My Go-to Trick for Making Road Trips With Kids so Much Easier

It's daunting traveling with young kids. Whether you're flying, driving, or even taking the stroller down the road, there's no guaranteeing a smooth ride. I have two little ones under the age of four, and figuring out ways to travel out of state has been quite a process. At the moment, we prefer car trips because we don't live near a major airport, and direct flights are rare -- not to mention the impressive amount of gear required for even an overnight stay. But I've discovered a trick for long drives that has not only made road trips with kids much easier but has also made them much more fun.

It all started when we took a trip over Thanksgiving to visit family in Charlotte. For us, this meant several hours in the car and not much entertainment beyond a few go-to toys and books. Before having children, my husband and I would drive hours at a time, stopping only briefly at a rest stop or gas station before continuing on. Having kids adds a whole new layer of logistics to the process, with impromptu outfit changes, snack breaks, and needing to get some serious wiggles out.

Before leaving for our road trip, I looked at a map of our route, which happened to take us right through Greensboro, North Carolina. After a quick search, I discovered a local park just minutes from the interstate. Better yet, this park promised a fantastic playground, complete with restroom facilities, paved walking trails, and even a place to refill our water bottles. I saved the location on Google Maps and sure enough, after a couple of hours in the car, we needed the break.

My husband and I were just as excited as our three-year-old, and that's saying something.

Arriving at Keeley Park Playground, I was amazed by the facilities. This newly built playground is the first fully accessible play space in Greensboro and the largest of its kind west of Raleigh. My husband and I were just as excited as our three-year-old, and that's saying something. Here's what we discovered: Six slides, three zip lines, hillside climbers, a merry-go-all, and lots of interactive sensory play elements. All three of us hopped on the merry-go-all and had the best time flying through the air while our little one-year-old watched happily from the ground, which is covered in a soft foam top. There's something special about a park that's designed for all ages and all abilities, and Keeley Park was clearly designed with that philosophy in mind. We soaked in the rays, enjoyed our packed snacks, and couldn't quite believe our luck at having found such a fun pit stop.

The best part of all? All of this was hiding -- for free -- just minutes from the interstate. In my experience, this is often the case with many local, regional, and state parks. The trick is finding them ahead of time, saving a few, and keeping an open mind. We stayed at the park for about 30 minutes and felt completely refreshed, more so than if we had simply stopped at a rest area. Another quick search revealed a local coffee shop called Arrowhead Coffee just a few minutes away, the perfect pick-me-up for another few hours in the car. (I highly recommend trying one of their seasonal lattes!)

The kids were noticeably happier after our short detour, and we were energized to keep driving. Moreover, we felt like we got to know Greensboro in a very unique, albeit brief, way. The park was such a hit that we prioritized stopping there again on our return home. So, the next time you have a long stretch of highway ahead, I recommend starring a few parks along the way. You never know when you'll want to stop for a much-needed play break!

Oh, and while our Thanksgiving holiday in Charlotte was lovely, this little park detour is, without a doubt, one of our favorite memories from the trip.

Looking for more travel inspiration? Take a look at our list of the best kid-friendly destinations in the U.S.