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Planning a road trip with toddlers and hoping to cut back on screen time? I’ve got you. We’ve made several 10-hour drives to visit family, and we’ve found a rhythm that helps us keep the iPad off, or at least save it for the final stretch.
The last time we made the drive, my daughter was almost 3 and my son was almost 1. We try to go screen-free for a few reasons, but the biggest one? My daughter gets carsick when she watches a screen. And on a 10-hour road trip? Hard pass.
Even if screens do work well for your kids, these tips can help you stretch the time before you hand them over. I always say: use these tricks until they stop working, then bring out the tablet guilt-free.
What We Pack
Before we hit the road, I always prep a big stash of snacks and a small basket of toys and books.
[Favorite Travel Toys Linked Here]
I try to include snacks we don’t usually keep at home and toys that are either brand new or only come out for road trips. The novelty helps keep things interesting.
Our Screen-Free Road Trip Strategy
1. Start with nothing.
When we first get in the car, we don’t hand them anything, no toy, no book, no music. Usually, they’re pretty content just riding and taking in the view. Sometimes they’ll munch on a snack, especially if we leave during a normal snack window.
2. Break + one new toy.
When we stop for gas or a potty break, everyone gets out to stretch. After that, I offer one new toy. I usually show them two choices and let them pick. (Pro tip: don’t show the whole basket, just two at a time!) Then we’re back on the road with something fresh to hold her attention.
3. Repeat until you’re out of options.
This process usually buys us a lot of time. We’ll go through the rotation of breaks, toys, and snacks until we’ve exhausted the options.
4. Switch to audio.
When the toys lose their magic, we switch to our Yoto Player, a screen-free audio device that’s perfect for car rides. We usually bring a new Yoto card or one she hasn’t heard in a while. Tonies is another great option, we just have (and love) the Yoto. (I wrote a full review of our Yoto Players here.)
Pro Tip: Make sure the Yoto Cards or Tonies are downloaded before you leave so they’ll work without Wi-Fi!
5. Screen time if needed.
If we’ve run through everything and still have time on the road, this is when we’d bring out a tablet. Honestly, we rarely need to, but it’s not a failure if you do. This routine just helps us hold off as long as possible!
What About Meal Stops?
If we stop for a longer break: say, to eat or let the kids run around, we start the whole process over. After a good reset, they’re usually fine to ride without anything again for a little while.
Other Toddler Road Trip Essentials
- Car Potty – Absolute must-have. I can’t count how many times we’ve used ours.
- Extra clothes – Accidents happen. Always bring backups.
- Special snacks – Road trip = special treat time. It really helps!
- Mess-free coloring or Sticker Books – Great for toddlers or preschoolers who are ready for something a little more creative. We usually whip these out at the food stops when we have a little more time.
Whether you’re heading out for a long-haul trip or just want to make shorter drives a little smoother, I hope these tips help your family like they’ve helped ours. I personally keep a bucket of toys in my car at all times, perfect for longer car trips or waiting rooms. You can do screen-free travel, or at least delay it a bit, with a little planning.
xx, Ciara
