Comments on: Any tips for traveling with a toddler?

By: Luke Tianwalker

Luke Tianwalker — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:22:59 +0000

Understand your concern. Hope someone here can give you some ideas. Here are a few from me:

1. Buy 5 small toys and wrap them in wrapping paper or even newspaper. Give them one toy at a time, maybe 1 per hour, so he has something new to play with

2. Bring some favorite CDs or tapes to play in the car. Focus on favorite songs that he recognizes so you can all sing along on the drive.

3. Go during nap time, or make sure that nap time is during the 5 hours. That’s good for at least 1 hour!

4. Get some board books with flaps. Open those strategically over the trip.

5. Bring lots of snacks. Keep small quantities in ziploc bags so you can hand him a small bag at a time.

6. You can borrow books with CDs from the library, or buy them. Then you can turn the CD on for a storytime, and then have 1 parent sit in the back next to the carseat to help flip pages.

7. Take rest stops frequently. Don’t worry about prolonging your trip. Make sure your toddler has a chance to stretch out and take a break.

Good luck!
References :
http://www.babycenter.com/toddler/toddlertravel/index
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/travelgame/Travel_Game_Ideas.htm
http://scoutdown.com/?p=4

By: momblessedx5

momblessedx5 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:13:59 +0000

kid music...books, matchbox cars, coloring books and crayons. He will likely fall asleep out of boredom. Goldfish crackers and other simple easy snacks. Keep him up late the night before so he will be tired.
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By: jms62394

jms62394 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:28:59 +0000

I would suggest leaving as early or as late as possible. Or during nap time might help if he is used to sleeping during the day. I would bring an activity bag and place it next to him on the seat. Some parents have bought the portable DVDs that attach to the back of the drivers seat. My 2’s used to love the books on tape if you have a cd player or a tape player… You can sing songs, count, talk…. Bring a easy snack…. Kids dont need to be entertained every minute.. but 5 hrs is a long time. Hopefully he sleeps for an hr or more of it….
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By: revmissus

revmissus — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:39:59 +0000

If possible, buy a cheap DVD player (you can get them for under $100) and play favorite videos.

Also, my 2 year old likes unexpected surprises, a calculator turned out to be great fun. A new coloring book and 2 crayons (she just drops the others on the floor and then cries because she dropped them), a small memo size notebook and a pencil for drawing. (Be sure to pick up any loose crayons or they’ll melt, lol)

Car friendly snacks (juice boxes, small boxes of raisins or baggies of pretzels or goldfish or other snack), something that doesn’t melt.

If you have the flexibility, leave early in the morning or around naptime. My daughter takes an extended nap when traveling in the car. Be prepared to extend the time of your stop for a little running around time, also.

My daughter went for a car trip with my parents for 7 1/2 hrs and they never had to break out the DVD player or the snacks. They did alot of singing and and answered the "what are you doing?" question 100 times.
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personal experience.

By: countrygirl

countrygirl — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:23:59 +0000

don’t be scared to stop to let the little one out,they get sick of being in the car like us. so let them get out to run,makeit so much nicer for you not only that it will get to go to sleep.make sure you have their fave snacks,toys, blanket,& play games with them as you go,will learn from all you do.even if you have headphones_ discman,ipod,mp3_let them use it not you. i know i have three kids,my youngest is 5,so i still go through it, even the older ones & they are teenagers! just relax don’t let the kid feel your stress & have fun! i got bunch more i could say but most of all be careful & fun!
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By: Rashonta

Rashonta — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:55:59 +0000

I know where your coming from. I made a trip last week with my almost 2 year old, 16 hours, and what i did is brought a bunch of toys, it may be annoying to you but its either that or a crying toddler, i liked the toys better, dont give them all at once give a couple when it gets boring to her/she give a diffrent one. books my son loves books and flipping through the pages, snacks little things taht your child loves a drinks i bought a little cooler for our trip to put some cold drinks in there for him. i sat in the back of the truck with him for half of the trip. and when and if you all stop dont go through drive thru actaully get out and eat it allows the child to stretch along with mom . hope this helps!
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By: candleinthewind7579

candleinthewind7579 — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:48:59 +0000

Take toys, coloring book & crayons, play games that r interactive…like looking for certain things along the highway (cow, barn, horse, etc) or if he knows colors…play a game where the 2 of you (mostly him since you’re driving) look for cars that color…like red. Once he correctly sees a red car…go to blue…then to green. The time passes quickly when you create games with the scenery that is ever changing as you drive
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By: Patricia G

Patricia G — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:26:59 +0000

Make a bag with lots of little toys and fun snacks……Then hide it and take out each one as he gets fussy….the dollar store if best for this and then get some simple tissue paper to wrap them up if you have time….if not just getting something new is a big deal.

Get some tapes with children’s stories….drive when it is his napping time…in the morning have him run around at a park or something to tire him out……Then take a couple breaks at parks where he can run and get out energy.
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By: A.X. P

A.X. P — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:41:59 +0000

spend a few days in hell to aclimate yourself to traveling with a toddler, then travel with the toddler
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By: JoeZz

JoeZz — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:57:59 +0000

Leave really early in the morning and maybe he’ll sleep most of the trip.
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