Any suggestions for keeping the little guy happy while we're in the car all that time???
2007-06-05 01:40:51 · 13 answers · asked by Bernard 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Yeah, I have done many long road trips. (Hubby in army, family 22 hours away) I have a 4 y/o and a 1 1/2 y/o. I also pack lots of snacks. Yes I am guilty of letting him watch a dvd player. I let him pick out the movies he wants, I usually buy a few that he hasn't seen so he doesn't get old with them. I also buy the new "Color Wonder" that Crayola makes so he doesn't color all over the car or him. I play games like count the trucks or the red cars or something. Good Luck!
2007-06-05 07:39:55 · answer #1 · answered by demsky_04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, I suggest you travel at night, it's the best time to travel with kids. I would leave your house about two hour before dinner time, stop for dinner and let him run a bit and then get back in the car for the night. Don't forget to bring pillows and blankets and maybe a stuffed animal. That should buy you at least 10 hours of your road trip if not more. Then stop for breakfast at a rest stop and have a picnic outside to get some of his energy out. After that the next four hours really shouldn't be that bad. I suggest books and things to draw on and NEW toys that he has never seen before. You can also play games depending on his age...like can you find a yellow car?
There are lots of toys that are perfect for travel and they don't cost too much, check out the discount bin of a Target or Walmart. A lot of little toys that are new are better then a favorite big toy that is old.
I suggest also taking little snacks that he can't choke on, stuff that he normally doesn't get at home, stuff that's really cool like gummi bears or a certain type of cracker. Normally I'm not a fan of unhealthy snacking, but roadtrips call for it sometimes=)
Just make sure you are prepared for car sickness and frequent stopping if he wakes up.
2007-06-05 01:51:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My suggestion would be to splurge the extra 60 bucks and get a hotel room. Split your trip up into 7 hrs and 7 hrs. Leave one morning at 9am and get to a hotel by 5pm (including fuel and rest stop breaks). Then check in and have dinner. Get a Happy Meal or whatever is your child's favorite. Swim in the hotel pool if they have one to wear your kid out, and put your child to bed at their normal bed time.
Then get up and do it again. Pick a hotel with a free full breakfast too as an added bonus! Your child will be well rested and it won't take too much to entertain them in the car. (but a portable DVD does help if they have a favorite show). My toddler wasn't that into TV so she was pretty happy with little blocks and a small Magna Doodle.
Just be sure you are fully gassed up before nap time rolls around. You don't want to stop during that time! Good Luck!
2007-06-05 01:58:45 · answer #3 · answered by shmeeb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LOL it's a toddler every couple of hours down the road you might wanna take him out an let him walk around. Poor lil guy will be sore if you keep him in a carseat for 14hrs. Another thing that might also help is to take a few of his fave things such as toys or perhaps a fave blanket,books,stuffed animals.Make sure that you've got snacks fer him too. I went through this with my kids and learned real quick. Good luck to ya'll and happy traveling.
2007-06-05 01:47:53 · answer #4 · answered by blackjeepgirl2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll need to take lots of stops to let him get out and stretch and move around a bit. Also, whatever toys you take along, make sure they are one's he's never seen before ... I went on a 7-day trip from one side of the country to the other this winter and borrowed toys from friends (to keep the cost down). My son loved playing with toys he hadn't played with before and it really occupied him. Lastly, be patient. Remember, this is not usual for him and he may get crabby. Just be patient with him. The trip will eventually be over. Good luck!!!
2007-06-05 02:33:37 · answer #5 · answered by Angela J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would invest in a low cost (preferably off brand to save on cost) DVD system that attaches to your headrest. We bought a cheap one at SAMS and it works great. It is used for only 4 hour road trips...but a long trip is a long trip anywhere for a toddler.
2007-06-05 01:50:08 · answer #6 · answered by Stephanie S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd suggest going at night when he/she's asleep so that you'll only need to deal with him/her for a few hours. Bring some books for him to read, or some small toys. Play some barney cds or kids songs. No need to buy a portable dvd player if you don't have one. Coloring and activity books are helpful too. But I'd really suggest putting him/her to sleep. :)
2007-06-05 01:48:08 · answer #7 · answered by Lance 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If in any respect a threat force at night. That way the infant will sleep the full force. different than that deliver small toys, snacks, image books, and sit down interior the returned with them if a threat. additionally, be arranged for that 7 hours to take 10, the infant would be plenty happier with a great form of breaks.
2017-01-10 14:09:01 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DVD player. Coloring books, childrens cd's, books on tape. Let him out every couple of hours at rest stops to wiggle around. It may take you longer than 14 hours. But you will get there.
2007-06-05 02:33:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went on an 18 hr road trip w/ my 2 year old (4 years ago). We let him .....*sigh* ..... have my Gameboy. He didnt know how to play the games, but boy that kept him occupied!
Snacks, get them together in a bag. 2 y/o's love snacks! His favorite books/toys, kept in his reach too.
2007-06-05 01:46:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋