A NEW study revealed the worst age to travel with children, especially on long road trips.
A survey of 2,000 American parents with children under the age of 13 asked respondents about the best and worst ages to go on a road trip with their children.
A new study revealed the worst age for your child to be on a long road trip[/caption]
Parents also shared their top tips for avoiding trouble with your children on the road[/caption]
Parents agreed that three-and-a-half was the worst age for your child to be on a long road trip.
Their main reason was that their little one gets bored easily.
Others said this was the worst age because their three-and-a-half-year-old will throw a tantrum in the car, and they don’t enjoy road tripping at this age.
And 55% of parents have purposefully avoided traveling with their child at certain ages because they thought it would be too difficult.
The survey, commissioned by Good2Grow, found that while three and a half was the most difficult age to road trip with, age six was found to be the easiest.
Regardless of their age, parents said seven hours is the cut-off — that’s the maximum length of time they’re comfortable road tripping with a child under the age of 13.
In those seven hours, parents said they are likely to hear “Are we there yet?” about 22 times.
Parents also reported experiencing 18 sibling fights and dealing with 14 tantrums in the car.
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that 59% of parents surveyed said road tripping is “somewhat” or “very” stressful.
“Traveling with young kids isn’t always easy, but our research shows that 93% of parents still find road trips to be a fun and memorable experience,” said good2grow VP of Brand Marketing Edzra Gibson.
“With our annual On The Road campaign, we want to help take the mess and stress out of family travel — so there’s more room for smiles, laughter, and connection for both kids and parents.”
Nearly half of the respondents said the most stressful parts of a road trip are the prep and packing.
The remainder of parents said that keeping their child entertained throughout the journey was the most stressful, followed by the drive itself.
So, how did parents say they relieved the stress?
Their answer: Giving their child snacks to help keep them occupied.
Other methods included having movies or TV shows pre-loaded and ready for the car, as well as giving their child toys to help keep them occupied.
When it comes to the snacks they want to give their children, parents look for snacks that don’t require refrigeration, ones that are mess-free, and those that are easy to share to help prevent any additional sibling disagreements.
Top tips for parents
- Pack plenty of snacks
- Ensure there are movies, TV shows and toys to keep their child entertained
- Pick a destination five hours or less away from home, to help ensure the “perfect” trip
- Regardless of the length, make regular stops along the way to get out of the car
- Be a little flexible with the rules — maybe giving more screen time to help make it a smooth journey
Respondents also prioritize snacks that come in a variety of flavors.
At the same time, parents steer clear of any snacks that could be considered junk food.
“Kids’ snacks and beverages are an everyday treat that helps families enjoy smooth, meltdown-free travel,” said Gibson.
“This summer, families can go the extra mile with our mess-free options with reusable packaging, packed with flavor and fun for maximum value on every adventure.”
