Travelling together as a family can be an incredible experience – but a little preparation will ensure that your adventures run as smoothly as possible.

“When you’re travelling long distances with kids in tow, it’s good to come prepared with things that will make the travel experience less stressful and more fun for the whole family,” says Heather Greenwood Davis, family travel expert.

To help families survive (and thrive) on their journeys, we asked Greenwood Davis to share her top suggestions.

Tune in together. For a great family bonding activity that will keep everyone engaged (and quiet) Greenwood Davis recommends tuning into an audiobook. “When we go on long road trips, audio books are a must. My family loves the classics; we listened to Charlotte’s Web when the boys were little, and are now enjoying favourites like Lord of the Flies and To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Make it an adventure. The key to keeping the little ones entertained while away is often in the little things. Greenwood Davis suggests the Zinc Flyte Scooter Suitcase: a compact piece of cabin-sized luggage that converts into an on-the-go scooter. “This suitcase is the perfect mix of fun and functional. It offers tons of room for all of your kids’ stuff and is a super fun way for them to get from point A to point B.”

Game on-the-go. For long trips, there’s no better entertainment than video games. For the ultimate in on-the-go gaming, Greenwood Davis recommends Nintendo Switch, a video game system that you can play at home or pick up and take with you wherever you go – making it the perfect travel companion. “My whole family loves the system. We take it with us on vacation, knowing that after a day of outdoor fun we have something fun and relaxing we can do together!”