With spring in full swing and summer fast approaching, kids will soon be out of school, and that means one thing for parents everywhere - planning that summer road trip and crossing your fingers it goes off without a hitch!

Now before you press the panic button, here’s some great road trip hacks that will help make the process much more enjoyable for you and your entire family.

Emergency Kits are your best friend - Don’t leave home without them!

Road trips are meant to be fun, but you should also always be prepared for the unexpected. Have an emergency road kit ready that includes the following items:

• 1 Portable external cell phone battery pack

• 1 Heavy-duty flashlight (with batteries)

• Flares

• Bottled water

• 2 cans of Fix-A-Flat

Some of the best kits you can find online. We recommend the LL Bean AAA Deluxe Safety Kit that retails for $69.95, which also includes a great warm blanket that can be used for non-emergencies, too! We can see a picnic in your future with it, too!

First-Aid First!

We highly encourage you not to forget to include a fully stocked First Aid kit with bandages, antibiotic ointments, hydrogen peroxide and all medicines (both over-the-counter and prescription) that you and your little ones may need. The Grand Canyon can be beautiful, but you never know who might get a cut or scrape in the middle of nowhere that needs attending to!

Right now Target has a great kit by Johnson & Johnson available online for just $9.99! Definitely worth the investment!

Tummies May Need Tums!

One thing to be prepared for on road trips that often gets overlooked? Upset stomachs! Eating while traveling on the road can play havoc on little ones' (and adults') stomachs! Make sure to pack extra Pedialyte, Imodium, and Gatorades to stay hydrated.

That’s Entertainment!

The best way to avoid the dreaded “Are we there yet?” is to provide a means of distraction. Don’t think for a second the “License Plate Game” or “I Spy” will keep kids entertained from New Rochelle to Key West. Since Generation Z can get distracted fairly easily, provide a range of games -- both physical and video-- (Uno or Leggos anyone?) as well as traditional entertainment (music, DVDs).

There’s a reason you purchased your Minivan or SUV Rear Seat entertainment system as an added amenity, so no better time to take advantage of it! Bring any DVDs you’ve been meaning to watch as a family but haven’t gotten around to it. We suggest a trip down memory lane with one of the best car-related for kids, “Cars”!

One of the best satellite radio stations for kids is Sirius XM’s Radio Disney, where you can be sure to hear everything from “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” to “Under the Sea” to “Let It Go” just at the right moment to make sure your little one stays as happy as a clam, and you can concentrate on the road ahead!

Keep Projectiles at Bay

While books, puzzles and animal crackers can be great activities to keep kids engaged (and full), it’s no fun finding a capless Sharpie in the seam of your new leather seat, petrified Cheez-Its in the console, or worse - dodging projectile crayons at the wheel when Timmy doesn’t like you passing Dairy Queen! Take heart, and take advantage of some great back seat storage options for your own munchkin with the Munchkin backseat organizer.

With handy spacious pockets that are easy to reach from your front seat perch --grab that sippy cup STAT, or find Curious George when you need him most-- It retails for only $9.79 on Diapers.com! Extra great for keeping snacks handy, too, when tummies are rumbling. Certainly a lot faster than pulling over on the side of the road to rummage through the trunk, AND most importantly, a lot cheaper than reupholstering your car!

***

Car Leasing Concierge wants you to enjoy your time with your family on the open road, and eliminate time wasted at dealerships! Our business is here to help you bypass dealers, saving you valuable time and unnecessary stress when purchasing or leasing a new vehicle. Your family's needs are always our expert concierges' top priority, and as an added bonus, we'll even deliver your vehicle to your door!

At Car Leasing Concierge, we're not here to sell you a car; we're here to help you purchase one.

To learn more on how we can assist you and your family, visit:

http://www.carleasingconcierge.com, Or call us at 1-800-886-1950

Buying or Leasing a New Car?

Valuable Hacks to Survive Your Next Family Road Trip