In 2022 we packed up our minivan and drove 16 hours from Illinois to Florida with a three year old and a 16 month old. It was an experience I'm going to be totally honest. But it wasn't completely unpleasant! I did learn a few things along the way, though, that I thought I'd share with you.
Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks
Seriously, the more snacks the better on a road trip. I took a tip from my sister and put together little Tupperware lunchables for the girls. I included mandarin oranges, gold fish, mini pepperoni, ritz crackers, and fruit snacks.
I purchased these from Amazon and they worked great! They're stackable and air tight so nothing was leaking into the other compartments. As the girls emptied them, I just set them aside in our snack bag and refilled them during a stop. It was so easy and kept the girls from asking for a million different snacks. They had a good selection right there in front of them.
Entertainment is Crucial
I know it's popular right now to limit screen time and to want your kids to do things you did, color, play with playdoh, get outside. But on a 16 hour road trip you're limited with what they can do. I suggest grabbing yourself one of these organizers (I even have one in my Jeep for day to day use) and setting yourself up for success.
On a normal day I have my car caddy stocked with things to keep my kids entertained if we're stuck in a long line or traffic or just if they're getting mad while we're out running errands (see video above). But on a road trip I think it's even more important to have plenty of things for your toddlers to entertain themselves.
I am a big believer in unlimited screen time for the most part and a road trip is great for that. I would not suggest believing your kid is going to be fine on a long trip in the car without some sort of screen. You're setting yourself up for a melt down. Bring along a few new books, Imagine Ink coloring books for a mess free good time, playdoh if your kid is old enough to not make a mess with it in the car, maybe even some small puzzles. But also pack that iPad and their headphones. You'll thank me later.
Plan for Frequent Stops
Friends, your child has a small bladder and they're not able to sit still as long as an adult. Hell, even I like to get out and stretch my legs every few hours.
I suggest factoring those leg stretches and bathroom breaks into your drive time. We stopped every few hours to change Maggie's diaper, let the girls run, and just get out of the van. I think it's part of the reason they were so relaxed while we were on the road.
If you have a kid that's potty training, or one like mine that's potty trained but doesn't like to go on the big potty in public (honestly same because...gross), I suggest taking your own potty chair with you! You can get these disposable bags to put in the bottom so you don't have to wash it out every single time your little one uses it. You'll also avoid accidents because they refuse to go in the rest area bathroom.
Don't Stress
Stress is the leading cause of a shitty vacation. Don't stress. Go with the flow as much as possible. So your kid needed to stop more frequently than you had planned, it's OK! Everything is figure out able. Don't make everyone else miserable because life threw a little screw into your well planned out road trip.
If you need to make a detour, do it! I loved making detours with my grandparents on road trips. It was the best part of the trip! We discovered so many fun things and made so many memories that we wouldn't have made without the detour.
The more relaxed you are, the happier your kids are going to be. They feed off of your energy and will definitely sense if something is stressing you out, which leads them to stress and act out. No one wants that on a 16 hour car ride to Florida.
Everything is going to be fine!
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