"I was recently chatting with my friend, telling her we are planning to road trip from Washington, D.C. to Michigan (roughly an eight-hour drive) with two kids under the age of 3. She thought I was crazy not to fly.
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To me, though, throwing a bunch of stuff in our car and being on our own schedule seems much easier than packing for the airport, struggling through security, and trying to keep a toddler contained on a plane ride. I credit my classification of road trips as “easy” thanks to two previous cross-country road trips (one with a toddler in tow while I was pregnant). After you drive from New York to California, every other road trip seems like a quick one!
Even though I love road trips, toddlers absolutely make them more challenging. It requires preparation, patience, and low expectations. The first step, though, is to prepare. Fill your car with toddler-friendly activities and snacks, and you’ll be cruising along the highway in no time.
After several road trips (including an eight-day cross-country trip with an 18-month-old), I’m here to share the best products to make it a smooth ride. Check out items to keep toddlers entertained on long car rides below!
Pair these headphones with your child's tablet and you might even get to listen to a podcast or music of your choice up front. These are great thanks to an audio splitter for sharing and a safe volume limit for little ears. This highly-rated iPad case comes with a convenient handle for kids to carry and fits over the car headrest for easy viewing. These fun little sticks can be bent, twisted, and sculpted into fun designs—plus, they can stick to the windows for added enjoyment. I can't say I fully understand the obsession, but kids love these popper toys and it somehow keeps them occupied for long stretches of time. These mess-free coloring books are an editor favorite. They are easy to keep in the car (store them in the seat back pocket so you always have them) and can be used over and over again. This cute little water game will keep your kids entertained as they work on their patience and fine motor skills. As the name says, this book is quiet and will keep your kids quiet. Each page has a new activity for them to explore, like pages with buttons, clock hands, shoelaces, and more. It's a very basic recommendation, but consider a bin your best friend in the car. Before the ride, give your toddler the job of filling the bin with their favorite toys, books, and whatever else they want to bring on the trip. It makes them feel in control and allows for creativity. Plus, it's an easy way to clean up at the end of the ride.
