Need Ideas to Keep Toddlers Happy in the Car

You can buy them each a cookie sheet, which is magnetic, and give them magnet toys to stick on there, or hold paper on it with a magnet and let them color. Cheap and fun.

Sing, sing, sing!. Old MacDonald is great and they can take turns picking the animals. We also had fun with nursery rhymes and theme songs to shows my son loves like Little Einsteins. We have a DVD player but I'm pretty strict about using car time as family time unless it's a very long drive. I use the car as time to talk about their day or let's pretend. Let's pretend you were small enough to sit on a flower petal or as big as a skyscraper. What would you do? What would you eat? How would you look?

WalMart has some hand held games & they are not costly. Then there are always family derbal games like "I spy", 20 questio and there is always story telling.

S.

I keep a special "white board" book in the car for my son (he's now 4) he loves to be able to draw and erase in it. This has worked well for years.

I keep notebooks and colored pencils in the car for my little girls. Colored pencils don't work real well on surfaces other than paper. :) And yes, a DVD player can be a lifesaver! Each girl also has a special blanket and baby that they keep in the car to play with as well.

I have the built in DVD player in my car - we ordered the car when I was pregnant - knowing that some day that little car seat would be forward facing and since we spend tons of time on the road traveling to and from race tracks, and to visit family etc. it has been a lifesaver. I definately recommend getting a dvd player when you can - it's the greatest thing ever in the car. Also - I have a little mesh basket - I got it at Walmart - and I see them all over the store hanging on strips in the front of shelves - it is primary colored mesh with the wire frame. It comes flat in a little package (less than $5) and when you open it because of the wire spring frame - fwap....you have a little square basket, with handles, and a side pocket. That basket fits perfectly between the car seat and passenger door, (for you it might be perfect between the two car seats) and holds an assortment of things from coloring books and pencils, or color wonder makers, soft dolls, books, little handheld things like the leapter or Leapfog tag reader. The little pocket is great for my daughter's sunglasses. She can reach anything she want's, and usually these are items that she only has access to in the car - or if we are somewhere that I can bring the whole basket in. (grandparents etc.) It's great. People are always amazed how well behaved she is - even after traveling for hours in the car, and then being at a race track all day. She loves having her own things to entertain herself. I've given several of these baskets as gifts and everyone uses them for the same purpose. If we ever have another passenger or two - it's easy to grab and toss in the back back of my suv to make room. We wouldn't leave home without it! The books on tape/cd from the library sound like a great idea too!

I have a 4 yr old and a 19 mo old and have never had a DVD system to keep the kids occupied on our many long trips. We have a small (20 quart) Rubbermaid container in each car that contains toys, books, dolls, scribble pads, McDonalds toys etc that they only get when they are in the car. This way, it’s always exciting for them to see those toys or look at those books. Plus we sing, and have easy to eat snacks on longer trips.

I have such wonderful and fond memories when I was a kid driving with my parents on long trips (used to drive 2 days to Florida), and I don’t want my kids zoned out on a movie. When I was a teen, long trips were a “drag”, and it would have been wonderful to watch a movie, but looking back now, I’m glad that my parents encouraged conversation in the car and it was such special times.

you can buy those mini Doodle Pro things where they can draw on them and then erase it. Aquadoodle also makes a travel size pad you can take in the car and they can draw on. You can also buy kids music CDs - the kind of songs they learn in school - and play it in the car and sing with them.

They make those car seat covers that have a small toy chest in them as well. You could sit it between the seats and put stuff in there for them to reach and grab what they want. My kids still do this, but they usually grab something out of the sack that hangs below their seat before they get buckled.

My son also hated the car, but I went out and bought a DVD player - even though it wasn't in the budget. I couldn't handle it any longer!

Good luck!
Sam

I recommend listening to books too--I bet you can even get some from the library for free!

Lots of healthy snacks, too :-)

snacks,singing, and save up for that DVD player. :)

I tried alot of things
(and never had twins!)

The best travels were done
when we were all singing
(Tim Chapin was some of our favorite kids' music)
and listening to age appropriate audio books
was FABULOUS. My son even looked forward to drives
because it's the only place we "listened" to books.
(it's way different than a tangible book!)

When they get older there are loads of games,
like driving bingo and such.
Two is kinda little for that though.

Kids music and singing together is fun for everyone! Wipe/erase boards, snacks and small toys that they don't see other than the car ride are good. I usually rotate the toys to keep them fresh and exciting (not the same old thing every time they get buckled in!) - same with snacks....save the favorite drink or dry snack for car rides.

I was really worried, when i had a 9 hour car ride planned for my 3 year old. I had a suitcase/ bag filled with things for her. I would hand one to her, and she would play for a while. Then she woudl get bored, we would listen to music, etc. Then give her another toy. Spaced out, she didnt get bored with it. It was a breeze. (Even sometimes i would tell her it is quiet time and it was so nice for silence.haha!) She is 5 and still haven't boughten a dvd player. We never had them growing up.

Have you tried any of the travel toys they have out now for kids? Like the little steering wheels where they can pretend to be driving. Singing would be a good thing for them to do. Also you could have them find pretty cars, trucks, look for horses, dogs, things like that. When they get a little older they can play I spy or count the trucks. I traveled back and forth from Michigan with my girls and they were excellent passengers. Never had a problem. But I always kept them busy. If it's a very long trip you can give them snacks and drinks. Books are also good for them.
Use your imagination. You will be surprised at the things you can come up with to keep them busy and from fighting.