The summer holidays are here for most of us - and with it may bring a trip to explore the fantastic destinations the UK has to offer. But, travelling with family isn't always plain sailing. Anita is a parenting expert and mum herself, and knows firsthand just how stressful it can be travelling the length of the country with kids in tow.
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00:00 Take more activities than you think you're going to need because you will run out, but keep some of them back.
00:07 So keep some up your sleeve, don't give them to the kids all at once, so that if they're getting a little bit restless,
00:12 you've got something that you can bring out, a little list of games, whether you've got it in your head or on a piece of paper,
00:17 that you can just, you know, suddenly introduce the number plate game, you know, first one to see a number plate beginning with W,
00:25 or the alphabet game or things like that, not nursery rhymes. So apparently 50% of parents said in this survey,
00:33 they don't allow nursery rhymes to be played in the car. And I suspect that's probably because, yeah,
00:41 two or three renditions of Row, Row, Row the Boat is enough to send most parents mad.
00:45 9.49am is the average time that families leave their houses to go on the UK holiday after rush hour and before the lunchtime rush.
00:53 However, just 28 and a half minutes into the journey, the kids asked that dreaded question that no parent wants to hear.
00:59 One of the most interesting things I think that came up there was how long it takes for that dreaded question,
01:04 are we nearly there yet, to get asked. So on average, after 28 minutes in the car, that's the average time that are we there yet will come out.
01:13 There are plenty of things we can do to gear ourselves up for a long journey, including packing plenty of snacks and drinks,
01:20 playing some games or bringing along essential items like colouring books or electronics.
01:25 Research by Welcome Break found the car is never quiet for too long, though.
01:29 On average, it only takes 29 minutes before the first family argument kicks in,
01:34 with 31% of families arguing over directions and 21% arguing over the best place to stop,
01:41 which might come around 42 minutes in, as that's when the children declare it's time for a loo break.
01:46 We asked parents what they do at the moment, 81% of parents said snacks was their go to.
01:52 And I can understand that, you know, it's the top essential item is some snacks to kind of keep the kids going.
01:58 But also car games, you know, really old fashioned things like I Spy, 60% of parents, you know, still play I Spy in the car, which is lovely.
02:07 And lots of parents also pack a little bag, which has got toys and books and activities in there.
02:14 I think the more prepared you can be with different activities, different ideas, different resources,
02:19 the smoother the journey is going to be because kids get bored really quickly.
02:24 Sometimes, though, despite all the careful planning in the world, your well of resources can run dry.
02:30 Luckily for us, Welcome Break and Twinkle have teamed up to offer a helping hand.
02:35 The good news is that Welcome Break and Twinkle have got together to put together some packs for these journeys.
02:43 So the teachers at Twinkle have come up with some great educational games, which are also fun.
02:49 And there's free activity mats that are being given out at the Welcome Break station.
02:53 So if you have run out of ideas or there was more traffic or they've eaten all the snacks, that's the place to go.
03:00 Pick up some freebies and there's games there that will keep the kids going a little bit longer.