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?
Good snacks are a MUST on a road trip! We go up to NH a lot & that is a 3 hour drive for us – and my kids can’t go for 3 hours without a snack.
Wasn’t kinder banned in America until recently because you couldn’t have food with a toy inside it or something? I thought that was so interesting because we grew up with kinder surprises! So glad all the kids get to now enjoy the beauty that is the kinder surprise!!!
Snacks are a must when traveling with teens. No snacks mean you hear how hungry they are all the way to your destination.
My daughters father was stationed in Germany and used to send her Kinder Eggs all the time. She loved the cute little toys in them. I found out years later that they were banned in the US. So glad to see they are allowed now! I saw them in World Market recently. I will have to get a couple for stocking stuffers!
These would be an ideal snack for kids on a road trip. Kids tend to get hungry before we do. These are so cool.
So, I am kind of obsessed with Kinder Eggs and the fact that they are now available in the US gives me all the feels! These are going in my kids’ stockings this year for the holidays for sure!
I’m so happy to see Kinder eggs finally coming to US. I was born and raised in Italy so Kinder chocolate was my everyday snack! I love it!
My grandmother used to make little presents for us to open on the hour when we had long travel trips. I bet these would have made the cut for a fun snack!
I lived in Germany when I was younger and Kinder Eggs were quite popular there. I’m so happy that my kids can enjoy Kinder Joy, I’m totally getting some for stocking stuffers. 🙂
Never can go wrong with kinder eggs, They are fun for every child
My sister in law brought some back from Sweden when they were still unavailable for sale in the US. It kills the thrill now that we can get them. haha!
Those Kinder Joys seem really neat, perfect for a road trip. We do usually road trip it this time of the year so these would come in handy.
we always need snacks when we are traveling. I have never seen this before. Yum!
It’s so nice to see that you have a version of Kinder in the US as we’ve had this wonderful treat in Canada forever. My kids love the little surprise toy at the end.
I’ve never had a Kinder egg. Actually, until reading this post I didn’t even know what they were. lol. I feel kind of deprived. Snacks, drinks, activities and tech chargers are essential for road trips and keeping the kids happy and quiet.
I love road trips and going out with the kids! It’s really important that you have everything you need to keep them satisfied while in the car though. Those kinder joy treats sound awesome!
I love taking road trips with the kids! It is so important that you get yourself ready to go properly.
Keeping those little ones entertained with treats and games is definitely key to keeping everyone sane on the road. Haha!
I’ve been seeing this little Kinder Eggs all over my feed lately! I can’t wait to try them myself along with my kids!
Excellent tips! We are heading out on a road trip from Arizona to California in about an hour! Am I packed? Nope. But I will be in about 57 minutes. 🙂
We don’t often go on road trips but can imagine we will do more when we have kids. These are some great tips as kids can get bored very easily!
I travel a lot with my little ones and keeping them entertained and busy is key to their prolonged happiness. Yummy snacks also help!