We are going to be taking a vacation soon, at least a 12 hour car ride. What types of things would keep a 2.5 year old happy and occupied in the car for that long. We are going to let him fill a bag with all the toys he wants to bring on vacation, so he can play with some of those (trucks, animals, dinosaurs) We also have lots of CDs to listen to and sing along with if he wants.
Some other ideas we had were -
Alphabet Animal Bingo (with magnetic board and pieces)
Portable DVD player
Books, Books, Books
Any other ideas?
I should add that we will be with other people in the car. It's a family reunion we are going to so my father and my brother will be in the front seat. We will be sitting in the back with him and be able to play interactively if he wants. We are only bringinging 2 DVDs for the car and I am borrowing the player from a friend, we don't want him getting used to the idea. Usually he likes to read a book or just point out all the things outside the car but we all know that will get old for him after a while. He has a pretty long attention span actually and will play with something for a good hour and is very good about asking for something new. I like the Mr. Potato head idea, he doesn't have one. Since we are going to be in the back with him though, I am looking for games and things of that sort we can all do together.
you've got it all, I'll just add lots of snacks and stops (along the route) and you'll be good to go.
Mr potato head was a great distraction for my son on a road trip. Not sure if your son has already played with him. At the time, mine didn't so I bought it and saved it for when he was starting to lose it in the car. Any new toys that he hasn't seen or played with before will be good and just bring them out, one at a time, and only when NOTHING else is working.
Keep the DVD out of sight and don't talk about it - use it for yourself as a 'we really need this'.
I find it good to have only a few things out at a time - otherwise it's all seen and on the floor and uninteresting. A few new things (things he hasn't seen in a long time - or just put some toys away now to bring out for vacation) - a board book with the windows one opens takes time and fascinated our kids. Good job on the CDs - they love hearing our voices but talking gets exhausting to me!
This is the best toy ever:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3136912
It's like the view master toy that we grew up with except it has sound effects. We bought one for our son and it kept him occupied for a long time when we drove from NY to Florida.
I also bought this toy and hid it from him until we were driving back home:
http://www.amazon.com/VTech-V-2dTech-Little-Einsteins-Lap...
Some of the games on it are a little advanced for him (he just turned 3 today!), but he absolutely loves it - especially games about ABC's.
I also packed my old discman & headphones so we wouldn't be stuck listening to the Imagination Movers for the entire car ride. He wasn't really thrilled about having the headphones on, but maybe your son would like it.
FYI, last year we drove from NY to VA and being in the car for that long ruined him for the rest of the vacation. We had to bribe him with M&M's just to get him in his carseat to drive to the pool! I guess he just didn't trust us anymore when we told him to get in his carseat. :)
Good luck to you! (We survived and you can too!!)
It's a Match comes with 2 spiral bound books (6 items on each page to match to 6 other items) in a case with matching frames. Hard to describe. See picture at www.toysofdiscovery.com ....perfect for age 3.
Also, 2 story books with story on CD included: The Big Hungry Bear , and The Musical Life of Gustav Mole. Both have companion characters/puppet and card games. Sold separately or in sets.
We've been taking road trips with our three kids since they were born. In my experience, the best thing to keep in mind is that if YOU are calm and enjoying the ride, they will too!
Pack lots of little snacks (don't worry about meals, and, frankly, healthy snacks are better than a fastfood roadside meal anyway), and plan to stop at least every other hour for gas/ potty breaks/leg stretching.
Chances are good the toys, etc., will lose their charm after a while, but napping seems to be the default mode in the car for our kids, so plan accordingly. And don't be too surprised when you arrive at your destination ready for bed...with your child rested and raring to GO! :-)
Be sure to bring along some bags and wipes (tummies are more likely to get upset). Oh, and that DVD player can be a life saver when it's dark outside! HAVE FUN!
you got a lot of things that will make him entertained. My family recently took a long trip and what we did was stop ever few hours at a mall that has a play area so they can get the wiggles out. Plus, even stop at a playground mcd's too. That way, they can actually play. It helped out seriously with my two little ones. It may make your trip a little longer, but it'll make your little guy happy and be able to sit for a few hours at a time.
maqgnadoodle, leapfrog video game, Kids CD and do music time, snacks, coloring books with the water pen and pad
Jen, I would get all new toys, things he has never seen before that will capture his attention. Don't put them all in a bag that he has access to, give him one new thing every hour or so. Good luck! Have a safe and wonderful trip
The portable dvd player saved me on the 2 day car trip I took recently with my two preschoolers. All I can add is that you should be prepared to stop more often than you might otherwise.
Definately DVDs but my kids also like to color during long car trips. I've also given them a spiral bound notebook and a pencil. It kept them busy until the next movie or nap.
Here are some ideas to keep him busy.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/689
My son is the same age and we are also preparing for a road trip of many hours. He likes his keyboard (piano), drums, guitar in addition to all of the things you named) and snacks of all kinds keep him happy too. When possible I try to get a few new toys to pop open in the car (this time I got a mini matchbox car playset. I opened it ahead in order to remove some small parts but besides that it folds up and can be held on his lap in the car seat. If you have any alphabet teaching stuff like by leapfrog or a laptop, or even flash cards could work for a bit.
