A Christmas Road Trip to Remember – Reno & Lake Tahoe with the Kids

Snow-capped trees, steaming mugs of cocoa, and the sound of boots crunching through fresh snow — our family road trip to Reno and Lake Tahoe last Christmas was filled with winter magic. It wasn’t just a change of scenery; it was a chance to unplug from the holiday chaos and reconnect as a family. And let’s be honest — any trip where the kids are this excited about snow is one for the books.

Packing the Joy (and the Snacks)

With three kids in the backseat, road trips can go from peaceful to chaotic in a matter of seconds. That’s why we packed goodie bags for each of them — one of our best road trip hacks.

Each bag included:

• A slime hand

• A Hot Wheels car (for Neal)

• An Etch A Sketch and coloring book (for Raj)

• A Kindle with downloaded games and books (for Sanjay)

• A small deck of cards

  
  

These simple items kept them busy for hours and turned “Are we there yet?” into “Can we keep driving?”

Parent Tip: Let each child help choose a couple items for their bag. It gives them a sense of ownership and adds to the excitement.

Reno: Lights, Cocoa, and Family Time

Our first stop was Reno, where the city was lit up with Christmas lights and festive energy. The boys loved walking through the downtown displays and sipping cocoa from a local café. We made time for a family movie night in the hotel room, complete with takeout pizza and Neal’s favorite cookies from the bakery downstairs.

Lake Tahoe: Winter Wonderland

Then we drove up to Lake Tahoe, where the kids finally got their wish: snow! We spent our days making snowmen, sledding, and throwing snowballs at Dad (who swears he’s still cold). One afternoon, we bundled up and took a short hike to watch the sunset over the lake — an unforgettable view, even for our energetic crew.

Sanjay was fascinated by how quiet and peaceful the snow made everything. Raj loved trying to race his sled down the hill the fastest, and Neal just wanted to eat the snow. 😂

A Holiday to Remember

This trip wasn’t extravagant, but it was everything we needed. Quality time. Laughs. Snowflakes on eyelashes. It reminded us that the best part of the holidays isn’t what’s under the tree — it’s the time we spend making memories together.

If you’re looking for a Christmas getaway that balances beauty, simplicity, and plenty of kid-friendly fun, Reno and Tahoe are a perfect combo. Just don’t forget the mittens, the cocoa, and your camera — you’ll want to remember every smile.