With Summer in full swing, so many of us are hitting the road with our little ones in tow. The car ride is usually what I stress about the most, as it can really make or break the trip’s experience.
Whether you’re headed out on the road, or going to a restaurant, here are my favorite tips for being prepared to entertain your little ones! Click here on my sister post for ALL the links on my recommended Road Trip toys & activities.
Set Yourself Up for Success
As a new mom I would simply just grab toys from a toy bin before heading out the door. But I quickly realized (the hard way) that my baby would get bored quickly. This is because these were his usual toys he played with daily.
Now, as a second-time mom, I have upped my game when it comes to car rides and toys/activites for my two kiddos.
A New Toy for Each Big Trip
My mom gave me a pointer to bring one new toy each trip. I found cheap toys at the dollar tree, and sometimes I ordered from Amazon. These toys are new for the road, and my baby would not see the toy until the perfect time on the trip.
“New” Toys are Only for Outings
When I purchase a toy or activity for car rides or church, I make sure to keep that boundary for a while. The toy stays in a bag in the car. When the car ride is up, and we make it to our destination, I find a way to distract my boys and retract the “new” toys. I have a toy bin or toy bag I store in the car. I avoid letting these new toys be taken into Grandma’s house, etc. This allows the toys to be “New” for a prolonged time.
Store Road Trip/Church Toys Away from the Play Area
That’s right! I have a bin of books, toys, and activities for my boys that are only used away from the house. Church, car, dr. appts. These toys make their appearance in my diaper bag and get put back before coming home. I don’t store them in my playroom.
This will usually catch my boys’ interest in church or in the car, as they are “new” to them.
I have a Church Bin in a closet and this is rotated into my Sunday diaper bag. This ensures the toys are not used for a regular appt or restaurant outing in the week.
I then store road trip activities and restaurant fun toys in my car. I only pull them out for trips or sit-down restaurants.
As a regular trip to Costco is about an hour, I make sure my baby and toddler each have a couple toys from the house to play with. I don’t pull out my road trip stash for small Costco trips, etc.
Rotate Car Trip Toys
I have found that I can’t bring the same activity to church week after week. So I developed a system where toys, books, and activities are stored in a bin away from the playroom and I rotate as I see fit in my diaper bag or bin of toys in the car.
For instance, I usually trade out one new toy or activity every Sunday before church, so there’s something to keep their attention.
When it comes to road trips, I make sure they toys and activities are not ones they used just days ago. This really does help entertain!
Add Toys to Your Stash
Whenever I see good deals or clearance toys, I will add them to my stash. Make sure the toys and activities are fitting for travel and other outings. Just because it’s on sale, I don’t buy it. Make sure its something that will catch their eye.
Once a Toy has Been in the Road Trip Stash for Awhile, Retire it to a Regular Toy
Once I have a toy that has been a regular favorite on road trips or weekly church meetings, its time to retire it’s position and I allow it to be a regular toy. For instance, my son had this die-cut Jeep toy car for several months in the car.
He held it for every road trip, and then every week at church, and every long trip to Costco. I retired the toy and allow my son to use it as a daily toy now, as it was used so much!
Find a System that Works for You
Although my system isn’t perfect, and it’s most definitely “economy” style, it has really helped our road tripping experiences and long drives.
Once I created my own system, I made sure my husband was aware so he could help me. He makes sure that he trades out toys weekly for church etc, and holds my boundary that road trip toys are only for long car rides.
Lower High Expectations & Give Grace
Traveling with children is so hard. Its hard on the babies, toddlers, kids, and yes, even teens. And lets not forget how exhausting and hard traveling is on mom & dad. Offer grace and then save some for yourself too.
Happy Traveling Momma!
XOXO,
Kelsie
