Car Travel With Toddlers

Taking your toddler on trips is a great way to satisfy the natural curiosity that comes with the age group, but it's also a great way to induce hypertension for the adult car riders.  If you take into account your child's developmental age, normal daily routine and your own tolerance for stress, travel with a toddler can be enjoyable.

Toddlers are creatures of habit.  They like to eat the same things, drink from the same cup, watch the same yellow sponge or purple dinosaur for hours, and keep the same time schedule (time to nap, eat, potty, etc...).  Whenever possible take advantage of this routine as you travel. 

Hopefully by now you've developed a nap time routine for your toddler, if not start one or talk to your daycare provider to find out what the nap time routine consists of. Whatever that routine is, make sure you have the necessary props to keep it consistent (a favorite blanket, sippy cup of milk, music, etc....).  Ideally, you will want to start your trip near the beginning of your child's normal nap time, then when he starts showing signs of fatigue initiate the nap time routine.  If you're lucky, and the trip isn't too long, your child will sleep through the majority of the drive. 

If your child wakes before you get where you're going, it's probably time for a potty break.  A toddler is going to need more than a walk to the bathroom to stretch his legs out, so if possible, pick a McDonald's or other restaurant with a playground, or better yet, pick a park.  Let the toddler run off some of his recharged energy for 15-30 minutes before stuffing him back into a car seat.

After the nap and potty break, or God forbid, if he doesn't take a nap at all, have a satchel or box of toys available to play with.  Bring a wide assortment of toys as children of this age are easily distracted and picking up the toys later will be much more pleasant than listening to a tantrum.  When picking out toys to bring along be sure to avoid any toys that could distract you from the road, such as toys with sirens or other distracting noises.  Also, be careful of heavy toys that may conk you in the head at any moment. Bring along a portable DVD player and some of his favorite movies or a CD of his favorite music too.

Other helpful items to bring along; Children's Dramamine for car sickness, a window shade, snacks, drinks, and a pillow. 

For other tips check this site: http://www.kidscantravel.com/tipstravelkids/ontheroad/cartravel/index.html

If you have any trip ideas, notable sites or fun things to do in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois or Indiana please leave a comment.