Excited about the upcoming family vacation you have planned, but dreading the long car ride for the kids? Long car rides can get tiring and boring for any of us, but especially for toddlers who have a lot of energy! Planning ahead and being prepared for your car ride will help ensure road trip success with your little kids. Here are 8 tips for road trip success with toddlers.

1. Drive Over Nap Time or Bed Time

One of our best tips for traveling with toddlers is to do it when they would normally be sleeping! Obviously this is not always possible, and you always need to make sure the driver(s) are well rested! But, depending on the length of your trip, you can most likely coordinate it with sleep schedules which will save you lots of crying and headaches.

We were surprised when our first trip with three boys, three and under, went seemingly smooth. We woke up early and drove the majority of the time when they were still sleeping. Another time, we drove home (only a 3.5 hour drive) around 5pm, which was the worst time for the boys’ schedules (we figured that out too late). So, if possible, plan to drive the majority of your trip over nap time or during bedtime. For longer drives, this will be harder to do, but by planning intentional active breaks, you can keep them consistent with their schedules, which will help them sleep better when nap time comes around.

2. Pack Plenty of Fluids

Water is essential to life and our young children are no exception. Ever wonder why your baby or toddler is grumpy and then you simply give her a drink of water and she’s good to go again? Keeping our kids hydrated during a long car ride is very important! Obviously we don’t want to give them extra liquids just to pass time (hello, a million pee breaks and diaper changes), but we do need to ensure they have access to water when they are thirsty. Keep water bottles, sippy cups, and bottles in close proximity so they’re easy to reach when needed.

3. Bring lots of Snacks

Snacks! What is a road trip without some good snacks? 🙂 A lot of kids love to eat all the time, and in the car it is somehow more fun. When planning food for a road trip, think about the time frame. If you are traveling over mealtime, make sure you have enough snacky foods to keep their tummies full.

Consider your food choices and think about food groups, just like you would at home. Are they getting enough proteins, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables, etc.? If it’s a shorter trip, a few light snacks should hold them over until your next destination. If you’re on the road for a significant amount of time, pack foods that are healthy, nutritious, and filling. It’s always good to keep in mind the amount of clean up that will be needed post-eating. Keep things simple, sticky-free, and crumb-free if possible! For example: carrot and celery sticks, apple slices, cheese sticks, and pretzels.

4. Don’t Forget Their Favorite Blankie or stuffed animal

There are some things you don’t want to skimp on when leaving the house for a trip. One of those things is your toddler’s favorite blankie or stuffed animal. Around our house, if one of our littles is feeling sad – they’ll ask for their cup and blankie, their comfort items. If we’re on the road for more than an hour, I’ll try to make sure their snuggly blankets are along so they have those comfortable, familiar items with them. It helps them relax and stay calm. 

5. Plan for Potty Breaks / Diaper changes

This probably goes without saying, but make sure bladders are empty before you start your car ride. If your little kids are in diapers yet, travelling is almost a little bit easier as you don’t have to stop as often for pee breaks. For potty-trained toddlers, try to explain the importance of going before you leave, and holding it until you can get to the next potty.