Long Road Trip

good planning on the nighttime part ... sleep is a great solution. I hope that there is someone waiting to happily catch the kids at the other end so you can sleep, too!

Last May, we took our then 1 year-old and 2 1/2 year old on a 4 hour airplane ride then in a rental car. For the airplane, take the diaper bag, and one other carry on (a backpack if possible). You will need your hands to get through security. We borrowed umbrella strollers (they can be checked at the gate) from the grandparents. We got our son his own back pack, which he loved, and he got to choose toys and books to put in it. You can take drinks for your children through security. Check the car seats, most airlines do not charge extra for this.

In the car, we play I spy. Sing songs, listen to music, have snacks. If the little one can sit forward in the car seat, do it. They can see so much more. Get a new toy, and save it until absolutely necessary (something with lots of things to fidget with, but not too big of course). My kids usually sleep pretty well in the car, especially at night.

Good luck!

wow, i admire your courage!
the fact that you're driving at night is great, that's one of the tips found here http://www.kidscantravel.com/tipstravelkids/ontheroad/tri....
also http://www.wejustgotback.com/default.aspx?mod=under3_road had a few good tips, as well as other tips for traveling with kids.
good luck!

I know some people are against it, but really, dvds work wonders. And really, if they are in the car they are not going to be exercising anyway.
I do a 12-hour one way car ride once a year with my two kids (now 2 & 5) to visit my best friend. The things that work are the dvds, stopping every 1-1/2 to 2 hours at a city park so they can run and play (this makes what would be a 10-hour ride into a 12-hour ride), and then, for when they've really had it (usually about 1-2 hours away from our destination) I pull out a new toy/book/movie and it's smooth sailing from there!
Check out this website to see if your airport has the InMotion DVD rentals, then you can just pick up/drop off at the airport: http://www.inmotionpictures.com/ask_rentalfaqs.html

I agree with the DVD player, rent the car with one if you can so it is one less thing to pack. We drove across the country twice with our kids, they were 10mos and 2 1/2 the first time and then 4 and 6 the next time. My son gets car sick, still does, so a half a dramamine helped him and he slept most of the way. You will be amazed at how the little one will probably travel better then the 3yo. For the plane, they no longer have food that doesn't cost. My MIL and step-son both flew back home with sack lunches so they had something to eat and now the airlines are lifting the drink restriction so you could even take those as well instead of paying 2.00 for a can of pop. You can also rent car seats from the car rental agency so you don't have to carry those either. On the drive just make the most of potty stops and diaper change/feeding stops so they can stretch their legs a bit, yours too. Remember to have fun too.

A friend of mine had a great idea for their road trips, and that was to get some small gifts (dollar store stuff) and wrap them in tin foil. It takes the kids some time to get it open and then they get to play with it for a bit as well....good luck!

Yes, I agree with the idea of wrapping cheap little toys. The unwrapping part is half the fun, and even a 1 year old can enjoy. You can even do this with toys from home, especially ones that have not been out fo awhile.

Do some research before hand - find some good parks / sites / restaurants to stop at for breaks. This can certinaly break up the journey if you should travel during the day.
I do not agree with DVDs in cars. I hope to never put one in my car. I think that being in cars is a great chance for people to talk and take in the scenery.

While I'm not a Pro-tv mom, I do think that long road trips require extra entertainment. Bring toys that make noise, light up....but we used a dvd player and baby einstein movies to keep our 1.5 yr old satisfied on our road trip last summer...keep in mind the videos are only 30 min. So intersperse with snacks, toys, a video....
Good luck!

I need to hear about what you did we will be in the same boat in about a week.

We just drove 7000 miles in 30 days to Alaska and back....we were in the car for at least 7 hours each day. I borrowed a ton of books on cd from the library and uploaded them to my iPod. They didn't have the books to look at, but they enjoyed listening to them as we drove. I also picked up some magentic "paper" dolls, they were small, flat boxes that opened up like a book, and the pieces are all magnets, so they held in place over some rough roads. Coloring books (we bought collapsible trays to set on their laps). We didn't do the portable dvd, but it would be a good idea. (I wanted the kids to see where we were going and enjoy the views). We looked for animals, told stories, snacked, etc. Since we were in our own rig, I had an activity box, and they chose their toy to play with, but that won't work for you since you'll be flying.
Good luck!

Portable dvd player with kid videos!!! It helps pass the time in the car or plane. Toddlers' attention spans are not very long, but movies seem to keep them occupied, especially if they are cartoons. The 1 yr old will need bottles for the ear pressure. Be sure to plug the bottle in on take offs and landings as the pressure changes can ruin the most restful sleeps. Even babies love cloth books and things they can manipulate. What does she play with at home? Cheerios for a snack. Be prepared to cuddle her in your arms, take a warm, but light blanket for each child. Backpack for the 3 yr old will hold the dvd player and movies, books, blankets bottles and snacks. Juice boxes for the 3 yr old would be great!!! Check with TSA to make sure though or your airlines. Have fun!!!!

baby enstein cd's or maybe check out I- tunes for kids music and burn a cd.. ralph's world cd are always great too.
Lenci

Sounds simple, but think of something that will be new to her. When my daughter was 1 she HATED the car seat, would scream the entire trip. We had an emergency day trip (5 hour drive and I was worried. Well she found her shoe with velcro and tried closing and opening the tab forever! It was great. Simple things that she can figure out like that. Maybe a container that has a lid she can practice putting it off and on- Good luck