Surviving Road Trips with Toddlers: Essential Tips

Are you planning on taking a trip with your toddler(s) anytime soon? It can seem very overwhelming and stressful, but with a little preparation and planning you will learn all of the tips and tricks on surviving road trips with toddlers. As someone who has traveled with 2 toddlers, I will share what helped us and what I do for every road trip now!

1. Plan Your Route

• Use Family Friendly Stops: When you do have to stop, try to stop at places that are family friendly and are clean and safe. We always try to find a gas station attached to a restaurant or at least close by. This limits the number of stops and the amount of time you will spend on your trip.
• Be Flexible: Even though you’ve planned your trip, toddlers are unpredictable (as you probably know by now.) If either of your toddlers are potty trained, just know you may have to stop suddenly or frequently.

2. Pack for Success

• ALL THE SNACKS: This is the most important tip! If your toddlers are anything like mine, they require a snack at LEAST every 2 minutes. I actually like to go to Dollar Tree and pick out individual snacks. My reason for this is because you can get a variety instead of just a few options. Sam’s Cub, Walmart & Kroger all have great snack boxes that include a few things which is also great too!
• Toys/ Activities: I also LOVE going to Dollar Tree for these things too! They have great little toy options for toddlers, and they also have books and little games too. I aim to get a toy for each hour. For example: if we have an 8-hour car ride, I will buy 8 toys or activities per kid. This is why I love Dollar Tree, because I can buy 16 items (8 for each kid) and spend less than $20 after tax.
• Here are some ideas:

1. Mess Free Bluey Coloring These colors only appear on the sheet and nothing else! Perfect for messy toddlers.
2. Mess Free Spiderman Coloring
3. Busy Board This is more expensive; however, it would be able to be reused for a long time!
4. Melissa & Doug Sticker Play Set
5. No Mess Writing Tablet

3. Comfort Matters

• Dress them comfortably: Think about how you like to dress for a long road trip, usually comfy right? Dress them the same! If we have to leave early in the morning, we will actually dress them in the clothes we want them to wear on the trip and then we just have to pack them up. I suggest a t-shirt and shorts and here’s why. If you dress them too warm, they will be uncomfortable and cranky. Also, depending where you’re going, it could be warmer or cooler anyway and you can change when you arrive!
• What you need: Bring window shades, any pillows or blankets and their favorite stuffed animals. I always pack 2 extra outfits for each kid. My 3 year old is potty-trained, however, if we are leaving early in the morning or traveling late at night, we will put a pull-up on him just in case there is an accident. It’s much easier to clean him up rather than a carseat while you’re on the go.

4. Provide Entertainment

• You be the entertainment: Toddlers require A LOT of entertainment. Play sing along songs or interactive songs that they know the words too. Ex. Baby Shark, Ms. Rachel, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
• Play interactive games: Get creative! Introduce them to games such as I Spy or 20 questions. One that I play with my toddlers is I see something peeking. You say (or they say) “I see something peeking around the car,” and they have to guess. It can be anything! Sometimes I make it Spiderman and sometimes it is an actual animal.
• Bring cards: Bring card games that teach them shapes, colors, numbers etc. You can even find these at Dollar Tree too!

5. Screen Time Saves Lives

• If your kid has a tablet, bring it: I know screen time is touchy, however, you are traveling with toddlers. Sanity is important here! lol. With my 3 year old I sit with him and download shows or games the night before, this way I know they are shows or games that he will enjoy. For my daughter, I just try to download shows related to things she’s interested in, such as Paw Patrol, Blippi, Meekah, Bubble Guppies etc.
• Amazon Fire Tablets: Both of our kids have the Amazon Fire Kids Tablets. I love these because you can use Amazon Kids and this way all of the shows/games/activities are kid friendly. There are parental controls, a handle you can use to carry them, and they have to have a password to get to the main screen (so they can’t access random apps or the internet.) Here is the link to the bigger one, which I would suggest if your child is 3+: https://amzn.to/4gYFuvy
• If your child is younger, I would suggest the smaller one because it’s easier to handle. We bought this one for my daughter’s first road trip and it’s small and not too heavy: https://amzn.to/4eMNi1C

6. What else do I need for surviving road trips with toddlers?

• Pack more than you think: Pack more diapers/underwear than you think. Fill a jug with water, juice or whatever you want for your child to drink. This saves time and money down the road.
• Pack a bag for essentials: Take one bag that has wipes, extra clothes, snacks, etc. Keep this near you for easy access.
• Travel potty: Some people don’t want their children to go in public restrooms for obvious reasons. Great news is they make travel options! https://amzn.to/3zMmIXr https://amzn.to/4dFXlEH

There are all my tricks and tips! Just remember, patience and love (and probably some coffee or caffeine of some sort.) After the first trip, you will feel much more confident in knowing you have all the tricks in the bag for surviving road trips with toddlers! Do you have any must haves or tricks you’d like to share? Comment below, we would love to hear them!