Traveling on the road with kids can be challenging, but the advice from this family might make it easier.
Will and Kristin Watson have been living and traveling around the country in a renovated bus with their 3-year-old daughter Roam since April 2019. They have become experts at road tripping with kids.
“It’s important to be realistic,” Kristin told Fox News Digital about parenting while road tripping. “Sometimes we have high expectations, like going on a six-mile hike with Roam, and expecting her to be perfect throughout the entire hike… But it’s important to understand that there might be moments of meltdowns along the way.”
Will and Kristin Watson have been living and traveling around the country in a renovated bus with their almost-3-year-old daughter Roam since April 2019, making them experts at traveling on the road with kids. (Courtesy of Will and Kristin Watson)
“If they need to slow down and go at their pace, then you need to be realistic and slow down with them and just be compassionate,” Kristin added. “Work with them and they’ll work with you. Children are very adaptable.… They want to do the things that you’re doing.”
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One thing that can help with those “meltdowns” is an entertainment kit, which the Watsons always have on hand while they travel.
Kristin told Fox News Digital that their kit includes toys for Roam to play with in her car seat, coloring books, and, as a last resort, an iPad for when “nothing else works.” She emphasized that snacks are also an essential item to have.
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Kristin said they plan their driving around Roam’s nap time so that at least an hour of their travel time is during her nap. They also limit their driving time to a maximum of four hours. During those four hours, they make multiple stops to allow Roam to stretch her legs, eat snacks, and run around.
The Watsons also travel with their pitbull Rush. (Courtesy of Will and Kristin Watson)
“We make sure to take it slow, enjoy the journey, and accept that with kids, things might not always go according to plan,” Kristin said.
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Despite the challenges, Kristin said that Roam is actually “pretty good” at road tripping since she has been doing it since she was 6 months old.
“This has been her whole life, and she is a very happy, well-behaved, and smart child. We have no complaints at all,” Kristin said.
The Watsons’ renovated bus – named Juan. (Courtesy of Will and Kristin Watson)
“Actually, we think it’s harder to have a kid in a house,” Kristin added. When they visit friends or family who live in houses, they are always on the lookout for Roam because she can get out of their sight easily. Living in a bus, on the other hand, makes it easier to have constant supervision.
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If you’re looking for recommendations on where to road trip with kids, the Watsons have a few suggestions.
Casey, Illinois
Casey, Illinois is known for its “World’s Largest” attractions, including the world’s largest rocking chair, according to the town website. The Watsons had a great time there, describing it as a cool small town.
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Cave City, Kentucky
Cave City, Kentucky is famous for its proximity to Mammoth Cave National Park, which boasts the longest cave system in the world. Kristin mentioned that the area offers exciting outdoor activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, and a zipline park.
Kristin emphasized the importance of being realistic when planning trips with kids and understanding that they might need to go at a slower pace. (Courtesy of Will and Kristin Watson)
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National Parks out West
When the Watsons are traveling in the western part of the country, they recommend visiting Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming and Glacier National Park in Montana. These parks offer plenty of outdoor activities and dedicated swimming areas where the whole family can have fun in the water.
“One of our favorite things to do is to find parks or outdoor spaces wherever we go. That way, we can all enjoy the things we want to do,” Will said. The activities in these parks are often low-cost or free.
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Ultimately, Kristin emphasized that the destination doesn’t matter as much as adapting to make any place work for the whole family. Whether it’s exploring a big city like Chicago or finding a local park, they prioritize having activities that appeal to both the adults and the kids.
Ann W. Schmidt is an Associate on Fox Business’ Strategic Initiatives team.
