This site contains affiliate links, view the disclaimer page for more information.

Taking a road trip with little kids sounds like an adventure- until you realize 6 hours in a car with a 2 year old and a 4 year old can feel like 20. We’ve done it, and while it wasn’t all smooth sailing, we found some solid tricks that made the ride fun!

If you’re planning a long drive with young kids, here’s what worked for us, what we’d do differently, and some must-have travel items that made a huge difference.

PIN IT

Packing the Essentials

There’s a fine line between being well-prepared and overpacking the entire house. I try to strike a balance- bringing what we actually need without drowning in stuff. Here’s what made the cut:

Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks

Kids get hungry. And then they get cranky. Having a variety of easy, mess-free snacks saved us from hangry meltdowns.

• Favorite go-tos:
  • String cheese
  • Granola bars
  • Cut-up fruit in a spill-proof container
  • Pretzels
  • Applesauce pouches (I use these reusable silicone pouches for homemade options- healthier, you know whats in it, and cost friendly!)
  • PB&J (or cheese for less mess) sandwiches

I packed their bento boxes and used them as plates for their snacks, making it easy to serve and clean up. Each of them had their own, keeping everything organized and mess-free (well, as mess free as it can be with toddlers eating in the car).

Drinks, But With Limits

Hydration is key, but frequent potty stops are not. We gave the kids water bottles with just enough water to keep them happy without needing a bathroom break every 20 minutes.

• Our favorite leak-proof water bottles: Yeti Ramber Jr. 12 oz Kids, they come in all different colors and we let our kids pick out the color they wanted.
• Mom tip: Have an empty travel potty or know the next rest stop. Our 2 year old is still in diapers so making sure you have a set up in the car to change a diaper when you stop.

Entertainment: Keeping Them Busy Without an iPad (Until You Need It)

We saved screen time as the last resort. The goal was to make it as far as possible before pressing play on a movie. Here’s what worked before we got to that point:

Activity Books & Water Coloring Books

Mess-free and engaging, these were lifesavers. The Melissa & Doug Water Wow books kept my 2 year old busy far longer than I expected. The 4 year old loves sticker books and reusable activity pads. Both of our boys love these writing tablets as well- they can be creative without the mess!

New Small Toys

A trick I swear by- grab a few small, inexpensive new toys (or ones they haven’t seen in a while) and surprise them throughout the trip.

• Ideas:
  • Mini figurines – our toddler loves these and makes the animal sounds with every one!
  • Magnetic drawing boards and/or magnetic puzzles
  • Pop fidget toys – we went to the Shedd recently (check out post here for tips and trips to visiting the Shedd Aquarium with kids!) and these were perfect for the theme of the road trip!
  • Hot wheels cars (because goodness gracious we know boys have about 1000 of these around the house)

Books (With a Twist)

I packed a few favorites but also introduced a new look-and-find book and a lift-the-flap book. These books require interaction and I found held their attention longer.

• Our favorites: Paw Patrol Look & Find book, Backyard Bug Activity Book, Lift the Flap Truck Book, any of the Spot books.

Car Games That Actually Work

• “I Spy” – My 4 year old loves spotting different things outside the window, from red cars to airplanes in the sky, to green tanks. Meanwhile, my 2 year old is all about trucks and buses. To keep them both engaged, I’d say, “Who can find a blue truck first?” or “Let’s count how many buses we see in the next five minutes!” It turned into a fun little competition and kept their eyes on the road instead of each other’s toys.
• “Would You Rather?” – “Would you rather be as big as a house or as tiny as an ant?” This one sparked hilarious conversations with our 4 year old.
• Color Hunt – Pick a color, and everyone has to find as many things in the car (or outside in a 1 minute period) that match. This one didn’t last as long but if you have slightly older kids it would probably be a great one!

PIN IT

Breaks: Timing Them Right

Stopping too often drags out the trip. Not stopping at all? A disaster waiting to happen. We aimed for one good stop every two hours- not just gas stations, but places where the kids could actually run a little bit.

What Worked Best

• Parks or rest areas with playgrounds – A quick run-around made getting back in the car easier.
• Fast-food play areas – Not always my favorite, but sometimes necessary.
• Letting them “race” at a stop – My 4 year old loved when I challenged him to “run to that tree and back before I count to 10.”

Mom Tips That Worked

The “Surprise Bag” Trick

Before we left, I packed a small bag with tiny surprises – stickers, a new Hot Wheels car, mini figurine, or even a special snack they don’t get often. When restlessness hit, I’d pull something out. Instant distraction and instant happy. I love this bag from Amazon, it is very versatile and I use it all the time.

Letting Them “Pack” Their Own Bag

I gave each kid a small backpack and let them pick two favorite hot wheels and a couple of books or toys. Giving them control over their own things helped avoid “I want THAT toy” battles later (even though that did happen a few times).

Keeping the Trash Under Control

Between snack wrappers and napkins, the mess adds up fast. A small trash container (or even just a plastic grocery bag tied to the seat) kept things from getting out of control.

When All Else Fails: The iPad Comes Out

We held off as long as possible, but for the last leg of the trip, we caved. And it was totally worth it.

• Downloaded a favorite movie – No need to rely on WiFi.
• Headphones = Sanity Saver – Our kids are too little to keep these on, but when they get older we will be using!
• Educational Apps – If I felt guilty about screen time, I had a couple of interactive learning games ready for our 4 year old.

Extra Tips for Smooth Travel

Dress for Comfort and Convenience

• Dress the kids in layers – Car temperatures fluctuate
• Slip-on shoes – Makes quick stops much easier
• Comfy clothes – Just because

Have a Backseat Organizer

Keeping everything within reach saved us a lot of “Mom, where’s my…” moments. A backseat organizer (we love this one!) with pockets for toys, snacks, and water bottles made the ride smoother.

Be Flexible

Some things will go as planned. Some won’t. Roll with it, and don’t stress over the occasional meltdown. They’re little, and long car rides (and sitting on your butt for a while) are hard!

What I’d Do Differently Next Time

Every road trip teaches me something new. Next time, I’d:

• Bring a lap tray – Balancing coloring books on their knees didn’t work well.
• Pack even more snacks – I underestimated their snack needs.
• Start earlier (or later depending on nap window) -They napped for a short time, but an earlier start might’ve given us a longer car nap window.

A six-hour car ride with a toddler and a preschooler isn’t relaxing, but with the right prep, it doesn’t have to be chaos either. Snacks, activities, strategic breaks, and a well-timed iPad save made all the difference.

Would I do it again? Yes- just with a few tweaks. If you’re planning a long drive with young kids, what’s your best survival tip? Drop it in the comments!

Happy road tripping!

With love,

Bri & Cat

Affiliate Disclaimer:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products that we believe will add value to our readers.