Roadtrip with a toddler

We're considering a roadtrip to NC over the summer with DD, who will be just shy of 2 years old. I know this has been discussed plenty of times, but I can't seem to find much through the search. Anyone BTDT and have advice? I plan on buying a portable DVD player for the car.

Roadtrip with a toddler

No BTDT advice but we are driving to North Myrtle in August and my DD will be close to 2.5. My plan is to have plenty of snacks/drinks, her Leap Pad, and lots of DVDs (we have the DVD player that wraps around the headrest).

Normally, DH and I would haul ass down there with minimal stops but since this will be our first road trip with DD I want to stop every few hours so she can get out and burn some energy.

Re: Roadtrip with a toddler

Re: Roadtrip with a toddler

Last year when we drove to Lake George i made sure I had pleanty to keep DS entertained. I had the portable DVD player and had a variety of movies. I also had crayons and coloring books, snacks, drinks, but the Magna Doodle was the big hit. Thank goodness he slept for about 2 hours and we did stop at a rest stop so he could strech his legs a bit.
I also sat in the back with him to keep him entertained.

Roadtrip with a toddler

We've done several road trips with my girls, and I don't think we've ever used dvds. They tend to sleep a good deal in cars. They can definitely be chatty, but it's fun. Last time I think one daughtet chatted half the trip while the other slept, and then they switched. We've brought coloring books and crayons but I don't think they've used it all that much. I've passed my phone ti them for part of the trip. We actually haven't had to make extra stops for them except when they were babies and still nursing.

Message edited 4/8/2013 1:22:12 PM.

Re: Roadtrip with a toddler

We've driven to NC 4x with DC of varying ages--from 3 months to 4.5 years. We only used the DVD player once. We do always have all their favorite music and that always calmed them down when they were getting crazy. Also, I bought lap trays from One Step Ahead that they could use to color, etc on. And snacks...always snacks! And of course, stopping for meals or when the situation called for it.

Good luck!

Re: Roadtrip with a toddler

I've been driving to our lake house in Maine since my oldest was 7 months. Best advice, leave around bedtime & drive through the night. It makes the trip easier on all. If that's not possible, leave early am around 4am or closing in on a naptimr. You want to.avoid as much stopping & traffic as possible bc you could turn a 7 hr drive into 12.

Bring favorite snacks. Dvds, books, crayons.

Roadtrip with a toddler

I pretty much plan any long drives with my 22 month old twins around either bed time or nap time, so if I can I leave around 10:30 am and can get about 3 hours nap during a drive or I would leave around 7 pm and drive as far as I could.