How to Take a Road Trip With a Toddler

Install a car seat in the back seat with correct weight and height limits that match your toddler̵7;s weight and height. The rear-facing direction is safest for children up to age 3, advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When your toddler outgrows a rear-facing car seat, place him in a forward-facing car seat.

Fill a diaper bag with essentials for the car ride. Include more than the number of diapers you think your little one will need and a generous number of baby wipes for diaper changes. Pack two or three extra outfits for changing clothes while traveling. Add over-the-counter pain reliever and a dosage syringe to enable you to medicate your toddler if she develops a fever. Place a blanket in the diaper bag to keep your child cozy during naps in the car seat. Pack your little one̵7;s security object, if she has one.

Pack your toddler̵7;s suitcase for your destination. You shouldn̵7;t need to access these items during travel, however.

Gather toys and activities for the trip and place them in a small plastic bin that will fit in the backseat of the vehicle. Suitable items include musical toys, stuffed animals, manipulative toys with buttons for pushing, coloring books, crayons and figures for pretend play. Pack picture books for reading and electronics that will help keep your toddler occupied during the drive. If your toddler is younger than 2, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against electronic screen time. For little ones over age 2, a tablet with toddler-friendly apps and movies installed may be a lifesaver. Do not allow your toddler to use electronics for more than one to two hours each day to comply with AAP recommendations.

Pack food and beverages for your toddler during the drive. Add your toddler̵7;s favorite foods to help keep her happy, such as bananas, sliced cucumbers, fruit pouches, yogurt, crackers, whole-grain bread and cereal. Use a small cooler to keep refrigerated foods cold. Supervise your toddler̵7;s eating carefully for safety. Strive to provide healthy foods for your toddler, but an occasional deviation from the healthy norm won̵7;t harm your toddler̵7;s overall health, counsels the AAP.

Time your travel for periods during the day or night when you expect your toddler to sleep. Leaving just before nap time can enable your toddler to sleep happily for a few hours in the car seat. Leaving in the middle of the night with a sleeping toddler could also give you some peaceful travel hours.

Stop and stretch often when your toddler is awake. Rest areas with grassy space will allow your youngster to burn off excess energy, which should help her stay happier in her car seat.