Sanity Saving Road Trip Essentials #KinderJoy

This post was sponsored by Kinder but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

It seems unfathomable that it's already winter break; I feel like my kids' childhoods are literally escaping me. I can still remember when my husband and I were propped on pedestals as infallible deities. Unfortunately – as my kids get older and wiser, that's no longer the case. Luckily my son has already assured me that nothing I do will ever embarrass him. But I digress, winter break means one thing- no matter how old my kids get, it remains constant that A ROAD -TRIP is in our vacation plans. When you take a road trip, you're in the driver's seat, which ultimately means you don't to have to keep your kids quiet. They can wail if they like and you can just crank up the radio. And while so many memories pop into my head when I think of my childhood road trips, some of my most robust ones are of the trips my dad would organize every winter. There was something utterly magical about packing up our station wagon with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which my dad lovingly wrapped in tin foil and our big yellow thermos jug of lemonade. But the real stuff is what transpired during those long rides. What I remember most was listening to my dad croon to his favorite oldies radio station as he regaled us with stories from his childhood and feeling his love envelop us in that wagon.

So for me, there's something nostalgic and sweet about my kids' excitement at the prospect of packing up the car and heading out onto the open road. The only issue is ENTERTAINMENT and that is why I am sharing a few of my Sanity -Saving Tips for Road- Tripping with Kids. Honestly, when my kids get all their travel accessories loaded up- I will have no idea what the heck they are doing back there- and won't hear a peep from them the ENTIRE ride there and back as opposed to the usual- “Mommy, Madi is licking my face!, ” “Mommy, Jackson is putting his leg on me.” Keep reading for my must haves when road tripping with the kids!

#1 KINDER JOY  TREATS and TRICKS. Your road trip is an all-day affair and everybody gets hungry the minute you leave the house. Lucky for all us U.S. residents you can now add Kinder Joy to your list of must pack treats (which also double as activities!) In case you are a Kinder newbie – this DELIGHTFUL treat is half snack and the other half is a small toy and activity that your will occupy your kids during a road trip.

Kinder Joy comes in a plastic egg-shaped package comprised of two separately sealed halves. One half contains an edible treat made of two soft cream layers: one is sweet milk cream-flavored and one is cocoa-flavored. Nestled into the creamy layers are two round, chocolate-covered wafer bites that are filled with a sweet cocoa cream that's soft enough to be eaten with the included spoon.

The other half of the egg contains a surprise: a non-edible toy. The traditional version of the candy BUT THE GOOD NEWS is KINDER JOY is fully compliant with all standards because it fully separates the toy from the candy in the distinct egg halves. I recently attended an event introducing these fabulous eggs and can I just say that if you pack six eggs per kid for your road trip your little ones will not only LOVE the sweet treat part of the egg, but they will have so much fun putting together their toys and you will love the spoon that comes with the  egg as it means the treat is Mess free! In my opinion these are THE ONLY treats you will ever need on your winter road trip.

#2 Keep them entertained. In addition to Kinder Joy don’t forget to bring plenty of drawing paper and baseball cards! We have a list of word games my son keeps handy. HANGMAN is one of our favorites and it's an easy way for us to interact while on the road. Of course, games like are I SPY, Sweet or Sour and My Name is Alice still rank among my kids' favorites!

In order to make sure that we don't miss any old-fashioned car games my son makes sure to write a list! These types of games and fun interactive activities will help (the whole family) learn while stuck in the car on long trips.

And, of course, my son loves to pour over his baseball cards and read all the stats and ask questions and just talk sports!

#3 Don't forget your BOOKS! Every road trip needs books that are carefully selected to challenge and engage kids for extended periods of quiet play. They are the perfect travel companion and are always ready to go.

#4 The last thing is comfortable pillows and blankets. For kids to be able to rest and maybe even fall asleep which we all love. When you are on the road even when you stop off they don’t sleep like they do in their own beds so catching up in the car can keep everyone from getting grouchy!

So- any items that I missed?

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