Community Forums

TheOldMan76 · 05-21-2016, 06:28 AM

About to start on a 2500 mile round trip to a family reunion, and intend to take my 4 yr old great granddaughter along. Tow vehicle is a crew cab dually, so she will have the back seat area to herself. How do we keep her entertained?
She sings almost constantly, but sings the songs she has learned in day care, and of course doesn't remember all the words, so it gets to be more like a repetitive chant. That eventually drives me bonkers! I'm open to all suggestions

tominvegas · 05-21-2016, 06:37 AM

Portable DVDs players can be had for under 75.00. We have a six year old and she is a great traveler.

CDWatkins · 05-21-2016, 06:41 AM

Books if they still print them

SlowpokeSlim · 05-21-2016, 06:44 AM

When our kids were little, we got a portable DVD player/viewer all-in-one, about the size of a small laptop. It worked well at keeping the kids quiet, however it presented it's own set of "new" problems.

If the kids are prone to motion sickness, watching the player while going down the road will reveal it to you in a most unpleasant way...

Just something to keep an eye on.

Mike and Cha · 05-21-2016, 11:30 AM

We use the portable DVD player as well as the Ipad. It has all the games they could want to play on it. That keeps them occupied for hours. You can also buy the CD's with all the kids songs on them that they can sing along to. Our Grandkids love those CD's but that gets old after a while as they can hear them over and over for hours.

OlYeller · 05-21-2016, 12:08 PM

A 4 year old needs almost constant entertainment and interaction. My advice would be that someone rides in the back seat of the TV with them. If it is only the 2 of you, it's going to be a long trip with lots of stops.

HR2004 · 05-21-2016, 12:42 PM

earplugs?????????????

just kidding.. DVD player with headset for the kiddie..

twogypsies · 05-21-2016, 02:35 PM

Pick up a bunch of cheap toys (even little cars, trucks, RVs) for a girl - something different than a doll)

, books, a new box of Crayolas, coloring books, a cheap little pinball game (not electronic), a small stuffed animal, etc. When she gets antsy, give her something new - one at a time.

Have some pillows and her favorite blanket with her for when she gets sleepy (hopefully).

Pack her special lunch box each morning with little treats and a tiny bottle of water - not too much or you'll be stopping more.

Stop more than you normally do and let her take a long walk around the rest area or wherever. Little ones can't sit long and if you force them to do so, you'll get whining and crying. Stop at a fast food place for lunch. Don't try to pack in too many miles per day. Stop early and hopefully there will be a pool or playground for her to use that stored up energy.

Good luck!

CampDaven · 05-21-2016, 02:48 PM

Ours rode shotgun in a car seat. We had great fun pointing out the big world of wonders to each other that we were seeing out the front window. An education they never forget.

slickest1 · 05-21-2016, 03:31 PM

Many moons ago when I was 4 and even when I was older you were told to get in sit down and look out the window. I enjoyed many a trips with my parents and seen lots of things. Isn't that the point of travelling ? If you need all that electronic stuff you could just as well stay home and enjoy the space while you are watching it and save the gas.We did the same thing with our kids and they enjoyed alot of trips and the things they seen.

Parenting seems pretty complicated now!!
Flame suit on!!

Tightwadted · 05-21-2016, 06:33 PM

When our granddaughter was a little over 3 and we would trip with her we tried to keep her occupied with games like "I Spy" etc. great for helping learn colors, shapes, etc, as she got older we moved on to numbers letters on signs etc, objects on billboards, cats, dogs, animals in the field you get the picture. Great interaction. We have friends who simply plop in the dvd for their grandkids, and I can assure you that does very little for their development, creativity and independence. JMHO

DDDonkey · 05-21-2016, 08:53 PM

I did a 3 thousand mile trip last year in my mh and my two your old sat in the front seat, looked out the window, played with books and toys, napped, and made a mess eating lots of snacks. I stopped ever couple, three hours to get him out of the car seat and get moving around. I know a mh is different just watch the amount of time sitting in a car seat at one time.