Travel with 2 year old Advice please

[Gracefulskinny]

Hey all,

I'm about to take our first ever family vacation. DD has never gone anywhere. We will be driving about 6 hours and will spend the week at a beach. I want to be sure to cover all of our bases because this trip will also be to celebrate DH's BDay. I figure who better to ask traveling advice to then fellow Disers?

What does this new to traveling mom need to know?

 

[epsmith921]

For me, organization is the biggest thing when traveling with small children.

I had little bins in the car to catch snacks and small toys so they weren't all over the place that I then used in our rental or hotel to keep that space organized.

We loaded a bunch of shows on our iPad for a 13 hour drive (which we knew would take more like 15 with a toddler) and it was our saving grace! We left at around 3 AM or something ridiculous and in the 15 hour total trip I think she slept around 1 hour. She was happy to watch her shows though!

We had a strap to attach the iPad to the headrest and we could plug it in as well so it didn't run out of battery.

If you plan on taking your child's shoes off in the car, I would also recommend bringing shoes that are easy to get on and off.

I also love the disposable changing table covers and even at 2 I preferred to change diapers in the car because my daughter is big for her age. The disposable covers made a nice little sack to walk to the trash can.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[mcjaco]

We just drove from Chicago to Lancaster, PA last month. I ended up renting a Town and Country Minivan for the DVD player, so I'd say anyway you can get a movie player into your car....DO IT! The boys watched Thomas and/or Cars a good portion of that 12 hour trip (which we broke into two days).

Otherwise, it was lots of books, some toys, or which ever one wasn't driving would make up games for them to watch for out the windows, like find the green truck.

We also would stop about every two and a half hours whether we wanted to or not. Somewhere to let them get out and stretch their legs, burn off some energy, change them, and change their view.

Good luck!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

As far as outfits go... Am I over doing it by bringing 13 outfits for a 4 night trip?

As for the hotel room... anything that I may need a heads up about.

Do you bring toys for them to play with in the room? What about story time at bed time?

 

[epsmith921]

I brought a couple books for bedtime but on our beach vacation last summer our 2 year old (at the time) started crashing without bath or story time.

Will you have a washer/dryer? If so, I would plan on doing laundry once just so I didn't have to bring a ton. I found I wanted to anyway just because of the sand and such.

I did need toys for inside our rental, so we actually bought a couple small sets. (Like a Mickey garage thing where the characters all pack up into the garage). Coloring was also a big hit or bubbles would be good if you'll have an outdoor area.

Oh, I also read baby powder helps remove sand easily so you may want some of that.

 

[MegEliz]

We do an eleven hour trip every year with our kids. We've done every age up to 2.5 (this year will be a 10 month old and a 3.5 year old!)
We have lots of snacks and I usually head to the dollar store and pick to sticker/activity books and a few little toys that I surprise them with along the way. GL! You'll be fine!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Twos are fun travelers...everything is new and exciting. Six hours really in not that long of trip. If possible, I would leave about four hours before nap time (assuming he will sleep in the car. Drive 1/2 way and stop for a meal at a fast food place that has a good play area that is safe for a toddler. Let him play while you eat and then give him his food as soon as you get back in the car. As soon as he is done eating, turn off any noise, put up any toys, and give him any nap time comfort objects and he may well sleep the second half of the trip and wake up happy. First three hours should not be too hard.....a few toys, a movie or two and sing and talk to him.


Once you arrive....think through your activities. Will you spend most of your time on the beach and in the pool? Bring lots of bathing suits and simple shorts and tanks that can get wet and sandy. Think about shoes...crocs are great!! Think about time on the beach,: toys, sun screeen, sun glasses, shade umbrella, beach towels, cooler for snacks. Will you go out for dinner or other activities?....an outfit for each night at least +1 or2 extra. Sandals or crocs. Think though bath time.....tooth brush his paste, soap etc. PJ's + and extra pair. His pillow and blanket if he uses one. I always took a good amount of my boys favorite toys on beach trips as we needed and wanted some down time in our condo. I would hide a few things for a couple weeks before the trips and then they seemed almost new again. I would take match box cars, legos, action figures etc. Always took tons of books, mostly paper backs to make lighter bags. Take sippy cups, plenty of wipes, diaper needs and extra diaper rash cream, even if trained. Kids tend to get chaffed at the beach. Take baby powder in your beach bag and sprinkle on sandy kids to help get the sand off. Take plenty of drinks and snacks for him, even if you don't plan to cook any.

Remember that toddlers on the beach are soooo fun but require constant supervision, frequent sun screen applications and reminders to drink. Take tons of pictures and make wonderful memories.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

I brought a couple books for bedtime but on our beach vacation last summer our 2 year old (at the time) started crashing without bath or story time.

Will you have a washer/dryer? If so, I would plan on doing laundry once just so I didn't have to bring a ton. I found I wanted to anyway just because of the sand and such.

I did need toys for inside our rental, so we actually bought a couple small sets. (Like a Mickey garage thing where the characters all pack up into the garage). Coloring was also a big hit or bubbles would be good if you'll have an outdoor area.

Oh, I also read baby powder helps remove sand easily so you may want some of that.

No Washer/dryer just your standard hotel room. I will have a mini fridge and plan on bringing some snacks and lunch meat for sandwiches to cut down on how much we eat out.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Twos are fun travelers...everything is new and exciting. Six hours really in not that long of trip. If possible, I would leave about four hours before nap time (assuming he will sleep in the car. Drive 1/2 way and stop for a meal at a fast food place that has a good play area that is safe for a toddler. Let him play while you eat and then give him his food as soon as you get back in the car. As soon as he is done eating, turn off any noise, put up any toys, and give him any nap time comfort objects and he may well sleep the second half of the trip and wake up happy. First three hours should not be too hard.....a few toys, a movie or two and sing and talk to him.


Once you arrive....think through your activities. Will you spend most of your time on the beach and in the pool? Bring lots of bathing suits and simple shorts and tanks that can get wet and sandy. Think about shoes...crocs are great!! Think about time on the beach,: toys, sun screeen, sun glasses, shade umbrella, beach towels, cooler for snacks. Will you go out for dinner or other activities?....an outfit for each night at least +1 or2 extra. Sandals or crocs. Think though bath time.....tooth brush his paste, soap etc. PJ's + and extra pair. His pillow and blanket if he uses one. I always took a good amount of my boys favorite toys on beach trips as we needed and wanted some down time in our condo. I would hide a few things for a couple weeks before the trips and then they seemed almost new again. I would take match box cars, legos, action figures etc. Always took tons of books, mostly paper backs to make lighter bags. Take sippy cups, plenty of wipes, diaper needs and extra diaper rash cream, even if trained. Kids tend to get chaffed at the beach. Take baby powder in your beach bag and sprinkle on sandy kids to help get the sand off. Take plenty of drinks and snacks for him, even if you don't plan to cook any.

Remember that toddlers on the beach are soooo fun but require constant supervision, frequent sun screen applications and reminders to drink. Take tons of pictures and make wonderful memories.

thanks for the heads up about the chaffing. I didn't think of that but it makes total sense!

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Opinions needed....

So I just confirmed with the hotel they do not have toddler bed rails. DD is quiet the little monkey and so a pack and play is not ideal. Note she is also 3ft tall and about the size of most 3 yr olds.

The bed in the hotel room is a queen. And DD regularly climbs out of DH and My bed at home which is on the rather high side without hurting herself. Is it worth it to haul a few bed rails up with us? (I would have to buy an extra or 2 as DD's bed only has one.)

 

[quakechicago]

Opinions needed....

So I just confirmed with the hotel they do not have toddler bed rails. DD is quiet the little monkey and so a pack and play is not ideal. Note she is also 3ft tall and about the size of most 3 yr olds.

The bed in the hotel room is a queen. And DD regularly climbs out of DH and My bed at home which is on the rather high side without hurting herself. Is it worth it to haul a few bed rails up with us? (I would have to buy an extra or 2 as DD's bed only has one.)

I brought bedrails but then DD (now 3) was too big for them. She would have flipped right over them. She's quite the tumbler in her sleep.

What I do now is get a double queen room. There is one bed always close to the wall or a window. I put her there and our suitcases next to the bed buffering her in OR if it's a suite I put the kitchen chairs along her side of the bed and pillows by them. I sleep on the other side of the bed (but she and I cosleep at home). I usually hold a foot of hers in my sleep and the touch seems to keep her from flip flopping around. Before I go to bed though all bets are off.

I also pack extra blankets to protect her head from the headboards. The one time I didn't she walloped herself in her sleep.

But then one time. The ONE TIME she insisted on sleeping in "Daddy's bed" he let go of her and she tumbled over the chairs and crashed to the floor. The night before we drove from Tampa (I was having outpatient surgery there the morning before we drove up) to Disney. So she had a lovely black eye all through Disney.

 

[quakechicago]

Oh! And bring an extra change of clothes for you and her that you can easily access. My kiddo always pukes in any car ride over 3 hours.

Usually on me.

Never fails.

 

[Mainst]

Safety! Time to think about what will drive you nuts in the hotel room that's not safe. Electric outlets ( pack a few covers). Try to toddler proof the room right away instead of dealing with it the whole time.

Relax! You'll have your car so whatever you haven't thought of...you can run out and buy.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Oh! And bring an extra change of clothes for you and her that you can easily access. My kiddo always pukes in any car ride over 3 hours.

Usually on me.

Never fails.

Duly Noted! I think we might be in the clear with this one. (I hope) I have always struggled with motion sick issues but DD has yet to show signs that she has them as well. And she likes to spin in circles till she falls over.

Great Idea with the suitcases as a cushion. That just might work.