Looking for Tips/suggestions/ideas for Road Trip with Two Toddlers

We frequently travel to Minnesota (6 hours) with our 3 and 4 year olds. We pack a tote/basket with books. I usually have a doodlepro to draw with and a few kids CD's to listen to when the kids really antsy. A bag of snacks are good--not too salty or they will need more to drink--which leads to more stops for the bathroom. We too like to travel in the evening. We usually leave right after work. We'll make one stop for dinner and then after dinner my kids usually sleep most of the way their. Winter is a bit harder due to the early sunset and they don't have light to read/color. But usually they just sleep earlier since it's dark.

We need to travel about 9 hours to see Grandma (used to be 18 hours)so we try to drive overnight so they are sleeping most of the time. But now the time is in half, we use the portable DVD player and they watch videos. They are happy and content so the trip is more fun. Also, we play their music and sing along with the songs. I bring a book so I can read it to them. When they were younger we only brought a few toys(1-2 small toys) with them. When we were still potty training we would stop every hour or so for potty breaks and limit their liquid intake. Oh, have plenty of snacks on hand. Snacks like pretzel sticks, cherrioes, grapes and friut snacks. Popcorn is good but can be messy due to dropping on floor. A friend who had older kids told me one time, do not point out something on the side of the road unless stopped. The reason is by the time the kids process what you said you have already passed it and then they get upset for not seeing it.(ie, see a deer, tell the kids, by the time they look you have longed passed the deer, next you hear for awhile where is the deer or I didn't see the deer-in a teary voice) Have a good trip and hope this helps.

I have been fortunate as I have been travelling TX/NE since my son was about 14 days old, it is at least a 12 hour trip. But as for potty stops- make sure each time you stop for gas- that you take him to potty, AND if he needs to go- then pull over and stop-I suggest taking the first exit and hitting the shoulder if there isn't a rest area coming up soon. I would suggest stopping on the on ramp as opposed to an off ramp for safety reasons. My son likes the idea of peeing in the out of doors, so we have never had a problem with him not going when we stop. AND as far as suggestions for travel- I tend to do so at night- like leave at supper time so they can eat in the car, and then fall to sleep- Travelling is SO much easier when you have a sleeping child. If you must travel during the day time, have them look for cows- or Indians coming over the hills, have them count blue cars, or red cars- that works for a little while. Good luck and have fun!

Hi Im J., I have a 5 year Daughter and a 2 1/2 year old son. My tricks for trips is have tons of snacks already to go in small contaners and drinks too. Then movies you would be suprised at how long they will sit and watch a movie in the car if they have a snack too. I also go and buy small thinks that I know they would like to play with in the car like playdough and some tools to play with, new coloring books and crayons, cars and little dolls or horses. New things always keep my kids busy. I also make sure they get a chance to get out of the car and run around for a little while too. They have all that energy to get out. I have bought some trays that atach to the car seats to make the trip easyer too. That way they can color and play with that playdough. Hope this helps out. I have used these tricks for our trips from Guam to Nebraska thats 24 hours of flying. They work for me hope the work for you. Have a safe trip.

We have the long 8/9 hour trip to ND for the holidays, too. We have a portable DVD player that we bring along and the kids' favorite movies. We do snacks, such as Ritz Sticks, Ritz Bitz, cookies, fruit snacks, etc. The ones that are least likely to make a huge mess if they get dropped. Usually, we only bring along water for the girls since they aren't so inclined to drink a lot of it. Take the kids out whenever you stop for gas and have them go potty. We also made our oldest wear a pull-up because we didn't feel like having to clean up her carseat if she were to have an accident and she understood that. It makes the trip a little less stressful! Also, try to plan the trip around their nap times...you'll get a couple of good hours of driving in that way! We've even done the leaving a few hours before bedtime so they slept most of the way. However, with my baby boy, that's not much of an option for us right now...he doesn't like sleeping in his carseat! :)
Basically, bring a long a lot of patience, and plan extra traveling time 'cuz your stops are going to end up more than 5 minute stops!