7 Best Tips for Toddler Car Travel

MomNessly

7 years ago

Last updated on February 20th, 2019 at 06:27 pm

Road trips. Remember having this before becoming a mom?

The sheer fun of just listening to music, snacking then dozing off. Stretching your legs on bathroom breaks during stop overs? Ahh, those are the good times of single life.

How about the greater times of mom life? Your road trips with a toddler? Hmm, remembering my last one, I have this quote to sum it all up.

The journey, Not the destination matters
– T.S Eliot

The long and tiring journey! Can I please just drive the whole time instead of trying to entertain and clean up this little one in the backseat? I am a no vomit girl all my life on road trips but the amount of duties a mom gets to do while traveling with a toddler is exhausting to the point that I am feeling carsick.

It was from this case that I’ve come up with a game plan for every time we’re in for one long ride. To save both the baby and mommy’s sanity. And everyone in the car actually.

Let me share some of my tried and tested tips on traveling with a toddler.

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Ways To Survive A Toddler Car Travel

1. Bring plenty of snacks and water

You need many variations of snacks. From cookies, chips, pretzels and more. Throw in some skittles and chocolate too. A little bit of everything to get the kid nibbling and munching.

Before the road trip, make sure that the kid ate with just enough but not too much to avoid full throw ups due to car sickness. The snacks is just another form of entertainment actually.

Water is best instead of juices to avoid too much sugar as you never want a hyper kid inside a cramp vehicle.

2. Let your kid wear temporary road trip clothes

Since you aim for him to look nice once you reach your destination, the best way to achieve this is to put him in a temporary clothes while traveling to save his final clothes from throw ups and other mess.

Make sure to bring lots of extra clothes (top, shorts, underwear) just to be prepared.

3. Get your cleaning aids handy

Tissues, wet wipes, alcohol and garbage bag is a must. Also, expect your car to become sticky, messy and somewhat smelly during the trip.

Bring in another set of small plastic to catch on vomit and put in the dirty clothes.

For more parenting tips, please see related posts.

Parenting Tips on Visiting the Zoo with a Toddler

Parenting Tips on Visiting An Indoor Playground

4. Offer toys and other forms of entertainment

If possible, this is the best time to introduce him to a new toy to hold his attention longer. Don’t forget to bring his favorite, reliable toys so you’re ready when he remember and demands for it.

Get his familiar and favorite songs playing in the car for some sing along time.

5. Bring a pillow and a blanket

Some time in the trip you’ll finally be rewarded for your efforts and the kid sleeps. Ensure his comfort and longer down time with a pillow and a blanket.

Some kids cannot sleep without their security blanket or favorite toys with them. Make sure you have that.

6. Stop and get some fresh air

If the kid gets too cranky it means he’d been cooped up long enough. The solution is to stop, get some fresh air and give him freedom to do toddler things.

Never ever leave your child alone in the car! You’ve seen the horror stories in the news and would never want that to happen to you.