Check out these road trip activities!
You have a safe and comfortable car seat, every item you need is packed, you’ve prepared the perfect play list, and you are ready to hit the road.
Wait! You need these 8 Toddler Activities that are perfect to work on in a car seat!
Stickers
Stickers are perfect for kids of all ages to play with while in their car seat. It is a great activity for fine motor skill development and if you put them on a plastic container (shown above), they can come off and be moved around. Younger children might like to stick them on their hands and older children will enjoy creating a sticker story (create a scene with stickers then tell or write a story about it).
Tip: If your little one is having trouble getting the stickers off of the sticker sheet by himself, take the background sticker off so all that’s left are the stickers themselves and there is space to pinch and grasp them.
Toddler Wallet
Create a DIY Toddler Wallet by buying an inexpensive wallet that can hold pretend money, old gift cards, pictures, keys, etc. Opening, closing, adjusting the velcro and adding to it at every stop provides endless fun on a road trip.
Magnets on a Cookie Sheet
Manipulate and play with magnets on a cookie sheet. Whether it is alphabet magnets, princess magnets, or animal magnets, this is a fun activity that is perfect for the car seat and easy to store when you aren’t using it.
Window Clings
Window clings are so fun to play with at home, why not try them in the car! If you can’t reach the window, put them on a cookie sheet. Window clings are inexpensive. I usually find mine at the dollar store or at Target’s dollar section.
Snacks
Keep snacks fun and try to eliminate the mess by putting them in a small muffin tin or even in a plastic container with a lid that has different sections.
Books
Books are a MUST for a road trip, especially your child’s favorite books (you know, the ones you feel like you read EVERY night). They will be perfect for reading while in the car seat and then you will also have them for bed time when you reach your destination.
Fruit Loop Bracelets
Make an edible bracelet using Fruit Loops or Cheerios and a pipe cleaner. All of the hard work pays off when you get to eat it. (This picture was taken at a restaurant, not in his car seat.)
Travel Felt Board
Make a DIY Felt Board by wrapping a piece of foam board or another light weight rectangle with a piece of felt. Secure it with glue or tape. Then, cut out different felt shapes for your child to create designs with. So fun!
Stock up on road trip necessities at Diapers.com.
Sponsored by Nakturnal
Alyssa Hudecek
Monday 6th of March 2017
Worst road trip was to my aunts house. Baby cried most of the way there!
Christine R Olander
Sunday 29th of January 2017
my best-worst trip was when my family and i went to the beach in 2015. My daughter, 20 months old at the time, was teething. Cutting 4 molars all at once. For the first 3 days we were all miserable. She didn't want to eat, sleep or play. She just cried and was super clingy. After the teeth cut through the rest of the vacation was fun. The car ride home she slept so peacefully.
Kelly D
Sunday 1st of January 2017
Our best road trip was to upstate NY to visit my Aunt. My son was great for the entire trip and we made good timing, plus it was so scenic.
Nicole
Tuesday 3rd of January 2017
Perfect!
Teresa
Friday 30th of December 2016
Our best road trip was this summer, from San Diego to Portland!
Nicole
Tuesday 3rd of January 2017
Awesome! I've never been to Portland.
ADAM & Mila - Emil
Friday 30th of December 2016
We went to Suzhou Gardens two weeks ago, only a couple of hours outside Shanghai where we live. On the way there everything was fine - but on the way back, omg you cannot believe the drama that Adam put up. My wife and I couldn't agree on whether safety was more important or letting him out of the chair to get comforted was more important (guess which side I was on). In the end we took a huge 45 minute break at a toll gate - then when we were again ready to go rush hour traffic set in. The whole trip ended up being two hours longer than it should have been. Would have loved to have some of the stickers and magnets for Adam to play with - will try next time. Though it will probably be a while before I dare take him on a road trip again.
Thanks for sharing, great ideas!
Nicole
Tuesday 3rd of January 2017
Oh no! I can relate. =) Yes, next time have a stash of stickers in your purse. =)