A Stress-Free Family Day Out: Is It Possible?

To many parents, a stress-free family day out sounds like a myth – there is no such thing, you cry! Although it may be impossible to stay Zen for the whole trip, you can definitely reduce your blood pressure with a carefully constructed plan. Here are some top tips for keeping your cool:

Prepare

The most important thing you can do is prepare yourself the night before. It’s going to be a mad rush in the morning, so make sure it goes as smoothly as possible. Have all the clothes laid out for the day and make sure the rucksacks are fully-packed with the essentials. 

If you’ve booked any tickets, put these in the car, so you don’t accidentally leave them behind. With all the preparation done, when you wake up in the morning, all you’ll have to do is feed and clothe the children, before pushing them into the car. Sorted.

Allow Plenty of Time to Get to Your Destination

There’s nothing like running late to increase tension during the journey. Leave with a silly amount of time to spare. You can always while away an hour in a tea shop or grab some lunch if you’re early. 

Is your family bad at waking up in the mornings? Drink some coffee and then bundle the kids into the backseat with their pillows and blankets. They’ll continue sleeping, meaning: a peaceful journey, well-rested (read: not grumpy) children, and you get to pick the radio station (just don’t play it too loudly!). 

Take Nourishment

Apart from the fact that a hungry mummy/daddy is an irritable mummy/daddy, you really don’t want the kids moaning for hours about how peckish they are; especially when you’re trying to drive. Pack everyone’s bags with small, healthy snacks for the journey and always have a plentiful supply of water on board. If you don’t plan to eat at a restaurant, pack a nice picnic. 

Plan B

Unfortunately, not everything goes to plan. If your original day out goes down the drain, know the surrounding area well enough in advance to formulate a Plan B, instead of cursing and getting back into the car. 

Exposure

Regardless of where you’re going, it’s always a good idea to take layers, such as fleeces and raincoats. In the UK, the weather can be unpredictable, and nobody wants to be wandering around sopping wet and cold all day. Bring spare plastic bags for rubbish and any muddy clothes after the trip, so your car doesn’t get mucky. Of course, a spare change of clothes means no driving back in undies!

In-Car Entertainment

To keep the little ones out of trouble, make sure that they’ve got something to keep them distracted. A tablet or iPad is a great way to play movies in the car. Other than that, story tapes or toys can stop fights breaking out in the back seat. A couple of squabbling, bored children is enough to drive you around the twist when you need to concentrate on the traffic and the road ahead.