Long car journey with 3 year old?

Question

Any suggestions for keeping her entertained? It will be about 8 hours and we are going tommorrow...we will take rest stops but what can I do in the meantime? She is very talkative and loves imaginary games.

Answer 1

bring some music for her to listen to. bring books, coloring book and crayons, snacks, her favorite stuffed animal or toy, and her pillow to rest against when she feels tired. If she knows her letters play the I spy game using different sound, letters and colors.

Answer 2

I agree that a portable DVD player and LeapPad are both great ideas, but if you don't already have them, simply buying them for one road trip could add up to be quite expensive. I went to Wal-Mart before taking my then almost-2-year-old son on a 3 hour plane ride. There, I found a "letter board" for about $10 that asks questions and plays songs and such. He is now 3 and still plays with this every day. We also got just the Wal-Mart brand Magna-Doodle - I think it was around $5. Just bring lots of things because 3 yo's attention spans are short. Bring stickers, markers and/or crayons, plain paper, coloring books, reading books, books on tape and even a pen and/or pencil (to "practice writing" letters to people she may see, things she sees out the window, etc.) Since she's so talkative, playing I Spy or other games are great. My fav with my son is to have him find, for example, three red items, or green trucks or four circles, etc. However much talking is fun for her, I am sure 8 hours of it for you will be hard, so definitely plan some other things for her to do on her own. Bring snacks, music to just listen to and her special blanket or pillow or animal. The most important thing is to only get one thing out at a time otherwise at this age, they'll just ransack the goodie bag and be bored in 10 minutes. Also factor in a nap - my son doesn't nap anymore at home but anytime any place in the car for more than 30 minutes and he's a gonner. Good luck!

Answer 3

I keep my 3 children entertained with simple games:

the one who saw... 3 bulldozer or 3 different animals or 3 police cars wins the game. Only when someone other sees the subject too it counts to the score. This one can be played also when you are driving (it then is easier for your daugter to win)

they have books that are only for the car (there are these books where you have to search for a special character on a really crowded scene)

they have tiny magnetic figures in a case (in german it is called playmobil, I don't know if you know them)

and they are always sleeping for long time (they get tea and snacks to eat, I slice fruits for them, so they all have their own little lunch parcel)

and we have a really funny CD from the smurfs which is only played in emergencies (if we get in the rush hour or so) and to which we can sing along (loud and false...)

Answer 4

My 3 year old daughter is surprisingly good for long car rides. I have a portable DVD player and bring her favorite movies, we play "I Spy" and searching games (first one to find a cow on the roadside wins a tootsie roll). I also bring some of her music CD's so she can have some of "her music" during the trip. Good luck! I think you'll be surprised how well she really does!

Answer 5

Have you thought about or can you do the driving at night? It's really nice, she'll be asleep and the roads will be clear of traffic.. She'll only be awake maybe a few hours of the trip.. If your driving just take a nap or go to sleep at the regular time and get up around 2 or 3 am to start driving... So, she's asleep most of the trip.. good luck

Answer 6

Look up some car games to play. My daughter likes I spy and pointing out all the red or blue things she can see. We always take a portable dvd player. It's a life saver. We also like taking her car Aquadoodle. It just uses water and by the time she draws a picture on one side, the other side is dry and ready to use.

Answer 7

My daughter loves I spy in the car. You have to be quick to see what she sees though! LOL
Also, I usually pick up a new small toy ($5.) to entertain her once she starts getting antsy.
Tell her to pack her own backpack with toys she wants to play with. And then pack your own of stuff she will want.
We stop at McDonald's for lunch and let the kids play on the playground for about an hour before we made them get back into the car. This helped them get rid of the ants from their pants.
Also, if your kid sleeps in the car, arrange leaving time around a nap time.... This will help her considerably. It may screw up your schedule a little bit....:)

Answer 8

teach her a few songs, work on counting with her, colors. Bring along some crayons and coloring books. Do you have a portable dvd player? bring along a few movies to keep her entertained. dolls, picture books, anything of the sort. Kids get tired, so I'm sure she'll nap sometime along the way. bring a deck of cards for her to play with, if you don't mind the mess. Also bring along her favorite blanket and/or her favorite stuffed animal or doll/toy...

Answer 9

Are you traveling alone with her? If so, then you might want to give her a crayola coloring pad (one of the ones that doesn't make a mess). I wouldn't have her watch movies the whole time, because you don't want her to go braindead, but maybe a short one. Also, try playing I-spy, but only if your not the one driving, because that would take your eyes off the road.
Hope I helped! Good Luck!

Answer 10

try the leap pad for younger kids. my son kept entertained for a long time w/ that. plus you can get different books to go in it. of course coloring books and bring something like a tray you would use in bed w/ the legs on it so she can have something hard. do you have a portable dvd player? those are great and they are getting pretty cheap now. and don't forget the dramamine!

Answer 11

I would highly suggest leaving at night so she'll sleep most of the time and there will be no need to stop to eat. Also, a portable dvd player and lots of dvds will be a godsend.