Tell me about driving 3-4 hours with a preschooler

MamatoA2010

I'm taking my first mini vacation with DD (she'll be 4 1/2 this summer) and our destination is a good 3-4 hour drive away.. not terribly far, but the longest I've been in the car with her for more than 45 minutes. I do not have a DVD player in the back of my car and she will probably sleep some of the way if I time the trip right. Can anyone give me some helpful hints and tips about traveling moderate distances in the car with preschoolers? I'm predicting a lot of "are we almost there" from the backseat  Thanks!

MamatoA2010

@justAphase- thanks!

flyingsaucer

We have a portable DVD player that can strap on to the head rests for long trips. Pack lots of snacks. Bring new toys that she will be excited about. I always suggest magna doodle for long trips. Target's Dollar Spot or the dollar store usually have good travel art sets. Make stops fun and exciting. Have fun!

MamatoA2010

@kgopel- thanks!

randomsalpal

DVD player and headphones, plenty of snacks, drinks and time for potty breaks. Good luck, have a great time. I would always pack a picnic and stop at a park on long road trips when the DC were little.

Jennicillin

Choose a good rest stop in advance that you'd be ok with hanging out at for about an hour.  When I do drives like that with my son it's usually worth the extra hour out to give him a break to run around a play place at the half way point

msdrdg

Plan an extra hour or so and just make a few stops.  We drive 7 hours a couple times a summer and just make sure we have a lot of toys and make a bunch of stops.  We don't have a DVD player and don't plan on getting one.  I have strong feelings about TV in the car.  He likes to sing so we sang a lot of songs.

missyishere

I'm all for DVD player in the car on long trips. Mommy needs sanity. I try to plan leaving a couple hours before lunch (enough time to watch a movie), stop for lunch and run around, then I hope she naps the remaining time.

msdrdg

MrsBadKat said:

msdrdg said:

Plan an extra hour or so and just make a few stops.  We drive 7 hours a couple times a summer and just make sure we have a lot of toys and make a bunch of stops.  We don't have a DVD player and don't plan on getting one.  I have strong feelings about TV in the car.  He likes to sing so we sang a lot of songs.

lol, what kind of strong feelings do you have about TV in the car?

Mostly I just don't feel they are necessary.  Mostly my feelings are for shorter trips, like the people who have them on for trips across town or whatever, but I don't like them in general.  I also don't believe in TVs in bedrooms. 

missyishere

The preteen has a TV in her room. I don't want to watch Icarly. She is a smart and active kid. Short hair, don't care she has a TV in her room.