When it comes to a full size car seat, Britax is one of the top trusted brands out there. I have two Britax car seats for my girls because I’ve done my research and know all about their safety features. Check out Sarah Tilton’s recipe for safe, fun, and easy car travel below:
Recipe for Safe, Fun and Easy Car Travel
Here are 9 essential ingredients for a successful car ride:
- 1-2 convertible car seats and/or booster seats (depending on number of kids)
- 4-5 Rockabye Baby Music CDs
- 10 soft toys
- 1 dash of sanity
- 6 water –filled sippy cups
- 4 different healthy snacks (options!)
- 2 window shades
Preparation:
As parents, our job is to keep our kids as safe as possible. The main ingredient of this recipe is a good, reliable car seat. In addition to being safe, the kid needs to be comfortable. Really comfortable. Look for a seat that adapts as your child grows and is designed with revolutionary head safety features that are clearly labeled and visible.
Wherever your travels may take you, be sure to check out new car seat laws. You may be headed for a state that requires children to be restrained in a car seat until age 8. A ticket is not on the list of ingredients, and will likely spoil anyone’s travel appetite. With the “boost” of a booster, junior’s body will fit safely under the seat belt and he’ll be able to see out the window better.
Within what feels like minutes of leaving, your toddler may (will) start to squirm. Before leaving, make a list of playgrounds and rest stops along your route and stop every 2 hours. To entertain rear-facing car seat riders, give them soft toys and soft books. Older kids should get to choose at least one (parent-approved) toy for the ride.
Let your toddler choose tunes and sing-a-longs that will keep him engaged and having fun. Keep in mind your travel time—and your sanity—and include something from Rockabye Baby Music.
If you can, make cruise time nap time. Remember to bring siesta accessories, such as pacifiers and blankies. It may be sunny–too sunny for a sleeper–so we suggest the Britax EZ-Cling Window Shades to keep little ones shielded from excessive rays and light.
This wouldn’t be a true recipe without food! Make sure your riders are happy and well fed before taking off. Nobody wants to drive with a hungry grouch. Keep water and easy-to-open-and-access snacks near your toddler.
Enjoy your trip!
*Find a local car seat check through SafeKids USA to insure proper car seat installation!About Sarah Tilton
Sarah Tilton is a child passenger safety advocate with Britax Child Safety Inc., a leading car seat and stroller manufacturer. An active Certified Passenger Safety (CPS) technician and instructor, Tilton frequently participates in child passenger safety activities at a local, state and national level. She is currently active with the Safe Kids Charlotte Mecklenburg coalition and is a member of the North Carolina Child Passenger Safety Training Committee.
These are all great tips!
Awesome travel tips.
Love these tips, they could have saved me a lot of heartache when the boys were little.
Great tips!!
We have a Britax car seat and I love it!
Love Britax! Thank you for the tips
Love Britax! We’re getting the stroller and infant seat for baby Beck!
We have two Britax car seats and LOVE them!
Love Britax!
Love Britax! Thanks so much for the tips.
I love Britax
love music in the car for the kids
It’s a great idea to include those window shades!
I love my Britax seats. Thanks for sharing.
We have Britax in every car too.