A traveling toddler can be very challenging here are some tips to travel by car with them.

1. Comfort: not only do you have to make your kids comfortable. YOU have to be comfortable. This means no flip flops (you should never wear those when driving anyways-they can get tangled in the car pedals), no heels. Comfort, comfort, comfort. I hate to say it but think yoga pants, sweater and tennis shoes! With the kids the same. If you are traveling during the day, keep it simple with sweat pants a t-shirts and tennis shoes. If you are traveling during the night definitely do pajamas. Keep a blanket next to the car seat in case they get cold.

2. POTTY!!!!!: The Kalecom Potette is GREAT!!! And even though it seems small my almost 4-year-old uses it with no problem. Keep it underneath the seat with a bag ready to go. Next to it, keep a box of baby wipes. It makes for much better “toilet paper” for kids. This is important because if you have to take a kid to the potty and it’s raining, or you don’t have a rest stop to use, the potty will be your go-to so you don’t have to leave the car. It would be good if you make your child familiar with the potty before the trip (Of course this is only if your child is potty trained-if not- pack LOTS of diapers).

3. Entertainment: Do bring a DVD player or road games to play. This helps to keep things moving along and it will keep the traveling toddler from asking “are we there yet?” a hundred million times! Entertainment can also be toys. Books, magnetic board games, play cards, a doll, crayons. I love busy bags for trips, they have everything you need and there are different activities you can include in them. Oh and yeah, make a musical playlist that lasts one hour longer than the estimated time of your trip.

4. Snacks/Food: Lots and lots of snacks. Keep them dry to prevent messes. Also bring snacks that are not high risk choking snacks (popcorn, nuts). Lots of bottle water. The way I do it, is I have a cooler, with EVERYTHING! Bagels, granola bars, waters, juice, Cheerios, veggie chips, dried fruit. And, ok, if you don’t like fast food, I get it, BUT, sometimes road trips are the best time to let it go and indulge. If you are making good time, and your kids are content, the worst thing you could do is stop and make everyone get out, eat and get back on the road. Just go do the drive through, or have an adult go by the food and everyone eats in the car.

5. Packing: Try (I say try, because it’s almost impossible) to keep everything in the trunk of the car. Only the food, the extra blanket and the entertainment should be in the front. The more space in the front of the car, the more comfortable the trip will be and the safest. There will be less debris in case of a car crash. Also a traveling toddler needs not to be safe.

I will tell you right now. just traveled by myself with 3 kids (3.5yrs old, 2yrs old & 2mths), these tips saved my LIFE! Especially the potty because if my oldest kid had to go potty I had no idea how I would have taken all 3 of them into the bathroom. The most important tip is to have fun. Take breaks as much as you need them and stay of your phone!!!

Good luck and happy travels!