Surviving School Holiday Road Trips: Sensory-Friendly Tips for a Smoother Journey
September 10, 2025
School holidays often mean family road trips—and while they can be full of adventure and bonding, they can also be a challenge, especially when travelling with children who have disability-related needs. Long car rides can quickly shift from exciting to exhausting without the right supports in place.
Thankfully, with a little planning and a few sensory-friendly strategies, road trips can be both enjoyable and manageable for everyone.
Why Movement and Sensory Breaks Matter
Children with physical, sensory, or communication needs may experience discomfort, agitation, or sensory overload during long stretches in the car.
This can lead to:
- Muscle tightness or fatigue
- Sensory seeking behaviours (e.g., rocking, vocalising, kicking)
- Difficulty with self-regulation
- Increased distraction for drivers
Studies show that children can be 12 times more distracting to drivers than mobile phones, especially when they have complex needs
That’s why movement and sensory breaks aren’t just helpful, they’re essential for safety and wellbeing.
Road Trip-Friendly Sensory Break Ideas
Here are some inclusive, easy-to-implement strategies:
1. Sensory Station on a Picnic Rug
Pull over somewhere safe and set up a sensory mat or blanket. Include:
- Fidget toys
- Weighted lap pads
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Calming chews or hand-held sensory items
Even a short break to decompress can prevent overwhelm and reset the mood for the next leg of the trip.
2. Supported Stretch and Move
For children with limited mobility or who use wheelchairs, gentle stretches or repositioning can relieve discomfort. Passive movement like shoulder rotations or leg stretches can reduce agitation and improve comfort.
For children with more mobility, throwing a ball or frisbee, a quick game of ‘stop and go’, or some big stretches and bear crawls.
3. Nature Stops for Regulation
Choose rest stops with green space. Walking barefoot on grass, listening to birds, or simply breathing fresh air can help regulate sensory systems and reduce cortisol levels.
4. Car-Friendly Sensory Kits
Pack a small kit with:
- Textured items
- Scented playdough
- Visual timers
- Soft music playlists
4. Pack a “Comfort Kit”
Include familiar items like:
- A favourite toy or blanket
- Snacks with preferred textures or flavours
- A small photo album of family or pets
- A calming scent (e.g., lavender sachet)
These items can help regulate emotions and provide a sense of security.
5. Mindfulness on the Move
Introduce simple mindfulness techniques like:
- Breathing with a pinwheel or bubbles
- “5-4-3-2-1” grounding (name 5 things you see, 4 you hear, etc.)
- Gentle hand squeezes or tapping for regulation
These tools can help children self-regulate while on the move.
Road trips don’t have to be stressful. With thoughtful planning and sensory-aware strategies, they can become memory-making adventures for the whole family. Whether you're a parent, carer, or practitioner supporting a family, these tips can help turn a potentially overwhelming experience into a positive one.
News & Insights
Check Our Latest Resources
At helpz, we understand that navigating referrals can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our intake team is committed to making the process as smooth, transparent and efficient as possible while ensuring each client is connected with the right supports at the right time. This roadmap outlines what you can expect from referral through to service commencement.
When we hear the term brain injury , it's easy to think of the physical impacts first. However, for many people living with a brain injury, the challenges are often far less visible. Changes to memory, emotions, fatigue, communication, concentration, and everyday routines can affect a person's life long after the initial injury has occurred. Brain Injury Awareness Month is an important opportunity to increase understanding, challenge misconceptions, and recognise the resilience of the many Australians living with a brain injury every day. What Is a Brain Injury? A brain injury occurs when damage to the brain affects how a person thinks, feels, behaves, or functions in daily life. Some injuries are caused by external events such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, sporting injuries, or assaults. Others may result from medical conditions such as stroke, infection, lack of oxygen, brain tumours, or substance-related injuries. No two brain injuries are the same. The effects depend on the area of the brain affected, the severity of the injury, the person's supports, and their individual strengths and circumstances. For some people, the impacts may be relatively mild and short-lived. For others, they can be lifelong and require ongoing support. The Invisible Challenges One of the most misunderstood aspects of brain injury is that many impacts cannot be seen. A person may walk, talk, and appear physically well, yet experience significant difficulties with: Memory and recall Planning and organisation Attention and concentration Managing emotions Processing information Problem-solving Managing fatigue Social communication These challenges can affect a person's confidence, relationships, employment, education, and participation in the community. Because the impacts are often invisible, people living with brain injury can sometimes face unrealistic expectations or misunderstandings from those around them. What Does Recovery Look Like? Recovery from a brain injury is rarely a straight line. For many people, recovery is less about returning to exactly how life was before and more about learning new ways to achieve meaningful goals. Progress may happen over months or years, and every person's journey is unique. Recovery can include: Relearning daily skills Developing new strategies to manage challenges Building confidence in social situations Returning to study, work, or volunteering Increasing independence at home and in the community Strengthening relationships and support networks Importantly, recovery is not defined solely by clinical outcomes. It is also about quality of life, choice, participation, and finding ways to live a fulfilling life. A person who independently catches public transport, reconnects with friends, manages their weekly routine, or advocates for their own needs may be achieving incredible milestones that deserve recognition. The Importance of Support The right support can make a significant difference in helping a person navigate life after a brain injury. Support may come from many different sources, including: Family members and carers Support workers Occupational therapists Speech pathologists Psychologists Physiotherapists Behaviour support practitioners Support coordinators Peer support groups and community networks Effective support focuses on a person's strengths, goals, interests, and aspirations rather than solely on their challenges. Common Strategies That Can Help While every individual is different, a range of practical strategies are commonly used to support people living with brain injury. External memory supports Phone reminders Visual schedules Diaries and calendars Checklists and task planners Structured routines Maintaining consistent daily schedules Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps Planning activities ahead of time Fatigue management Building rest breaks into the day Prioritising important tasks Using energy conservation strategies Communication supports Providing information clearly and simply Allowing extra processing time Using visual supports where appropriate Emotional regulation strategies Mindfulness and relaxation techniques Identifying triggers and early warning signs Developing personalised coping strategies These approaches are often most effective when tailored to the individual's needs, preferences, and goals. Looking Beyond the Diagnosis People living with brain injury are often navigating challenges that others cannot see. Yet they are also raising families, building relationships, pursuing careers, volunteering, participating in their communities, and achieving personal goals every day. Brain Injury Awareness Month reminds us that disability is only one part of a person's story. By increasing awareness, promoting understanding, and focusing on strengths, we can help create communities where people living with brain injury feel valued, included, and supported to live the lives they choose. Because behind every diagnosis is a person with their own experiences, abilities, aspirations, and potential. Sometimes the most powerful support we can offer begins with understanding.
When people hear the term assistive technology , they often imagine expensive equipment, complex devices, or the latest high-tech innovations. While those types of supports certainly exist, assistive technology is often much simpler than people realise. Sometimes it's a phone reminder that helps someone remember an appointment. Sometimes it's a visual timer that makes daily routines feel more manageable. Sometimes it's a communication app that gives a person a way to express themselves more confidently. Often, it's the small things that end up making the biggest difference. At its heart, assistive technology is about helping people do more of the things that matter to them. It can support independence, increase confidence, reduce frustration, and create opportunities that may not have been possible before. For many people living with disability, everyday tasks can require significantly more mental energy and planning than others realise. Remembering appointments, managing medications, organising a shopping trip, finding the right words in a conversation, or navigating unfamiliar places can all present challenges. The right piece of technology can ease some of that load and make daily life feel a little more achievable. What's particularly exciting is that many of the tools people use every day can also become powerful supports. Smartphones have become portable organisers, communication devices, navigation systems, and memory aids all in one. A simple calendar alert can increase independence. A checklist app can help someone complete a complex task step by step. GPS navigation can provide the confidence needed to travel to new places. These supports may seem ordinary to some, but for the person using them, they can be transformational. Assistive technology can also open doors to greater connection. Communication is central to our relationships, our choices, and our ability to participate in the world around us. For people who experience communication difficulties, technology can provide alternative ways to express thoughts, preferences, needs, and ideas. Whether it's a communication app, a speech-generating device, or voice-to-text software, these tools can help ensure a person's voice is heard. Technology is increasingly helping people create environments that work better for them too. Smart home devices, voice-controlled assistants, automated lighting, and digital reminders can provide greater control over everyday routines. Something as simple as being able to turn lights on with a voice command or receive a reminder to take medication can promote both independence and confidence. For others, the most valuable supports are those that help manage stress, sensory needs, or emotional wellbeing. Noise-cancelling headphones, sensory tools, visual schedules, and mindfulness apps can help people feel more comfortable and prepared to participate in daily activities. These supports aren't about changing who a person is. They're about creating environments where people can feel safe, regulated, and able to engage in the things they enjoy. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that assistive technology isn't really about technology at all. It's about people. The success of any support is measured by what it allows someone to do. It might mean attending a community event independently, maintaining a job, reconnecting with friends, managing a household routine, or simply feeling more confident in daily life. The device itself is only a tool. The real outcome is the increased choice, participation, and freedom that comes with it. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the opportunities for people living with disability. Yet some of the most meaningful changes don't come from the most advanced innovations. They come from finding the right support, at the right time, that helps a person take one more step towards the life they want to live. Sometimes, a little bit of technology can create a whole lot of possibility.
