This spring welcomed two long-distance road trips with our two kids. The first was not our choice; a plane diversion (after 5 hours on that plane) pushed us to find the last XL rental car available to fit our crew and hit the road to avoid an extra day in a random airport. After thankful luck by car, here’s what I’ve gathered are our top tips for little toddlers to keep everyone in the car happy—including you!
Plan your departure time close to a nap or bedtime.
Sit close to your babies or in the third row if possible — so much easier to reach those thrown toys or pacis. I struggled in the front seat!
Within reach, have on hand:
Snack bag (but out of your kds’s ight!)
Small cooler for drinks and bottles
Diaper changing items
Toy bag
Unless you’re driving through the night or less than 3 hours, plan a “meal” pit stop — whether breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The kids will enjoy time to stretch their legs, feel the normalcy of a meal, and break up the car ride blues. You’ll find it to be a great refuel/reset, too. P.S. If along your route, a stop in Starbucks proved to be perfect for clean bathrooms, room to run, healthy kid-friendly food options (bento boxes of cheese/crackers/fruit/hard boiled eggs!), and obviously caffeine for the adults!
Activities for under 1 (Ava):
Feed puffs or yogurt melts one at a time 😆
Handheld toys that make noise or light — an empty water bottle ended up being Ava’s favorite.
Always have 2 pre-made bottles ready — I went ahead and portioned the water before our drive started so that I could easily add formula when needed!
Music is always a fun relief! Sirius XM Moonbug Radio (Channel 136) was a winner, and for a night drive, the lullabies begin at dark.
Activities for 2 year olds (Hudson)
Surprise them with a new toy halfway through the trip (or when you’re feeling extra desperate). This does not need to be anything fancy: A sticker sheet/book, tiny toy car, or arm band makes for an unexpected distraction!
They will ask for snacks way more than a typical day, so pack a variety with healthy options to disperse — and a few special treats for desperate times.
iPad or electronics work great in these situations, but it’s hard to take them away — so bring them out closer to when you anticipate stopping for a meal or gas.
