8 hour drive with small children....

[DesertBell]

Any ideas on how to keep them happy? We're driving from Tucson to Anaheim on the 10th, with our almost-four-year-old and our almost-two- year old. We're getting a dvd player for the drive, but I know that, especialy for the younger one, movies aren't going to keep them happy the whole way. We're planning on taking snacks and stopping about every two hours for potty breaks and leg- stretching. Does anyone have any other ideas how to keep my kids happy for the ride? Thanks!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I always had a box of stuff in the backseat to keep my son happy. Full of books, small toys, the DVD player, a CD player with lots of CD's. A magnadoodle. I would always buy one new toy too, and would NOT give it to him until we were on the road! The more things back there the better, that way it will keep the little attention spans going for most of the trip.

Oh and we'd always leave VERY early in the morning, some trips we were lucky enough to have him sleep for almost half the 8 hours!

 

[Albort]

Tell them they are going to Disneyland 24 hours before the trip. They probably wont sleep all night so probably pass out in the car

Protable DVD player or laptop for movies to show the kids? Color books for them to do? Sing - along tapes? storybook to read to them? Books on tapes?

take your pick

 

[Mom2micayla]

We're in Tucson too.

We just got back about 2 weeks ago and we go regularly. My little ones are 5, 3.8, 23months and 2 months. Movies were definitely a big hit (we have a built in DVD player in our van). I recommend picking up a new movie that they haven't seen yet if you can.

My girls (oldest 2) enjoy coloring so we bring those Crayola Color Wonder coloring books and markers. For my 2 yo son we just brought his favorite teddy bear and favorite truck.

Are you planning on going I-8 or I-10? We prefer I-8 b/c the traffic is far less. Plus on I-8 you get to see the windmills and sand dunes. The girls loved seeing those and pointing out all the dune buggies and such. Plus when you do I-8, you take the 5 up and get to drive along the ocean. The girls love that too. We'd spend a lot of time pointing out things along the way which would occupy the kids for at least a little bit.

 

[kc10family]

We used hand held vsmile games, coloring books with the pens that only color on the pages made for those pens. Books for them to read (they don't "read" yet but love to think they can. We did buy a self reading note book thing I think it is called story reader and you can get it at Walmart. We have magnadoodles and we played Disney songs in the car and sang them. We also played I spy (not easy but it worked for a while.
Our drive is about 7 hours and we only had to stop 2-3 times for our 3 & 5 yr old. Along with the movies I think it worked out just fine.

Best of luck and have a great trip.

 

[Mom2micayla]

Tell them they are going to Disneyland 24 hours before the trip. They probably wont sleep all night so probably pass out in the car

Ah well that depends on the kids. :lol: For mine, if I told them we were going to DLR the day before, all I'd hear the next 24 hours, including the drive there, is "How long until we're at Disneyland?!" none stop.

 

[DesertBell]

How long does it take to get there on I-8? How many rest stops are there? And places to eat lunch, that type of thing? I like the idea of more scenery for the kids, but not if it's going to take longer to get there, kwim?

Thank you guys for the great ideas! We were already thinking of going early in the AM in the hopes that they'll sleep on the way up, and renting some disney dvds that the kiddos haven't seen yet (Cinderalla III, anyone?) But I love the idea of the Color Wonder stuff, and I think I'll take some books and toys, and their leappads.

 

[Mom2micayla]

It's almost the exact same amt. of time going I-8. You get on I-8 just before Casa Grande and just follow it straight into Cali. It will lead you into San Diego and then you get on the 5 going North. I suggest staying in the carpool lane on 5N as much as possible. It always seems to move pretty steadily, even when the other lanes aren't. Plus the carpool lane has a direct exit onto Disney Way.

Not quite as many rest stops as there are on I-10, but there are definitely options. We usually chose to eat a late breakfast/early lunch in Yuma. That's about the 1/2 way mark, so about 3.5 hours into the drive. There are tons of food options in Yuma.. typical fast food fare, along with normal sit down places like Cracker Barrel, Applebees, Chili's, etc.

As to Cinderella III.. IMO it was boring. But my 3 & 5 year old loved it. So I'm sure your's will too.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

We leave very early in the morning and they dont wake up til Banning usually so its only 1 movie til Disneyland! The leapster games have REALLY helped too. They don't realize they are learning and playing at the same time. We also have magnadoodles for each child!

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I always had a box of stuff in the backseat to keep my son happy. Full of books, small toys, the DVD player, a CD player with lots of CD's. A magnadoodle. I would always buy one new toy too, and would NOT give it to him until we were on the road! The more things back there the better, that way it will keep the little attention spans going for most of the trip.

Oh and we'd always leave VERY early in the morning, some trips we were lucky enough to have him sleep for almost half the 8 hours!

WOW! I want to ride in the back of your car during a long trip. That sounds like fun.

When my son was younger he would bring his coloring books, toys and book to read or look at. Most of the time he would be sleeping because we would leave early in the morning.
Now he takes his handheld game systems, IPod and books.

 

[Leofoenget]

Any ideas on how to keep them happy? We're driving from Tucson to Anaheim on the 10th, with our almost-four-year-old and our almost-two- year old. We're getting a dvd player for the drive, but I know that, especialy for the younger one, movies aren't going to keep them happy the whole way. We're planning on taking snacks and stopping about every two hours for potty breaks and leg- stretching. Does anyone have any other ideas how to keep my kids happy for the ride? Thanks!

We did the 8+ hour drive with an 18 month old then later a 2 year old with the DVD player and you would be surprised how it did keep their attention for most of the way. The only other suggestion would be to drive in the middle of hte night so they sleep the whole way but the problem with that is you get there exhausted and they are wide awake.

I took tons of movies, Wiggles DVDs Cartoons etc. Worked fine.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

For our first trip together last fall, I brought all KINDS of things to keep my two busy on the 3-hour flight. L-Max for DS6, LeapPad for DS2, coloring books (including Disney coloring pages I'd found online), pipecleaners and wikkistix, a few cheapie toys from McD's or cereal boxes, and of course their favorite stuffed animals (one sleep buddy and one brand new Disney character!) I also had several books and a few snacks. For myself, I had a journal, a pen, and a few paperbacks. DH had a PSP and a CD player.

I had overpacked for the boys, since they mostly wanted to play with either DH or DH's toys. Next time I'll skip the kids' toys and just make sure to seat DH next to the boys!

 

[All American]

What's worked for us in the past is stocking up on cheap-0 toys and books from the dollar store or wherever. I keep them hidden until we leave, and as the drive progresses, I'll hand back something new. Another option is gather some toys you already have and keep them hidden until you leave, then, old is new again.

Have a safe drive and fun trip!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

WOW! I want to ride in the back of your car during a long trip. That sounds like fun.

When my son was younger he would bring his coloring books, toys and book to read or look at. Most of the time he would be sleeping because we would leave early in the morning.
Now he takes his handheld game systems, IPod and books.

Hehe Sure any time! My son's 8 now so mostly you'll find the DVD player, CD player, and his handheld games. The movies and handheld games get used the most now, and even when we leave early in the morning, he usually doesn't sleep much. Ah I miss those days of naps. LOL

 

[Dukland]

We drove all the way from Washington this past summer. Our kids were 5 years and 2 years. My dd5 already had a Leapster, and I bought my ds2 one on eBay. Then I bought 3 new Leapster cartridges for cheap on eBay, too. That helped a lot, and the DVD player, of course. We would try to stop for meals at places with a play area, so they could get out and really stretch their legs.

Good Luck!!

 

[Rapunsel]

We do many road trips. One thing that I have learned is that my kids do not like driving in the dark. So we save the DVD player till then. We also watch DVD's after lunch time. So they have a "schedule" and we use it as a last resort..
We also trade off on the CD's one adult and then one kid. It makes the time go by better.. Keep everyone happy..

Cinderella III DS5 loved it. So did I. But then again DD2 will watch anything Disney. DS and I can get bored with Soup Baby (Sleeping Beauty) and Pony ( Snow White) Don't ask. DD come sup with her own names..

 

[tracer]

We take:

-DVD player with several movies/shows
-Ipod with some of their music downloaded
-Color wonder pens and books
-Flash Cards - 1,2,3's and A,B,C's (we hold them up from the front seat and interact with them)
-Books
-Toys
-Snacks
-DS1 takes his story reader which has headphones too!

They both are getting something new for the ride down. The dollar store is a great place for little things; slinky's, stickers...

 

[sh00tfire]

My family and I had about a 11 hour drive (from Salt Lake City)on our last trip to Disneyland. We drove with 4 small girls with our youngest being 3. It went very well. Here are some of the suggestions that made it more enjoyable.

Leave when the children usually sleep. We left at midnight and got about 6 hours of driving before the kids woke up.

DVD player with Disney movies.

Snacks, Snacks and more snacks.

Book on tape from the local library. We almost made it through the 2nd Harry Potter book.

Hope these suggestions make your drive much easier!

 

[dawnball]

I've driven with my DD (just the two of us) to WDW several times since she was 17 months, and it's around a 10 hour drive.

I pick out distractions in advance and wrap them up. Typical distractions are:
a new mickey shirt
a few printed coloring pages wrapped up with a couple of crayons
paint with water books and some damp q-tips for coloring
a book
mickey bowls or cups with car-appropriate snacks inside
stickers and something to stick them to
little figures (whatever she's interested in then)
a small stack of legos
a very small (6 page, 10 page) photo album with character or ride pictures
etc

I usually spend < $20 on that kind of stuff, and a lot of it comes from her closet and is just wrapped up in paper.

I help her pack a small bag of prefered toys (magna doodle, stuffed animals, light ups - whatever she says goes in the bag). I start very early in the morning and put her still in her pjs in the carseat. She usually holds a snack without eating it until she passes out. Her bag of pre-selected toys is in reach in the back seat. Once she's awake, every once in awhile (around every 50 miles, more or less depending on our exact schedule) she gets a distraction. Sometimes I pick one (she usually gets a mickey plate for the distraction before our lunch stop, for example) and sometimes I let her pick. In between distractions she plays with her toys, we sing, listen to music, recite stories, etc.

We stop and run around for 30 minutes at lunch and about 15 minutes every 2 hours. There's a Disney outlet around 8 hours into the trip and we usually stop there for around 30 minutes too.

We don't do a DVD player for various reasons, and instead I tilt the front passenger seat (she sits directly behind it) down so that her feet sit on the backrest for the passenger seat. She gets a great view out the front windshield which seems to help a lot.