5 Strategic Tips for Road Tripping with a Baby
Road trips are a ton of fun. They’re a great way to spend time with your family or friends, clear your mind and explore new territory – all accompanied by the sweet sounds of the perfect driving playlist. But they also mean long hours spent in a confined space, which can be trying when you have a little one in tow.
Can you imagine what it is like for us with an 8 month old and a 2 year old? We have become experts in road trip baby entertainment. This usually involved Keira’s favourite CD being played on repeat. I’d rather hear A-tisket A-tasket a hundred times over than a crying baby combined with a whining toddler. Our first few trips together taught me this lesson well.
If you love road tripping, don’t despair! Disney Baby has some great advice for making your journey safe and fun for everyone!
5 Strategic Tips for Road Tripping with a Baby
- Map your journey and plan ahead
When you’re packing for a little one, there is a lot to think about – from clothes and diapers to playthings and pushchairs, there’s plenty that baby just can’t be without. Try making lists in advance to give yourself some breathing room and to be sure that you don’t forget anything important.
- Ensure safe seating
When you’ve got a baby on board, safety is key. Make sure that your car seat is the right size and that it’s properly installed. Also remember to tighten the seatbelt, UAS strap and harness to keep your little one firmly in place.
- Take baby-breaks
Plan some stops along the way, so your baby has a chance to get outside, and more importantly, out of the car seat. Try using these breaks as an opportunity for adventure! Identify weird landmarks, beautiful scenery, or must-try meals on your route to make the journey as exciting as the destination.
- Create a sun shield
Sunshades, like these Mickey and Minnie ones, help keep the car cool and darken the back seat, encouraging baby to nap. Not only are they functional, but they make adorable accessories for the family vehicle!
- Choose tot-friendly tunes
Get yourself some baby-friendly music, to soothe and entertain your little one during the ride. Disney Baby has a selection of song and story CDs, like this Peter Pan one, and great musical anthologies, like this Disney Pixar Greatest collection, that are perfect for a long car trip.
How do you keep your little one occupied on a long car journey?
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!
We find playing counting games, or looking for airplanes, birds etc plus: Toys, books, & snacks
Singing!
feed him before driving and then play the music
Singing usually helps
I sing to him. I also play soft music.
My kids have Leappads that they use and I get some new toys from the dollar store and put things in each of their backpacks.
Portable eve
We like to provide books and travelling art kits but if all else fails they use the IPad. Thanks.
Movies and games
games and snacks
movies with headphones, hand held videio games, colouring and toys. Sometimes, we sing silly songs.
He loves the DVD player and now that he is talking more, I try to have a conversation with him and have him repeat words and starting to count with him. I also play music that he loves.