Napping while out and about

newmom888

My 18-month-old naps great when he's home. He has lunch at 11:45 and is down from 12:30-2:30/3:00 very consistently. When we have a family event to go to he used to sleep in the car on the way, but now he's too alert and curious about the journey that he doesn't sleep. We are driving to Milwaukee from Chicago (1.5-2 hour drive) for an outdoor birthday picnic that starts at 1:00 today. So not only is a nap in the car a long shot because of his likely disinterest, but the timing is earlier than he usually goes to sleep. Then we'll be outside the whole time and I can't imagine how to facilitate a nap with all the activity and new scenery to explore. What do other parents do about napping on the go? Do I just accept this as a no nap day?