Travel meds

If you travel with kids, at some point you’re going to have a sick child on the road.  It might be a bout of carsickness, or an allergic reaction, or even a fever.  Keep these few necessities in a ziplock bag at all times, and grab it any time you hit the road.

• A bottle of children’s benadryl.  It can be used for runny noses and allergic reactions.  It’s also usable by both adults and children. (make sure to follow labeling instructions.)
• A bottle of children’s ibuprofen.  Treats everything from fevers to headaches to other aches and pains.
• A few Tums for kids and parents.  Sometimes too much takeout and riding can cause an ill tummy.
• A thermometer, bandaids, a tube of antibiotic cream, and a liquid measuring cup for meds. 

Of course, if you’re making a road trip, it always helps to have an extra change of clothes for each child and a pack of wet wipes (for all ages) within quick reach.  I always keep a small tote bag with these in the back of my car, even if there are suitcases.  I also line the backseats of the car with a doubled sheet for road trips to catch everything from crayons to crackers to spills (including ‘carsickness!’)

Travel Snacks

Spring break is upon us, and many families will be taking a vacation, even if it is relatively close to home.  Long rides in the car with kids can result in multiple fast-food drive thru’s, (plus the accompanying squished trash in the floor of the backseat), never-ending discussion of they want to eat, and the always popular, “how much further?” 

To keep down the cost, hassle, and junk the kids consume, I make them a snack pack before we leave.  For each child, I put in several healthy snacks plus a napkin or two in a paper lunch bag.  Great options include cheese sticks, raisins, crackers, fruit in a ziplock, and other easy to handle snacks.  When the first child starts asking for snacks, I pass out the brown bags.  They don’t all have to eat the same thing, and they can pick and choose what they want, plus the brown bag makes a handy trash bag.  The only other thing I need is a small cooler with juice boxes or water on gel ice packs, and we’re set for a road trip!