The Holiday Family Road Trip Survival Guide

The Holidays are here, which for many of us means long trips in a cramped car. But it doesn't need to be a nightmare. Here are a few things to keep spirits high.

Car Chargers

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There's a lot of time to pass on a road trip. Our smart phones and tablets have made it easier than ever to stay entertained on the go. But if their batteries run out of juice, your kids might be stuck playing I Spy like the old days.

Or fighting. Probably fighting.

To keep everybody entertained and happy, make sure to bring enough car chargers to keep the devices running.

Travel Games

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Sure, you could let everyone just stare at their smartphones the whole drive. But if you want to allow for some family bonding time, bring some portable board games!

Almost all of the most popular board games sell travel editions so you can enjoy all the fun of family board game night on road.

Just don't flip the board over in a rage. You'll be finding pieces between the seats for years.

Healthy Snacks

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Road trips usually bring a spike in our fast-food consumption.

But you can't stop off to McDonald's for french fries every time someone gets hungry.

Pack a cooler with some healthy, filling snacks to stave off the hunger pangs.

If you have a nursing baby, this gets a little more complicated. Breastfeeding on the road can be clumsy and uncomfortable. Pack some bottles with HiPP formula to keep baby satisfied and smiling.

A Change of Clothes (that you can easily get to)

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Parents know: spills happen. All it takes is a nice pothole to give Junior a lap full of soda.

Instead of digging through the luggage to find his suitcase, keep a change of clothes in a backpack in the main cab.

Make sure to put some of your own clothes in there. Accidents happen to adults too.

Blankets

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There's nothing like falling asleep on a long car ride to grandma's. But a great blanket can enhance (and encourage!) the experience. Pass out the cozy blankets, and even the most restless children will succumb to its comfortable wiles.

What are your road trip must-haves?

Do you have a secret for road-trip success? Let me know in the comments!