Taking Young Kids On Roadtrips

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by CarlW

I would think if you had someone to keep them company + dvd player that would work.

Maybe you can start driving early when they are still sleepy and groggy they'll be asleep most of the trip?

While this might be a good idea if you start early enough, and he stays asleep, I think the last thing you want is to have a kid, who has issues keeping calm for more than an hour, to be sleep deprived while you are locked in a enclosed space with him.

It really depends on the kid though, and how well he sleeps while driving.

[macker]

http://www.ehow.com/how_13463_play-i-spy.html

[TurdFerguson]

Originally Posted by macker

http://www.ehow.com/how_13463_play-i-spy.html

LOL at the Tips section

"This game does not work well on car trips, because the objects outside go by too quickly. Try it in airports, waiting rooms and around the house."

[Nage Waza]

Maybe don't smoke while driving?

[macker]

Originally Posted by TurdFerguson

LOL at the Tips section

"This game does not work well on car trips, because the objects outside go by too quickly. Try it in airports, waiting rooms and around the house."

Fact is that it does work well on car trips and the harder the object to find the longer you keep their little imaginations engaged. Need to use other objects in motion and constants on the horizon etc. Try it!

[jammies]

Is your friend hot? You stay here and babysit the kid, I'll take her to Edmonton. Problem solved.

[Ace]

It sounds like, this is her way of saying she doesn't want to go...

Any normal kid can handle a three hour car ride at any age.

[bossy22]

Drive at night. The kid can sleep, you can listen to whatever music you like, and you can drive straight there without having to stop. I hate it when a 3 hr drive takes 4 because of stops.

[Wormius]

We did the trip down to Glacier, then to Spokane, and then to Kelowna with our 2 and 6 year old. No problems. Just talk to them. When they get bored or you try to ignore them is when it becomes hell.

Make sure they bring toys with them. Let them pick out a bunch from home that they like.

If that doesn't normally appease them, its always an option to drive in the evening when they're about to fall asleep. That way you can have a nice calm relaxing drive while they're sleeping in the back.

iPod and iPads are also very entertaining for kids. Angry Birds and Toca Boca.

[Northendzone]

surprising that he is old enough to enjoy the waterpark, but can't handle the three hour trip.

when my daughter was less than two she was not great to have on a roadie, but she got better. now that our truck has a DVD player in it, we hardly hear the kids any more.

[Deegee]

We drove to Beaverton Ontario through northern Ontario from Hanna in 2010 and we had no issues with our three year old. It took us three days of long driving.

He was probably the better traveler over Mrs. Deegee.

We had no DVD player, but we just stopped every four hours for a stretch. All he wanted to do was look at things.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by jammies

Is your friend hot? You stay here and babysit the kid, I'll take her to Edmonton. Problem solved.

Now thats taking a bullet!

[troutman]

Originally Posted by jammies

Is your friend hot? You stay here and babysit the kid, I'll take her to Edmonton. Problem solved.

I'll take her to Paris.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Get a DVD player.

You can get one that sits on his lap or straps to the back of the headrest for a very reasonable price.

Related question -- is one type better than the other? I'm assuming the lap version let's them watch from a little closer (i.e. to see the screen as well as listen to the sound), whereas the headrest version is further away. However, the headrest version is probably safer (can't be dropped, won't go flying around the car if you happen to get into an accident), plus there are ones with dual screens (i.e. for both headrests if you have two kids).

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by jammies

Is your friend hot? You stay here and babysit the kid, I'll take her to Edmonton. Problem solved.

Originally Posted by troutman

I'll take her to Paris.

Woooow. Talk about getting someone on the rebound.

[SportsJunky]

We just got back after a week in the Tri-Cities. The 3 year old behaved great. As long as he had his itouch and dvd player he just went with the flow. The 10 month old on the other hand screamed bloody murder for half of the 10 hour drive. I may take her out of the will.

[socktape]

I am just going to echo most of the posts in here.... DVD player all the way. Start the movie when you leave Calgary and it will be done just before you hit Leduc. Get him to count buses or big rigs, sing songs, etc. It will be over in no time.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Related question -- is one type better than the other? I'm assuming the lap version let's them watch from a little closer (i.e. to see the screen as well as listen to the sound), whereas the headrest version is further away. However, the headrest version is probably safer (can't be dropped, won't go flying around the car if you happen to get into an accident), plus there are ones with dual screens (i.e. for both headrests if you have two kids).

We have had both, and the headrest type lasted a lot longer since it didn't end up on the floor or falling on the ground or being carried around as much. Plus, like you mentioned, you can get dual screen ones which can help if you have multiple kids.

If you want to use it elsewhere though, I dont think the headrest ones have batteries like the others do.

[Locke]

"Chloroform; because dinner for two is expensive!"

[You Need a Thneed]

We do a trip to Edmonton almost monthly to visit my wife's parents with our 5 year old and 2.5 year old. DVDs, iPads, naps, etc - they do fine.