Travelling with 4 year old!

[Lizzy 0]

OK some advise needed:

Travelling by car from Oklahoma to Penn State, i think it takes about 20 hours... going later today:)

The issue, i have a 4 year old, any tips on travelling with such a young one???

[john_and_marlene 162]

duct tape

1. coloring books/crayons

2. pillow

3. cheerios

4. bottled water

5. frequent stops

6. allow more time

[Nessa 23]

Tips for Car Travel with Young Children

The phrase, “Are we there yet?” can drive a parent crazy especially when it is repeated approximately every ten minutes of a car trip that exceeds three hours. Although traveling by car can be a very affordable mode of transportation for families with children it can also be quite an adventure especially if the car trip is lengthy. There are, however, many trips that can help to make traveling in a car with young children a pleasant experience for all. Frequent stops, adequate entertainment and nutritious snacks are just a few tricks of the trade that can help to make car travel an enjoyable experience when children are involved.

Stopping periodically is essential when you are traveling with children. Children have notoriously short attention spans and stopping the car every hour or so to let them stretch their legs or run around at a rest area gives them the opportunity to burn off some excess energy and helps to keep them from becoming bored with sitting still in the car. Trying to stretch too long between stops can result in the children become restless and whiny in the car which makes the trip difficult for everyone involved. Bringing along toys such as balls and jump ropes for use at the rest areas will give the children a chance to play and exercise and will keep them looking forward to the next stop. Be careful to supervise the children closely and to make sure that they only play in the grassy areas away from the vehicles.

Bringing along toys, books or movies to entertain your child while the car is in motion can also make the trip more enjoyable. If you have a portable DVD player, try refraining from allowing your children to watch their favorite movies for a week or two before the trip so that they will be really excited to see the movie in the car. Also, either purchase a few new small toys or books that can be used in the car or hide a few old favorites before the trip so that they will seem like new when you give them to your child in the car. Keeping a child entertained in a car can be difficult because they would much rather be running and playing but following a few of these tips can help to hold your child’s attention span for longer periods of time.

Proper nutrition should not be neglected on car trips. Many adults tend to rely on fast food and junk foods during car trips but these foods could make your child’s stomach upset or could make them hyper which makes it even more difficult for them to sit still in a car. Pack healthy and nutritious snacks such as fruits and vegetables, sandwiches, cheese snacks and milk and juice. Refrain from giving your child sugary snacks such as candy and sodas because these can make your child feel overly hyper and can make them feel cranky when the effects of sugar begin to wear off. Conversely, providing healthy and nutritious snacks will keep your child’s blood sugar levels stable and will keep them properly fueled for the trip.

Car trips with young children don’t have to be difficult. With a little advanced planning these trips can be enjoyable for everyone and can include many stops at scenic locations for picnics or play. Besides making frequent stops, bringing along entertainment for your child as well as nutritious snacks will help to make car travel with your children a pleasant experience.

The source

I hope it helps somehow. Good luck and have a safe trip

[Euro 3]

duct tape

1. coloring books/crayons

2. pillow

3. cheerios

4. bottled water

5. frequent stops

6. allow more time

All the above are good, i'm also sure there will be lots of things for her to see on the journey, Good Luck, I hope she is ok

[allynella 0]

When I head to Chicago by car to see my mom (12 hours average), I bring along:

Movies (Portable DVD - best invention!), with headphones

Coloring Books, Blank Paper, Markers & Crayons

Game Boy, (or whatever is available)

Audio Books and a blank cassette for her recording pleasure

Favorite small toys, small pillow & blanket

Cooler with juice & water/Light snacks

Lots of patience, Aleve

She is 7 years old, and needed frequent stops, but we usually get to our destination without temper tantrums. Have a safe and pleasant trip!

Edited July 7, 2006 by allynella

[Yodrak 7]

Lizzy,

Cold medicine. Or a portable DVD player. Both work on my 4 year old.

Yodrak

OK some advise needed:

Travelling by car from Oklahoma to Penn State, i think it takes about 20 hours... going later today:)

The issue, i have a 4 year old, any tips on travelling with such a young one???

[yabasta 0]

I would just make sure they be tired so they sleep some of it and then like people have said stop as much as possible at places to make them tired. Eye spy passes time too if memory serves.

Alternatively get them a plane ticket.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Cold medicine.

I was thinking that too, but didn't mention if for fear of PC zealots

[anya-D 8]

no!!! no plane ticket

i fly back from Austin with like a plne full of children from babies to 4 years old.. one behind me kick my chair (and the mom didnt even said a thing) and screem the whole travel time.. and i think the pressure hurts their ears so they scream even more.. misurable flight

just make sure they have enough sleep the nigth before... and get them to be tired before the trip so they can sleep most of the time. for me i hate the portable dvd thing cos it can hurt their eyes and can make them motion sickness.. so a music should be a better choice.IMO

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, dramamine is not a bad idea for two reasons - it prevents car sickness and it also makes them sleepy. Are you planning on driving straight through or are you stopping for a night?

[Lizzy 0]

We are going to leave around 5 tonight

I have a portavble DVD, colouring book, pens, stickers..her winnie the poo, a pillow and blanket.

The old fav..Escasketch and food, drinks.... Im hopeing she will sleep through the night...if not we will pull into a motel..

Thanks for your replys, as always a wealth of information and not just on visas!!!!

I would normally ask my mom these things but being in the US, i dont have many people to ask advice from now......... so thanks again:)

Edited July 7, 2006 by Lizzy

[john_and_marlene 162]

You forgot the duct tape

[Lizzy 0]

LOL and duct tape...handcuffs......ball gag.......cold medicine