I'm not looking forward to our 5 and 1/2 hour drive to WI this week with our 21 month old. I will be driving and my husband is going to try to do some work on the way so we won't really be able to entertain her 100% of the time. I'm assuming she'll sleep for about 2.5 hours but I need ideas on what to give her so that she'll entertain herself. We're planning on bringing food but that doesn't get you very far. Any ideas for toys that would provide more than 5 minutes of fun at a time for her?
Thanks ladies for your input and suggestions. She did really well to and from WI. With a combination of toys, books, snacks, a magic magnetic erase board and the Shrek movie, we got through it with no meltdowns!
My in-laws are 6 hours away and we make that drive about 4 times a year. I pack a bag of toys and snacks and books for the kids and just swap toys as they get bored. We also plan the trip so that we have extra time for stops along the way so our oldest can run around for 5 minutes or so at least once during the trip. We don't have a DVD player in our vehicle but I'm sure that would be a big hit.
I always pack a busy bag with art supplies, books, and toys, but the thing that keeps them occupied the longest is a portable DVD player. I am against kids watching TV in the car, but we drive 20 hours every summer to visit family and it's the only time I allow them to use it. Mine are 11, 6, and 2. The 2 year old is mesmerized by Finding Nemo or Little Mermaid. You might be able to borrow one from a friend, or invest in one and call it an early Christmas present. Other than that, it's kind of a full time job to keep them busy. (Sorry Hubby)
T
We've had many long car rides...between 4-5 hours. Put a box next to her with some books and toys that will entertain her. Choose carfully the toys that have lots of functions and can sit on a lap. (Those animal sound wheets work great. It's that thing when you spin the wheel, and it lands on a horse, it says..."The Horse says.."Neeeehhhh"." The new ones have about 20 animals on them and a couple of songs. We also have an audio book that she listens to. It comes with a book that you turn the pages along with the story, but...you don't neccessarily have to use the book either...especially if your child is familiar with the story and how the characters look. We have a Disney one and my daughter LOVES listening to it. We also keep her attention by pointing out different things on our trip...cows, horses, christmas lights, etc. We play I Spy by picking out something a specific thing outside. My daughter loves picking out street signs and bridges...and she'll say, I spy a horse...and I have to point to it. We take turns. A Portable DVD is always good too. Also, remember that she also needs to learn how to entertain herself a little, so a good balance of entertaining her and her own self amusement is best.
We had to make a long trip with our 12 month old and hoped that he would sleep well that didn't go as planned, Little piece of advice... don't stop once there sleeping no matter how bad you need a restroom break! We had a bag of toys for him and the snack but the true life save was the Baby Einstein Movies in the Portable DVD player or what ever her favorite shows or movies are. I felt horribly guilty for doing it, but in the end I knew that it was a great idea.
Good Luck and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I hate to say it, but the best thing for long trips with our son is a portable DVD player. We went on a road trip to Ohio when he was 20 months and it was THE ONLY thing that would hold his interest. It seems like once he passed 24 months, it's gotten a little easier, although we still use the DVD player when we travel 2+ hours.
Other things that help some are interative games (which is tough if your hubby is working), singing with fun CD's, treats, books, playing games about finding things out the window, a few smaller manipulative toys. It's tough because everything seems like it needs a parent to help. Which leads me back to the DVD player. It seems like so many kids love Finding Nemo, Curious George, Sesame Street, etc.
I wish you luck!
We do a 4-hour drive with the kids several times a year, and have followed some of the same advice others have given--lots of variety, and while a DVD player isn't my favorite way to entertain the kids, it is sometimes helpful. One thing that really seems to entertain my boys is kids' CDs. I'm not talking about cartoons singing, but rather the clever stuff like Laurie Berkner or Dan Zanes. It's best if you can sing along--I KNOW it sounds cheesy and a bit like a nightmare, but there's something about the family sing-along that keeps them totally entertained, and it's something I can do while driving. (I've made this trip with the kids by myself a couple of times.) As for snacks, I love the Snack Traps--hard to spill, and it takes them longer to eat things like Cheerios when it's one at a time. Plus, it's less of a choking hazard. I don't know where you're going, but we time it so that we HAVE to stop for a meal, so everyone can stretch their legs. On our route, there's a great McD's with a separate kids' bathroom. Yes, it will add some time to your trip, but everyone seems to do better with the stop. Safe traveling!
Honestly, my kids have done well with the couple of longish drives that we've done and they haven't had all that much to entertain them. They like to just watch where we're going. I'd suggest taking breaks to break up the trip a bit. You'll have to stop for a meal I'm guessing and then you could try and have another break in there somewhere. Also, having kids music playing might entertain her as well. My kids really like books, so maybe go check out a bunch from the library or buy a couple of new ones. At 21 months old, there isn't a lot that will entertain kids for too long. Good luck! Just keep in mind that it might not be the nightmare that you're probably envisioning :)
