I am going to take my daughter with me to visit family for the holiday. We will drive 2 and a half hours there and make the trip back in one day. Any suggestions on how to do this so that she can have a good day?
2006-11-22 13:25:16 · 11 answers · asked by katherinernilson 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Take lots of breaks. Along the way, find parks or maybe a shopping mall with a toy store, and make it fun (if you have a simple camera, let her take a few snapshots of whatever you see). Baby Einstein CDS are fun too, or teach her some new songs along the way. And before you head back, get her really wound up at your family's house so she will sleep all the way home. It may sound crazy but it works!
2006-11-22 13:30:31 · answer #1 · answered by Someone who cares 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Plan it around her nap. That will take at least an hour out of that trip. A DVD player for the car is nice, but if you can't afford that, get some tape with books combos so she can follow along to a book. Have plenty of treats to give her while driving...like "in 5 min if you can make it, here's your treat." Also those Leap Pad books that play along a book and they can interact are always nice too. I tried these magic marker things where they only write on a certain type of paper (from Walmart) and those were a hit with my 3 year old on the last plane ride we went on. Either way have fun. Don't stress too much!
2006-11-22 21:40:31 · answer #2 · answered by the_proms 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try to take a rest break half way, it will add time to the trip but will help over all. Unless you can afford a long break, avoid playgrounds or fast food. She is too young for videos unless you car is equipped. Make sure she is well fed and put her music on. I just to make a weekly 4 hour trip with my son and we had a stopping point at a visitor's center to get out, stretch and use the restroom. Also try to time the trip for nap time or bedtime. If you leave before bedtime, put her in her night clothes and then you can easily move her into her bed when she gets home.
2006-11-22 21:31:34 · answer #3 · answered by DJ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I just finished 20+ hours of plane flights with a 2.5 year old girl (US to Australia). Best things I can tell you are - snacks (to keep it sort of clean - snack trap cup works well as do lollypops), videos & books. Also, I have a tray attached to the car seat so she can do "art". ColorWonder markers and water doodle tablets are great (not aqua doodle - these use a pen (works better than the brush) with a bit of water so kids can "paint" scenes, when they dry, the can "paint" it all over again). Last bit of fun was a small chalkboard. A little messy, but she loved to draw then erase. Last idea...one parent sit in back with the child. They LOVE all the one-on-one attention! :-)) Good luck and have fun!
2006-11-22 22:23:09 · answer #4 · answered by Wattleseed 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how old your child is, I live in Australia and recently my partner and I travelled to Ireland with our 8 month old twins but since you will be driving and not flying I don't have that much advice sorry, main thing is don't stick too much to a plan kids can get bored very quick so you have to really be sympathetic to her needs. Maybe plan the drive around her nap time for a bit of peace
2006-11-23 02:37:17 · answer #5 · answered by irishman_0 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depending on the age of your child.....snacks and games or songs work .......i just traveled with a 20 month and a 5yro 14 hours on friday and monday this last weekend and they mostly slept or we sang songs and had snacks 2 1/2 hours isnt much. toys work as well
hope this help a little have a safe trip
2006-11-22 22:08:29 · answer #6 · answered by Tina 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I travelled around england with my toddler, we were in the car for 3 weeks. We did heaps of stops, took a picnic basket and had picnics at different parks, ran around with him and wore him out and then would freshen him up and put him in the car with a drink and he would go to sleep. The trick is to get them to go to sleep in the car, so either wear them out or arrange it around sleep time.
2006-11-22 22:13:22 · answer #7 · answered by Jess B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pack a lot of interesting things to keep her busy. Books on tape if you're really desperate. Entertain her while with the family so she might sleep a lot on the way home. Mainly kepp her busy so she won't be fussy because she's bored.
2006-11-22 21:36:51 · answer #8 · answered by coobodt 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I always wait until bedtime or a little later to leave for the return trip so they sleeeeeep.
Toys are always good, and lots of snacks.
2006-11-22 21:28:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My mom would wrap our toys. The toys we already had, not new ones, although that would be a special surprise.
My younger brothers loved it.
2006-11-22 21:46:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋