What can be more boring to a young child than a long car trip? All toddlers have short attention spans. Add to that, sitting in an enclosed space for an extended period of time, with minimal things to do, and you have the makings of a major melt down. It’s challenging enough to keep kids busy on a fifteen-minute drive, what do you do if you’ll be in the car for an hour or more?
Before embarking on a long drive, make sure your little one is comfortable. If she’s crammed between boxes and suitcases with hardly any room to move or look out the windows, you’re asking for a disaster. Try to put as little as possible on the seats on either side of her and keep the windows within her view clear. Make sure she’s wearing comfortable clothing. If she’s wearing bulky layers, remove whatever is necessary to make her feel comfortable and allow her to move as freely as possible. If need be, turn the heat up so she won’t be cold.
Bring some familiar items from your home, such as a favorite pillow, blanket or stuffed animal. You toddler is sure to be comforted by having some of her special things along for the ride. Pack her favorite books. Reading is a great way to pass the time. Before you begin your journey, have your toddler pick out the books she’d like to bring along. Also pack some books that are new or borrowed from the library to make the trip a little more special. Ask your librarian to show you any books written specifically about young children who go on trips or take long car rides.
While driving, encourage your toddler to look out the window. Ask questions. “Do you see something orange?” “What color is that truck?” “Where do you think that family is going?” “Do you see the doggie?” Make a guessing game. “Mommy sees something blue, what do you think Mommy sees?”
Crayons and paper are a favorite of toddlers so be sure to have plenty of these in the car. A piece of cardboard or a book can serve as a lap desk. Ask your child to draw what she sees out the window. Make up stories together and draw pictures to illustrate the story. It doesn’t matter if your toddler can only scribble. The idea is to keep her amused.
Be sure to stop along the way. Adults don’t like to be pent up for too long so you can imagine what it’s like for a toddler who’s belted into a confined area. Try to make a rest stop every couple of hours so your youngster can run around and blow off some steam. It might be a good idea to have a ball in the car or some bubbles or something else that will allow her to get some excercise.
Food and drink will also help to stave off boredom (and hunger). Bring along some special snacks to munch on between meal stops. Pack the snacks in fun and unusual containers she can hold herself. Snacks such as animal crackers with interesting shapes will help keep her entertained for a little while.
The key to happy toddler travel is variety. Pack many different activity items that are sure to hold her interest. Wooden beads and string, stickers and paper or coloring books, small chalk boards, flash cards with pictures, mini family photo albums and small toys you know she’ll enjoy. When your child is happy and busy, she’s less likely to meltdown. This can be the difference between an enjoyable vacation and a stressful ride.
