Planning a family trip this summer or later this year? We’ve rounded up the essential—and free!—apps you need to make it a fun, stress-free journey! Check them out below:
PLAN
Need to get organized before your trip? There are apps for that!
- Create an itinerary: Leave the paper reservation printouts at home with TripIt (free, iOS and Android). The app automatically organizes all of your travel plans—including flights, car rentals, hotels, and restaurant reservations—into one handy itinerary [see image, right].
- Pack like a pro: Making sure the entire family is packed up for your trip can sometimes be a struggle, but TripList (free, iOS) makes it easier. Create packing lists by choosing from a built-in catalog of common items and pre-trip tasks (such as “check-in online” or “charge batteries,” or by adding your own items.
SURVIVE
Ensure smooth sailing (or flying, driving, train riding…) with these apps that’ll help you manage the small but important things on your trip.
- When you’re on the road: Avoid bumps on your next road trip with RoadAhead (free, iOS) and GasBuddy (free, iOS and Android). RoadAhead [see image, right] maps your location and helps you find restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, ATMs, grocery stores, and more at nearby highway exits—perfect for when the kids get hungry or you need to make a pit stop! Meanwhile, GasBuddy helps you fuel up by highlighting the cheapest gas stations near your location.
- When the kids get bored: When the kids get restless during downtime or waiting time, make sure you have some apps on your phone or tablet to keep them occupied, and even better if the apps are educational. Try MeeGenius (free, iOS and Android), which has read-along audiobooks for ages 3-8, or IXL (free, iOS and Android), which has math and English language arts practice for grades K-12! Kids can even win prizes for practicing with IXL during the summer!
- When nature calls: “Mooommmm, I really have to go!” Be prepared to handle a full bladder with SitOrSquat (free, iOS and Android), an app that helps you find bathrooms near you!
SHARE
The fun doesn’t have to stop once you return home! Make it a family project to gather and share memories from the trip with these apps.
- Make a digital scrapbook: Scrap It (free, iOS), allows you to add backgrounds, stickers, and texts to your photos to create scrapbook pages that can be shared with friends and family [see image, right].
- Write a story: Work with your kids to write stories about your trip using StoryKit (free, iOS)—type text for the story, draw illustrations or import photos, and even record sound clips!
