I need advice on traveling with 4 year olds.?

Question

In less than a month my husband and I are driving from nyc to Disney world with my 4 year old twin boys. Driving was a better option for us than flying for many reasons but I am getting scared as the day approaches. They frequently ride in the car for 3 hours at a time. Any sensible advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I have seen little desk like things that clip on the car seat at toys r us. Take lots of books, coloring books, any toys that can keep them occupied and if you can afford portable dvd players...there the best!!! Try to stop and let them stretch and run around as much as possible! Also, one of those neck wraps are really useful!! Good luck!

Answer 2

You will save a ton of money by driving. Plus, you'll have your own car once you're there. My advice is to make stops so they can get out and stretch often. Do you have a portable DVD player in your car? I highly recommend those for long trips. My husband and I found one at Sams Club for only $120 and it came with the straps to attach it to the back of a passenger seat. That is the best plan for you -- movies. Why not get them excited for Disney? Bring Disney movies like The Incredibles, The Lion King, etc... anything your boys might like.
Or burn a cd of music the whole family can sing along too. I know, it sounds a bit cheesy, but it works!

If you would like any help researching or planning for this Disney Vacation .. or if you would like to read up on some fun tips and advice which is updated monthly, visit my Disney Vacation Services Website, I'm All Ears at:
http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/

Have a great time and pack lots of snacks! :)

Answer 3

Thats great that you already know how much time they can handle. I would find towns spaced a couple of hours apart and plan to stop at parks and picnics and to see the worlds largest grapefruit of whatever. I would also plan for a lot of the driving to be done at night or naptime. Don't let anyone hurry you. Think about stopping at a motel with a pool and let them work off some energy. usually they'll let you use the pool without renting a room if you offer a couple of bucks and tell them your thinking of stopping on the way back. wrapped gifts as rewards for being good are great too. cookie sheets are great coloring trays if you dare. three laps around the resteraunt before and after each meal worked for my three. Have fun and don't forget to enjoy the ride.

Answer 4

I bought a portable DVD player with straps so it hangs between the front seats. It cost only $79 and has been a lifesaver. The kids can watch movies. But don't try to make a marathon out of it. Take a break in the middle of the drive for the day, so drive four hours, take a long break so they can have some fun, and then do another driving stint. Plan your trip so you'll be stopping at fun places for kids (and for you, too!).

Answer 5

They have small traveling pillows or neck pillows,organizer that goes on the back of front seat to put things in.Crayons,books,kid friendly Cds,snacks,whatever games they like,portable dvd player if u have one.Just think of things they like to keep them busy.I am sure it will bean easier trip than u think.My son (5) just an hour ago got back from disney world after a 15 hour trip w/his grandparents and 4 yr old brother.It went a lot better than planned.Good Luck.Play games like i spy and stuff 4 yr olds love.

Answer 6

Pack a cooler with juice boxes and a bag of snacks, I take my kids and let them each pick out a few themselves that aren't really messy, fruit snacks, crackers, etc.
We pack a backpack for each of them, this year in theirs they had crayons, a tablet, a coloring book, a video now player and three shows, these magnets that are shaped like people, cars or animals and a case they can make scenes with I got at walmart for pretty cheap, a picture book and one invisible ink book (the kind that if they color it with the invisible ink marker that comes with it the picture or puzzle appears). My son now has a game-boy and he takes it with him.
We buy things in advance and put them up so the kids have never played with them. The video now players are kept only for trips longer then 1 hour for them to take, that way they are interesting to them still.
We sing lots of songs and play games of "what if" like what if you were a superhero or what if you could fly. We also play sight games, find a circle, a square, something yellow or green.
We also stop every three or four hours at a rest stop and let the kids play outside the car in grass for awhile.

Answer 7

If the boys are accustomed to riding for up to three hours at a time then be sure to stop every two or three hours for everyone to get out and do a little exercise. I know this seems like a given but some people make the mistake of trying to drive so many hours non-stop,they run the risk of blood clots in the legs and urinary tract infections. That is always a vacation ruiner! Have a cooler loaded with cold water and light juices like apple or cranberry again as orange can contribute to urinary tract infection. Apple slices,string cheese,raisins, and any other easy to handle snack food is essential. To keep them entertained, some games that involve the whole family can really help the time pass. We used to play "NAME THAT TUNE" by taking turns humming a TV or movie theme or a well known pop tune. I'll bet the boys have lots of favorites. Another one appropriate for 4 years old if they can see out of the window is awarding points for the first one to spot a red car or a sign with something like a dog or cat. Cookie sheets can serve as lapdesks and magnet boards for drawing,coloring,playing with toy cars,reading, as well as holding their snacks. Make each boy a bag of surprises all wrapped up like presents and let them choose a new gift from the bag every 50 miles or so. They can be just inexpensive little trinkets...the thrill is in the unwrapping and anticipation.Mark a US map with your route and have them stick a star on the map to mark your location each time you stop. As young as they are,they can still grasp a vague concept like distance traveled. If your car is sound proof enough, read their favorite stories to them. The drive itself may make them sleepy enough so you won't have to constantly entertain them but don't be scared, traveling with kids by car can be so much fun. With them in separate car or booster seats,at least you won't have to referee any disputes over territory!

Answer 8

We would drive from Indiana to Florida all the time, My foster mom would get a travel bag for us kids, small travel games, battleship, connect 4, ect(you can get them at wal-mart or another good dept store) coloring books, crayons, raisins, Cheerios, books, we would also have a I spy treasure game, You have 10-15 different Ideas on a paper tell them what they need to look for(we had pictures from magazines and we handed them up when we found one) first one done got to pick next game. Just have lots of ideas and extra wet wipes if you let them eat in the car!

Answer 9

Try getting various games and toys for them to play with on the car ride. Pack such things as portable dvd player/ books/ car games. Be sure to pack snacks, drinks to keep them occupied longer and stop every few hours to stretch thier legs.
If they are getting restless try playing eye-spy or tell them to look for certain objects out the window and make a game of it.
Good Luck!

Answer 10

A box with new/ inexpensive toys, like crayons, color books and that type of thing. Give them a new toy once a day to keep it interesting. Also have a box of goodies that won't make too much of a mess in the car. Plan on taking lots of pit stops and try and squeeze in some fun stops also. Make sure they have blanket & pillows for naps, music cd's. Find a road game that they can play also. Like looking for Vw's, red trucks, etc.
Mostly keep your cool and maybe think valium, not for them, but for you. lol