Are you planning a family road trip this summer?

Before you load up the van and chuck the kids in the back, a few quick preparations can take some of the stress out of your adventure.  

Essential maintenance

A few days before you hit the road, check your van for wear and tear that you can fix before you set off. 

Inspect the tyres, lights, and brakes to ensure they’re in good working condition.

Make sure the battery fluid, windscreen washers and radiator fluids are all topped up so you’ve got enough to keep you going on your journey.

Pack a roadside emergency kit with essentials like jump leads, a torch, first aid box, and don’t forget your spare tyre.

Passenger entertainment

Keeping the kids happy on long journeys is a big challenge for most families.

Children don’t like sitting for hours on end with nothing to do, but if they’ve got something to keep them entertained, it makes the time pass quicker.

Here are a few things you can have handy to help make your journey a bit more peaceful:

• Books and magazines
• Colouring books and pens
• A family playlist with your favourite songs
• A tablet or laptop with some movies downloaded

Plan your journey

Even if you know where you’re going, it’s worth doing some planning in advance to account for stops, refuelling and breaks.

If your journey is long and you need to stay somewhere overnight, try to book well in advance during the holiday season. Booking early can sometimes get you a better deal and more availability.

If you are staying somewhere, try to choose a location with some fun activities for the kids in the area.

If you’ve got an electric van, do you know where the charging points are? Zapmap is a handy resource showing all the charging stations in the UK. They’ve also got an app.

Creature comforts

Long journeys can seem even longer if you’re not sitting comfortably.

Make sure everyone has plenty of legroom and space around them so they’re not too squashed in.

Blankets and pillows are great for making the kids feel at home – they might even go to sleep if you’re lucky!

Have plenty of food and drinks packed to keep you and your passengers going between stops.

And, most importantly, have fun!