no idea about. Our recent move involved us driving through Tennessee during a convention that meant there were no vacant hotels and the roads were packed. 

15. Pack an Essentials Bag to Keep Handy While You Travel 

Pack things like clothes, diapers, wipes, favorite toys etc in a bag or tote and keep it with you. If you’re like me and like to clean before you begin unpacking don’t forget cleaning supplies. Things you may also want to include are toilet paper, paper towels, lightbulbs, toothbrushes and toothpaste, tools such as a screwdriver, drill or allen wrench for the furniture and trash bags. Having these in reach as opposed to searching through your truck and boxes for them is a huge time saver. 

16. Submit a Change of Address Form at the Post Office and Forward Your Mail

Additional tips for relocating to another state include making sure you submit a change of address. This can be done online for $1.10 (according to the USPS site this fee is to verify your identity), or in person. Mailpersons will typically have the forms with them in their trucks. But if not, you can always make a stop at your local post office to complete one. 

The post office now has what is called Informed Delivery which I recommended signing up for. It is a free service that provides you with daily emails about the mail you’ll be receiving that day. Which is especially helpful after moving to a new state. Mail gets lost all the time, so having a record of what you should have received can help in that recovery process. 

17. Don’t Forget to Update All Your Documents

Moving to a new state can be such a whirlwind that we can often forgot certain steps. Things like drivers licenses, shipping address for any subscriptions you may have, registering to vote in your new state, etc all need to be done once you’ve moved. Most states have an allotted amount of time to complete these things, including switching your  plates over, before they charge a penalty. Make sure to look that up for your new state prior to moving so you have an idea of your timeline. In addition to knowing what is required to get a license, register to vote or register your car. Most states will give you 30 days, but I’ve seen some that only allow 10 days before late fees and other penalties kick in. 

18. Register for School (if You Have Children)

Moving out of state can be stressful on kids, especially the thought of changing schools and leaving their friends. Having them already enrolled in school can help calm some of these nerves. If this is something you do well enough in advance, once you get settled in your new home drive past the school. Let them watch videos / look at pictures on the schools (or districts) social media pages. There’s nothing like walking in blind into a new place. The more your children can know about their new school the more comfortable they will feel when the first day of school arrives. 

Make sure you also request their medical records, school records and immunization records from the appropriate places before moving. Having a few copies of these readily available will help with the entire process go a lot smoother. 

Moving to a new state can be a scary situation. No matter how much you’ve planned something is bound to happen. It’s important to go into it with an open mind set. Be as prepared as you can by using the tips I give above to make it a little easier. Have you ever moved to a new state before? If so, what are some of your tips for moving out of state? Share them below to help a fellow mover out!

The post Moving Out of State? These 18 Tips Made It a Smooth Transition for Us  appeared first on Not So Perfect Momma.

The Coin Bar at Omni Hotel 

Of all the things to do with your family in Charlotte, NC, this is one of my favorites. While the name may not sound kid appropriate, it definitely was. From the fun games, like Connect Four, to the yummy food, there was something for everyone. And of course, I can’t not mention the pool, especially with the view. I think that was my favorite part of the entire trip. Being rooftop enjoying good food and great games with my kids while looking over such a beautiful city was priceless. 

Something to note, we visited for one of their annual Family Trivia nights which offered an extra layer of fun. Competing against the kids to try and answer the questions was loads of fun while simultaneously making me feel quite old, lol. 

Freedom Park 

If you’re looking for free things to do in Charlotte, put this at the top of your list. Freedom Park has something for everyone and that is not an exaggeration. From obstacle courses, a beautiful lake, to a picturesque bridge, there’s tons to do at Freedom Park. Including feeding the Canada geese that like to gather around the lake year round. 

My three year old is really into trains and Freedom Park also happens to have a steam engine that you can walk into. Talk about earning all the cool mom points! 

Hodges Family Farm 

Depending on the time of year you visit Charlotte, will dictate what this farm has to offer. In the fall you can enjoy their annual pumpkin patch. Outside of the obvious pumpkins to pick, there’s tons of barnyard animals to pet or get adorable pictures with. As well as hay rides or a hay mountain to climb if your kids need to burn off some extra energy. 

Year around they offer some of the tasty farm treats, like eggs, pastured pork or poultry, and lots of delicious local honey. They also host lots of really fun events, like bubble runs and mud runs, that are full of fun and a mess for the whole family. 

The Discovery Place Museum

If you’re looking for things to do with toddlers in Charlotte, NC then this is the place. I guess I should say places as there are a few different locations, each with different themes. But whether it’s science, nature or a mix of the two you are looking for, Discovery Place should be on the list.  Packed with tons of hands-on activities, learning has never been so fun. Seriously, I even enjoyed it. And if you are looking to make your visit a little more affordable they have an entire page on their site dedicated to the different discounts they offer. 

Carowinds Theme Park in South Charlotte

When it comes to fun things to do in Charlotte, NC Carowinds has something for everyone. Being one of the top parks in the state, the rides and waterpark definitely do not disappoint. Including one of the world’s tallest and fastest roller coasters. And if you plan to visit Carowinds more than once this is one of the few theme parks I’d recommend getting passes to. They have a Pre-K pass for children ages 3-5 that gives them free admission to the park. And it’s free to register for! Mix this with any of their other passes to get the most out of your visit. 

Big Air Trampoline Park 

Trampoline parks are nowadays for any family activity, so of course I had to add Big Air to the list. Especially with Charlotte being the birthplace of the very first trampoline park. If you’re into jumping, crashing into foam and finding some new and exciting ways to exercise then this is the place for you. As far as family activities in Charlotte, NC go, Big Air is top tier. The kids enjoyed the variety of trampolines, which was surprising for me. I assumed it’d be one big place to jump and that’d be it. Boy was I wrong. They have a mechanical bull you can ride for crying out loud. Don’t miss out on a little friendly game of dodge ball with the family while you’re there. 

The Carolinas Aviation Museum 

Founded in 1992, The Carolinas Aviation Museum was founded in 1992 and is one of the best equipped museums about everything aircraft. And if you’re looking for educational things to do in Charlotte that are also super fun, then this is it. Filled with every type of aircraft you can imagine, from military, civil, commercial and helicopters, there’s nothing this museum doesn’t have. And with planes kids can look in and out of it making it a stop on your trip to Charlotte is a must. In addition to the variety of aircrafts, there’s no shortage of objects and items related to aircrafts such as motors and other interesting equipment.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Located near the banks of Lake Wylie, this 380 acre garden is spectacular year round. You’ll be engrossed with breathtaking gardens and fountains as far as the eye can see. Whether you want to experience nature in all its beauty with your family or sneak out for a little date night with bae, these botanical gardens are worth the trip.

Carolina Raptor Center

Located inside the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, if you happen to be in Charlotte this weekend with your family, this is a must try! Over 30 species of raptors and birds of prey are featured on the ¾ mile trail. Looking to see a Bald Eagle up close? What about coming face to face with an Owl? Or even vultures? If birds are your thing ( or your kids’ thing) catch the behind the scenes for a closer look at the day to day of these amazing animals of flight. Servicing 900 raptor patients a year, the Raptor Hospital exhibit is sure to be an eye opening experience for anyone. 

Reed Gold Mine 

If you’re looking for things to do in Charlotte, NC with a teenager, try digging for gold at Reed Gold Mine. Even if you aren’t feeling lucky, taking the whole crew where the first documented gold was found in the US is sure to give anyone an adrenaline rush. Book a tour and learn about the rich history of gold mining that spread throughout this country. While tours of the mine and admission are free, if you are looking to strike it rich yourself, panning costs $3. Who knows, maybe that teenager of yours will find some gold to help offset the amount of food they consume in a week.

Lake Wylie

Boosting public docks galore Lake Wylie is one of those family things to do in Charlotte that you may not want to pass up. A 12,455 acre man-made lake on the South Carolina/North Carolina border, Lake Wylie is known for its summer water sports. Looking for something a little less adventurous this time around? Start by taking a tubing trip down the Catawba River – just make sure you have a few hours to spare. Then end it with some relaxing fishing. Don’t forget to take a boat over to Copperhead Island. There you’ll find trails, kayaking, a picnic shelter, and other outdoor activities like beach volleyball and horseshoes. And of course grab a bite at one of the lakeside restaurants.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

I can’t list the best Charlotte, NC attractions for families without mentioning the NASCAR Hall of Fame.  And if you have a car lover like I do, this will definitely win you all the cool points! Racing fans galore will love to explore all of the interactive exhibits, including racing simulators, racing artifacts, and a one-of-a-kind theater with in-car feeds from some of the world’s top drivers. 

A shire to the history and heritage of Nascar, explore the legacies of the sport with the ever changing exhibits. This amazing museum is sure to  ignite a passion within your kids while they explore.

Sea Life Charlotte Aquarium 

I must admit when I found out this Aquarium was inside of a mall,  I was a little skeptical. But this was probably one of the stops my kids enjoyed the most. For those who love to explore the ocean, the Sea Life Aquarium is a must-visit. There’s an interactive touch pool where you can get up close and personal with hermit crabs, sea stars and urchins. Built for kids ages 3 – 12 my kiddos loved finding clues to the scavenger hunt while also learning about the many species of fish available there. 

U.S. National Whitewater Center

This is the perfect place for thrill-seeking families to experience all the fun in the outdoors. Not only can you get some whitewater rafting, but there’s ziplining, stand-up-paddleboarding, free-falling from a giant tree (for those who are into that kind of thing) and more. This is the epitome of family friendly things to do in Charlotte with 1,300 acres of outdoor space to play on. And when you feel like you’re completely exhausted from the day’s activities you can relax to live music at the River Jam concert series. And for those of us who aren’t into heights nor screaming our heads off as we fall from 60 feet in the air, it’s a great place to walk and enjoy nature from a different perspective. You know, on the ground where it’s safe, lol. 

ImaginOn 

This family fun center in Charlotte, NC kept my kids busy for hours. ImaginOn offers  two theaters, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a production studio and a teen only library / study space. There was something for each of them to do, even with their wide age ranges. My youngest loved the interactive exhibits where he was immersed in pretend play, while my oldest was face deep in the books, far enough away from us to feel independent but still within sight. Located in the heart of Charlotte’s culture arts district there was plenty to do right out of the facility as well. We found ourselves at a fun park directly across the street upon leaving, which was icing on the cake for my kiddos. 

Where to Stay in Charlotte, NC with Kids (That Can Accommodate Large Families)

If you’re like me, then you’re always looking for the best hotel locations for you and your family. Because as we all know, not all hotels are family friendly. So if you’re headed to Charlotte and need a hotel that everyone will enjoy look no further: 

The Omni Hotel 

As I mentioned above, The Omni Hotel has some great family fun activities, from the family trivia night to the rooftop pool there’s no shortage of fun for everyone. One of Charlotte’s luxury hotels, the rooms are spacious, kept extremely clean, and it’s located in the heart of uptown. Perfect for any family looking to be in the middle of the art scene and they have valet parking. So forget struggling with the bags while getting your room. They will handle all of that for you. 

Embassy Suites Charlotte Uptown

Just minutes from all of the biggest attractions, Embassy Suites has FREE made to order breakfast. Talk about a huge win! In addition to the free wifi, pet friendly rooms, and an indoor pool. Which is why this hotel is on the list. The amenities they offer are perfect for families. 

Doubletree Guest Suites Southpark

Just ten minutes from the airport this hotel is great for a family vacation. Their outdoor pool has a waterfall (talk about fun) and their rooms offer space and cleanliness. Have your pet with you, perfect because they’re also pet friendly and their grounds are some of the most beautiful.

Residence Inn Charlotte Uptown 

Next to the Panthers Stadium, Residence Inn is the perfect location to be for families. Close to Discovery Place, Mint Museum, and the Spectra Arena. Another great stop if you’re looking to save a little money with a free breakfast, they also offer a complimentary shuttle service. Parking at the hotel does cost, and there is an onsite restaurant. 

Homewood Suites Charlotte

Walking distance to all the best shopping and also a short distance to Carowinds, this is the perfect hotel for families looking for more of a home feel. Enjoy the free breakfast or cook your own in the in suite kitchenette. Designed more like a small apartment then hotel room, these suites offer large beds, pull out sofas, full kitchens and even a dining area. Perfect for larger families. 

Whether its your next road trip or a quick weekend getaway, if you’re planning a trip to Charlotte, NC with a large family, I hope this list helps you create an unforgettable itinerary for the whole family! With so much to do and see, it is definitely worth the trip. 

The post Top 15 Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Charlotte with a Large Family appeared first on Not So Perfect Momma.

Are you thinking about taking a long road trip with a toddler in tow? Then stick around because this post is for you! Honestly, if you’re thinking of traveling in any form with kids then these family travel tips will be helpful. 

My husband and I survived driving cross country with kids TWICE using these tips. I bet they’ll work for you too!

Let’s start with the absolute most important part – the planning. 

How to Plan a Long Road Trip with a Toddler 

First things first, when preparing to drive long distances with the kids we always plan out our drive. 

How many stops will we make, where will we stop, what hotels will we be staying at and most importantly what will we eat? 

How Often Should You Stop When Driving with a Toddler?

It’s important to mention that it is recommended you stop at least every two hours when driving to move around and keep your blood flowing properly. I also recommend this for your own sanity. Trust me, you’ll need breaks from the “are we there yets.” 

Besides that, you need to think about how long can a toddler sit in a car seat comfortably and plan stops accordingly. 

While mapping out the trip, look for cool or interesting places for you and the kids. Long road trips with kids are daunting enough, not every stop has to be kid centered. 

Depending on where you are coming from some of the rest stops are great for this. For example, we loved Texas because all of their rest stops had play equipment for the kids, nice shaded areas for us and a few even had a dog area! 

And let me tell you, those little playgrounds made our road trip with toddlers so much more enjoyable!

Best Time to Leave for a Long Road Trip

Another tip when driving across country with kids is to try not to be in the car for long hours at a time. What I mean is, don’t think you are going to get through twelve hours of driving with a toddler in the backseat in one day. 

It’s not going to happen (at least not without hiccups) so plan for this. When we drove from California to Indiana I planned for no more than six hours drive time per day, which usually turned into nine to ten depending on the amount of stopping we did for potty breaks, wiggle breaks, and gas. Yes, it may make your trip that much longer, but it will also make it that much easier. 

It’s also very important to plan your drive time around major cities. Achieving this successfully involves leaving at the right time of day. 

For some, that may mean leaving before dawn. For others, it may involve sleeping in a little and leaving at noon. Hop on MapQuest or something similar and map out major cities, then calculate what time you need to leave to get there.

The goal at the end of your driving day is to stop in a big enough city to be able to find a good hotel, food, and a Walmart or Target if needed. In case you need anything. Or with regards to Target, in case Target tells you you need something, lol. 

Driving Overnight with Kids? Here’s How to Make That Easier

I get it everyone recommends leaving early in the morning for road trips, heck I even did. But you know your child best. So sometimes that’s just not the best idea. Having five kids, I’ve learned that for my younger two, family road trips after a long day of running around and playing will usually result in a much better outcome. Taking trips with toddlers can mean waiting until after nap time before heading on the road. But that could mean driving through the night if you’re looking to make good time. So how do you make that happen, safely?

Driving overnight with a toddler (or kids of any age for that matter) can honestly be easier on the parent. There’s not need to entertain a sleeping child which means you can turn the music up and focus on driving. But driving at night can mean falling asleep which can be extremely dangerous. Resting and sleeping during the day so you can drive through the night can help alleviate tiredness. And it’s important to stop if / when you become sleepy.

Road Trip Snacks for Kids

Once you’ve gotten your drive mapped out, things become a lot easier. From here now its just packing snacks and things to keep the kids occupied. Or quiet for as long as possible. 

Completely joking. Of course I want to hear my kids scream and laugh super loud for 16 hours straight, who doesn’t right. 

No, but seriously. This long road trip tip can mean the difference between an unforgettable vacation and one you’d rather forget (at least when it comes to the driving part!).  

So for snacks, try to pack things that are handheld and less mess. Also, the more you pack the less you have to make random stops. 

Here are 13 of the best snacks to pack on a long road trip with kids:

1. Raisins: depending on your child’s age these are a great and healthy snack. Opt to get the individuals boxes to make it easier on you. 
2. Grapes: again, depends on your child’s age but we all love grapes and they are so easy and mess free. 
3. Apples/apple slices: While I am all down for throwing an apple core out the window (its biodegradable), everyone may not be. So grabbing some precut apples cuts that problem out. 
4. Fruit Snacks: Love to use these as rewards when playing games such as I Spy, Find the license plate or any other fun games I have listed below. 
5. Fruit Strips: same concept as a fruit snack but in stripe form. These are great, especially if you get the organic ones that don’t have tons of sugar. 
6. Dried fruit – the car can get cramped really fast, especially when taking a road trip with kids, so the less stuff you have to bring the better. Dried fruit can be kept at room temp which means no cooler necessary. 
7. Crackers and even more crackers: This may just be me, but I love crackers. Club crackers, ritz crackers and even some peanut butter crackers. I can eat them plain or add a little topping and I’m in heaven. 
8. Portable Peanut Butter Cups: see above for why these are a good idea. 
9. Pretzels: I usually will get the individual bags so there’s not arguing over sharing. And Snyder’s has a pack with different shapes which is always fun for the kids. 
10. Squeezable Applesauce/ fruits and veggies: being on the road you won’t get a lot of “healthy” food options, and if you’re like me you’ll want to counteract that. 
11. Breakfast bars / Nutri-grain bars: Super easy and super good. 
12. Gold Fish, Rice Cakes, Cookies etc: Bonus entry. These are all good things that don’t have to be kept cool.
13. Slices of lunch meat, lunchables, string cheese, pepperoni, gogurt: if you do plan to pack a cooler these are all things that are easy to hand out and leave little to no mess. 

Other Road Trip Essentials for Toddlers

• When you’re traveling with a toddler in the car (especially long distances), it’s best to prepared for just about anything. In fact, before I even start packing, I make a road trip checklist for kids.

First Aid Kit 

• You never know what can happen, even in the car. Packing bandaids, alcohol wipes, and some kind of antibacterial cream (such as Neosporin) are the basics. In addition I also like to bring bug spray, Benadryl or other allergy medicine, Tylenol (children’s and adult), baby wipes, thermometer, scissors and Kleenex. Feel free to add anything additional based on your families needs. This first aid kit has over 200 pieces but it small and compact, perfect to fit in the car and not take up too much space.

Extra Clothes

• Let’s face it. Accidents happen. If you’re taking a road trip with a 2 year old (or any age that’s potty training), keeping extra clothes accessible in the car (not packed in the back) is key to surviving a long road trip with a toddler.

Plastic Bags or Trash Bags

• I can’t tell you the amount of trash you will accumulate on a road trip, especially one with toddlers. And if you’re potty training, having a place to through the dirty diapers/pull-ups keeps you from having to pull over so often.

Car Seat Organizers

• This is one of my favorite road trip with toddler hacks. Toddlers are just plain messy, especially in the car. Having an organizer you can have all the toys, snacks, books etc in one place is heaven sent. It will help keep your car not so messy (because let’s face it, it will still get messy on a the road with kids), but will also keep everything your toddler (or any kid) needs right in front of them. Cutting down on the mommy where’s my car questions.

Sun Shades for the Windows

• Great for nap time while driving, or if your road trip happens to be during the summer when the sun goes down well after bed time. We also love to use them to keep the sun out of the kids eyes.

Paper Towels or Wet Wipes

• Any parent can attest that wipes are always a must have, even in the car. And you don’t want to be stuck buying the same pack of wipes from a gas station for double the price of if you had got them from Wal-Mart or Target. Plus there were plenty of times we stopped at rest stop and it was out of paper towels or toilet paper.

Fun Road Trip Activities for Toddlers (+ Free Printables!)

Okay, so you’ve mapped out your route, including places you plan to stop and you’ve gotten all your snacks and toddler essentials together. 

Now the hard work kicks in. How do you plan to keep yourself and those kids entertained while driving for so long? 

Games, games and even more games. Printables such as tic tac toe, mazes, and scavenger hunts are all fun ideas for long road trips and will keep the kids quiet while you drive. Download some free printable for your road trip here!

Oh, and if you’re wondering how to entertain a 1 year old in the car, stock up on some board books! They’re very sturdy so you don’t have to worry about little hands ripping out pages, and the colors and pictures keep them intrigued.

Some more creative road trip ideas for toddlers include packing some “busy” bags or sensory bags that aren’t too messy. I also love water books. You know the ones with those little mess-free water markers? Fun for the kids – Easy (and clean) for me! And you can’t forget a portable DVD player. Just pop in their favorite movie and don’t forget to sing along to all the songs!

Looking for more interactive car entertainment? If you have older kids in the car, games like:

• I Spy
• How many (insert color) cars do you see
• The license plate game
• Hangman
• Two truths and a lie
• And storytelling 

Are all fun ways to have a good time together while driving. These games can literally last for hours if you let them. 

Some other things we did include audiobooks, podcast, puzzle games such as Mad Libs, and a good ol’ game of Super Smash Bros on the family Nintendo Switch. I bought this tablet holder that allowed everyone to see the screen while we played. 

My final tip is a free one. It won’t cost you a dime but it will save you a lot of stress and heartache. Honestly, there’s no reason to go all out if you plan to drive across country with kids. 

Yes, there are some things you can buy that make long road trips with toddlers easier, but ultimately its up to you. 

The first time we drove from California to Indiana with our children I was so stressed. I wanted everyone to have a good time. I had all these national landmarks planned out for us to stop at, and I had super high hopes that It would be the best road trip with children ever. 

But it was all those expectations that ruined it. 

Do yourself a favor, relax! The second time we made the trip of course I followed all the tips I listed above, but I didn’t put too much weight on it. 

If we stopped at all the places great, if not that’s okay to. I can’t tell you how freeing it was to be able to let go of the need for control and allow myself to just enjoy my family. 

Yes we were stuck in a car for 4 days while we drove from California to Indiana, but we were also experiencing it together. And for two of my children it was their first time exploring the country by road. 

Free yourself up to enjoy this experience. Allow yourself to release control over every little detail and go with the flow. This is probably the single most important thing I could of done my last trip that made a huge difference.  

I hope these long road trip tips, especially the last one, help shape an amazing trip for you as you drive across country with kids. And if you’ve ever taken a long road trip with a toddler, let me know in the comments what tips were invaluable to you! 

The post How I Survived a Long Road Trip with Toddlers (Twice!) appeared first on Not So Perfect Momma.