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The Ultimate Guide to Long Car Ride Toddler Activities

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Have you gone on a long car ride with your toddler before?

It is always …

A challenge … if you are unprepared. (Of course, it depends on your toddler)

By planning engaging activities and bringing the right essentials, you can keep your toddler entertained and your sanity intact. Here is how I keep my toddler busy.

All I focus on is:

 Getting him to sleep. “Timing is key”.
 Distraction. When sleeping isn’t working.
Comfort. (If he is too hot, too cold or too something he is grumpy.)
All while not triggering his car sickness.

This guide will walk you through practical toddler road trip tips, clever road trip hacks for toddlers, and the best activities for toddlers on road trips to ensure a smooth ride. The blue highlighted ones are unique ideas I use.

Table Of Contents
  1. Prepping for the Journey
  2. Engaging Activities for Toddlers in the Car
  3. Some Other Tips for Stress-Free Toddler Travel
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Prepping for the Journey

First of all I try to go right before his nap time. That way he falls asleep most of the time… That gives me around an hour if I turn on background music.

Toddler Road Trip Tips

-> I like to use SleepTube for sleep sounds.

-> He doesn’t like it when it’s too warm and soft wind helps him sleep better.

-> He gets car sick easily. I’ve found out strong smells like deodorant make it worse. Also no milk right before driving. Last but not least, when I see his face turn white I open a window and cool the air. (Always helped me as a kid.)

Please Share Your Tips in The Comments! It Would Help Me Lots. PS. Here is a post on BEST-Travel-Friendly Toys for 1-Year-Olds.

What to Pack for a Toddler on a Long Drive – My Personal Checklist Free Printable

Preparation is the key to stress-free travel with little ones. Here are some essentials:

  • Snacks: Think no-mess options. (Thought if your kid gets car sick like mine better avoid foods if possible.)
  • Entertainment Kit: Pack favorite toys, sticker books, and coloring pads.
  • Toddler-Friendly Playlist: Include sing-alongs and calming tunes. I still remember the song my parents turned on when we drove 8 hours to Croatia. It’s a song about the measels and has a really good melody lol. Here it is lol I found it:
  • Comfort Items: Blankets, pacifiers, or favorite stuffed animals.
  • Change of Clothes: Accidents happen—better safe than sorry! (Last time we needed two changes of clothes. My toddler got car sick after just 10 minutes.)
  • Travel Potty Or Diaper Changing Bag: A lifesaver for long stretches without rest stops.
  • Cleaning Supplies: Wipes, paper towels, and a trash bag for cleanup.

What I regret not bringing: A small bucket.

Engaging Activities for Toddlers in the Car

Active Engagement

  • Car Games for Toddlers:
    • I-Spy: Simplified for toddlers (point out colors or objects.)
    • Counting Challenges: Count cars, trees, or road signs together.
    • Sound Mimicking: Mimic animal noises or vehicle sounds for laughs.
    • Pointing at things and making a loud AHHHH sound. (Keeps mine engaged forever.)
  • Activities for Toddlers on Road Trips:
    • Sticker Books: Expect stickers everywhere.
    • Magnetic Puzzles: Great for mess-free play.
    • Surprise Toy Bags: Unwrap a new toy every hour to maintain interest.
  • Screen-Free Car Activities for Kids:
    • Audiobooks: Choose short stories with sound effects.
    • Songs: You can sing along
    • Window Clings: Easy to apply and remove for creative play.
    • Coloring Pads: Opt for no-mess water-reveal coloring books.

Calming and Independent Play For Entertaining Toddlers on Long Drives:

  • Sensory balls or Montessori-style busy boards.
  • Spinning Toys
  • Plastic Cups (Luca likes to talk into them to make funny sounds.)
  • Hairties (I put them on his arms and feet and he tries to take them off. – pls supervise.)
  • Quiet Books: Soft, interactive books with Velcro or zippers.

My Perspnal Best Road Trip Toys for Toddlers Ranked:

  1. Sticker Books – Since he is still small it helps when the stickers aren’t totally flat!
  2. Busy Boards – You can also DIY them. (Those on Etsy are really something else I mean look at this.)

3. Small Cars and Dinosaurs. (He is into them right now.)

4. Teddy Bear for role Play

5. Kitchen Stuff & Stuff that lies around. (All goes from cute kitchen timers to book holders. Put it in a cotton bag and TADAA. You don’t need to break bank to make your toddler happy.

Some Other Tips for Stress-Free Toddler Travel

  • Bring enough water bottles.
  • Take breaks along the way.
  • You can turn almost anything into a fun activity. Keep an open mind.
  • Distract meltdowns with snacks, toys, or silly songs.
  • Create a DIY seat-back organizer for toys and wipes.

That’s it my guide on long car ride travel to keep them stress-free. If you have any road Trip Hacks for Toddlers please share them in the comments.

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About the Author

Carina is the creative mind behind Mommy’s Craft Time, where she helps parents turn everyday moments into fun, hands-on learning experiences for toddlers. With a passion for sensory play, crafts, and early language development, she shares simple, engaging activities that spark creativity and support cognitive growth.

Whether it’s DIY sensory bins, seasonal crafts, or language-rich activities, she strives to make learning fun and stress-free for parents and kids alike

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Hi, I am Carina

Welcome to our little corner! I started this blog so I’d be forced to try new and fun activities with Luca. Some things I try work. Some are utter failures, but even that is fun. Here, I share ideas to help other mums focus on the magic of small moments, because sometimes it’s the littlest things that become the most memorable.

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