1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Family Vacations

Road Trips: feeding kids

By Teresa Plowright, About.com

The minivan's loaded; everybody's piled in; the miles are flying by; and somebody's hungry.

What to do? Here are five strategies.

  • bring along lots of snacks and drinks. You'll have much more control over when and where to stop, if you can quench a thirst on the spot, or postpone a meal.
  • Stop at a fast-food place with a ball-room / indoor playground. Let the kids play around and burn off some steam; then take their half-eaten, or untouched meals, to the car so they can eat later. (Tip: bring along some plastic food containers from home, to neatly store any half-eaten meals.)
  • Stop at a grocery store and head to the deli to buy fixings for a picnic. Then find a park, and let the kiddies run around while everyone takes a break (and bring along a frisbee or ball, to play with in the park.)
  • If you really have no time to stop, do a drive-through at a fast-food restaurant and pick the non-messy items. This has actually been studied! Click for best picks.
For more about Road Trips, see: Road Trips 101 - driving directions, free online road trip planners, great routes, travel games, and lots more.
Explore Family Vacations
About.com Special Features

Find travel inspiration and get the best tips and reviews for your next getaway. More >

The best times to visit East and Southern Africa. More >

  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Family Vacations

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.