Plan A Route For A Summer Road Trip – Make It More Active And Fun With 6 Tips
It’s funny how family road trips usually lend themselves to some great memories…long after the fact! I can remember many a road trip with my kids when they were little ones, and their endless queries from the back seat: “are we there yet”…. “how much longer?”
With only 5% of Canadian kids active enough for health benefits, we need to seize every opportunity to be active role models and to get our kids moving.
Bring confined to the car for hours isn’t easy for anyone, especially kids. Though it may be tempting to journey with as few stops as possible, breaking up travel with some active breaks can be safer for drivers and lead to much happier passengers. With only 5% of Canadian kids active enough for health benefits, we need to seize every opportunity to be active role models and to get our kids moving.
We always make a point of stopping to recharge with some active breaks along the way.
Although my kids are now 16 and 13, when we hit the road, whether for a weekend in cottage country or somewhere a little further afield, we always make a point of stopping to recharge with some active breaks along the way. It’s amazing how 15 minutes of walking, kicking a ball around, yoga, or volleyball with an inflatable beach ball, can make everyone a little more cheerful and prepared for the next leg of travel.
Hitting the road this summer? Consider these six tips and arrive refreshed and ready for your vacation:
- Plan ahead and book campgrounds and hotels with swimming pools, putting greens, access to lakes, hiking trails, and gyms..
- Plan to stop every hour or two for at least 15 minutes. Use these breaks to walk, jump rope, play tag, kick a ball around, or try your hand at Frisbee. Look for rest stops that offer grassy areas for family use or pull right off the highway and look for schools or parks with playgrounds.
- Pack a picnic and plan a longer stop to give everyone a break from sitting. Provincial parks usually offer picnic tables, clean washrooms, and hiking trails.
- Stopping only for a bathroom break? Park as far from the restroom as you can and seize the opportunity to get everyone out of the car.
- Stopping by a lake or park with a beach? Plan ahead and make sure swimsuits, sunscreen, and towels are easily accessible. Nothing calms and cools down a group of restless kids like water play!
- When loading the car, pack some toys and equipment for active play. It’s easy to slide badminton racquets under seats, and to bring along an inflatable beach ball or a jump rope.
Quick Tips:
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Plan ahead
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Stop every hour or two
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Picnic and play along the way
Bring healthy protein snacks for the trip
Healthy breakfast for kids when you’re on the go?
Need good lunch ideas for your trip?
Catherine Cameron, author on DrDina, is Founder & Principal at CAMERON Communications and works with some of Canada’s leading physical activity, sport, and health and wellness businesses and brands. She is also a sought-after Canadian lifestyle writer, a fitness instructor, and the proud mum of two.
