Long drive tips

[Momma of 4]

We are driving down for our November trip, it's about a 15 hour drive. Our kids are 10, 8, and will just have turned 5 year old twins. They've done 'longish' drives before (usually in the 8 hour range) but this will be the longest drive ever. I've got a few things up my sleeve but am looking for other things that don't involve screens, and mostly for the younger three, as the oldest will just read the whole trip and not get car sick. We do plan on stopping just past halfway through for the night. The way down will probably be easier than the way home, everyone will be over tired and hopped on junk food. That means they sleep more....right??

 

[DisneyOma]

We traveled with the kids a lot when they were young, starting at 5 and 2 1/2, so I've got lots of experience The best thing I ever did was have a bag packed with little things for them to do, like sticker books, small Lego sets, cheap toys from the dollar store, etc. Every hour or so I'd pull something out of the bag for each of them. We also had this awesome conversion van with separate seats in the second row, and space underneath for a personal toy container. Each kid got to pack that container with toys for the trip. Besides stopping for potty breaks, at least one longer stop for an hour or so helped too. One time we stopped at a park overlooking the Statue of Liberty, and my kids played in the playground with a bunch of other kids. We were headed to WDW, but I think that playground was just as much fun for them, LOL!

 

[Anna131517]

We do a similar drive to FL at least once a year with three kids. I do let them have screens though. It saves my sanity. They also just seem to like happy meal toys. We bring tons of snacks. We rotate between listening to music and listening to an audiobook. Our last road trip we listened to the Wizard of Oz, which was pretty good. We also all like the podcast Greeking Out - start at season 1 - it’s all about Greek mythology. On your way back if you want a funny Christmas themed audiobook check out The Beat Christmas Pageant Ever - it’s funny and cute. With 4 kids I’m sure you already to know to make hotel reservations ahead of time to get a room that can accommodate your whole family. Oh, and each kid gets their own water bottle. Have fun!

 

[Momma of 4]

We traveled with the kids a lot when they were young, starting at 5 and 2 1/2, so I've got lots of experience The best thing I ever did was have a bag packed with little things for them to do, like sticker books, small Lego sets, cheap toys from the dollar store, etc. Every hour or so I'd pull something out of the bag for each of them. We also had this awesome conversion van with separate seats in the second row, and space underneath for a personal toy container. Each kid got to pack that container with toys for the trip. Besides stopping for potty breaks, at least one longer stop for an hour or so helped too. One time we stopped at a park overlooking the Statue of Liberty, and my kids played in the playground with a bunch of other kids. We were headed to WDW, but I think that playground was just as much fun for them, LOL!

My kids always enjoy the park breaks so much too! I will need to map out one for our lunch break, that's a great idea.

We do a similar drive to FL at least once a year with three kids. I do let them have screens though. It saves my sanity. They also just seem to like happy meal toys. We bring tons of snacks. We rotate between listening to music and listening to an audiobook. Our last road trip we listened to the Wizard of Oz, which was pretty good. We also all like the podcast Greeking Out - start at season 1 - it’s all about Greek mythology. On your way back if you want a funny Christmas themed audiobook check out The Beat Christmas Pageant Ever - it’s funny and cute. With 4 kids I’m sure you already to know to make hotel reservations ahead of time to get a room that can accommodate your whole family. Oh, and each kid gets their own water bottle. Have fun!

Ohh podcasts! We do the audio book/music rotation as well, because half of my kids oy want princess music for 12 hours I'll need to find some good podcasts, thank you!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We are driving down for our November trip, it's about a 15 hour drive. Our kids are 10, 8, and will just have turned 5 year old twins. They've done 'longish' drives before (usually in the 8 hour range) but this will be the longest drive ever. I've got a few things up my sleeve but am looking for other things that don't involve screens, and mostly for the younger three, as the oldest will just read the whole trip and not get car sick. We do plan on stopping just past halfway through for the night. The way down will probably be easier than the way home, everyone will be over tired and hopped on junk food. That means they sleep more....right??

We drive to WDW, albeit a lot less hours, but it's still a half day's drive and one of the things I did when my kids were younger were small surprises for them on the way down. Disney themed activities like coloring books (don't pack crayons, only colored pencils, in the car unless you like melted wax on your seats and upholstery-learned that the hard way), sticker books, books to read, magnetic puzzles and games, card games, etc. I would do fun snacks, stuff I normally don't let them eat most days. We also would do games like the alphabet game or whatever until I lost my mind. We did have a DVD player so we'd let them watch a few movies but eventually they'd get bored with that. Just have it all at the ready along with your snacks and you'll be fine. The car ride back can be depressing so maybe try to stop somewhere fun along the way. Maybe a park to stretch your legs or something to see.

 

[sponica]

I don't know if they still make them but a zillion years ago you used to be able to get travel sized etch a sketch, magna doodle, etc.

There's also these: Melissa and Doug Water WOW

 

[mmbm1720]

These are great tips. Thanks for sharing

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We drive to WDW, albeit a lot less hours, but it's still a half day's drive and one of the things I did when my kids were younger were small surprises for them on the way down. Disney themed activities like coloring books (don't pack crayons, only colored pencils, in the car unless you like melted wax on your seats and upholstery-learned that the hard way), sticker books, books to read, magnetic puzzles and games, card games, etc. I would do fun snacks, stuff I normally don't let them eat most days. We also would do games like the alphabet game or whatever until I lost my mind. We did have a DVD player so we'd let them watch a few movies but eventually they'd get bored with that. Just have it all at the ready along with your snacks and you'll be fine. The car ride back can be depressing so maybe try to stop somewhere fun along the way. Maybe a park to stretch your legs or something to see.

I agree about the colored pencils we had to replace a carseat, not planned, because of a melted crayon plus 2 replacement outfits. something my adult daughter found a idea to paint cheap cookie sheet used to hold coloring papers and legos to build with

 

[CharissaOKC]

We have always let our kids pack a small backpack with some toys, books, etc. I usually save a few surprise activities for when they need something new. We like the Imagine Ink mini activity books. Also if you get the small cookie sheets and bring some magnetic toys that works great. We use Magformers.

 

[Momma of 4]

Oh I've never thought about magnetic toys on the cookie sheets! (We use them at home for Play-Doh!) Thank you! And noted about the crayons

 

[tinkerjo]

We always try and leave early so that our 1st stop is about 4 hours in, just in time for breakfast and gas. That gives us a few hours of less traffic and gives the kids a few hours of traveling while sleeping. We did allow some screen time but not the whole trip. My kids always took a small backpack filled with favorite toys and activities. (No crayons allowed) and of course snacks. We always like to point out billboard signs that are unusual and take some time to discuss some history and geography relevant to the area. History class without them realizing it!! Honestly, the trip home is easier. On the way there, they are excited and all hyped up. By the time we go home, they are exhausted and sleep most the way home and we look at pictures of the trip and talk about our favorite experiences. And make sure when you stop on the way, you get a hotel with an indoor pool! It really helps!!

 

[HopperFan]

We traveled with the kids a lot when they were young, starting at 5 and 2 1/2, so I've got lots of experience The best thing I ever did was have a bag packed with little things for them to do, like sticker books, small Lego sets, cheap toys from the dollar store, etc. Every hour or so I'd pull something out of the bag for each of them. We also had this awesome conversion van with separate seats in the second row, and space underneath for a personal toy container. Each kid got to pack that container with toys for the trip. Besides stopping for potty breaks, at least one longer stop for an hour or so helped too. One time we stopped at a park overlooking the Statue of Liberty, and my kids played in the playground with a bunch of other kids. We were headed to WDW, but I think that playground was just as much fun for them, LOL!

We always did the same (we had lots of two day trips) and I would wrap each item. I'd number them so they opened comparable ones at the same time. Of course they had to be good to get their gifts so that helped and they'd get so excited, gifts for "no reason".

And supposedly french fries make one sleepy so I had no issue driving through for fries when we'd stop for gas. Napping is good.

 

[Her Dotness]

The old billboard/business signs/street signs alphabet game might amuse the kids.

Someone spots an "A" on a sign, next letter must come from another sign, etc. You can keep score--who spots the most first. To keep the peace since I'm six years older than my sister, Mom insisted we just find each letter and not keep score. She'd keep track of how long it took us to get through the alphabet. We'd try to beat our best time if possible.

My sister and I used to love that one.

 

[DisneyOma]

There are license plate sticker books that are fun too.

 

[mynewgroove]

I also will add - see if you can stay at a Great Wolf Lodge. It made travel days so much more exciting as a young kid.

 

[Beer Me]

Besides things to do during the drive - my best advice for two day drives is to start early and stop early on day one. Try to get more than halfway but make sure you stop well before dinner. Get checked in, hit the pool, and go somewhere nice for a relaxed dinner. Plan for games or movie watching before bed time.

Basically build in some enjoyment and relaxation into your travel day so that it isn’t an exhausting slog. Be on vacation from day one.

 

[danceintherain]

It shouldn't be that different than your 8 hour days. Yeah its two days back to back, but kids tend to adapt to things a lot more quickly. I would try to make it a little further on your first day, so the second day is shorter.
Post it notes and pipe cleaners are my go to for travel. Usually air travel, but they work just as well in a car. They're super low tech, but very manipulatable.

For our next long drive, I'll probably be setting my daughter up with headphones for her audiobook. She hates actually reading and is prone to carsickness anyway. Headphones mean she can block out her brothers....

 

[PollyannaMom]

Great ideas already posted!

We used to do the wrapped surprises when DS was little. The biggest hits I remember were sets of tiny toy animals/characters and Wikki Stix (a kind of waxed string - bendable like pipe cleaners, but would stick to the car window).

If I were traveling with little ones now, I would definitely do some podcasts or audiobooks. You could also let them "interview" each other and record it on your phone. (Write up some questions ahead of time.)

 

[Momma of 4]

Besides things to do during the drive - my best advice for two day drives is to start early and stop early on day one. Try to get more than halfway but make sure you stop well before dinner. Get checked in, hit the pool, and go somewhere nice for a relaxed dinner. Plan for games or movie watching before bed time.

Basically build in some enjoyment and relaxation into your travel day so that it isn’t an exhausting slog. Be on vacation from day one.

This is exactly the plan! I want even the travel days to feel like a fun adventure, and really my kids are pretty excited for road trips.....at first the snacks help hahaha.

So many great ideas on this thread, thanks! I already have a list, but I've used them during the last 3 or 4 trips we've taken, so I definitely need some fresh ideas!

 

[scrapquitler]

when we used to vacation drive (about 12 hours) when I was little, my parents strategy was to leave around 9PM when the kids were ready to fall asleep and drive thru the night.