Entertaining kids in the car

[bheditor]

me again ...

I'm wondering how you keep the kids entertained on long-car rides.

I've asked about old-school games already in another thread but I was wondering about MODERN WAYS to keep the kids entertained on long car rides!

Here is the other thread if you're interested ... http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=412459

[share a book]

I involve her in the trip. I ask her what she can see. I ask her what type of country we're in (cattle country or rainforest etc) from what she can see. We talk or listen to music in the car. We can be in the car for up to 5 hours between stops. I know you're meant to stop after 2 hours but we stop after 5 unless we have to stop sooner for some reason :)

[Dreamscape]

I sing to her lol she usually thinks I'm that bad and falls asleep so she doesn't have to listen haha

[DaddyLarge]

Headrest DVD players. About $250 and an hour to install, and the best investment I can think of for all day car trips.

[HELPihavea2yrold!]

I just got a DVD player as well. Love, love, love it!! DS is 19 months and has just started staying awake for long trips rather then sleeping most of the way. I just pop in a wiggles dvd and I dont hear a peep out of DS the whole way :smiliedance:

[bheditor]

thanks for all your replies!!

So what other technologies are good for car rides?

Anyone load up the iPod with their favourite songs and play them through the car stereo?

Stuff like that ...

[~Mands~]

DVD players are a godsend! I don't usually like to encourage TV for kids, but the alternative on long car rides is NOT fun! My DS has a Hipod booster, which has speakers in the headrest wings, its the best invention ever as it means everyone else in the car doesn't have to hear what he is watching :thumbsup:.

You can also buy craft easels for the car which include things like stencils, colouring in and stickers. But I find it just makes DS cranky and irritable as he keeps dropping things and doesn't like the bumps in the road making him make mistakes :rolleyes:.

GL!

M.

[~Mands~]

Oh also I don't know how old your children are, but my 4.5 year old loves his Leapster Explorer, and you can plug earphones into it aswell.

[bheditor]

DVD players are a godsend! I don't usually like to encourage TV for kids, but the alternative on long car rides is NOT fun! My DS has a Hipod booster, which has speakers in the headrest wings, its the best invention ever as it means everyone else in the car doesn't have to hear what he is watching :thumbsup:.

I can see how that would be a good thing!!

Thanks!

[share a book]

We have a cd player and take a book or 3 to read on the road.

[peanutbutter&jelly]

Leap Pad stuff is amazing for long trips and we listen to a looot of CD's. I really should load them into one of the ipods we have (one each for the adults, plus we have a shuffle for exercise) and use that. I need to find a jack though for it, I hate the radio transmiting device-y things!

[bheditor]

We have a cd player and take a book or 3 to read on the road.

Do you listen to kids CDs? Or something the whole family sings along to?

[share a book]

Do you listen to kids CDs? Or something the whole family sings along to?

We have a variety. No kids music as such but my child is a little rock chick lol. We have all sorts. We have metal an punk rock mainly.

[bheditor]

hi guys!

Thanks for all your help with this !!

I've created an article called: Car games for travelling with children.

http://www.bubhub.com.au/info/articles/family-travel/car_games_for_children.shtml

Don't forget to 'like' it on FB and share it with your friends etc...

[Livvey]

I drove from 50kms south east of Melbourne to Wagga Wagga last year with my two DS's who were 8 months and 2.5 at the time. We had a portable DVD player, wiggles CD's, and a magna doodle. I also packed lots of snacks and drinks, and made sure we made a lot of stops.

[bheditor]

Sweet!!

Thanks mudpiecake!!

I might add your tips to this other article I'm trying to put together ...

Is on Preparing for Road Trips ...
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?p=5909244#post5909244

[mummykitty]

We make a regular trip to riverland weekly then back lol so that's about 3.5 hours and have done interstate, we sing and have CDs for trips also pack drawing stuff for their lap table things. A soft Teddy/ doll for cuddles, eye spy, stories on cd/ book.. Magiq iq toy that connects to car CD. eye spy and felt boards :) all help keep mine busy :)

[sweetpeamummy]

DD1 6 and dd2 3 both have iPods. We let them choose what goes on them before a trip. We let them choose a movie, a book and some games to put on them.