What to Pack for Toddlers on a Long Car Journey

Pack your bags and fill the gas tank for a family adventure. Road trips are often less expensive than flying, so make the most out of your time together. Whether you are taking a road trip that lasts a few hours or journey that takes days, prepare ahead of time with the essentials to keep your toddler safe and entertained.

  1. Food

    • Bring along a cooler with your favorite drinks and snacks to keep your toddler happy. Pack juice boxes and water to keep your tot hydrated. Choose snacks that are convenient and easy to eat with fingers and are not too messy. Granola bars, string cheese, pretzels, raisins and apple slices are easy to eat while on the go. Carrot sticks or crackers with hummus also make a delicious and healthy snack on road trips. For a quick meal, prepare peanut butter and jelly sandwiches ahead of time. Have plastic bags or cups available to divide and serve food.

    Entertainment

    • Long car rides can bring on boredom for toddlers, so have plenty of activities to keep her entertained. Bring along a portable DVD player with her favorite DVDs or a tablet with preloaded movies. An MP3 player with her favorite music or audio books preloaded is a perfect accessory to keep toddlers amused. Don̵7;t forget to pack headphones for your toddler so you can block out the movies or music if you need some peace and quiet. Activity and sticker books are other options that don̵7;t take up a lot of room in the car.

    Extras

    • A roll of paper towels can be used to clean up spills or used for napkins. Wet wipes are also a necessity for potty breaks or to clean up messes. Accidents happen, so be prepared with an extra set of clothes for each day you will be in the car. A first aid kit stocked with bandages, sunscreen, rubbing alcohol and children̵7;s pain relievers is a good thing to keep handy. Keep a portable shade in your car to block the sun during the entire trip or while your child is sleeping.

    Potty Training

    • Pack the essentials for a toddler who isn̵7;t potty trained or is in the process of being potty trained. Pack diapers, pull-up diapers, potty training pants or extra underwear -- depending on the potty training stage of your toddler. Bring along a portable toddler toilet for bathroom breaks. As an extra tip, bring disposable diapers to place in the bottom of the portable potty. This will soak up the urine to make clean-up a breeze.

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