How do you entertain them in the car if it's only you in the car

My boys are 18 months and their limit in the car is about an hour. I was talking to my bil last night and they invited us to the Wisconsin State Fair. Last year we went when the boys were 7 months old and with the never ending Illinois toll road construction, a trip that should of taken 2 hours max ended up taking us 4 hours! At least last year DH was still here but this year I'd be doing the drive by myself.



I have not seen them since their birthday in January. Part of me says go for it, but I know how they get in the car. They rarely sleep in the car. If they were to fall asleep it would be on the drive home since they would be skipping their nap.

Usually they are fine with a few snacks and juice. When I try to give them toys, they'll play with it for a little bit and then toss it on the floor. There is no one that could take the drive with me. If I had someone to come with, at least they could try to entertain them while I'm driving.

I was also thinking if I went I would go over the weekend so I would hopefully avoid the morning rush hour.

So, do you have any tips for a road trip?

Thanks!

 

Go to Walgreens and pick up this

This is a good idea. Also, are there any things to see, like roadside attractions on the way to your family? It might be good if you can break up the trip into two segments.

 

We use a DVD player in the car! It is our saving grace!!

 

We also use books and toys to keep them occupied in the car. I have been also known to sing loudly and talk to them while driving. Of course my singing is not too good but it does keep them occupied. Good luck! I think leaving on the weekend would be a good idea, you'd hit less traffic that way.

 

Ditto the no throw, it was a saving grace on a roadtrip last month.
One step ahead has this-
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=6677&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=85218&subCategoryId=86217
I've also seen toys that attach to the window.

 

Mine are quite a bit younger than yours but DD would never travel well in the car. Now she naps. I put music on in the car and turn it up and they seem to love it. I play Chill Out music and that seems to work. Mind you, I´ve only ever been on a 1.5hr car drive with mine alone. I agree with the PPs and would invest in some toys designed for car travel (I had a back seat driver that stuck on the window when I was small and I loved it!) or a DVD player. I leave a bag of toys between my two and I time my journey with nap time seeing as they will both nap in the car!!!

GL!

 

We love the DVD player even though they won't watch much at hom ethey love baby einstain in the car. Also there are special bags you can buy to buckle in the seat for toys. Pack snacks in little containeres you can hand them each one. Play music, sing-mine love this. I have taken many rides alone. Also don't be afraid to stop and had toys, treats ect from the side of the road. Buy some new toys (even at the dollar tree) for the ride.

 

I want to THANK YOU!!! I have no road trip planned, and have been off TS for a while (spending my free time on relocation plans) and I popped on the other night and read a few posts (this being one) AND… WOW… I went to Walgreens and bought 2 (2packs)… they ROCK… not only for my run (and realized a mile past the dropped water bottle) they dropped their water bottle and are now thirsty) OR the "now you can’t have the Sippy cup because it fell on the discussing oil leak/puddle in the Target Parking lot"… but the strap I slip on my wrist when loading them from the car to the stroller ALONE is reason to buy this…

I don’t want to hijack this post any more then I have :blush: … just want to thank you… you also reminded me that TS moms are a great resource (not that I forgot… just got wrapped up in my own busy world)

:thanks:
Elizabeth

 

Where are those located at Walgreens? I want some too even tho I've never needed one but since you guys are getting one.. I want one too. Yes. I seem to have a shopping problem but this seems COOL!

I did a ten hour road trip (each way, so 20 total) with 18 month olds still rear facing. It was rough but we stopped a few times to regroup and made it thru. Get a travel doodle board and that should help. Mine are a little too old for car toys and we don't have a DVD player so thhose things are out for us. The doodle board and just sitting there works for us. Also, mine do NOT nap in the car so THAT was quite the pickle.

Good luck YOU CAN DO IT!

 

Definitely the travel magnadoodle, I saw someone mention it on here and got it a couple of weeks ago. The boys love it and play with it the whole time they are in the car now. I haven't done a road trip with it yet, but we have 4 3-hour stretches on our trip next week. I also just found a travel See n Say tonight. The See n Say has a clip on it to clip it to the seatbelts. I'll be heading to Walgreens for the no throw strap before we leave too. I think I'll get extras to strap on a couple of toys to the head rest or something (they are still rear facing).

Kids music cds help a lot and I'm thinking of borrowing a dvd player. The snack traps are very helpful too, but I have to put bigger snacks in them or they just end up everywhere - Teddy Grahams work pretty well.

We do a lot of talking in the car - their animal noises, friends at daycare, general words they know, funny sounds they can make. That can entertain them quite awhile.

 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I did go to Walgreens and bought those straps. I started using them on their strollers and also bought a set for the car.

We do have the snack traps but Jake will take off the lid with his teeth and then everything goes on the floor.

I still have a month to think about it. If I do go, I'll buy some new toys just for the trip and I'm trying to find and inexpensive dual screen dvd player.

I'm basing my fear on how long it took us last year. Hopefully with us going over the weekend it won't be as bad.

Thanks again!

 

OK… though I am still a big advertiser for the “no throw” product… I will tell anyone who will listen about it… I thought it fair to warn… the second run w/ my no throw… Nathan figured out how to unvelcro it and got it loose enough to get the Sippy cup free… and threw it…. I think this would be my fault for trying to teach him how to un Velcro his sandals and take them off…. Still will take it and use every chance I get… hopefully the novelty of un doing the strap will ware off for mine…

E