Making your car kid-friendly

Driving around with kids can be super fun but it can also be hard work. Whether they’re wanting to play, scream or sing while you’re concentrating on the road, driving with children poses obvious challenges. When they’ve already asked “are we there yet” ten times and you haven’t pulled out of the driveway, our kid-friendly car tips will help turn your journey around.

 At Mantello Kia Roxburgh Park, we love helping families find their perfect car. From in-car entertainment to ensure the kids are never bored, to safety features that give you peace of mind on every trip, we’ve got all your vehicle needs covered.

So how can you make your car kid-friendly so that the whole family is happy?

Safety first

You should never compromise on safety – whether you have children or not. From Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) to Multi-Collision Braking (MCB), vehicles like the Kia Carnival have some impressive features that will keep your family safe on every journey. Other safety features like child seat anchor points (ISOFIX), airbags, and lane-change warnings can put you at ease and keep you and your kids as safe as possible.

Car seats

Having a reliable, appropriate car seat is essential to make your car kid-friendly. Depending on the age of your children, you might need a rear, forward-facing or booster seat, and investing in high-quality seating options is crucial.

New cars will have the LATCH system installed (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) which ensures that car seats can be mounted safely in your car. Always check the age and weight criteria for the seat to guarantee that it’s the right size for your child.

Shade

 Even in Victoria, where there can be plenty of grey days, keeping your kids cool and protected from the sun is an absolute must. Shades are the best way to keep the sun out of their eyes and away from their skin.

 Shades come in different sizes and shapes to suit your vehicle – and some even have fun pictures on them to keep the kids entertained.

Entertainment

Investing in some back-seat entertainment will help your kids survive those longer trips and keep them occupied while you concentrate on driving.

Kia accessories like the iPad Cradle make rear-seat entertainment easy. The cradle attaches to the back of your front seats - all you have to do is slot in an iPad. It can rotate and tilt to ensure your kids’ viewing experience is never compromised.

 The All-New Kia Sorento offers smart, wireless charging so that even on longer journeys, your entertainment options won’t run out of battery. It also offers ambient mood lighting so that you can create an atmosphere to suit your kids’ mood (and maybe even encourage nap time).

Planning ahead

When you’re travelling with children and want to make sure your car is kid-friendly, prevention is better than cure. Whether it’s entertainment, safety or comfort, planning ahead will save you (and them) a whole lot of stress down the line. 

For your comfort and theirs, plan to take regular breaks during long trips so that they can stretch their legs and run around a little. Don’t forget to pack snacks, toys and everything you might need in case of an emergency.

Choosing a kid-friendly car

Making sure your car is kid-friendly all starts with choosing a vehicle that will suit you and your family’s needs for years to come. At Mantello Kia Roxburgh Park, we can help you find a car that’s spacious enough, practical enough and safe enough for you and your children.

Get in touch with us today (03) 9930 4444