How to Take a Road Trip With a Toddler

Taking a road trip with a restless toddler can be a challenge, but there are many ways to make the time go faster and keep everyone happy for at least most of the trip.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Travel Pillows
• Bottled Water
• Plastic Food Containers
• Plastic Food Containers
• Coolers
• Infant/toddler Toys
• Travel Games
• Plastic food containers

1. Follow the seatbelt/car-seat rule: The car doesn't move until everyone is securely strapped in, and the car stops if anyone gets unstrapped.

2. If your child naps, try to travel during the time she is most likely to fall asleep. You can even travel at night, as long as the driver is well-rested and alert.

3. Make regular stops at rest areas or safe pullouts. Freeway rest areas often have a grassy area where kids can run and stretch their legs.

4. Pack cool drinks and healthful finger foods; avoid sticky or moist foods that can ruin your car's interior. Dry cereal and crackers, along with a spill-proof cup of milk, juice or water, can keep a toddler busy for a while.

5. Try to play car games that involve looking out of the window. This makes it less likely that your child will get carsick, and helps to distract her from the reality of being stuck in a car seat.

6. Bring a portable potty, and consider bringing along some pull-ups for extra insurance if your child is toilet training.

7. Pack a selection of quiet toys for the trip to keep the child busy without driving the adults crazy.

8. Bring lots of good sing-along children's music tapes, which will help everyone pass the time.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if your car has tinted windows, an adjustable sunshade can help to keep your toddler cool and comfortable.
• If your child tends to drop her cup, consider attaching it to her car seat with a pacifier clip or a short piece of string.
• Give your child lots of fluids, as long car trips can be dehydrating.

Who Can Help:

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on 9/23/2006 When we went on an eight hour drive with our young toddlers, we went to the dollar store first and stocked up on little toys, books, and games. If the kids started to get antsy, we made a big deal out of getting a new toy or game. They loved being surprised and the toys entertained them for about an hour and a half each. We had things like cookie sheets with letter magnets, toy cars, puppets, board books, magna-doodles, and plastic dinosaurs.

on 11/22/2005 We bring several kids' books on tape. I buy one and borrow some from the library. Sometimes the stories even work to put a toddler to sleep.

on 11/22/2005 A TV/VCR for car for long trips. Bring the favorite tapes or borrow/rent new ones! The best thing we've ever done. Keeps young children immersed in wonder when all else has failed. You can only keep a toddler amused for so long with songs and games.