5 Tips to Make Traveling With Your Toddler a Breeze

I’ll be honest. I used to dread traveling with my three-year-old toddler.  She wouldn’t want to sit confined in her seat, and it certainly made driving anywhere feel as though it were impossible. I actually used to get anxious when I knew we had to visit my in-laws who lived an hour and fifteen minutes away.  I knew I had to do something, and fast.  So after a lot of research and personal experience, I am proud to say that I can offer you this list!

Read on to learn five no-fail ways to make traveling with a toddler a breeze.  They truly worked for me and I’m sure they’ll work for you!

1. Take Breaks

This may seem like a no-brainer. In fact, I’m not sure why my husband and I didn’t stop before!  We figured if we stopped, it would take us longer to get to where we needed to go, which was somewhat true. But, after taking a much-needed break, my daughter was refreshed and ready to go back into her car seat for the remainder of the ride.

At first, we timed it out. We stopped the car every thirty minutes, whether she was fussing or not. She got some fresh air, got to move her legs, and this is when we fed her a little snack.  Eventually, we used her cues as to when she needed a break, which became close to an hour.  It may sound inconvenient, but trust me: taking a short five to ten-minute break is much easier than listening to a screaming child during your trip!

2. Keep Things Cool

I figured out that one of the reasons my little was so fussy in the car was because she was getting really hot in her seat. I made it a point to ensure that I dressed her in layers.  This way, I could easily pull off her top layer and let her sit comfortably in her undershirt. Even during winter months, I took her coat off and just adjusted the heat properly.  She seemed much more comfortable and at ease. If you aren’t sure if your toddler is overheating, you can do a quick check.  Simply feel their back when you take them out of their seat. If it feels very warm or if they get a little prickly red rash on their skin, they are definitely cooking in the seat!

3. Turn to Media

I actually pulled out an old portable DVD player that my husband had stored away in our attic. I figured out a way to hang it from the back of the passenger seat, so the screen was facing my daughter. It also came with a charger, which I plugged into my volt outlet with ease.  I had plenty of my daughter’s favorite DVD’s in that car. And, let me tell you: it made a world of difference!  She went from a bored, miserable child to a happy, quiet, and intrigued sweetheart. I highly recommend making the investment if your car does not have a built-in entertainment option!

4. Create a Mystery Bag

Each time you take a long trip, fill a “mystery bag” (a canvas or nylon bag) with surprise treats, friends, and activities. Pull out a surprise as soon as your child begins to pout.It may be their favorite stuffed animal, their favorite snack or

5. Prep for Takeoff

Taking a flight? You’re braver than I am!  But if you are flying with a toddler, you can get anywhere with ease by ensuring they are comfortable. Pick up a fuzzy, soft neck pillow designed for toddlers. This will ensure that they are able to rest on a flight and they are supported in their seat.  I also recommend having a wet bag ready in case your toddler has an accident during the flight or gets airsick on their clothing. Wet bags are air-tight, so they won’t smell, and they are waterproof so they can hold virtually anything and get cleaned out easily.  Traveling with a toddler doesn’t have to be worrisome.  While it can be difficult from time to time, there are

While it can be difficult from time to time, there are certainly things that you can do to ensure their comfort and that they are entertained along the way.  It’s also important to keep in mind that it gets easier to travel as your child ages, so hang in there!