Planning to travel by car with a baby or toddler soon… You might be asking yourself what do families do on a long car ride? How do I occupy a toddler on a long car ride? What is the best age to even start traveling? What is the best age to start traveling? I myself have asked these questions before our first car trip with two kids. But to my surprise I found out even if you prepare for it all things happen out of your control and spoiler alert everything will be ok. Side note there is no specific age in which would make traveling easy. So just get ready and take a deep breath and start here with these 8 car travel tips with baby or toddler.
1. Know the car travel length time to reach your destination
By knowing the length of time you are going to be traveling by car you can semi calculate how many stops you would probably have to take to get the kiddos out for their potty break, stretch, feed baby, and/or change diaper.
2. Know the length of days you are going to be at your destination
Knowing the length of days you are going to be able to look up the weather a few days before you leave so you can pack the appropriate attire for your family.
3. Travel by car when baby or toddler naps
If your baby naps try to travel during the time period your baby or toddler is supposed to nap. But if you have a child like mine who does not go to sleep in the car you need to bring some entertainment.
4. Bring entertainment for your little ones
This is where you have to be creative to keep your baby or toddler occupied while they sit in their carseat. I personally overpacked so I can have the peace of mind that my kids will be entertained while we took our 4 hour car ride. Here are some activities/ entertainment I recommend
- Toys either a new toy or their favorite toy or both!
- Activities like bubbles or window stickers
- Your kids favorite cartoon soundtrack and music of nursery rhymes.
- Electronic devices if they are old enough like a tablet. Make sure you load up your electronics with age appropriate games and movies. Don’t forget the charger!
- Their favorite book, new book, sticker books, or water wow books.
- Snacks! A lot of snacks. Take their favorite snacks and the ones that you occasionally give them. P.S. bring some trash bags!
- Lastly jump in the back seat and play with your little ones.
5. Decide how many outings you are willing to take in one day
My preference is to do one or two activities, because I want to take my time and enjoy the event we are at instead of rushing to get to the next one. Depending on the activities I have planned, I first go to the place I know will get the busiest as the day goes by.
For example if my activities for the day are the zoo and a local park. I will first go to the zoo in the morning because I know it will get crowded as the day goes by and a local park in the afternoon.
6. Know what you are going to do while there
Find places age appropriate around the location you are visiting like the zoo, children’s museum, library, or the local park.
P.S. take advantage of the seasonal activities in the area like Christmas light shows, pumpkin patches, water parks, etc.
7. Know what you are going to eat
Save yourself by packing food and snacks for the trip. Place an online pick up or delivery grocery order in the area you are going to stay. Buy ready to eat meals from the local grocery store. Look up for local places you would want to eat with the family beforehand.
8. A first aid kit
Have a first kit on hand for any knee scrape or spontaneous accident. Also take disinfecting spray and hand sanitizer to keep in the car.
Don’t let your child be your excuse to not travel. Make it work by planning and being flexible. The days are long but the years are short so take full advantage of what you can do with your family.
My first trip with two kids I definitely was super nervous to leave the house for our trip but to my surprise we had so much fun. The memories we made along the way are some I and my kids will cherish forever. Take a deep breath momma you got this!