How to Survive a Long Road Trip with Toddlers

Summer road trips are something many families do every summer. While vacations are fun, riding in the car on a long drive, with a toddler, can be torture. However, panning ahead and taking a few simple steps can help you navigate a long road trip easier. Today, we’re sharing some of our ideas to help you survive a long road trip with toddlers. 

from everyday family travel

Plan ahead

Rather than packing up, hitting the road, and making stops as needed - try looking ahead. Keep in mind your toddler and their needs. How often do they need a potty break? Are they picky eaters for meals? Do you have dietary restrictions? How often do you need to let your little one take a stretch break? Then plan your stops accordingly. Take a look at a map and find a park you can stop at, timed a little before you think your little one needs to get out and play. If you need specific meal time options, find them on a map and incorporate them into your drive. Make it fun for your little one by tying a string from one end of the car to the other, add a paper car, stick something along the string to indicate a stop, and help your little one move it through the car ride! 

from frugal fun 4 boys

Activities

What is a road trip without activities?! There are millions of ideas on the internet of different activities to keep your child entertained. You know your little one best, so take some time before your road trip to put a few activities together. Some parents like crafting and putting together very intricate activities, while others find small games and trinkets to buy at the store, while others purchase handmade activities online. One option isn’t better than the other option, it’s what works best for you and your toddler! Some fun activities we’ve had success with include: 

• Separating activities, toys, and games into small bags and letting your little ones open them at different times during the trip. 

• Printable road trip activities you can laminate and your little ones can draw on with dry erase markers. 

• Listen to a children’s audiobook 

• Paint by sticker books

• Popit or other fidget toys

• Color Wonder markers and coloring books

• Tiny baking sheet with magnetic toys

• iPad with movies or shows downloaded

• Reusable sticker books

• Busy or quiet book

from sunshine and holly

Snacks

Stopping by a convenience store to grab a snack or treat on a road trip is easy and completely fine to do. But as parents, we all remember that one time (or everyday) when your toddler didn’t get the very specific snack they wanted and threw a tantrum. While this can’t always be 100% avoided, try packing snacks you know your toddler likes. This way, if the gas station you stop at doesn’t have the snack, or the snack in the correct color, you still stop a tantrum. This can also keep you providing healthy snacks along with those yummy treats! Using a Bento box, you’ve already packed, can be a fun way to give your toddler the option of a little bit of everything. 

from ayla & co

Extra Items to Help

• The Ayla Vacuum: Having a small, compact vacuum on hand is really helpful when the toddler tornado inevitably comes through your vehicle! It can also help the cleanup go faster when you get home from your road trip!

• Trash bag: A small trash bag or can on hand, in the car is always a good idea.

• First aid kit: Owies and booboos are bound to happen. Sometimes they are invisible to the naked eye, but very visible to your toddler, but a bandaid cures it right away! A first aid kit is also always fantastic to have on hand for real emergencies.

• Roadside Kit: If you’ve ever had a flat tire or other vehicle emergency, on a road trip, you know how necessary it is to have a roadside kit on hand! 

• Wipes: Wipes are a necessity that always come in handy, even when your kids get bigger! 

• Wet bag and extra clothes: Recently potty trained or still in diapers, there is always a need for a spare change of clothes! A wet bag can also save the day when there are soiled clothes.

https://www.thecarmomofficial.com/family/road-trip-essentials-for-kids

https://fullsuitcase.com/toddler-car-travel-tips/

https://themamanotes.com/20-tips-for-road-trips-with-toddlers/