Anyone who’s ever taken a road trip with kids knows it can be challenging, to say the least. Long hours on the road can make for grouchy little ones, grouchy teens, and grouchy parents. If you’re wondering how to survive a road trip with kids, I have a great tip for you. What better way to break up a long drive than by stopping in a town along the route? It’s even better when that town has a great kid-friendly venue.
Stop along the Route
That’s exactly what we did on our last long drive. My husband often travels for work, so when we had the bright idea to combine his work trip with our family vacation in Florida it meant extra driving time. After five hours in the car, we found ourselves along I75 in southern Georgia. At a stop in a town called Warner Robins, we discovered a top spot for families with kids called Monkey Joe’s.
Monkey Joe’s Bounce House
Monkey Joe’s is a bounce-house venue which offers multiple large inflatables. These come in all shapes and sizes, which is great for kids of a range of ages. My husband had work nearby, so he dropped off me and our two young children to spend the afternoon. We paid the admission fee—very budget-friendly at $15 per child. The attendant gave each of us a wrist band, and my kids were off to the races!
I found a nice spot at a table in the middle of the action, and I settled in for the long haul. From my vantage point, I could supervise my kids as they ran out all the pent-up energy they’d accumulated while riding in the car. They tackled the bouncy slides first before moving on to the traditional bouncing houses and the obstacle courses.
Besides the obvious entertainment, Monkey Joe’s also offers concessions and arcade games (all for a price), and free Wi-fi (we busy working moms can’t overlook the value of free Internet access!). I discovered that they have great party packages and season pass memberships too.
We ended up spending several hours at Monkey Joe’s, and while there we used the restroom facilities as well as the concessions. Our experience was excellent, all around. While watching my kids bounce their hearts out, I spotted several other parents dotted around the venue. Some were socializing with like-minded parents, but others were like myself, busy working moms making good time management decisions. It truly was a great spot for everyone.
By the time we were ready to head out, my husband had finished his work and returned to pick us up so we could continue our road trip. The kids were eager for the rest and relaxation that came with riding in the car after all their physical exertion!
Our positive experience made me curious about Monkey Joe’s, and I began doing a bit of research. Here’s what I found: all kids 12 & under are welcome, and bouncing time is unlimited for the day. Don’t forget socks, as they are required.
Not only that, but I was surprised but pleased to find that Monkey Joe’s is a franchise! This means we’ll have the possibility of visiting another branch somewhere along the path on our next road trip. There are multiple locations throughout the eastern United States including Illinois, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and more.
Stress Relievers
If you have a road trip coming up with your kids, consider planning a stopover along the way to release excess energy and anxiety. It’ll help get your kids’ blood pumping and keep their muscles working. All of these are stress relievers for kids (and parents by osmosis). Stopping in this way is honestly something we’d never considered on other long trips, so when it worked for us, I knew I had to share it with our blog followers here at MomsTribute.com, a top site to find the best blogs for working moms!
You may not be passing through southern Georgia on your next trip, but wherever you are traveling is sure to have a few excellent kid friendly venues from which to choose. Be sure to download the KFV app to search out top rated spots for your little ones or teens. From museums, movie theaters, and restaurants to shopping, activities, or arcades the KFV app has you covered. Don’t forget to rate your favorite spots, too, to give other moms a heads up!
When push comes to shove, long road trips with kids can be stressful. Why not make it as stress free as you can manage? Grab the KFV app and plan your road trip stopover to help everyone have the best memories possible.
