Travel

Travelling with kids

Make your car trip enjoyable for you and your family and follow our tips to make the journey fun and relaxing.

Holiday planning

Think carefully about when, where and how to go. If you are travelling with a baby or toddler you'll need a child-safe environment so you can relax when you arrive.

• Pack a first-aid kit specific to the age of your child. Check with your doctor what supplies you need if you are going overseas.
• If you're hiring a car and you have a young child, make sure you take your own seat or book one in advance from the car company. See Child restraints for more information.

In the car

Children love being active. Use the following tips to help make trips tolerable for all family members:

• Keep the kid's entertained with games, puzzles and activities to occupy them in the car. Check out our Car Games for Kids page.
• Talk or sing with the kids, play music, or a Story CD or audiobook to help the time pass more quickly.
• Take plenty of rest stops. Try to stop at a park or playground so the children can run and play safely.
• Have non-messy healthy snacks and drinks with you. Plastic drinking mugs with spouts prevent spills in the car.
• Choose comfortable clothing for all the family to travel in and make sure it is suitable for the temperature in the car.
• Load the car with pillows and blankets to make the drive more comfortable.
• To help prevent car sickness make sure your child has a clear view from the windows and hasn't eaten a large meal or drink beforehand. Take some barley sugar along.
• Never leave children in a car without adult supervision. Heatstroke can occur within minutes, even with the windows down.
• Remove or secure any loose items inside the car as they can be thrown around in a crash and cause serious injury. Take only soft or small toys for kids to play with. Cargo barriers are essential in station wagons, hatchbacks and vans.
• Always use the kerbside door when getting children in and out of the car.
• Always get the least mobile child out of the car first so that your attention can be focussed on the child more likely to dart out into traffic.
• Use child locks on back doors where fitted.
• Even a sudden stop can cause serious injury if children are not wearing a restraint or seatbelt. See Child restraints for more information.
• Your child may be bored and vying for attention through negative acts. Try praising them when they sit quietly or read a book.

• Car Games for Kids
• Puzzle & Colouring-in sheets
• More ideas for travelling with kids