If you’re planning a road trip of any length and want to be screen free or prolong your screen time – I’ll share my secrets of how we do all the time but especially for our 10 hour road trips. **This post may contain affiliate links. A small commission may be earned.**
For reference we have traveled a 10 hour road trip several times to go visit family. The last time we did the road trip my daughter was nearly three and my son was nearly 1. We try to do no screens for a couple of reasons but one of the main ones being my daughter can actually get car sick when she watches the iPad (and on a 10 hour road trip? Hard Pass).
Even if your kids do well with screens in the car, these tips can help you to prolong the use of them. That is, you don’t want your kid with their tablet the full 10 hours of the car ride – so use these tips until they aren’t working and then give them their tablet for the final portion of the trip!
Before we get to the tips, we always have a ton of snacks and a basket of toys/books
**Favorite Travel Toys Linked Here**
These are usually snacks we don’t have at home and toys they’ve never seen or only see for travel! By having this “new” factor we build a little more excitement for the road trip.
Screen Free (or Less Screen) Road Trip Tips:
1. We start the road trip by giving the kids no toy or book or anything. Usually the beginning of the trip they are able to entertain themselves for a little or are content just hanging out. Depending on when we leave, they might have a snack at this time.
2. Once our toddler starts to get antsy or we stop for gas/potty break – We always get out, try to go to the bathroom, and walk around a little. Then, I let her pick one toy. Usually I show her two toys and let her choose (vs showing the whole basket). Then we get started on our next leg with her new toy/book.
3. We repeat that process until we’re out of toys/snacks that are of interest to her. Typically we can make it the majority, if not the whole way, with this method!
4. Once we have ran out of toys and books that will entertain my toddler we switch to the Yoto Player. This is a screen free option that is great for on the go (Tonies is also a popular choice). We usually pick a new Yoto card that we haven’t used before, but it could also be one that you’ve saved. You can do songs, stories, educational pieces. Just make sure you’ve “downloaded” the Yoto Card or Tonies Piece to the box BEFORE you leave for the trip. This way it can work without wifi.
5. Finally, this would be your time to implement a screen or tablet if need be! Like I mentioned, we typically don’t get to this part – but it does take practice! These are the steps we use in the car always! Even for just short trips.
STOPPING TO EAT/PLAY
If we stop to get a meal and get out of the car for a longer period of time than a gas break – I start back over with no toys! Usually getting out and playing or eating in a restaurant resets that clock for my little ones.
Other Toddler Must Haves on a Road Trip
– Car potty – I seriously don’t know how you can survive without a car potty if you have a toddler. I’ve used this thing so many times!
– Extra Clothes
– All the Snacks – Like I mentioned for long road trips we always buy different snacks to make it more special.
– Mess Free Coloring for older kiddos!
I hope these tips are as helpful for you as they are for us! xx Ciara
