Survive a Roadtrip with a Toddler
How to Entertain a Two year old for Long Hours on the Road
Aug 14, 2008
Whether a parent must go or just wants to get out of town, it is possible to take a toddler on a long trip. A very young child can adapt to new circumstances more easily if items from his normal routine are transferred to the new situation. A parent can bring snacks and activities in the car as well as facilitate time to rest. The following hints are submitted to parents who plan to take a one or two year old on the road.
Bring Fun Snacks
Toddlers need to eat all day long whether they are at home or on the road. Most toddlers eat three to four meals per day as well as snacks in between. To avoid stopping every hour or two for food, pack some nutritious and interesting snacks. Try the following:
- Animal shaped cookies or crackers
- Individually packaged servings of different cheeses
- Blueberries
- Cereal in different shapes and colors (fruit, chocolate and unsweetened -pockets, puffs and balls)
- Don't forget to bring something to drink.
Compact, Complicated Toys
At this age, children are fascinated by new challenges and are eager to learn new skills. They can make good use of their stationary time in the car working on puzzles that they have not tried before. If the task is very new, a child may need help completing it to begin with. Soon though, he will delight in doing it all by himself. Following are some ideas for intricate activities that are small enough to be worked on in a carseat.
- Magnets - Bring a cookie sheet and a few magnetic animals or shapes that can be rearranged, stuck and unstuck.
- Fasteners - Buckles, snaps, zippers, Velcro and buttons are all good challenges for toddlers.
- Electronics - Many toy makers produce small, electronic games with buttons. A game geared for adults will hold a toddler's attention for almost as long - How about video poker?
- Containers - Toddlers enjoy opening and closing different types of containers. It's even more fun when there's something to discover inside.
Books and Magazines
If a child already has a background with books, new books are a treat. If not, this is a great time to introduce books to a toddler. They may like to preview them first and then have a parent read them. The library is a great resource for a fun variety of books. Parents can also find several magazines on the rack geared at very young "readers". Magazines are fun because several topics are addressed and several characters are introduced all in a single volume.
Give Them Time to Sleep
While entertainment and play time is important in a toddler's day, time to rest is also essential. Parents don't regularly witness a toddler's falling asleep process, and so it can be hard to recognize that process in the car. When a child begins to fuss and cry, she may not even know why - since she is not in bed. When a parent notices signs of fatigue, or when a normal naptime is approaching, it can be helpful to tell a toddler that it's time to sleep. She may cry, but if the parents avoid stimulating her further, and if she really is tired, it is more than likely that she will fall asleep and wake up ready for another cycle of play.
Toddlers do enjoy new activities and challenges. They also need a familiar routine. In a typical day, most toddlers spend time eating, sleeping, playing alone and playing with others. These activities can all be transferred to the car. By alternating activities that require a parent's participation and those that do not, a road trip will become easier to handle for parent and child. And as for the need to move, make sure that every planned stop includes some time to run!
