Tips for traveling with a hyperactive toddler in the car

Each time we go traveling by car, I’d end up even more tired from the short holiday than before the trip because traveling with a hyperactive toddler in the car is darn tiring. And I usually don’t even drive as my designated driver (heheheh…my hubby lor…) preferred to be behind the wheels most of the time.

So, I am left with handling the hyperactive li’l monster toddler in the backseat. Yeah, my hubby is really like a driver with us sitting behind and him in front. All he needs is a driver’s uniform…lol…

Anyway, it is not easy to travel with a hyperactive toddler who gets bored easily while being strapped into his baby car seat at the back. For long or short journeys, my son is always strapped into the baby car seat for safety.

How do you keep a toddler occupied in a car journey which may take from two hours to five hours or even longer? Well, here are some of my own tips which I find quite useful…

Tips for traveling with a toddler in a car:

How to keep the hyperactive child occupied

1. Bring some of his favourite toys that demands creative play such as a drawing board, play dough, wooden blocks. These may keep him occupied for at least an hour. Just remember to play along with him otherwise he gets bored easily.

2. If you’d forgotten to pack some toys, use other items you can easily find along the way such as pieces of paper and brochures. Use the paper to fold it into various shapes (knowledge in origami will be an added plus!) and teach your toddler to fold the shapes that you’ve folded (extreme patience also an added plus!). As for the brochures, use it like a book. Point out interesting shapes, colours and pictures and tell your toddler your own ‘story’ about it (creativity needed here!).

3. If you have an ultra clean car with not even a tiny scrap of paper, take out your discount cards. Show you toddler how to play snap with it by getting him to hold one in his palm and you holding one in your palm and then tell him to ‘high five’ your palm with his. Whichever card falls face up wins! Of course, you must add some excitement to this game with loads of compliments in the way he is able to control his palm while holding the card.

4. No discount cards? Never mind. Use your hands! I remember how I used to play ‘thumb wrestling’ for hours as a kid and my toddler loves this game too. Although he could not quite control his thumb all that well, he still find loads of enjoyment in it.

5. Sing-along and rhymes. Yes, I know. As mind-numbingly horrifying it sounds, you will need to sing nursery rhymes for hours to keep the child occupied. Even if you have a tape, you will still need to sing along with the tape being played over and over and over for at least an hour or *gasp* longer!

6. Scenery watch – after the first two hours of toys and games and singing, he’d be bored again so the next thing to do is to point out the window and loudly exclaim ‘Oh wow! Look at that car / tractor / lorry / truck / bus’. Then describe to him the colour, the make, how many wheels it has, the purpose of the vehicle and how many people are in it. My son is very inquisitive and usually wants to know the full details! Also, if you are passing country / kampung roads, do point out any animals you see along the way such as cows, dogs, cats, birds, goats, sheep, monkeys, etc.

7.Stand up comedy – yes, you will have to put on a show for your child in the goofiest, funniest way possible for your child. If your child love funny faces, be prepared to put on dozens of funny faces.

8. Tickle time and blowing raspberries – my son simply love it when I start the ‘tickle game’ which ultimately end with me blowing raspberries on his stomach, neck, hands, legs, etc.

9. The rubber band trick – they find it fascinating that we could manipulate a simple rubber band and form patterns with it. You can even let your child try it out but be careful that he does not snap the rubber and hurt himself.

And finally, the one last trick that every parent will love!

10. Nap time! Most young children finds it easier to doze off when traveling in a car, possibly due to the motion. So, after keeping your child occupied and busy for the first half of the journey, remember to keep him well-fed, well-hydrated and then give him some quiet time and he will definitely doze off, hopefully for the rest of the journey!

So, there you are. My very own ten tips on traveling with a hyperactive toddler in the car and how to keep him occupied. Happy traveling.