Stuck on a bus with a toddler. Help!!

[frogmommy]

DH and I are going to Disney with his high school band. We will be bringing DS5 and DD22mths with us. We are taking tour busses. Driving our own car or flying is not an option since DH is the band director. The trip will be at least 8-9 hours. We will be leaving early in the am and stopping for lunch & gas, but we don't have much flexability outside of that.

On the plus side, we will have a bus load of teenage girls who will probably enjoy entertaining the kids from time to time. The buses are equiped with VCRs thankfully. DS has recently discovered Leapster, so I'm not so worried about him. I'm very worried about DD. She is really tempermental and I don't know of any activities that will hold her attention for any length of time. Also, I want to be considerate of the other pasengers on the bus - it's one thing if DD is cranky just for us, it's quite another when it starts to effect others.

Any ideas?

Thanks!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

You won't find anything to keep her attention for long but hopefully if you have variety she'll do ok and even nap for part of the ride.

Things my kids liked at that age-
snacks
stickers
magnadoodles
travel size aqua doodles
playdough
books
magnetic playsets

do you have some sort of tray for her to use for coloring?

Good Luck!

 

[KimWDW]

VideoNow
Coloring Book, Stickers
Snacks, a lollypop
A mp3 player or cd-walkman loaded with kids songs

 

[frogmommy]

Hi KimWDW and lovesdumbo. Ty both for the suggestions. Lovesdumbo, I have thought of getting some sort of lap desk for her. I will definetely follow up on this. KimWDW, your music suggestion is great. DD has a Kindermusik CD that she loves. I never thought of using headphones with her. What's VideoNow?

Thanks again!

 

[lovesdumbo]

What's VideoNow?

I've never used VideoNow but they are on the clearance row at Walmart. They even had a Disney Princess CD Player with headphones that I almost bought too.

I saw a great tray at The Container Store today-it had sides that folded up so you could use it with or without them down. And it opened so it could hold paper and pens, crayons....

A few more ideas-pipe cleaners and wacky sticks (not sure that is the real name????) they are wax sticks like pipe cleaners. My youngest didn't actually use them but like me to make things for her like letters or people.

 

[hopesmommy]

If your DD likes to "draw", try a Doodle Bear. They come with 2 washable markers, but you can buy a package with 5 more. The markers are scented. The bear says it needs to be washed every 48 hours I think, but we have gone weeks without washing it. My DD loves hers. In fact I leave it in the car. Other suggestions - take her to the dollar store and see what she wants (that is if you can get her to understand it is for the trip). Travel Hungry Hippo - she might be a little young, but she might like just trying to catch the marbles. Does she like to play with make up? You can always use wipes to wash it off, but be prepared to be made over too.

Tip - whatever you get put it away when you get to WDW. That way when you get back on the bus to go home, the toys will still be new to her.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

With a bus of teenage girls, you don't need to worry. You will have plenty of helpers!

 

[NotUrsula]

Driving our own car or flying is not an option since DH is the band director.

Not an option for him, but it really doesn't stop *you* from taking either of those options with the little ones if you want to, as long as you are not officially a trip chaperone (and how could you be, when you are responsible for 2 small guys?) Personally, I'd consider it.

 

[new_mouser]

I had to laugh when I read this, because when I was 4 we went to WDW with a school group. I don't know how many kids are going with your group, but we had about 3 busloads when I was a kid. High-school girls love little kids, and since your kids - even the toddler - probably know the band kids, you should be fine. Bring some pictures books and bubbles and you should be fine. I would try and potty train, though, because I would think the smell of dirty diapers could do you in.

 

[frogmommy]

Oh wow- thanks for all the replys!

Lovesdumbo, I'm going to check out the container store for a tray. Thanks for the heads up! I decided against doing earphones w/DD BUT I found a pillow type speaker in the shape of a flower that I might try.

Hopesmommy - I will look for the doodlebear. DD has recently discovered crayons and markers, so she will probably like this. Good idea about packing all the toys away!

Lost - I had the same idea about the teenagers on the bus!

NotUrsala - nope, flying or driving is not an option. For one thing, I have no way to get to the airport, my ride is on the bus.

New-mouser - this is actually the 3rd time I've taken a kid on a tour bus, but never one this exact age. DS went to DC with us when he was 9mths and was great as long as I fed him. We took him to Disney when he was 2 1/2 and that was ok because he was at an age where things held his interest awhile. I think DD is just at a hard age. Or maybe I'm the one at the hard age.