Driving tips, keeping a two year old happy?

[rauchfamily3]

We are driving down to Disney in two weeks!! The first day of driving, will be a long one. What can I do to keep him busy in the car? DS is two and he's usually very good in the car, but the longest car ride we've taken is 2.5 hours with him. When he gets crabby in the car he starts screaming bloody murder too, so we need to keep him happy! We were hoping to have a tv/dvd thing by then, but that's not likely. So any suggestions are appreciated!!!!

 

[2MuchOhana]

The TV/DVD players works great; but if you don't have one try getting a few new little things for him to play with. My DD (2) had a little pad to draw pictures and little books. It kept her entertained for a long time. Be sure to pack a cassestte or tape of Disney songs or childrens songs. It might drive you a little crazy; but it is easier on the ears than a screaming unhappy child. If DS is happy try to keep driving as far as you can, and pack plenty of snacks and drinks. If he starts to get a little fussy take a break; don't wait util he is really upset. Make sure he has enough time to run around for a little while. Allow at least a half hour per stop if it is just a restroom break and about 45minutes to an hour if eating. Hope this helps!

Good Luck and Enjoy your trip!

 

[NotUrsula]

If you stop overnight, make sure your hotel has a functioning indoor pool, and no matter how tired you are, take him swimming that night and again in the morning before you leave the hotel. He will probably have been sleeping in the car for a long time when you arrive, without exercise he will want to bounce around all night. The point of swimming again in the morning is to wear him out so that he will sleep in the car again! Swimming is one of those exercises that is good for getting the kinks out and invigorating adults, but I find that it really wipes out little kids.

Also, check around on the web for information about playgrounds in towns along your route. Print out the directions, and take the time to get off the highway and get to them. If it is deep winter, find out about indoor play areas, shopping malls, etc.; you'll want places where you can let him run. (Yes, there are the play areas in fast food restaurants, and those will do, too, if you don't mind that sort of food. We find that starchy fast food makes us too easily sleepy when driving.)

 

[disneyatl]

I always scout the toys stores and dollar stores for different car activities before we go on a road trip. These are some ideas I've used in the past.

Disney books with cassette tapes
Cassette player with headphones (so we don't have to listen to the stories over and over again)
Coloring books and crayons
Etch a Sketch (or Magnadoodle - they even make travel size ones)
Puzzles
Flash cards

We've had much success but our drive hasn't been near as long as yours will be. Another idea is to hold some things back to save for the drive home. Good luck!

 

[the4moores]

We drove down end of August and we have a 22 hour drive. The first two hours are the worse with them asking when we are going to be there but then the get in the driving mode and it wasn't that bad. My daughters are not very good in the car and hate driving 10 minutes to the grocery store. I brought some post it notes that kept them busy, tape (had to rip it off for younger one) pipecleaners, colouring, new kelly doll. On the way home I bought silly putty for them (3&5) and it kept my 5 year old busy for about 6 hours! We tried to stop every two hours and even a 10 minute break was enough of a break. If you stop at a McDonald's with a playland then let him play while you eat them let him eat in the car. Good Luck!

 

[AuntMinnie]

I made up a bunc of "goodie bags". I used small gift bags with the handlea) and put assorted things in each one. Happy meal toys, cereal box toys, dollar store toys.etc you get the idea. Also put their favorite board books in the bag. I made up baggies of the favorite snacks, ( teddy grahms, cheerios, goldfish crackers), I had a cooler of sippy cups where I could reach it easily. ( I have seen dispossable sippy cups in the baby aisle-- i'd uses them for a long trip. )

What I did was pass them a goodie bag, let them take the toys out, when they got bored with something they set it aside, played with something else. I passed them the snacks too. Back seat was totaly trashed with toys and crumbs, but the girls were calm and happy during the trip.

Magna doodle was great too. I don't have TV/Video unit either, but I have lots of kiddie tapes for the radio tape player, Sesame street, Wiggles even a couple of generic ones my kids like!

 

[miche61]

We bring this on our trips for our kiddos- ages 6-10 now. They love it!!! They spend hours taping up their toys, papers, the seats, anything that can get taped does. We also got them pipe cleaners, they get very creative with those too. We took a 12 hour drive to South Dakota last year, and they had no problems being in the car that long. We don't have DVD or videos either.

Also for a little one like yours, a cookie sheet with magnets.
Just go to a craft store and look around for safe things that your DS can play with and use his imagination on.

I also totally agree about the swimming. And we also had another rule when oldes DD was little- if a kid is napping, don't stop the car!! She will wake up.

Good Luck!

 

[Jackie H.]

I agree with the other posters, but I would like to add these suggestions:

I have a 'bag' for each child. Usually, it is a backpack or some type of carry-all bag that is theirs already. I fill that with their favorite toys, books, coloring books - nothing new. Then place that bag where they can reach it without help from anyone else - I did this even when my kids were in car seats. They know who's bag is whos because they know the bag already.

Then I purchase several very non-expensive type toys for each child. (Dollar Tree, Walmart whatever). I keep those up front and when they are getting bored, I give them something new. This works really well with younger kids. Give them only one thing at a time and stretch it out for the whole trip.

I must also agree with everyone else: give them chances to run around and use up energy! We used to pack lunches and eat at rest stops and they could run around while we ate. It was a great idea to let them play while you eat and let them eat in the car - that is a double whammy!

Also, coming home presents another problem. You've used up the new toys probably and it can be a real downer coming home. Maybe you can try to find a few cheaper toys from WDW to pass out on the way home.

 

[2MuchOhana]

We use a back pack, too. My parents often go with us for the long driving trips. I pack the back pack of DD favorite toys, books, stuffed animals, music and videos. Grandma brings a "goodie bag" of small travel sized toys that she had gotten as reserves.

Whether you bring old favorites or get a few things from the Dollar Store or Discount Store doesn't really matter. Just so long as they have something to play with that makes them happy.

It's really isn't that bad at this age. Try pointing out some of the things you see along the way like animals. Our DD got very excited just looking at the clouds and the trees. They were words she knew how to say. Relax and try to enjoy the ride it can be a great experience for everyone.

 

[libbi]

Have you thought about driving all night, when they are sleepnig anyway. The last time we drove we left around 3:00 in the afternoon. We drove about four hours, stopped for dinner, and it was getting dark, by the time we were finished eating it was dark. He stayed up for about two more hours and was out for the night. My husband actually prefers to drive at night. When our DS woke up we were in FLA. We stopped for breakfast and drove the rest of the way. When we arrived at the resort, I took him swimming and my husband had a nap.
We are doing the same think next month this time with two kids, DS is 8yo and DD id 2yo. We actually bought a van with a DVD player in it anticiapting this trip and I can tell you its the best money I have ever spent, even just going to the store. Sometimes you dont know they are there until their movie is over and needs changed. If you can buy a VCR/DVD plater try to borrow one from a friend or family member. It is a lifesaver.

 

[tjmw2727]

You have already gotten some really great suggestions so I only have a couple things to add. Target has a "backseat organizer tray" that attaches to the front seat and provides a tray for the backseat. Picture one similar to those on an airplane and it also has lots of pockets. It works great with dd's highback booster so I imagine its great with any carseat. For us safety freaks its soft material as opposed to the air travel trays so it is safe. We have one in "hello kitty" and one in "scooby doo" and my girls love them. We use them for on the fly meals, coloring, keeping small toys in pockets and now that they are older - personal cd players.

I have looked at the VideoNow players as well but haven't decided if I should purchase one yet. Depending on the two year old this could be fun. It looks similar to a gameboy but its black & white and plays its own tv show "disks". I saw rugrats, fairly odd parents and spongebob - many two year olds are not into this yet but many are!!

We also have fun with model magic -like playdogh but IMHO much neater and my girls think its more fun.

The only other thing I can add is to make sure and bring some familiar and favorite toys and books in addition to the new and exiting ones. He/she may be just as happy to watch out the window and cuddle with a fav stuffed animal - we can only hope!

TJ