Keeping a Child Comfortable on a Long Journey by Car or Train

Travelling home to family is something most people look forward to, but a long journey is its own challenge with a small child along. Getting them comfortable is what stops the trip turning into hours of crying and complaint.

Children get bored and tired more quickly on a long journey, particularly if they aren't used to travelling for hours at a stretch. So it's worth making the trip enjoyable as well as comfortable. Here are ten practical things that help.

Before You Leave

Make sure everything is ready before you set off. Proper preparation is what reduces the chance of a meltdown or something unexpected halfway there.

Choose the Right Departure Time

If you can, leave around your child's usual sleeping time, particularly for a long trip by car or train. That way they rest through part of it rather than sitting bored and getting overtired.

Pack a Bag Just for Them

Take one bag with the essentials, a change of clothes, nappies if they're still in them, wet wipes, medicine and a favourite snack. Add a small toy or a story book to keep them occupied. The point is having everything they need within reach and easy to get at.

Bring Proper Food and Drink

Avoid loading them up with sweet snacks, which leaves a child overactive and then unable to settle. Choose something healthier like cut fruit, wholemeal biscuits or UHT milk, which keeps them full through the journey. Keep them drinking as well.

Seating and Safety

Alongside what you pack, where a child sits makes a considerable difference to how comfortable they are. These are worth applying on any long trip.

By Car: Use the Right Car Seat

For a child under five, a car seat is strongly recommended for both safety and comfort. Make sure it's fitted correctly and suits their age and weight. A neck pillow helps on a longer journey.

By Train: Take a Window Seat

Children generally prefer sitting by the window so they can watch what's going past. If you can, choose something near the toilet, which makes life easier. A blanket or a small pillow helps them sleep more comfortably.

Keep the Seatbelt On

For an older child, make sure the seatbelt stays fastened in the car. On a train, keep them seated comfortably and away from anywhere risky. Staying properly seated also reduces the chance of dizziness or travel sickness.

Heading Off Boredom

A long journey gets dull for a child, particularly with hours of sitting still. These help keep the complaints down.

Play Music or an Audio Story

Put together a playlist or a set of their favourite stories for the trip. Music helps a child relax, and an audio story works as entertainment they learn something from. Choose something with a bit of adventure or humour to it, which keeps them occupied without a screen.

Bring Something to Play

Pack a toy or a game that works in a car or on a train. Flashcards, an activity book or a word game are all good options. In the car you can play I Spy or count cars of a particular colour.

Read or Draw Together

An illustrated story book is entertaining and teaches them something at the same time. Choose one with striking pictures to hold their interest. If they like drawing, bring coloured pencils and a small sketchbook.

Keeping Them Physically Comfortable

Beyond boredom, their physical condition matters just as much on a long trip. Here's what helps.

1. Keep Them Drinking

Dehydration makes a child tired and irritable faster. Bring a water bottle that's easy for them to use themselves. On a longer trip, avoid anything with much sugar in it, which leaves them overactive or queasy.

2. Make Sleeping Comfortable

A child short of sleep is considerably harder work on a journey. Set things up so they can sleep, with a small pillow, a blanket or a favourite toy. That's what gets them off the train or out of the car in decent shape.

3. Stop Regularly

By car, try to stop every two to three hours so they can stretch and get some air. Choose somewhere safe and comfortable, ideally with a small play area. On a train, walk them down the corridor for a few minutes to avoid cramp.

4. Bring Healthy Snacks

Snacks save the situation when a child gets bored or hungry. Choose something reasonable like fruit, cheese or wholemeal biscuits. Avoid anything very sweet or greasy, which tends to cause nausea or an upset stomach.

5. Pack Medicine and a First Aid Kit

Bring the basics, travel sickness tablets, eucalyptus oil and plasters. If your child has a medical condition, make sure their medication is in a bag you can reach easily. It's what stops a small emergency turning into a panic.

Have a Good Trip

Travelling with a child takes extra preparation, but it doesn't have to be a drama. With decent planning the journey stays comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.

Pack enough, sort out where they sit, and bring something to keep them entertained. Keep an eye on rest, water and food along the way.

After a long journey a child needs a break, so it's worth having something planned once you arrive. You'll find activities listed on Happy Kamper, from playgrounds to art classes and sport.