West is almost four years old and we have only used screens on the road twice in moments of desperation. This isn’t to judge anyone who does, but our long-term hope is to make road trips about being on the road and engaging as a family.
We road trip regularly. At least once a month, we find ourselves heading somewhere for a long weekend in the 9-10 hour round trip range. And at least once a year, we go big and spend a couple of weeks road tripping around the west.
I will admit that keeping a toddler engaged for hours in the car is daunting and can sometimes be downright frustrating, but it’s also totally possible. Below you will find our formula for a good road trip.
Pack new toys
Novelty goes a long way. Right now we are finding lots of success with hexbugs, a LCD writing pad, Yoto player (read our review here), and Young, Wild, and Friedman sensory kits. We bring a tray in the car that can go in West’s lap for the toys that require a surface.
Try family games or a podcast
At almost four, West is just now getting to the point where road trip games or a podcast hold some appeal. We have been playing a lot of eye spy. Pretend play works too. West loves to pretend he is a waiter taking our order. We listened to Radio Lab for Kids on our most recent Moab road trip and it was heavenly. I learned fascinating things about the moon and West actually listened for twenty minutes.
Pack new snacks and let go of the rules
Road trips should be for junk food. Not solely, but I try not to worry about the extra 10 gummy worms consumed on the road. Always, always, always, the road should be fun.
Always stop for lunch
Or dinner or ice cream. We try to identify one fun and substantial road trip stop over half way through our drive. If we make it over half way before stopping, the rest of the trip somehow seems easier.
Stop when you need to
I remember clearly when West was much smaller, pulling over off i-80 in Wyoming after an hour straight of West crying. We just wanted to get where we were going. We didn’t want to stop, but we were all fried. We pulled over in a park, took a deep breath, and all regained our composure.
Naps on the road
As long as you still have a toddler that naps, make sure that nap is on the road. That hour of quiet is road trip bliss.
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