Are you taking a road trip with your twin babies? A little advanced planning could make all the difference in the world. If the next holiday season has you and your little ones hitting the road, here are some tips for a successful road trip with twins.
Get online and know where to stop, before you hit the road. You will have a more pleasant trip if your little ones get a break from the car. Check your state’s Department of Transportation website for rest areas along your route. Keep a list of rest areas handy so that you will know where you can stop if the crowd is getting restless. If you are breastfeeding, rest stops with park benches will provide a more pleasant environment for nursing as well.
Plan to entertain. You and your spouse can take turns riding in the back seat with the twins, reading them books or offering toys. The longer they are kept happy, the farther you can drive without having to stop!
Don’t overdo it. Traveling with little ones can add up to 50% more time to your road trip. You will probably have to stop every 2 hours for diaper changes or feedings, so keep this in mind when you are deciding how far you will go each day.
Organize. Use sturdy bins and containers for keeping food items, books, toys, and other travel necessities from rolling around the car. Keep a container of toys and a container of snacks for the day nearby so whichever parent isn’t driving you can easily get to them.
If you plan to do some of your traveling at night, bring along some soothing lullaby music and a battery-powered nightlight. Just be sure it has a soft light that won’t distract the driver.
Bring and drink plenty of water! You may need to make an extra restroom stop or two, but water has the power of energizing your mind and body. Staying well-hydrated will help prevent fatigue and keep your mind sharp.
Provide interesting things for your babies to look at. You can tape bright pictures to the seat that they will be facing, or suspend brightly colored paper designs to the ceiling of the car using yarn and tape or a safety pin.
Pack smart snacks. If your twins are eating more solid foods, keep a stash of car-friendly snacks that won’t make a mess. A few ideas are soft cheese, baby crackers, bananas, squeezable fruit and vegetable pouches, and no-spill sippy cups with their favorite beverage.
If your twins are forward-facing, bring along some of their favorite movies on a portable device like an iPad. There are plenty of gadgets like this one that will mount your tablet in place while you drive.
If they are potty-training, be sure to take along a travel potty and practice using it before you take your road trip with the twins.
Be flexible! You are going on an adventure, and there is always a chance that something will go wrong. You and your spouse will be much happier if you don’t let little things ruin your family road trip.
Best of luck to you and your family on your next road trip with the twins! If you have anything to add to these tips, please share in the comments.