We are driving 2000 miles next week with our 1yr. old son. Any advice on keeping him happy?? YIKES! We have a DVD player to play some Elmo and other videos for him. We'll try to stop every couple hours and keep our hours down to 6-8/day. Any other advice from road trip experienced parents? THANKS!
2007-01-30 14:28:01 · 12 answers · asked by It's just me 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I have done a few long trips with my daughter - an 800 mile trip when she was 10 months for vacation (that was 16 hours!), and a couple of 6 hour trips to visit with my husband's grandparents.
When you are on the road, you should have someone sit in the backseat if possible. That way, someone is there to keep your child entertained while you drive. Be sure to bring enough sippy cups/bottles, snacks, and diapers within easy reach as you drive. Be sure to make frequent rest stops along the way so everyone, including the baby can get out and stretch (if the baby is walking, let him walk around for a few minutes). If you will be on the road during a mealtime, make a complete stop at a restaurant rather than hitting the drive through. The change of scenery is good for everyone. And if possible, try to work it so part of your trip occurs during naptime :)
2007-01-30 16:03:50 · answer #1 · answered by Erika 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I work with several 1 yr old all day every day. I work at a day care. One of the MOST IMPORTANT things to remember is to keep the temperature around 68 or so. If children get to warm they get real fussy and they do not sleep well. All of our training for day care stresses this point. Parents seem to think for the most part that their children get cold easily, when in fact the adult will most likely get cold first. It is best to have cooler air and a nice soft blanket for warmth but not to warm. Also when it comes to books and movies at that age they just need to be colorful and busy. Music and dancing are good movies for children. If a child can not hear the sound well, they will lose interest fast.
2007-01-30 14:53:01 · answer #2 · answered by babysnake2007 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At the beginning of January, I took a 30 hour Greyhound trip by myself with my two kids, ages 18.5 months and 5.5 months...it was interesting. I won't ever do it again but that was mostly because I didn't have any help. My advice?... keep lots of healthy snacks on hand, lots of juice, milk and water...and toys and books. I'm sure that he'll be fine. Most kids sleep on long car rides so you may get lucky. I wish you the best...good luck for a peaceful road trip!!!
2007-01-30 14:36:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have traveled with my kids before and omg it was crazy... Heres some things that might help.... Try to leave late at night ar really early so he will sleep the first few hours....bring lots of snacks (if you allow him to eat in your car) ..... movies..... if one of you sits with him in the backseat and do like flash cards with say elmo on them that will help...... a few small toys he can play with on his own..... 2 stuffed animals so you can do a "play" with them while one of you is driving..... things like that . But, I do know from experience that if I ever travel with my small children again I will bring lots more things to entertain them then I did the first time. I also noticed the more you get out of the car, the more they want to stay out and play... so I suggest the least amount of stops as possible. Hope this helps and have a good trip!!
2007-01-30 14:41:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The DVD player is good advise, just be prepared to make alot of stops. Don't try to push too hard it may be too stressful for the little one. We drive several hundred miles to get back to our hometown and visit once and a while and it takes us at least one stop from here to there..... Also, a good peace of advise that I learned the "hard way" you may want to consider putting a diaper doubler in the baby's diaper or put a towel or "Huggies absorbent changing pad" down in the car seat because for some reason they tend to drink more and diapers tend to leak at the worst times! It will save lot's of heartache and time trying to be prepared before hand. Also having healthy snacks on hand is a good diversion for cranky kids. (Gerber "stars" that melt away in the mouth is a "safer" choice)
2007-01-30 14:38:42 · answer #5 · answered by Princess Veronica's Mom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dvd thing will really come in handy!!
Make sure you stop at normal times for meals and keep his sleep schedule the same - ie stop for the night when he would normally be getting a bath and going to bed. GIVE HIM BATHS!!! They will help his little body with the soreness of setting.
Pack color wonder markers/coloring books! Some toys that light up. Some new boooks if he likes to look at them. And pack some special treats he normally doesnt get a lot that are easy to eat. (Gerber puffs, goldfish crackers, mini marshmellows but limit these due to sugar).
We took our little girl on a 14 hr trip and these things seemed to help. Her doc said if she got really fussy we could give her 1/2 tsp of bennedryl to make her drowsy to sleep...but honestly we never had to do that btwn the dvds and the books/toys/snacks.
2007-01-30 14:35:21 · answer #6 · answered by Char C 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Chrissy, I have had great succes with a portable DVD Player for in the car and plane. Just make sure you have age appropriate ones for each age group and that they take turns after 20-30 min. As far as games: we've played the " I Spy" game. Also I have had small gifts, wrapped for the kids that were given and opened every hour and they really loved it( bought at the Dollar store if on a budget) Also some games are 'travel size games which have worked for us. Ziplock baggie with a notebook,pen,stickers,crayons,foamies are a hit with my kids. I also make sure that they have their own bag in which these supplies fit( we travel mainly by plane so theirs is one on wheels, kid-size) For the little on I had a travel-potty with me( I believe it's called Potty on the Go) which was great for the moments we were on the beach. Rest time for travel is Potty breaks every 1 1/2 depending on how much they drink was good for us, if they sleep it can be even fewer. Snacks, take their favorite ones for sure, in plastic bags, for each the same( otherwise they fight!) potato chips in the long containers work the best and I make sure I have sweet, salty and fruit( grapes, aplles and bananas) and or fruit snacks for different flavors and a little candy as treat. Hope this helps a little and Good Luck!
2016-03-28 21:42:54 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bring a bag of toys. The key is to get stuff that isn't too small or has too many pieces. My kids usually take one stuffed animal and some stuff to go with it like a play bottle and a blanket. They also had some great soft cloth books when they were little that were great in the car. The books had animals that snapped in, were tied in with string, etc. The plastic rings that hook together are also good in the car because the kid can play with them, chew on them, or use them to hook other toys to the car seat. The kid doesn't really need much at that age if you rotate the toys. Also, I hate to say it but sitting in the back with baby helps. Bring music - stuff you can sing to the baby. It doesn't have to be kid music. My kids liked it when I sang to them and moved my body or theirs - clapping, kicking the baby's feet, etc.
2007-01-31 01:40:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
music could help, fisher price makes a kid tough mp3 player, but I am nto sure on the age but if your watching him he might just kick it with the tunes and save you the sanity of children's songs the whole 2000 miles. Also maybe a doodle pad I think thats what they are called the ones that have the magnetic pen and you draw and erase. Here is a link for road trip idea's http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/preschooler/ptravel/1453142.html
2007-01-30 14:40:40 · answer #9 · answered by WINGS 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We used to travel at night when our daughter was that age. She would sleep most of the time and we would switch driving every couple of hours. Otherwise the DVD player is a good way to go. Good luck! :)
2007-01-30 14:32:31 · answer #10 · answered by seamless1 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋