Your kids are climbing the walls. They simply can’t wait to get out and have some unique fun and an adventure for the whole family. Now that the restrictions are lifting, drive-ins are popping up and back into business. Most of them offer multiple screens that cater not just to adults but to kids and teens as well.
There’s nothing quite like a true movie drive-in experience. The enormous screen, vehicles separated by speakers on stands and of course the refreshment center with freshly popped popcorn, Swedish Fish candy, and all of the diet soda you could want.
Anytime you travel with kids, whether it’s down the block to the grocery store or across the country to visit with grandparents, you need to be prepared. While the odds are good that the trip will go smoothly and you will all reach your destination just fine, as a parent, erring on the side of caution is wise to help ward off any unforeseen obstacles.
How to Prepare for Safe Family Fun at the Drive-In
1) If you’re going for the double or triple feature, you and your children will be there for a while. It’s easy to be pulling into the drive-in lot at 8 PM and leave in a line of cars at 2 AM. Dress in comfortable clothes, and have your children dress in their most comfortable (and warm, if necessary) pajamas. This way, as soon as you get back home, they can slip right into bed.
2) Driving with kids can be distracting, and distractions are dangerous. Now that you are all getting your vehicles back on the road, ready to travel with your kids and pets, it’s time to brush up on the auto insurance coverage policy. Do you know how much you’re covered for? Freeway Insurance is a trusted company with exceptional customer service reps that will help you discover the best rates and coverage available to you!
3) Depending on the vehicle you’re driving, you’ll want to bring camp or lawn chairs to your little drive-in party. If you’ve got a truck, the kids can sprawl out in the back of it while you and your partner can sit in the lawn chairs. Staking out your own space in and around your vehicle will make your time there even more comfortable. Remember, higher-profile vehicles are asked to park in the back of the lot to allow for others to see the screen without obstruction.
4) Since everyone has just about the same idea, now that summer is unfolding, and people can be out and about again, it’s a good idea to buy tickets early and arrive early so that you can choose a primo spot. You don’t want to get stuck behind a high-profile vehicle that is, perhaps, not following the rules and then you’re stuck with watching the top half of the screen.
5) If it’s a hot, humid night, consider bringing insect repellent. While in the past drive-ins offered insect repellent coils to light and place by the car window, those days are gone. You won’t want to be stuck defenseless against a cloud of mosquitoes that are hungrier for your blood than the monsters on the screen.
6) Twenty or thirty years ago, pulling up to a slot at a drive-in meant turning on the old gray speaker and nudging it a few times to be able to hear anything. Technology has improved the sound choice alternatives on so many levels. Your options today include listening through your car stereo. The drive-in will let you know which frequency to tune into. Be sure your battery is well charged if you choose this option, as the car radio does put a drain on the battery. You can also choose a radio app on your phone to tune in to or bring a portable radio.
7) There will be time before the movies begin and in between them, so you’ll want to have something for the kids to do during those downtimes. You can plan a nice picnic and bring a cooler, a basket with family favorite sandwiches, and healthy snacks. You might want to be active and can choose to take a walk around the drive-in or even throw a ball around if you aren’t in danger of spoiling other movie-goers’ good time with a misplaced ball.
Kids, not just adults, have waited a long time for the world to ‘get back to normal.’ Parents often struggle with activities to do with their children that will be fun for all. A drive-in can be a movie, a meal, and laughter-filled event when planned correctly. Most of all, make sure that your vehicle is up to date with maintenance and insurance so you can enjoy it all with peace of mind!
