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At a glance
- For
- Families with toddlers and school kids
- Breaks
- Many experts recommend a break roughly every two hours – with small children often more
- Car seat
- In Germany required for children under 12 who are shorter than 1.50 m – rules differ by country
“Are we nearly there yet?” – every family hears it within the first hour. With a little planning, though, the long drive gets much more relaxed. Here are our 20 hacks from real life.
Before you set off
- Choose your departure time: many families leave early in the morning or at nap time so the little ones sleep part of the way.
- Check traffic forecasts: the first weekend of the school holidays is especially busy – a day earlier or later can save hours.
- Check the car seat: in Germany, children under 12 who are shorter than 1.50 m need a suitable car seat. Before the trip, check that straps and size still fit.
- Comfy clothes: soft clothes without pressing buttons – and in winter, take thick coats off in the car seat so the harness fits snugly.
- Tidy footwell: a seat-back organiser keeps toys, books and tissues within reach.
On the road: breaks & snacks
- Plan your breaks: build them into the journey time so there's no time pressure.
- Rest areas with playgrounds: kids need to move. Fifteen minutes of running around makes the next stage calmer.
- Snack box with compartments: small portions of fruit, veg and crackers keep kids busy without filling them up.
- Water instead of juice: it doesn't get sticky and lasts longer.
- Surprise bags: a small wrapped present for every stage – stickers, a colouring book, a new audiobook.
My favourite trick: a surprise parcel for every hour of driving. Then nobody counts the kilometres any more!
Screen-free games
- I spy: the classic – works with three-year-olds too, using colours instead of letters.
- Number-plate game: who can spot the most places on number plates?
- Count the cars: each child picks a colour – who has counted the most cars after ten minutes?
- Story chain: everyone adds a sentence and together you create a crazy story.
- Audiobooks: download them for offline use – otherwise the favourite detective goes silent in a dead zone.
- Kids' playlist: singing together solves many a back-seat crisis.
When things go wrong
- Car sickness: looking ahead, fresh air, no reading and light snacks help many children. If it happens often, talk to your paediatrician before the trip.
- Sick bags and kitchen roll: within reach in the front – not in the boot.
- Window sun shades: protect against glare and heat in the back.
- Plan B for an overnight stop: when everyone is tired, stopping overnight beats three stressful final hours.
Car packing list
FAQ
How often should you stop with kids?
Many experts recommend a break roughly every two hours. With small children, more often is sensible – build the breaks into your journey time.
Until when do children need a car seat in Germany?
In Germany, children need a car seat while they are under 12 and shorter than 1.50 m. Other countries have their own rules.
When should you set off on holiday with kids?
Many families leave early in the morning or at nap time so the kids sleep part of the way. If possible, avoid the peak travel days at the start of the holidays.
What helps against car sickness in children?
Looking ahead, fresh air, no reading and light snacks help many children. If it happens often, talk to your paediatrician before the trip.