Just the two of us, windows down, tunes blaring, wind in our hair, sipping an ice cold…
*head shake*
Just the two of us, windows up and AC on, portable DVD player and headphones in the back seat – silence in the front seat, hair in a ponytail, sipping NOTHING (who needs all the stops). Yup. Will and I are hitting the road. A ten day road trip across New York state. It goes something like this…
Toronto to Rochester to New York City to Long Island to New York City to Long Island to Rochester to Toronto. Got it?
Perhaps all the years of killing my brain cells is catching up with me because I’m super excited! The first time we drove to Rochester, the headphones were in the front seat, on my ears. Will screamed in the car. Like all the time. For hours. That trip to Rochester? The headphones were fab in blocking the crying out … unfortunately they also blocked out the barfing that came along with it.
Now, the kid is pretty content in the back seat. He fires questions at me, I pretend that I know the answers to them and we happily drive along. But the Rochester to New York City leg – well that’s about six hours. Doesn’t sound that long, but it sort of is.
My question to you is this! Tips! Give me some tips on road tripping with a pre-schooler! Movies, snacks, headphones – anything I’m missing??
Sidenote – if any of you know how I can find a talking lion, snake, giraffe and koala bear that live in New York – that would be FAB – since Will thinks the guys from The Wild actually live there. No wonder he’s so pumped up! He also asked if there is a toy store in New York. Oh my boy, prepare to have your mind blown.
Hey Jen!
I actually bought a Princess basket at an auction a few weeks ago – filled with toys and books etc and hid it. So I’ve got a ton of surprise goodies for the road!
We’ve driven down to South Carolina (15 hours!!!) every year since our first was born. There have been (many) moments when I’ve wanted to flail myself out of a van doing 60 MPH downa West Virginia highway, but even more moments that have become great memories. If you’ve got time, head to the dollar store to pack a “mystery bag” with some treats you can pull out at various points (toy animals, cars, etc?).
Also key is to have a ball packed somewhere easily accesible. Whenever we stopped at all…food, gas, bathroom break, we’d find somewhere to kick or throw the ball around for five minutes. American highways seem to have great rest stops for this kind of thing.
Have a blast!
oh yes. We only have two must do’s – Central Park Zoo (holy Wild and Madagascar) and FAO Shwartz (sp?). Can’t wait!!
You are the BRAVEST!! Have a blast, lady – I’m sure this will be a ream memory-maker for you and Will… HAVE FUN!!
Go to the zoo in Central Park.
Make sure you have extra clothes – not packed in the back. Lots of games, movies, snacks, crayons and paper – I let my kiddies “draw” what they see out the window. As for you lots of sleep the night before so you have the energy to answer all the questions that seem to never stop lol. Have fun!
Chantel
The longest we’ve driven is 3 hours with 3 kids to the cottage and each picks something to count along the way…we usually choose things like motorcycles, Canada Flags and big transports…take his leap pad. We play eye spy…and a game that we made up of animals (I am grey,I have a long nose…what am I?) Or the first thing I want to do when I get out of the car, or get to our destination…I am assuming he might sleep at some point? Maybe start your drive 2 hours before you think he might have his longest nap and then when he wakes up you can stop for a pee or a bite to eat. We rarely use our DVD player in the car…yah there is fighting but we eventually start telling stories…and we each take turns or add to eachother stories…good luck! you’ll have fun…tuck a plastic bag and a box of wipes inside of your car incase you get some car sickness!! My boys can’t watch movies or play video games or read in the car Have fun!!! Can’t wait to hear all about it!