Road trip season is here, and while the memories are priceless, the meltdowns, messes and backseat battles can feel endless. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the ballpark or Grandma’s house, a little planning can go a long way.
Kyle Pontiff, MD, sports medicine physician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, shares his best tips for keeping your family active, safe and entertained on those long summer drives in this ParentingU podcast episode.
Buckle Up for Safety
You’ve got the oil changed and the tires checked, but what about your passengers? Dr. Pontiff reminds us that car safety starts with the basics, and that means seat belts for everyone.
“I’m pro seatbelt,” he says with a laugh. “And I think it starts with adults leading by example. If your kids see you always wearing your seatbelt, they’re more likely to do the same.”
For little ones in car seats, make sure the seat is the right fit for their age, height and weight, and double-check that it hasn’t expired. Yes, car seats do have expiration dates.
“Especially if you’re using a hand-me-down car seat from an older sibling, make sure it’s not recalled, damaged or missing parts,” Dr. Pontiff says. “You can usually find that information on the seat or the manufacturer’s website.”
And where should the car seat go? Always in the back seat.
Older kids still need reminders, too. Louisiana law requires — and Dr. Pontiff recommends — that kids stay in the back seat until at least age 13. He says kids should continue using a booster until they’re about 4 foot 9 inches tall so the seat belt hits them in the right spots.
When asked about a classic kid move, propping their feet up on the back of the front seat, Dr. Pontiff explains keeping feet down is best.
“If they’re bracing against the seat, that can lead to more risk of injury to their legs in a crash,” he says. “Best practice is sitting upright with feet down, belt across the lap and shoulder.”
Snack Smart and Hydrate Often
Snacks are essential for a road trip, but what you pack matters. Dr. Pontiff recommends avoiding messy, sticky or hard-to-digest foods, especially when kids are strapped in for hours at a time.
“Go for things that are healthy, easy to eat and less likely to cause upset stomachs,” he says. “And hydration is huge. Kids get dehydrated faster, and even though you might not want to stop every 30 minutes for bathroom breaks, it’s better to stay hydrated than deal with headaches or crankiness.”
Don’t forget about hand hygiene. “Bring wipes, hand sanitizer, all those things,” Dr. Pontiff says. Everyone should wash their hands at rest stops.
Check out Dr. Pontiff’s road trip snack cheat sheet for healthy, kid-approved favorites.
Screens: Sanity Saver or Time Trap?
Long drives can make even the best of us reach for a screen. And Dr. Pontiff says that’s okay — in moderation.
“I think it’s a means to an end,” he says. “It’s about keeping everybody happy for the ride, but it’s also a good opportunity to try other things as well.”
Think of screen time as one tool in your parent toolbox, not the whole kit.
“Try things you can all do together. Listen to a book or a podcast, play the alphabet game or license plate bingo, let the kids navigate with a map,” he says. “Those kinds of activities turn the trip into a memory instead of just a ride.”
Dr. Pontiff even recommends sing-alongs. Yes, even if it’s Disney songs on repeat.
“We do a lot of singing in our car,” he says. “Everybody takes a verse. Record it, play it back later and laugh about it.”
And if all else fails?
“The American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends the quiet game,” Dr. Pontiff jokes. “It’s everybody be quiet and see how long you can last. Personally, our family would lose very quickly.”
Embrace the Adventure
One of Dr. Pontiff’s favorite childhood road trip memories is traveling with his grandfather and pretending to navigate.
“I didn’t know what I was doing, but I had the map, and he’d ask me what exit to take,” he recalls. “I was part of the trip.”
Even now, he says letting kids track the route on a map or tablet can cut down on the dreaded “Are we there yet?” questions.
And if you get a little lost? That might be part of the adventure, too.
Don’t Forget Sun Safety
When asked for the one thing parents might overlook, Dr. Pontiff doesn’t hesitate.
“Sun protection,” he says. “We forget about it because we’re in the car, but kids are still getting that sun exposure through the windows.”
That means applying sunscreen and using window shades, especially for long trips.
Dr. Pontiff’s biggest advice for road trips? Be flexible. Pack your patience. And make it fun.
“Take breaks, let kids get their energy out and try to make the car part of the adventure — not just the thing you have to do to get where you’re going,” he says.
Road Trip Snacks
A Tip Sheet from Dr. Kyle Pontiff
