​​How to Deal with Motion Sickness with Children​

Traveling with children can be as easy as making sure they are comfortable. Part of that comes from a simple need they have – to avoid hunger and/or motion sickness. For example, when driving across Kansas for miles on end, there may not be any opportunities to stop to get something to keep them from getting sick or hungry. Some stretches of highway may not be as ribbon smooth as the Kansas Turnpike, which could cause motion sickness for some travelers.  

The truth is…we love to take long road trips from our home in Kansas City. With that in mind, what can you do to make sure that your children are comfortable on a road trip? We came up with a few tips that may help your children have a healthy and safe ride as you cross state lines.  

The scenery changes when you head in all directions. A field of Kansas sunflowers is a beautiful sight, and even more scenic places, such as the Ozarks, can be a delight to the eyes. However, scenery whipping past the passenger side windows can cause motion sickness on long car rides. Have your children enjoy the view out the front windshield to reduce nausea. 

Your vehicle should have vents in the second and third rows for air to come through. Make sure they are turned on to allow fresh air to enter. You can also turn on the climate control to ensure they are cool and comfortable. There are some controls right in front of them, too. The rear door windows also serve as another place to get fresh air into the rear seats. 

To fight motion sickness and nausea, a frequent snack with bland snacks—nothing salty, sugary, or spicy—can help alleviate car sickness. Yet, having some other kinds of snacks, such as ginger candies, crackers, or peppermint, on hand will also soothe their stomachs and offset any onset of nausea. 

Another thing you can do is apply motion sickness bands or patches on your children. These items use the science of acupressure to alleviate the nausea associated with travel.  

Bathroom breaks are beneficial for children to break the boredom of long stretches of road. You can also utilize roadside service areas provided by the Kansas Turnpike and other highway authorities—some even offer sit-down restaurants and snack kiosks. Sometimes, simply stopping your vehicle, getting out, and stretching is effective at keeping your children healthy on road trips.   

A Volkswagen is designed for comfort when you are stretching the miles. Your children will love the family-friendly features of our entire lineup. If you want a road trip vehicle that will keep your family healthy, safe, and happy, contact us at Bud Brown Volkswagen to see how they create a space for well-being ahead of your next adventure.