Victoria Bug Zoo: A Unique Experience For Insect-Loving Kids And Adults
Experience the unique set up at the Victoria Bug Zoo in downtown Victoria, BC. Recommended for it’s educational and kid-friendly exhibits.
Are you dreading your upcoming road trip with the kids? We have all been there! GoWhee’s traveling families put together some road trip tips, like their favorite ways to keep them entertained without screens, what you should be packing, or the pitfalls to avoid to survive your next family adventure. So buckle up and read these great tips to travel like a pro during your next road trip.
One of the top travel hacks is to put the kids behind the wheel – metaphorically, of course. Giving them a sense of control can help alleviate boredom and keep them engaged throughout the ride.
Give them a way to check the time (by having their watch or access to the car’s clock). On top of preventing the famous “are we there yet” question, they can foresee the different breaks and self-regulate. If they are not old enough to read time, give them the same cue verbally with time cues they understand (i.e, after lunch, before dark…)
Have the itinerary from home to the destination printed out for them, or better yet, plan this part of the vacation with them. Long car rides feel less boring when you have something to look forward to.
Pro tip: For school-aged kids who want to be part of the planning process, they can use the GoWhee App to save ideas of places they want to visit in the app. You can then export their lists into Google Maps directions for the road trip. Since GoWhee is a private community, and they can browse safely by themselves before or during the trip.
This genius road trip hack was brought by one of our members and consists of preparing a backpack full of new things that kids can entertain themselves with, so you can play the novelty card consistently during a long road trip.
Think of packing some toys, hands-on activities, or even a coupon box with car games to play. If you plan on using screens, keep those for the last stretch of the trip to prevent overstimulation.
This bingo game is always a hit.
The game of 10 questions is great for kids aged 6+, you can also play it without prompts using everyone’s imagination.
Families are huge fans of these mess-free coloring books for little ones, and these versions of them for older kids.
You can also listen to a kid-friendly podcast or audiobooks as a family for a shared experience.
Spot it (out loud version), where kids and adults take turns to find something “add characteristic here”.
Magnetic board games are great for older kids, like this magnetic travel Battleship.
The LCD drawing tablets are a huge hit for every age, mess-free and with unlimited art potential.
Window spinners and fabric sensory toys are always a hit with babies, so load up.
You will see many packing hacks online; they often mention clothes and other road trip essentials, but these tips are more about HOW you pack things than WHAT.
First, let’s talk about safety! Besides the obvious, like securing kids properly in their car seats, traveling families mention that you should pack the heavy (especially loose) objects, like a laptop, and others, in the trunk or secure them in a bag on the floor. In case of an accident, these simple measures can go a long way to prevent injuries.
Then, get the kids comfortable. Bring some blankets, pillows, and other comfy items so they, too, can stay seated as long as possible.
For long distances, you will probably need to stop at a hotel overnight. We recommend packing a separate overnight bag so you can leave the multiple suitcases in the vehicle for the night, if you travel with a baby or toddler, don’t forget to add crib sheets to that bag, and if the hotel has a pool, don’t forget to pack a pool bag!
Pro tip: Always pack a first aid kit, because kids always take risks, no matter where you are! Add those butterfly stitches for deeper wounds, especially when driving in a remote area.
Nobody wants hangry kids during a long drive! Bring snacks and to-go meals from home to save some money but also to save temptations to eat unhealthy meals on the highway. Make sure all the food is pre-cut and already stored in sealed containers or a plastic baggie with everybody’s name on it, since you will be shuffling in a bag in a cramped car.
For drinks, we tend to discourage sugary options for many reasons, to name a few, you don’t want to give kids a sugar rush, and spills are inevitable, and attracting ants is never fun.
Instead, get them water or flavored water in their refillable bottles and make your life easier.
Put it all in an isolated bag or an electric cooler to easily carry everything. By the way, for breastfeeding parents, those electric coolers are lifesavers. Check them out.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to pack a car trash bag! Trust us, you will need it!
As soon as you are crossing 300+ miles (7- 8hrs), the trip will take another turn … it’s inevitable, kids are just not built with a patience button! Parents who have “been there, done that” recommend maximizing your chances for a successful road trip by keeping driving time to 4- 5 hours maximum. If you must drive more, try to plan the extra time during their sleep schedule. No one likes to travel at night, but you can maybe shave a few hours of having to entertain them by traveling during nap time.
An ideal itinerary will have a big afternoon activity on the way and drive some time after an early dinner (don’t forget to put the kids in PJs for ease of transition at arrival), while you still have some energy. For early risers, you can get an early start instead, so the kids can “sleep in” first thing, and then enjoy the breaks you planned along the way.
Plan for breaks every 2 to 3 hours, make sure to pack your stops with some fun for them, like a restaurant with a playground, a hands-on museum, or a playground with a water splash pad. The more sensory input, the better!
As adults, we often think of family travel in destinations, but we forget that the journey itself can be super fun and full of adventure if we plan it right. Use apps like GoWhee App as your ultimate guide to find locations like playgrounds, roadside attractions, restaurants, and overnight stays (i.e, hotel or campsite).
Pro tip: For infants and toddlers, if the weather is nice, pack a blanket and let them roam free on any piece of grass you can find so they can safely stretch out their legs.
Experience the unique set up at the Victoria Bug Zoo in downtown Victoria, BC. Recommended for it’s educational and kid-friendly exhibits.
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