February 2016 Moms

How to make a road trip more enjoyable?

dtaded13dtaded13 member
edited August 2015 in February 2016 Moms
We are headed to my in laws next week. We'll be doing 7hrs the first day then 4hrs the next day to our destination. Then the very next day we're traveling 3 hrs to a beach only to travel another 6 hrs the next day to get to father in laws. Spend 2 nights there then drive 10 hrs home.
I'm dreading it. I love my in laws, that's not the problem, but I'm in no mood for that much time in the car. We also have a 4yr old dd who isn't a fan of long car rides.
Any suggestions to make it more do able? We have a few activities for dd to do in the car and will obviously take snacks, but any other ideas? I really want to enjoy the vacation but am dreading all the driving. I'll be 15 weeks along, also.

Re: How to make a road trip more enjoyable?

  • Ugg, sorry! That's lots of driving packed into a short amount of time!
    I'm all for watching movies with my toddler in the back seat. It helps pass the time. That or sleeping!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Loading the player...
  • I love that idea, unfortunately we don't have a dvd player in the car or a laptop lol
  • dtaded13 said:

    I love that idea, unfortunately we don't have a dvd player in the car or a laptop lol

    Do you have a Kindle/Nook or smart phone you can load movies onto? Movies are something awesome for the car. Also interactive books like the kind with doors to open or Where's Waldo type things. Maybe invest in a lap desk to bring coloring books.(beware of losing crayons in a hot car though). DS loves his magna doodle. New toys that are a novelty and will keep her occupied. New apps on your phone for her to play with. Maybe consider doing some night time driving so some is spent sleeping.



  • I travel A LOT for work, mostly driving but some flying and my favorite entertainment is podcasts.  If you have an iPhone you can download podcasts to your phone so you don't use data while you drive.  I heart radio app also has a lot of great podcasts!  I also really like the Audible app; Audible basically downloads books on tape to your phone and I have listened to many, many books this way while driving.  I tend to get carsick if I try to watch or read as a passenger but listening to something entertains the whole car and makes the trip much faster!

    One thing H and I do when we have a long drive, we have the Triple D (Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) app from the food network and will look up cool places to eat before we go.  It helps break up the trip and gives you something to look forward to! 

     
      Pregnancy Ticker

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Benadryl? Only slightly kidding.
  • Movies!! We took our iPad and rented movies from iTunes. Found a really cheap holder that attached to the seat of the car. Kept my kids quiet for 6+ hours!

    BabyFetus TickerBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • We just did 5,500 miles during our last move a year ago which was basically 7 days in the car with 3 children and a dog. We had fully charged tablets with games, car dvd players, and I gave the kids travel goody bags with tons of games, treats, and individual activities.
    Happily Married to Tim {10-11-2003}
    Isabella {09-02-05} & Savannah {03-02-07} & Bradley {02-06-10}

    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
      


  • Audiobooks!!!
    Married 8.5.12
    Caleb born 10.9.13
    2.0 due 2.1.16
    image
  • Does your kiddo like to color? Maybe some new washable markers and coloring books. Fun kids' music. My son loves those MeReader books. Breaks to stretch your legs help, too. Wishing you the best!!
    BabyFetus Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I don't have kids but they make those color wonder coloring books where the colors only appear on the pages. So if your daughter drops a marker it won't stain her clothes or the car. I'd stock up on those and grab a cheap lap desk from Walmart like PP suggested
  • I buy a bunch of cheap toys at the target clearance bins or dollar store. It's new so every time my son got a little restless I hand him a new one and they are cheap so you don't have to worry about losing it.
  • jaimerunsjaimeruns member
    edited August 2015
    I love Audible and listen to tons of audio books. We also like to put on a comedy station on pandora or spotify. Just go to radio and enter a comedian you like- makes the time go by faster! There are even some family friendly stations since your kiddo with be listening.

    Also maybe try downloading games to an iPad? My husband plays stuff like that all the time so it would probably work for a toddler too.
    image
  • Thanks for all the great ideas! I ended up ordering a DVD player from Amazon today. We don't have an iPad either, we're a little behind ;) she does love color wonder so I got her a new one. I love the ideas for cheap new toys and diners drive ins! I'm going to look into that!
  • My DD is fairly decent at her letters...so we sometimes try to play the ABC game.  Or I'll ask her if she sees an A on a sign.  For a four year old maybe you could tell her to see if she can find the alphabet? But only one letter per sign?  So for instance A on a license plate...B on a sign....etc etc.  Q and X end up taking FOREVER but if she's into it...it keeps them busy.
Sign In or Register to comment.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"