What are some good ways to entertain a toddler on a very long car trip?

Question

I have an 18 month old girl. We are driving from Central Michigan to Southern New Jersey. She goes through toys so quickly and her throws her crayons then cries for them later. I'm the only other person in the car, and obviously I'll be driving. HELP!

Answer 1

Books

Toddlers love to read and look at pictures, having some of their favorite books at hand will help distract them while they are doing something they enjoy doing. This also encourages them to enjoy books and reading which will live with them forever.

Drawing supplies

A pad and paper works wonders to keep them occupied and have their creative juices flowing. They also have the magic wonders marker sets, which are great to use in the car so you have less mess. I have found little desks that hang on the seat in front of them to help them have a hard surface to work on.

Small Toys

Cars or dolls are fun to play with anytime in the car it can help keep them busy doing something they are familiar with. The key is to not make them too small so if they are dropped they can be picked up easy rather then having to hunt for something small.

A few things to help with the drive that aren’t necessarily for entertaining your youngster but helpful just in case.

Pillows

A pillow they may want a nap or want to get a little more comfortable. Car trips tend to make toddlers sleepy and having a pillow will help them take a nap a little more comfortably and sleep a little better. A well rested little one will make a happy tot and everyone is happier. They have small travel pillows pretty inexpensive now days.

Snacks

With little tummies they get hungry often and usually at the most inopportune time, having snacks on hand will help prevent having to stop a lot along the way. Raisins or crackers are great for car trips. Another idea is to bring sliced fruit. Bringing something to drink like juice packets are a good idea since eating can make them thirsty.

Answer 2

I don't think the portable dvd players are necessary.  Get some really fun cds to listen too like Jack Johnson curious george.  She'll like him.  She'll get fussy but as long as you stop ever 2-3 hrs. to get her out to stretch and change her she will be fine, bored maybe a little but just fine.

Answer 3

LeapFrog makes a great book reader that has cartridges and the books are made from really durable paper stuff that doesn't tear and liquids wipe off of.  They are great because they are interactive and pretty easy to do-basically the child can push anywhere on the page and it will talk or interact with her, it will also read the story aloud.  You can get several stories and it's usually good for quite a while, especially since you can change out the books when they get bored with one.  Also if you can stand it, any kind of new toy that lights up or plays music that can be held onto in the seat.  

Answer 4

Only buy things that can be tied on to the tray on her car seat. You can get pencils with those plastic springy wires on them, and books the same.

Answer 5

buy a portable dvd player and let her watch her favorite shows on it.

Answer 6

Absolutely anything new! Kids will play for a very long time just because something is new. So what to get?

Those poofy animals with velcro pockets, ears, etc that they 'think they are dressing and stuff".

They have travel games at the stores that are the size of a thick CD but a toddler should be able to hold it fine. Once it is turned on, they don't care how it is "supposed" to go, just the sounds and movement and buttons keeps them busy.

A new doll/truck with movable parts and lotza animal pics too! They love bright colors so I think tupperware measuring cups, Tupperware has that shapes ball where they can put the shapes into it - again, they don't care about right or wrong usually, so anything colorful.

Nothing messy, sticky, or that can be choked on - the things 'not' to bring. lol

Bring a friend, her age or yours(?) to help keep her busy. Have a safe and happy trip.

Answer 7

Try a DVD player  (car one of course) put her favroite movies in the car let her pic one out and tell her that is the only movie that she can watch for a while  when you make a pit stop ask her if she wants to switch movies if she says yes let her pick one out and strt over agian I ahve a two year old brother and this works GREAT !!!!!!!!!!!!  

Answer 8

Go very early in the morning so she'll sleep through as much of it as possible.

Answer 9

Man~ i cant wait for those days...LoL!!  lets see you could bring books, either coloring or just picture books.  you could also bring like five stuffed animals for her to play with.  you could always bring like little snacks that are easy for her to chew depending on how many teeth she has.  i would bring like little baby snacks made for babies with few teeth.  you could always bring a portable dvd player to play like barney or elmo.  or just some different toys.  you might also want to bring like little play animals or play people.  big enough so that she cant swallow them.  hope this helps~ a 13 yr. old

Answer 10

If you are alone sure enough, even thou you hate it... A portable dvd player is the only option...

You can't drive if a child is screaming in the back seat..

Tip: don't give her that early on of the trip, use all your other resources, bz she'll get tired of watching those dvd's too...

Believe me, I have one and she does get tired of watching, only in the car thou not at home

Good luck with your driving

Answer 11

I bought my son a dvd player that clips on to the back of my seat. That way he can watch his favorite movies and go to sleep. Also he has favorite songs that i play for him. He is 2 1/2 and this works great.