Tips for entertaining toddlers and preschoolers on road trips

Tips For Entertaining A Toddler On Road Trips

Make surprise packages for your next road trip

Taking a toddler on a road trip can be exhausting, frustrating and stressful. But it really doesn’t have to be. Try some of these tips the next time you take your two or three year old on the open road and you will be surprised how it can turn a rocky ride into a smooth and even relaxing one!

Cut out the sugar. Try not to pack sugar intense snacks. A couple of treats to be earned along the way are fine, but pack healthy and fun snacks instead. Also, leave the juice boxes at home or for pit stops where you stop at a park for a picnic. They are sticky and full of sugar. Here are a couple of ideas for healthy snacks pictured below.

Snack ideas for road trips

Try to avoid the movies until it’s dark or you get desperate. Pack books or small toys. Make up stories together in the car, sing songs and have them point out the colors they see outside. Play the ispy game with your toddlers.

For times when you start to lose your toddler to fussiness or boredom pull out surprise packages. Before the trip prepare as many surprise packages as you feel will be useful and store them by your feet. You can either set a certain milestone (every 30 or 60 miles, etc.) or just use them as needed. Stop by the dollar store and pick up some fun small toys or activities and place them in bags for them to open. You will be surprised how fun it is for everyone and how well it works!

I created 8 bags before our last trip. Here they are in order in case you need some ideas.