The Ultimate Road Trip Guide for Toddlers. Tips, Planning and Preparation for an Amazing Car Ride with Your Little One.

“Mom, are we there yet?”

Whether you’re driving on the highways for the first time or you have been on multiple long 24 hour road trip with toddlers, you are definitely going to have a memorable trip during the car ride.

We have done short and long road trips and have learnt a thing or two that will definitely help you out for this family adventure.

So buckle up, as we go through this ultimate guide that will make it the best road trip for toddlers.

1. The Car

a) Toddler space in car

As much space you can have is important, considering taking up room for car seat, car activities and essential items. To have a pleasant journey, maximizing space for your toddler is crucial. Here are some tips:

• Allow more legroom for your toddler. Avoid storing items on the floor.
• Remove unnecessary items from the back seat.
• Choose compact or foldable gears which can utilize space more efficiently.
• Use a car rooftop carrier to free up interior space.

b) Comfort

You are in for hours of car ride so comfort will be a priority. Have comfy sitting place, appropriate AC temperature control for the car, as much as space for car activites for the family.

Things that also helped our little one are travel pillow and blanket as well as small footrest (which we used a rolled up blanket) to give a comfortable support.

c) Car seat safety

Ensure you go through everything such as proper installation, correct fit, and safe position to face (according to age group and car seat specification).

If this is a new thing for you, first research on the most suitable car seat for your car and your toddler. Get one that is safe and within your budget.

Check out this important car seat guide from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

d) Boot space

Having an MPV or a car with huge trunk space saves you the trouble. Use layered packing method in the trunk. Place items you will use frequently or take out during rest stops on the top.

e) Car organization

Organizing your car areas to suit your toddler is a game changer. Plan ahead on where you are going to store important trip essential items.

Example, keeping milk bottles, formula and snack next to you (the one taking care of the toddler) will make it easy to reach and make a bottle of milk quickly. Use seatback organizers to store toys, books and snacks.

2. Packing for the toddler road trip

Whether you are on a road trip with a 2 year old or multiple kids in the car, a checklist is always important.

a) Trip essentials and must haves

Items you need in the seat area of the car

Changing :

• Enough diapers
• Enough clothes
• Wet wipes
• Trash bag
• Changing mat

Food and snacks – meal time :

• Milk bottles
• Milk formula (keep just enough in a container)
• Food (main meals)
• Snacks
• Water bottle
• Hot water flask
• Towel
• Burp towel
• Bibs
• Paper towel / tissue paper
• Bags for waste items / disposal

Pro-tip : Keep loads of the kid’s favorite snacks

Activities :

• Books
• Tablet
• Power banks and cable
• Games

Sleep items :

• Blanket
• Pillow
• Hug plush toy

Items you can keep in the trunk

Basically all the items you’re going to only use at your destination, or pop up the trunk while at rest stops to use or top up such as snacks.

3. The trip – map out the journey

a) Time of travel

There’s definitely a question on the best time to leave for road trip with a toddler.

Some say travel night time so your kid can sleep through it. Some say travel during the day, as its might be safer for everyone. But it will depends on your specific journey.

Having travelled for a short road trip, a car ride during day time would be great, as it is safer, and most stops or places to eat are open, has more options.

But some road trip for toddlers may be long which might include a pit stop prior continuing.

A good tip is also planning a road trip around your toddlers nap time, as it will reduce some of the stress on you.

b) Route plan, distance and stops

Figure out which routes and expressways you’ll be using. From here you’ll be able to figure out where you will

• Stop for gas
• Pull over for meal time
• Bathroom / toilet breaks
• Diaper change
• Overnight rest in a hotel
• Stop over at the nearest town / attraction

Pro tip : Suggest incorporating stops at child-friendly stops, museums, zoos, or historical sites to make the trip educational.

Pro tip : Have a few trip ideas planned for the family. In case of unplanned closure or weather conditions.

4. Food and snacks

a) Road trip food and snack list

These are toddler food and snacks that is easy to bring and less messy on a car ride :

• Fruits (blueberry, sliced apple, sliced pear, bananas, grapes, dates) – healthy and less messy
• Snacks (baby/toddler healthy crackers, peanut butter, snack bars, toddler friendly muffin/cake) – snacking option
• Food (grilled chicken/fish cut, cheese sticks, rice cakes, hard boiled eggs) – keeps them full
• Pouches (savory , fruits) – easy to bring, easy to store
• Milk (formula milk, hot water, room temperature water)

b) Packing tips and must haves

• Pre-cut fruits into small slices and put into containers
• Bring whole fruits if planning to keep them fresh and use it much later such as banana and apple
• Pack easy to bring vegetables such as baby carrots, cherry tomatoes
• Use containers and ziplocks for organization as it will be easy to take out or keep in
• Bento box is good for separating foods for meals
• Keep food and snacks in easy to reach places in the car
• Avoid food or snacks high in sugar to avoid sugar highs especially prior nap time
• Bring plenty of water
• If crossing borders – check on food regulations, what is prohibited
• Every time you have a pit stop – check on hot water or ice pack, so you can top up before you hit the road again
• Always bring plenty of food and snacks. You never know if shops are closed or there is difficulty in finding you toddlers favorite food
• Consider having a picnic pit stop to give your toddler a break from the car

c) Cleaning

• Pack plenty of wet wipes, napkins and trash bags for easy cleanup

d) Tips on feeding

• Younger toddlers need more supervision while feeding for safety purpose
• Older kids might be fine on their own, so having a set of house rules on eating and cleaning up prior the road trip is good
• Use soft or safer utensils in the car
• Watch out for car speed while having snacks as spills or mess is prone to happen

e) Local cuisine

Before leaving on your road trip, research food options along your journey and plan ahead if you can stop by for local cuisine which your child will love. Trying a new food is definitely a great trip idea.

5. Road trip activities for toddlers

How do I keep my toddler busy on the road? With amazing games, toys and car activities! Here are some ideas :

Screen free car games :

• “I spy”
• Counting games (count cars, trucks, trees, animals you see along the way)
• Shape hunt (find a heart shaped cloud, or find a round shaped tree!)
• Color hunt (find a red colored car, or find a yellow colored truck!)
• Animal spotting (look for birds!)
• License plate spotting game (look for different state plates!)
• Car karaoke
• Alphabet game (look for animals or objects that start with certain letters)
• Name that tune (use your toddlers favorite rhyme!)
• Simon says

Others :

• Interactive books for reading, coloring and stickers
• Tablets with age-appropriate shows, games, educational apps
• Interactive toys and games (busy boards, finger puppets, drawing board)

6. Sleep and rest

a) What do toddlers sleep on when traveling in a car?

Sitting on the car seat is the safest place your toddler can be on a car ride and they should be able to sleep in it. It comes down to choosing the most suitable car seat for your child.

Avoid using inflatable beds in place of car seat while the car is on move. That is definitely not safe. Never leave your child unattended on the car seat too.

b) Any toddler sleep accessories in the car?

Extra accessories may keep make your toddler more comfortable during sleep on the car seat. Such as blanket, small pillow.

Do not to overdo with accessories that may interfere with car seat safety.

c) How long can toddlers sleep in a car seat on a road trip?

• Try to keep toddlers in car seat not longer than 2 hours. You should stop driving for a while, take a break, stretch out.
• Keep your toddler in safe and comfortable recline to avoid positional asphyxiation. Keep close watch for younger infants as they may have less neck strength.
• Use car seat buckles and safety locks as intended.
• Dress your toddler appropriately for the car seat while sleeping. Not too many layers which they may be prone for overheat.

7. Potty time

When the toddler is young and not potty trained, you preparations will be aimed at supplies for diaper change with ease of access.

For a potty trained or ongoing potty training toddler:

• Schedule stops regularly to give your child a chance to use the restroom.
• Bring a portable travel potty for emergency use.
• Continue your potty training routine during the journey.

General tips for hygiene :

• Always have things handy in the car (hand sanitizer, wet wipes, trash bags, hygiene kit, restroom supplies, cleaning solution for accidental mess)
• Dress for convenience, easy to change and keep clothes for change at easily accessible location

8. Safety and health in a car ride

a) Motion sickness – car sickness

Some kids may experience motion sickness on a road trip. They may get nausea, dizziness, cold sweat, crying or restless while you are driving. Here are some tips to prevent and manage it on a car ride:

• Look upwards and outwards. Get your child to focus on looking out of the car. Of course car activities like reading and other games are amazing ways to keep your child entertained during a road trip, these may worsen car sickness for some as they are looking down.
• Choose lighter meals prior to car travel.
• Fresh air ventilation may ease children. Do check if certain car air fresheners are not suitable for your kid.
• Traveling during nap time is a hack for a toddler with car sickness.
• Use anti-motion sickness medications under the advice of a doctor.
• Have a ‘sick kit’ prepared to use in case of emergencies.

b) Weather

It may be a hot and sunny journey or it may be a cold and rainy journey. Keep an eye on the weather forecast to anticipate changes and adjust your plans accordingly. Be prepared to change plans based on the weather.

Hot weather tips

• Have car window shades or curtain to block out the sun.
• Use lighter clothes to avoid overheat. Longer sleeves and long pants to avoid sunburn.
• Adjust car climate accordingly.
• Have snacks that don’t melt easily.

Cold weather tips

• Use thicker and warm clothes like jacket
• Bring blanket
• Have warm beverages in thermos flasks

9. Memories

What fun it would be to have the entire road trip with your little one be memorable and enjoyable. We know that driving to the destination is utmost important but do take loads of family photographs, have a travel journal, do interactive travel games, enjoyable car activities and collect souvenirs along the way.

10. Embracing the journey

As parents, new or experienced, we always have to expect the unexpected. We become an expert at preparation and planning and handling situations out of the norm.

So, we just have to be patient throughout the car ride, and always be flexible in any situation. Road trip for toddlers can be fun and enjoyable too despite its ups and downs.