Fun Tips to Survive Road Trips with Your Toddlers

Inside: Road trips with toddlers can be stressful. Find actionable strategies to make long car rides a delight for your little ones, your older kids (if you have them), and everyone else!

Expeditions with your little ones can be an enjoyable family experience. And what better way to relish it than to take a family road trip?

Whether you visit loved ones, explore new places, or spend quality time as a family going somewhere new, road trips can be so much fun!

However, traveling with toddlers on a long road trip can seem like a nightmare. Not only are you all stuck packed in your car, but toddlers’ idea of patience is nearly nonexistent.

For that reason, you wonder if you should even travel as a family or stay home.

Nevertheless, taking a long trip with your toddler doesn’t have to be a headache, nor should you have to cancel your family trip plans altogether just because of your little ones.

Below, we will explore practical strategies and creative ideas for making road trips fun for toddlers and everyone else.

Furthermore, we will cover all you need to know, from snack ideas to activity suggestions, to ensure an unforgettable and pleasant getaway for the whole family.

“When you travel with your children, you are giving them something that can never be taken away – experience, exposure, and a way of life.”

~Pamela T. Chandler

7 helpful suggestions for the best road trips with toddlers

1. Bring New and Old Books to Entertain Your Toddlers

Consider bringing some of your kids’ favorite board books for long road trips. By bringing books you know they like, you can be 90% positive that they will likely interact with them during the expedition.

Bring along a handful of new books, too! A few new book options will ensure your little ones won’t get bored.

This is because books with bright, colorful visual images can appeal to your toddlers, thus keeping them occupied.

If you’re concerned about potential discomforts like motion sickness, eye strain, or headaches, you can consider introducing your little goobers to other activities while traveling. If they must read, ensure they are in an ideal sitting position and urge them to take frequent breaks. Alternatively, they can listen to audiobooks.

2. Take something to munch on with you

One of the travel necessities to ensure a successful road trip with your young ones is a variety of delectable, grab-and-go, and healthy snacks easily accessible by little hands.

What child doesn’t love snack time, right?!

In that case, try to bring snacks that won’t make a complete mess in your car. It would be best to think of something that won’t spill everywhere. And yes, you can pack as many as you can afford. Absolutely!

Road trip snacks to consider:

• Crackers
• Cereal
• Granola bars
• Applesauce pouches
• Banana chips
• Pretzels
• Trail mix
• Jerky
• Cookies
• Fruit snacks

As you can see, these snacks are relatively portable and not too messy. Yet, they’re still delicious snack options that your toddlers will absolutely love on your road trip. Besides, these won’t need any refrigeration.

3. Schedule In Time for Short Stops to Move Around

Many car seat manufacturers recommend you stop every two hours to guarantee your baby’s safety. Make sure to arrange time for short stops in your road trip itinerary. There are thousands of rest areas located throughout the United States. Rest assured, there will be plenty to last your whole trip.

If your toddler appears restless or exhausted, plan to stop more often. There’s no denying that your little one will become antsy, especially if you’re driving long distances.

While your toddler’s safety is your top priority, allowing them to move around, use the restroom, and take a break from driving will help them burn off some energy.

These little stops will give your kids something to look forward to, especially if you visit parks, playgrounds, beaches, or hiking trails. They will make the trip appear shorter for everyone.

4. Play Road Trip Games to Get the Whole Family Involved

The open road may seem tedious, especially if you have young children to entertain.

However, there are numerous exhilarating games and activities you can engage in with your toddlers to make the journey enjoyable.

Create cherished memories that will last a lifetime by getting the whole family involved.

Some of our favorite road trip activities and games for kids are as follows:

• I Spy: Play this classic game where someone can choose something in the car or out on the road, and the first person to guess what someone picks wins.
• The License Plate Game: This game is excellent for your kids to learn about different states. Everyone calls out various states from the license plates they see. The one who sees the most states wins.
• Name the Song: Play a song on the radio, and the first person to guess the song’s title wins!
• The Alphabet Game: As you pass different road signs, call out each letter a word starts with (starting with A) and continue to call out words beginning with a particular letter until you get to Z.
• 20 Questions: The game is simple: one player, the answerer, thinks of an object. The second player, the questioner, asks up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess the object. If the questioner correctly predicts under 20 questions, they win.

Each game is stimulating and helps your kids learn and exhibit their creativity. Whether they’re practicing the alphabet or learning about the names of different states, this will keep your toddlers entertained.

Related article about toddlers: How to Handle Toddler Temper Tantrums: 5+ Tips to Restore Peace

5. Turn On Some Kid-Friendly Tunes

Transform mundane long drives into a fascinating excursion for your young passengers with the help of some upbeat kids’ music.

Even if your car gets a bit noisy, the joy and exhilaration your children will feel while singing and jamming out to their favorite melodies will make the drive much more enjoyable for them and everyone else.

6. Bring Interactive Toys and Activities for Your Kids to Express Their Creativity

Another terrific way for your kids to have fun, even on a long road trip, is to allow them to express their creativity with some interactive toys and activities. Just make sure to rotate them to avoid boredom.

Bring the following toys and activities for a fun-filled road trip with your little ones:

• Whiteboards: Whiteboards with dry-erase markers provide a straightforward way to both draw and play a fun game. For instance, you could try asking your kids to write a letter on the whiteboard, and you would guess what they wrote. Or you could draw something on the whiteboard and let your toddler guess what you drew.
• Bead Maze: This traditional baby toy is intended to help toddlers 12 months and older develop sensory abilities, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
• On the Go Water Wow Books: These are highly in-demand travel toys for older toddlers. Just fill the water pen with water and let your little artist “color” the pages. It would be a fun water painting experience without the mess!
• Reusable sticker books: These silicone reusable stickers are soft, flexible, washable, and non-toxic. They are a perfectly safe and fun activity for younger kids. Personally, I prefer them over window clings.
• Coloring books: Coloring is simple but fun for toddlers to show off their artistic side and coloring skills. There are so many fun coloring books for endless amounts of fun for your little ones.
• Electronic learning toys: Bring a Leapfrog battery-operated book that will teach your child 100 words while you drive. Or you can give Cali’s Books a try!

There are so many fun and easy educational ways for your toddlers to have fun. The ones listed above are just a few ideas.

Verify that every piece of entertainment you bring for your young children is safe and free of little pieces that could become choking hazards.

Also, provide travel trays to ensure your kids have a pleasant and comfortable trip. As an economical alternative, you can also use a cookie sheet as a makeshift tray.

Related article about toddlers: Daily Toddler Routine [Free Sample Schedule Included]

7. Use Limited Technology or Screen Time

Finally, if all else fails, consider giving your child limited screen time to keep them occupied during your long road trip.

Although there are many fun ways to grow your child’s creative side outside of tech, turning on their favorite movies or TV shows can be a convenient way for your toddler to focus and relax.

If your toddler has a favorite movie or television series, consider packing a tablet or gadget and downloading that movie or some episodes so your little goober may watch them while on the move. Or play a family-friendly film on your vehicle’s built-in DVD player, if it has one.

Final Thoughts on How to Make Road Trips Fun for Your Toddlers

Road trips don’t have to be a stressful experience for you or your toddlers. There are several ways to make them fun and entertaining for everyone.

To recap, here are seven top tips you can take note of:

• Bring a good selection of old and new books to entertain your toddlers. Reading stories is a great way to keep them engaged and calm during long car rides. Try to include books with bright and colorful illustrations and ones that engagingly tell a story.
• When packing for your trip, don’t forget to bring tasty treats and drinks to keep your little ones nourished and happy. Some good options include fruit, pretzels, crackers, and juice boxes. Avoid foods that are too sugary or messy.
• Plan for short stops along the way so everyone gets a chance to stretch their legs and move around. Find rest stops or parks where your kids can run around, play, and burn off some energy.
• Road trip games are a terrific way to engage the whole family and pass the time. I Spy, 20 Questions, and the license plate game are all classics. You can even create your own games tailored to your family’s interests.
• Listening to kid-friendly music is a delightful way to keep your little ones entertained and engaged. Create a playlist of songs that your kids enjoy and sing them together. You can also include educational songs to help them learn something new while on the go.
• Bring interactive toys and activities to encourage your kids’ creativity. Some good options include coloring books, play dough, reusable stickers, and magnetic drawing boards.
• Finally, as a last resort, you can use limited technology or screen time to keep your kids occupied. Be sure to bring headphones or earbuds so your kids can use tablets or other devices without disturbing others in the car.

Remember, going on a road trip with toddlers can be enjoyable if you plan ahead of time and pack appropriately.

Enjoy the ride with your little ones, and take advantage of the opportunity to build cherished memories together. Don’t forget to snap a lot of pictures to document the trip! Have a great time!

Talk to you soon,

How about you? Do you have any ways to make road trips fun for toddlers?

Perhaps you have some creative proposals that have worked successfully for you and your family. If so, I would love to hear them!

You can leave them in the comments section below so other mamas can see them, too. You may also drop me an email if that’s how you roll. I welcome recommendations of all sorts. Thank you in advance for your help!

Frequently asked questions about road trips with toddlers

What should you pack for extended car rides with your toddlers?

Always remember that fun comes after comfort and safety. So, pack all your toddler’s essentials in their diaper bag. This includes road trip essentials and the following:

• Underwear or diapers (or trainers)
• Pee bottle or potty chair
• Wipes
• Changing pad
• Hand sanitizer or antibacterial hand wipes
• Tissue or boogie wipes
• Drinks and a sippy cup or water bottle
• Bibs
• Change of clothes
• Hat/cap (weather-dependent)
• Umbrella
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant (weather-dependent)
• Travel neck pillows
• Wet bag (or trash bag)
• Toddler busy bag (or any new toy)
• First aid kit

Note: A busy bag is a small container or storage bag containing mini-games and small toys your toddler can play with when they don’t have access to their usual toys. You can make your own budget-friendly activity bag with materials from the dollar store and leave it in your car’s back seat organizer for future travels.

What is the best time to leave for a long drive with your toddlers?

I suggest you leave early in the morning if you plan to have a long journey with young kids. This way, they can sleep through the drive while you enjoy a few hours of peace.

On top of that, studies have also shown that the safest time to drive in the US is between 3:00 and 5:59 in the morning, with Tuesday being the safest day.

If waking up early is not your thing, you can schedule planned long car trips during your toddlers’ nap time.

How do I keep my toddler from getting car sick?

Motion sickness can be distressing. Here are some suggestions to help prevent and treat car sickness in toddlers:

1. Encourage your child to look out the window or at the horizon.
2. Teach your child to use sounds or games to distract themselves.
3. Add soothing scents.
4. Offer clear liquids.
5. Have your child stay as still as possible.
6. Let in some fresh air.
7. Frequently feed your child small amounts rather than having large meals.
8. Avoid nausea-inducing stimuli.

It’s also worth noting that the best medicine for motion sickness is prevention. Pay attention to what your child eats or drinks before a trip. Avoiding heavy, greasy, or sugary foods can help if your child has nausea tendencies during travel.

Additionally, experts recommend decreasing sensory input by encouraging your child to look outside the car rather than focus on books, games, or screens. If your child takes naps, traveling during nap time may be beneficial.

If your child is prone to motion sickness, try talking, listening to music, or singing songs to distract them during car rides. You can also try using an over-the-counter motion sickness medication. Read the product label carefully to administer the appropriate dose, and be prepared for possible adverse reactions such as drowsiness.

If your child begins to experience nausea, pull over as soon as possible and allow them to get out and walk around or rest on their back for a few minutes with their eyes closed. Applying a cool towel to your child’s forehead may also be beneficial.

If these suggestions do not help, or if your child’s motion sickness makes travel difficult, speak with their doctor about other alternatives.

How do I prepare my toddler for a long car ride?

Before embarking on a long trip with your toddler, explain the destination to them in simple terms. Bring comfort items from home and practice short car rides before the upcoming journey.

By proactively addressing your young kids’ transition and comfort needs, you can turn what might have been a nerve-racking experience into a joyous adventure for your little ones and the entire family.

How do I entertain my toddler at pit stops?

Take a football or soccer ball with you at rest stops so your kids can have fun with it and run about to free some excess energy. If you want to make the most of your drive break, consider stopping at a park or playground for additional excitement and physical activity for your active little tykes.

More good reads about toddlers:

• When to Flip the Mattress: Timing the Switch to the Toddler Side
• How to Get Your Toddler to Sleep in Their Own Bed