We LOVE to travel. Since the time Samuel was 8 weeks old we have been doing cross country trips, weekend trips, and day trips to visit family, friends, and fun. I have put together some of the best tips for travel with children that I have learned over the last 4 years of being Mommy!
This beach trip was only a 6 hour drive. I have done anything from a cross country trips to day trip with my kids and we always have a blast. Here are a couple entertainment things I almost always bring to keep our trip productive and calm. We don’t take any electronics and rarely have the radio on. A lot of great conversation and fun games!
First, we ALWAYS have books in our car. We have an unused bin strapped in between the two kids that is full of book. Two books that we get the most out of are My First Colors: Let’s Learn Them All! and a Look and Find book. The kids have a blast asking me what kind of items I would like in my “basket” from the items in the My First Colors book. Seriously, I spend hours telling them which item I would like. When I don’t know which to guess I ask them to describe the item to me. Samuel mostly uses the Look and Find book as an easier Where’s Waldo kind of book.
Avalyn sleeps a good amount of our trips. I have been VERY blessed to have a little lady that can fall asleep about anywhere and sleeps for hours on end just like you see here. Love her!
Having kids nap in the car is a great way to help them pass the time and for your to concentrate on the road. They can wake up refreshed and ready for any activities that may come up at your destination. I almost always plan my trips around Ava’s nap time. We typically try to arrive when we know she should be done with napping. For her that is 3 pm. I plan my trip to be at our destination by that time. For me that helps keep bed time consistent and for tired parents who have been driving for a long while.
Samuel is a hit or miss napper. Sometimes he does off but most often now he chooses to stay awake and work on other activities.
Here on the left Sam is working on counting. I’m not sure which book he is using for his counting, but he has decided to work on his addition during the ride. We do a lot of counting on our trip. We will count the number of big trucks we see. Or we notice the numbers on the exit signs or speed limit signs. Number recognition is something Sam is interested in so we take this on the road with us with limited materials needed.
On the right Samuel is working on his writing using a magnetic writing board. They are awesome in the car. No markers or crayons falling all over or paper getting shredded. Avalyn likes to use this too, but for Sam this is a big winner. I will ask him to draw his letters or maybe a picture. Lots of great entertainment value in the magnetic board.
Traveling is so much easier with a little preparation. I hope you enjoy the summer travel season!
Thank you for all these wonderful travel ideas! I love that you help your children use their minds in a simple yet constructive way… without the help of an iPad. 😉 I have a travel post on my blog, “Mama’s Happy Hive” for flying with a one year old, Montessori style. However, I haven’t taken a long car trip yet. I am going to take note and use these ideas in the near future!
I found a lot of the same idea work for the plane and car. Snacks, books, and quiet games. My children love to talk about what they see and I Spy works EVERYWHERE! 🙂 I’m excited to look at Mama’s Happy Hive for the tips you have there.
Love the suggestions for the travel memory game and the book selections. We just returned from a successful car journey with my 16 month old. A few lift-the-flap and touch & feel books plus 3-4 toys and we made it through 4 hours in a breeze! The 6 hour drive might have pushed it but there was also the 2 poopy diapers on that day.
I love hearing about great parents taking their children on trips! The memory game would be a lot of fun for a 16 month old because the flaps are attached. You can always save the cards until they get a little older.
What a fun road trip you must’ve had! 🙂 Thank you for linking up with The Natural Homeschool!