Besides video games, dvd etc how would you entertain a 4 yr old on a 16 hr car trip?

Answer 1

Plan to stop regularly for run-around time. My family drives between Oklahom and Utah regularly (17 hrs). And I know that if we don't stop at a rest-stop for stretching, and running around, my son becomes VERY agitated. Husbands are usually more concerned with 'making good time' with the drive. Mommys are more concerned about the kids potential mental breakdown if they don't get some time out of the car-seat. LOL!
Bring a soccer ball, or frisbee, so that when you stop, you can play a game.
The portable DVD player does get a lot of use on those rides. Also coloring books, silly putty, sewing cards, and healthy snacks are good to have onhand.

We once tried to leave at night so we could let the kids 'sleep' most of the drive, but that back-fired because whenever we had to stop for gas, or bathroom....the kids would wake up, and be cranky, tired, not want to be in the carseat, would fight going back to sleep. It works out better for us to get a hotel room, and spend the night to let the kids get quality sleep, and split the trip in half.

Good luck, and have a fun vacation.

Answer 2

well leave close to the childs bed time or nap time so he or she will fall asleep for a lil part of the trip , if the child is able to see out the window have him or her tell you what he or she sees on the road or on the side etc , another thing u can do they have these read along story books that are also interactive get a couple of those and let the child do that , u can get him or her coloring books and party size packs of crayons like the ones u get at some resteraunts , if possibl etake a few rest breaks that will allow the child to run around an play this will help tire him /her out a lil and they may fall asleep during the trip for a lil while again , , let the child pick a few of his or her toys from home that they can play with if the child noes his or her shapes or colors u can play a game where he or she says i see a red truck , u can also sing lil songs on the way like old mc doanald , 1 lil 2 lil 3 lil indians etc , teach him or her some of the songs u grew up with , get a cd or dvd with nurseery rymes or songs that r good for lil ones your childs age , the most important thing is let the child be part of the trip and to take part , when u r at a rest stop walk around let the child take home a lil rock or even pick a flower , take pics of your child standing near a tree or something and make him or her a lil scrap book of his or her own so that if u go on another trip he or she can look at it and talk to you about the paces that she or he has been from there point of view

Answer 3

You could play "I'm thinking of a color, what is it". Also you can play a game where the child has to spot a particular kind of vehicle on the road like a firetruck, police car,etc. Also you can add to those games by asking the child to count how many firetrucks go by or how many police cars go by. Coloring books and crayons still work. If you have a child's work table than the child can put together a puzzle. You can also get a travel thing that folds down over the back of your front seat that has things for the child to do, it's called a "children's travel desk". You purchase this from Avon Products. You could get a "light glow game" where the child had to form something on a board with pegs and there is a light in the background that lights up the board.

Answer 4

Explain to the child that they'll be in the car all day. Let them pick out their toys to take and play with in the car. Play different games with them, if they have a favorite song, or cd to listen to in the car, this helps. Talk to them about the clouds and see if they see anything in them.
When you stop at a rest area, get out, and do the obvious, take an extra 20 min to half hour, and let them run, have them roll down the hill if there is one, have them run to the tree, and back to you (do this several times). Have a picnic and enjoy your time while you are stopped.
Then explain you have to get back in the car, and finish your trip, but, you'll be stopping again soon, and you can do it again.
I recently took a 15 hour trip doing all of these things, as well as having a dvd player so that they could watch at least one tv show.
Another suggestion, make it a two day trip(if that is an option), and do 8-10 hours the first day, and reward them with a hotel and POOL at the end of it, and on the second day, before you pack up into the car, get into the pool again, might wear them out before you get going again.
Best of all.... Have fun with them, and talk...

(Oh, have plenty of snacks and waters(flavored if necessary) in the car...)

Answer 5

Well, i'm no parent, but maybe you should spend some time talking to him or teaching him something else than how to be a nerd without social skills. Frankly, I don't think a four year old should be playing video games, you are laying out the foundation of the rest of his life and molding him into the man/woman he/she will one day become. If your idea of parenting is keeping your child busy with games so you don't have to deal with the difficult, yet rewarding hardship of raising a child, I feel bad for the human life you were blessed with.

Answer 6

Ive found you need to let kids choose what toys and movies to take in the car. Kids are always most content when they get thier fav stuff. If you dont have the option to drive over night bring lots of snacks and juice just in case the chid ask for something. Definetly stop for breaks, make a schedule of when and where to stop to let the little one run free for 15 to 30 mins. Car rides are tiring for most kids so if your lucky he'll fall asleep.

Answer 7

The best part would be to leave at night so the major portion of the driving will be during sleep time. During wake time play games like car bingo with them have them try to find certain items etc, make sure you stop to give him time to run around, bathroom break and snacks. I have some music that i play that my son loves to listen too etc.

Answer 8

I would suggest leaving late at night or extremely early in the morning. But, also, get a small backpack for your child to bring and have him/her choose a few toys to put in it for the road. My 3 yr old has all sorts of travel sized toys (Mini magna doodle, etch
a sketch, etc). They fit perfectly in his little bag, and it keeps him occupied for hours. We also sing some of his favorite kid songs to pass the time. We travel every other weekend with our 2 kids (8 mos & 3 yrs) and my 3 yr old is absolutely wonderful. He actually looks forward to our bi-weekly "adventures".

Answer 9

Bring toys that wouldn't be messy (such as crayons) or toys that you wouldn't constantly be picking up off the car floor. Try a magna-doodle for him to draw on or window clings that he can decorate the car windows with. Also try creating games for him while you're driving down the road--games that all of you can play.

Answer 10

Here are a few things I would do...
Coloring books and crayons
Handheld games
Small travel games for young children
Snacks and Juices
Books to read to him/her and for him to flip through
Blocks or legos work nice too
Music that he/she likes
Paper to draw on

Good Luck!