Travelling with a toddler in a car sounds like an easy feat. Just strap them in and off you go, right?
In reality, road-tripping with your toddler can be stressful and challenging if you’re not prepared to manage your toddler’s needs and wants. Boredom, hunger, and crankiness can all come into play, especially if you’ll be in the car for a long period of time.
To avoid dealing with tantrums and tears as you navigate the roads, it’s essential that you prepare ahead of time. The following tips will help you have fun and stay safe as you travel to your destination.
Toddler Travel Checklist
- Prepare your vehicle for travel.
- Purchase roadside assistance
- Prepare the car seat for safety.
- Never leave your child unattended.
- Pack car-friendly snacks.
- Bring toys, both old and new.
- Prepare activities to keep your toddler entertained.
- Rent any baby gear you aren’t planning to pack.
- Pack extras of everything.
- Take frequent breaks.
1. Prepare Your Vehicle
Make sure your car is ready for the road. Breaking down on the side of the road with engine trouble or a flat tire is not only inconvenient but unsafe.
To avoid problems, get your vehicle checked for safety prior to your travels. Take your car to a trusted mechanic to have them check fluid levels and tire pressure and perform any needed maintenance or repairs.
2. Ensure You Have Roadside Assistance
A dead battery, locked-in keys, or a punctured tire could easily disrupt your trip if you can’t quickly call for help. Even with a thorough car check, unexpected issues can still happen.
Stay prepared by getting a roadside assistance plan before you travel. Start by asking your auto insurance if they already provide coverage. If not, consider buying a separate plan—many wholesale clubs offer them at a reasonable price.
Most importantly, check that your plan covers worst-case situations, like towing your car to a nearby mechanic. This small step can save you stress and keep your trip on track.
3. Prepare the Car Seat
Along with having your car inspected for safety, check your child’s car seat. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for properly installing the car seat, or recruit the help of a certified child passenger safety technician.
Note that the rear-facing position in the back seat is the safest spot for your child.
Try adding car-seat mirrors to your child’s seat so you can see each other easily.
4. Don’t Leave Your Child Alone
Never leave your child unattended in the car, as tempting as that may be if your child is sleeping and you need to run inside the gas station or convenience store. You’ll never forgive yourself if someone breaks into your car and snatches your child while you’re picking up a cup of coffee or paying for gas.
The dangers of hot cars are also real. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times more rapidly than an adult’s. In a hot car, that could mean heatstroke or death within minutes for your toddler.
5. Pack Car-Friendly Snacks
Prepare snacks and drinks that are easy to consume in the car, such as a baggie of dry cereal in fun shapes. Only pack snacks that your child can safely consume and that won’t present a choking hazard. That way, you can safely keep your eyes on the road.
For larger meals or if your child is too young to eat on their own, pack a cooler so you can pull over at a rest stop. This gives you a good opportunity to enjoy a picnic lunch together, use the restroom, and stretch your legs.
6. Bring Toys
Pack a mix of your toddler’s favorite toys along with a few new surprises to keep them happily entertained. Crayons, coloring books, small plush toys, action figures, and simple handheld games can make car rides, rest stops, and hotel stays much more enjoyable.
If you’re comfortable allowing some screen time, bring a tablet and child-friendly headphones. Load it up with age-appropriate movies, shows, audiobooks, and music playlists to keep your toddler engaged on the journey.
7. Prepare Activities
The car is the perfect spot for imaginative games like I Spy or the License Plate Game. Try out some of the games in this list, or make up games of your own.
You can also purchase books or magazines related to your destination. These will help your child identify landmarks and prepare for all the fun to come.
8. Rent Baby Gear as Needed
Bring along your own stroller as space allows, and arrange to rent other items. Contact your hotel ahead of time to inquire about renting a crib and a high chair.
Are you staying with family? Ask if they’re OK with you having bulkier items delivered or shipped so these items are waiting for you when you arrive.
9. Pack Extras
Expect that you’ll need extra diapers, nappies, tissues, and changes of clothes in the event of potty accidents and food spills. Bring plenty of hand sanitizer and hand wipes so you can easily sterilize hands and commonly touched areas, plus a first-aid kit for emergencies. Put everything in a backpack for easy access.
Other items that may come in handy include a favorite blankie, binkie, pillow, and warm jacket. Having the comforts of home nearby will help your toddler feel safe as you travel.
10. Take Breaks as Needed
Add extra time to your ETA so you can allow for pit stops. If your child is getting fussy, be willing to pull over and regroup, rather than pushing through and putting everyone at risk as you try to concentrate on driving.
Keep a small bucket or pail in the car just in case. It’ll be far easier to clean up than having throw-up all over your toddler or vehicle.
Ideally, drive at naptime, during the day. While it might be tempting to drive at night, it’s safer to travel during the day when visibility is better and stores and gas stations are open.
In addition to a first aid kit, pack a flashlight, extra water, and any required medications. You can also purchase a pre-filled roadside emergency kit.
Secure your pet in a crate or behind a pet barrier for safety.
Call for emergency services if you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency. Make sure you have contact information for urgent-care facilities in case your child becomes ill on the road. Contact your pediatrician ahead of time for any recommendations.
As a rule of thumb, keep your toddler rear-facing for as long as possible, up to the height or weight limits of the car seat. By the way, be sure your child’s seat can safely accommodate your child—otherwise, you may need to size up.