25HANDY TIPS

INSIDE

Whether you’re heading out for a day at the beach or on a cross-country adventure, FamilyFun and AAA want your summer road trip to be safe and enjoyable. Pack this trusty tip booklet in your tote bag for easy reference. Happy travels!

road tripssummeryour guide to

summer road tripssummer road trips

About AAA

North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 55 million members with travel, insurance, financial, and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

ANN HALLOCK Editor-in-chief, FamilyFun

Have AAA roadside assistance contact information on hand in case an incident occurs on the road: 1-800-AAA-HELP.

ROAD TRIP TIPSFROM AAA

Summer is the perfect time to hit the road. Here are some simple tips to improve safety and make your car trip a smooth one. Get ready for fun summer travel!

Visit a AAA Approved Auto Repair Shop to ensure your vehicle is properly maintained. Have your car and tires inspected before beginning your trip.

Map your route in advance and be prepared for busy roads during the popular summer travel season.

Keep anything of value in the trunk or covered storage area. Make sure any loose objects are secured in the vehicle.

Remember “safety first.” Make sure everyone is properly restrained by a safety belt or child safety seat to prevent injury in case of a sudden stop, swerve, or collision.

Get plenty of sleep before the trip, travel at times when you are normally awake, and schedule breaks every two hours or 100 miles to avoid becoming drowsy.

Keep a cell phone and car charger with you at all times in case of an emergency.

Pack an emergency road kit containing a flashlight and extra batteries, jumper cables, warning devices, a first-aid kit, drinking water and snacks, and a basic tool kit.

®

UNICORNS & RAINBOWS! PAGE 40

“

THE HAPPY ISSUE

100+ WAYS TO ADD MORE JOY EVERY DAYbest instant mood boosters

fun up your family room

treats with a smile

secrets of better vacations

Chomp, chomp! Make your kids

grin with our DIY elbowgator shirt, page 10.

HAPPINESS IS NOT

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW.

IT’S RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD.

“

PAGE 66

MAY 2 0 1 5FA M I LY F U N M AG .C O M

familyfunmag.com

About FamilyFun Magazine

Reaching an audience of more than 4 million, FamilyFun magazine gives parents the ideas and inspiration to create unforgettable family moments. Part of Meredith Corporation’s Parents Network of brands, FamilyFun is a trusted expert on family cooking, vacations, celebrations, play, creative projects, and learning—the full spectrum of fun that enriches the precious time families share. Written for parents with children ages 3 to 12, FamilyFun is unique in the marketplace, delivering real ideas for—and from— real families.

Let’s hit the road!For many families, the summer season means at least one big family car trip. At FamilyFun, we know that having a few simple tricks up your sleeve can make the difference between an awesome experience and one filled with cries of “Are we there yet?”

So we’ve teamed up with experts at AAA to bring you this booklet of 25 handy ideas—everything from driver safety and pack-along essentials to games that will keep your crew entertained.

We hope it will make the miles speed by on your next journey.

summer road tripssummer road trips

3. TUBULAR TELEPHONE The Overingtons of Germantown, New York, thread snap-together tubes (such as Slinky Pop Toobs) between the seats, then send secret songs, whispered messages, and playful puffs of air through them.

4. FOLLOW THE TRAIL OF TAPE Before departing, Margaret Hammond of Colorado Springs, Colorado, writes the names of cities along their route on strips of masking tape and sticks the strips to the car ceiling. This simple trick not only eliminates the “How much longer?” question—it also provides a fun geography lesson.

• TripTik Travel Planner can save you time and money wherever you’re going—and it’s free to all travelers on AAA.com. This online mapping tool creates itineraries and custom maps and can help parents find great attractions for kids along the way.

• Use the AAA Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet to request roadside assistance, map alternate routes, find nearby discounts and hotels, and locate the lowest gas prices near you.

• Wondering how much to budget for gas? Visit FuelCostCalculator.AAA.com for a customized estimate of fuel costs based on your vehicle type, destination, and current gas prices.

Need some vacation inspiration? Visit AAA.COM/TRAVEL

FamilyFun readers offer their tried-and-true entertainment for seat-bound kids.

TRAVEL PLANNING TOOLSFROM AAA

2

1

The kids can visualize how close we’re getting to our destination by following the cities in order.

“ “

1. MARK THE MILES Before starting out on their first major expedition (an 18-hour drive to Florida from their Springfield, Ohio, home with their 2-year-old and 4-year old), the Larsons hung little numbered tickets above each boy’s car seat, one for every hour of the trip. “They were redeemed for wrapped treats they could play with or eat along the journey,” says mom, Therese.

2. REST STOP OLYMPICS Quick challenges, such as a jumping jacks face-off or a hopping contest, help the Pittmans of Miami, Florida, get moving during travel breaks. The Rest Stop Olympic activities are listed on index cards stashed in the glove compartment. The day’s winner chooses a treat for the family to share.

3

boredom bustersbackseat

from

4

© 2

015

Flor

ida

Dep

artm

ent

of C

itrus

Drink up the sunshine in every glass

of 100% Florida Orange Juice.

Enjoy the nutritious goodness of the

Amazing 5 with every delicious drop.

Make your summer amazing with

100% Florida Orange Juice.

FloridaJuice.com

@OJfromFlorida

/FloridaOrangeJuice

#AmazingInside

AWESOME ACTIVITY

Slippin’ and slidin.’Florida’s got tons of amazing theme parks and water parks. Not close by? Make one in your own backyard with hula-hoops, water balloons, beach balls, your sprinkler and your child’s imagination.

advertisement

To learn more about 100% Florida Orange Juice and the Amazing 5 benefits, visit floridajuice.com

AWESOME ACTIVITY

Shoot for the stars. Pretend you’re at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and build your own rocket using an old soda bottle, colorful construction paper, and other art supplies you have around the house.

AWESOME ACTIVITY

Go to the groves. In Florida, we spend weekends at our local groves handpicking the juiciest fruits—like oranges. Find a farm in your area and get picking so you can enjoy summer’s freshest flavors.

AWESOME ACTIVITY

Bring the beach to you.Don’t have miles of coastline in your backyard? You can still enjoy a beach experience. Carry a tote with underwater treasures and some snorkel gear to your local pool and dive in!

AMAZING 5 BENEFITS

1.Taste

The delicious and unique flavor of 100% Florida Orange Juice is sweet, refreshing and

empowering.

2. Vitamin C

This key nutrient is important for the

formation of collagen (a component of bones,

gums and cartilage).

3. Potassium

Important for muscle function, potassium

also helps maintain the body’s fluid, electrolyte

and pH balance.

4.Folate

This water-soluble B vitamin is essential for

cell division and healthy red blood cells.

5. No Added Sugar The delicious taste of Florida OJ is courtesy of nature’s goodness.

School’s over, summer’s here, and you’re dreaming of a getaway to the state of citrus and sunshine: Florida. Well, here’s some great news: even if a trip to the Keys isn’t in your plans, you can still have a Florida- inspired summer. With the Amazing 5 benefits of 100% Florida Orange Juice, your family can power through these awesome Florida-inspired activities right in your home state this summer.

With 100% Florida Orange Juice and its Amazing 5 Benefits

floridaHAVE A

TASTE OF

AWESOME ACTIVITY

Save an animal.Florida’s state marine mammal, the manatee, faces many threats to its survival. Adopt a manatee through a wildlife organization, or choose another endangered species that needs your support. Spend time learning about the animal together.

summer road trips

1. SING IT OUTThe first player sings a simple song, such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” The next player repeats the song, leaving off the last word. The third player leaves off the last and second-to-last words. (It’s surprisingly hard!) Players have to sing the song correctly on their first try or they’re out. The singing continues around the car until all the words have been left out.

2. I’M THINKING OF A RELATIVEA player thinks of a person related to the family. The others take turns asking yes-or-no questions to help them guess the person’s name: Is the person an adult? Is the person a female? Does she have red hair? The player who guesses correctly thinks of a new person.

No power in your devices? Don’t panic. These car games require nothing more than imagination.

3. WILL WE SEE GOPHERS?One player thinks of something the family will see or do at the vacation destination. The other players ask yes-or-no questions (Is it some-thing we are going to eat?) to help them guess the item or activity. The first player to guess correctly wins. Give it a twist: Allow the guessers just ten questions, or just five.

4. TWO-MINUTE TENSPlayers take turns challenging the rest of the group to name ten things in any category: cookie varieties, animated movies, dog breeds, professional athletes, and so on. The group has two minutes to complete the list. Give it a twist: Allow yourselves fewer than two minutes or require that items be listed in alphabetical order.

21”

13”

raspberry

salsa charcoal

aqua

on the gogames

from

summer road tripssummer road trips

Taking a road trip during the summer presents some unique challenges. By planning and being mindful of potential hazards throughout your journey, you can get to your vacation destination safely this summer.

SUMMER DRIVING SAFETY TIPSFROM AAA

1. SAVE SPENDING MONEY IN A TRIP JARHave each family member make a trip jar, decorated with stickers and pictures from previous travels, and add money to it every month. When vacation time rolls around, you can bring along the jars and spend the contents on snacks and souvenirs. Not only does this system offer everyone a lesson in budgeting, but the jars themselves make fun mementos.

2. COIN REWARDSTo help kids earn souvenir spending money, pack a few rolls of nickels, dimes, and quarters, and hand out the coins as rewards for good behavior, patience, courtesy to others, or achievements on the road, such as reading a book.

3. SOUVENIR ORNAMENT TRADITIONFor a festive memento of a trip, have family members collect small meaningful items, such as ticket stubs and nature finds, then place them in an inexpensive, clear plastic ornament ball. Hanging the ornaments each Christmas, you’ll be reminded of all the great places you’ve been.

2

1

3

BEWARE OF HEATSTROKE Temperatures inside a car even on a mild day can quickly rise to dangerous levels. To prevent heatstroke, remember to ACT: Avoid heatstroke-related injury or death by never leaving your child or pet alone in the car. Create reminders and habits that give you a safety net. Leave an item in the back seat so you don’t forget about your loved one. Take action and call 911 if you see an unattended child or pet in a vehicle.

DRIVING INTO THE SUN CAN BE DANGEROUS Just after sunrise and before sunset, the sun can shine directly into drivers’ eyes, leaving many motorists driving into a glare or little visibility. In glare conditions, slow down, increase your following distance and use caution, especially in areas with pedestrian or heavy traffic. Drive with your headlights on to increase your visibility to other drivers.

CREATE A PLAN FOR NAVIGATING DURING SUMMER SHOWERS Wet pavement contributes to nearly 1.2 million traffic crashes each year. Before your road trip, replace windshield wipers, check your headlights, and make sure your tires have proper tread depth and tire pressure (don’t forget to check the spare). When driving in rainy conditions, avoid using cruise control, slow down, leave extra room between vehicles, and make sure your headlights are turned on.

For more tips on traveling with kids, visit SafeSeats4Kids.AAA.com.

preserving

from

road trip memories

Make road trips unforgettable with these reader keepsake ideas and souvenir strategies.