Long Road Trip - Rapid City,SD

I know what you mean. I'll be taking a long road trip w/ my son. To go out of state to visit family for Christmas. Let me know what you find out. Right now here's a few of the things I'm planning on letting my son take (gameboy SP, portable DVD player, drawing stuff, a few books & a few toys). I'll be car pooling w/ my dad & step mom. Which means we're not able to take a lot w/ us. Also we have to keep in mind that we have no idea what we'll be coming home w/ (gifts).

Pack a bag full of toys he likes and a few new ones. When he gets bored with one, pull out another to keep his attention.

when my daughter was 2 i went on a trip from nd to michigan, a 17 hour trip straight through and she was GREAT!! we had a tv in the van with us and it HELPED, a lot!!
that and pack her a bag of things that she will like, crayons, books, etc....trust me, it wont be as bad as it seems!!
good luck!

I would suggest that you make up a special box to take with you of toys the little one has never seen or doesn't play with often. You'll need several things. When I travel, we just made a 12 hour trip to washington this summer, I make sure my youngest has books, crayons, treats, color books and paper for drawing. I also make several stops for bathroom breaks. Even if they don't go; it's a reason for them to run around. It gives them a break. Have you thought about traveling at night. Both my kids slept almost 6 1/2 hours. Good luck and remember, have patience. It's good you're taking the trip in two days, not just one long day.

We just went to Kansas City in September with our two year old, and although it is not nearly 15 hours I can understand. Trying to keep a 2 year old happy in a car for that long can be difficult. We brought books, and the Color Wonder Markers, and I am fortunate enought to have a tv/dvd in my van as well (my kids were allowed one movie to watch on the way). Fortunately he also napped on the way too. If your daughter recognizes animals and certain cars you can always play games too (i.e. what is that? what sound does the cow make?)

Have a safe and happy trip and a Merry Christmas!

this might help with your 2 year old on the trip. things i did with my 2 year old was singing in the car and pointing out the lights on the houses. and i brought his favorite things that will make him comfory. i went to my dad's house for thanksgiving and it was 8 hours car ride. i hope that helps

We drove 15 hours to Colorado when my daughter was 3 and my son was 9 months. We decided to leave at 7pm. We brought a tv/vcr along with us and it was a god send. The 1st hour they were fine just watching out the window, then we put in a movie and then once it was dark they fell asleep. Then the only time they woke up is when we stopped to fuel up. Then we just popped in another movie until they were asleep again. Just make sure you have pillows and blankie's to make them more comfortable. It has to be hell traveling buckeled up in a car seat. I had my mom make me a few long narrow pillows to stuff along side their heads so their heads would "sort of" stay in place instead of bobbing around. Traveling through the night is hell on the driver (I did all the driving this trip) but so much better for the kids. Then their sleeping patterns don't get out of wack! Best of Luck and Merry Christmas!
Tracey

I have no idea. We are in the same boat. I have a 2 year old and we will be taking a 13 hour car trip. I bought lots of DVD's that he has never seen before so I am hoping that keeps him occupied for awhile. Coloring books, and who knows what else! Hopefully on the way home his new toys will be enough to keep him occupied. Good luck!

I am 25 and a mom of 2 kids 11 months and 5 years old.
I would suggest color cranys and a coloring book, sing songs,and good snacks. My two kids usally sleep alot when it comes to car rides, and we are going for 6-7 hour drive this weekend too.

I keep a small backback filled with small toys (some old & some new) and colors,blocks, stickers, puzzles,etc. & every time they get bored with one we just pull out another. Also, we have found it is easier to travel with the kids at night!! Let them fall asleep at home & than put them in the car & take off! Gives you time to make sure verything is loaded & a little less crazy!!! GOOD LUCK!

Hello,
This summer we took an 8 hour car trip with three kids. One of whom was two. He did suprisingly well. We did make enough stops on the way so all the kids could get out and move around. We stopped at a McDonalds, some nice rest areas and played a little catch, etc... In the car we kept the two year old busy with some special snacks. Like skittles or something else he doesn't get very often! He also did pretty well watching movies.

I hope you have a safe trip and have a Merry Christmas!
K.
North Dakota

Hi K.,
Does your 2 yr old like to draw? A magnadoodle did us alot of luck on all our trips this year. This year we traveled to chicago 3x and that is 8 hour drive, to TN and that was a longer dirve where we stopped for one night each way, and we flew to LA once too. We threw together a little "play pack" and it had alot of neat stuff in it for him (my 2 year old). Maganadoodle, crayons and a sketchbook, old happy meal toys, some cardboard books to look at, and a few other things that I can't remember off the top of my head. Unfamiliar objects are nice too, they will hold your 2 y/o attention. Also ask the older one to be "mommy's helper" and play with your 2 year old. A nap should cut a couple hours off too. Oh, and maybe plan lunch somewhere fun like at a McDonalds or Burger king where there is a play room, that helps alot! I hope this helps. M. S.

I have a 2 and 3 1/2 year old. we always try to time our trips so that the majority will be them sleeping. the rest of them time we have kids cd's. Elmo is my daughters favorite. My son likes veggie tales. You can also go the dollar store and have a goody bag of little cars or something that when they start to show signs of restlessness, they get a new item.

I love to listen to military band cd's (so by sheer luck of being around) --my son loves to listen to them. some of them have the chimes that sound like bells. He'll ask to listen to the bells.

I did make for 2 trips some puppets that I just put on then crossing my arms let them pop up & down over my shoulders. With out my turning around, they didn't seem to concentrate on the fact that my mouth was moving. It can get a little tiring on the arms though.

K.~

That's going to be a hard trip for your youngest. Their bodies can't hardly sit still for an hour and their minds don't know what to do with all that time. Your best bet would be to leave at night time so she will sleep the first half of the trip. If you start in the morning she will be over tired by night fall and not be able to fall asleep.

If you drive through the night she will wake up in the morning, you can stop for breakfast and lunch and dinner if you need to.If you stop at the golden arches you might find a play ground for both of the kids to run while you and hubby eat and they can eat in the car which will give them something to do and possibly put them back to sleep.
Also if you have a DVD in your car, try sing alongs or something interactive for the youngest when she is really bored and encourage her to play along with the movie.

Good luck and Happy Holidays
C. L

About me:
I am the mother of five my youngest is 14, also have been a foster parent and home stay for exchange students. I was a stay at home mom much of the time and homeschooled each child off and on to keep grades up (this worked well, I have and 18 yr old on her 3rd year in college!)
I've taken that trip with 3,4,5, and 6 kids and night time is best.

Hello, I recently flew with my 2.5 year old and it was recommended that we buy sticker books to keep her busy on the flight. We found some great ones at Costco. They are educational too. The stickers are meant to go on certain pages, ie: winnie-the pooh matches to winnie-the-pooh page, etc. Your daughter might be a little young to follow the directions but it is worth a try. At any rate, she'll enjoy the stickers. Are you still doing home day care, I am looking for someone to watch our 4 month old baby girl 15 hours/week. Thanks and good luck on the long trip. J.

Unfortunatly you are going to have to make lots of stops and let him get out and run around that is what I had to do with me kids and I have traveled alot so that is about the only thing I can suggest unless you get some cartoons that your 2 yr. old would like that might also work. Good luck. And may god be with you guys on your trip.