Mom Seeking Activity Ideas for a Long Road Trip

DVD player, DVD player, DVD player!!

Snacks, snacks, snacks

I used to drive up to NJ a lot from GA when my kids were younger. I'd pack a bag to keep next to them... books, sticker books, new little toys from the dollar store, etc... pack a favorite blankie/stuffed animal to encourage NAPPING. But being relied HEAVILY on the DVD player and snacks for that long a trip. It's very annoying to have to continually deal with beads/crayons that fall on the floor, etc... Good luck!

I wanted to chime in and tell you that when my son was young we went on a long road trip and packed a cooler and stopped at a rest stop along the way and had a picnic. He got to run around, lots of people are there with dogs letting them walk and he loved that. It was more fun for him than just fast food, but another option is stop at a fast food place with a play area and let him get some energy out of his system. I also am a big fan of the DVD player. You did not mention it, so I am thinking you don't approve/like them. I feel you. We have a Honda Pilot with one built in. My 2 kids now 6 and 3 do not even ask for it. They fully understand it is NEVER used unless we are on the highway going somewhere far away. We are pretty strict with it but boy has it saved us time and again on long road trips. I could not imagine traveling now without. Just a thought for you. Enjoy the trip!
C

I drove across country with my 3 year old son from Seattle, WA to Atlanta, GA. It took us 5 days and 4 nights because we tried to break up the days and the amount of time we spent in the car. When traveling with a toddler I have a few suggestions that you may find useful. First, if he is potty trained, I highly suggest him wearing a Pull Up just in case. They sleep a lot on long car rides and sometimes it's easier having them wearing the Pull Up then it is to have to pull over and strip them down and clean them up and line their car seat with a towel and etc. Pull Over every couple of hours and let them out to run and to go potty and to stretch. Only if they're awake. If he's sleeping then just keep rolling!! Have plenty of snacks for him and keep the activities light and simple. Having a laptop or portable dvd player with you will help keep him occupied. Just make sure he's got head phones for it so that you aren't listing to Thomas the Train for hours on end! Also, sing along disks where again, he can have his head phones on are fun and it's cute to listen to them try and sing along! Coloring is ok, but keep it simple. Just a handful of washable crayons is perfect. Bringing along a few books to read to him is nice as well but I would not suggest beads or anything involving cutting or small pieces. Pack a few of his favorite toys that he can have easy access to while in the car as well. You will find that if he isn't sleeping or watching a movie or a sing a long dvd then he's going to be snacking or watching what's going on outside of the car. If you try and make it too complicated then he will get frustrated. Also, if you can leave really early in the morning I would suggest that you do that. Try and keep him up as late as possible and then, when you leave early in the morning he'll sleep most of the first part of your trip. Just remember to stop and let him out of the car and don't try too hard to keep him entertained. You will just end up exhausted with a very craby baby in the back seat to boot!
I can honestly tell you that my son did better traveling in the car across the country then I did. By the third day I was in tears and couldn't stand myself and he was happy as a clam in the backseat!! If you're planning on driving straight through then if possible I would leave at night or very early in the morning. Don't keep going if you and your husband are both tired. It's just too dangerous and not worth the risk. If it were me, I would leave a day early and try and make it half way there. Then stop and get a hotel for the evening and then finish the last half of the trip the next day. You will find that breaking it up like that is easier on all involved and well worth the added expense!

I would stop every few hrs and let me run around.

I came across a good website when looking for ideas. www.momsminivan.com. We bring plenty of books, activities, small toys, coloring books. And we do rely on the dvd player.