Best toys/games for long car trip with 4 year old

[Anonymous]

My 4.5 year old and her 7 year old cousin both like these more "grown up" Melissa and Doug sticker books. Lots of tiny pieces you can make scenes with.

https://smile.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Dress-Up-Double-Sided-Background/dp/B00KDHTI58/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2DWLYGS8KE345&dchild=1&keywords=melissa+and+doug+sticker+book&qid=1594054861&sprefix=melissa+and+doug%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-3

[Anonymous]

Boogie board! They’re like those magnetic doodle boards but way better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We make our own "blind bags" - I basically get them little dollar store toys and wrap them up in paper bags and they get one per hour. It also helps that they can do a countdown by counting how many bags they've received and how many are left to see how much longer "are we there yet?".

I agree with this. Space out new (and toys from home). Otherwise the kid will likely look at them all really quickly then be bored later

[Anonymous]

I just did 18 with a 4/2/7month old! Honestly tablets and try to drive during nap times. My 4 year old is the pro and never complains.

Those invisible ink things are good, but a tablet buys you the length of a movie or two without whining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just did 18 with a 4/2/7month old! Honestly tablets and try to drive during nap times. My 4 year old is the pro and never complains.

Those invisible ink things are good, but a tablet buys you the length of a movie or two without whining.

My recommendation is that if you have not introduced tech, try to hold off. Best decision ever for us, as they didn’t constantly whine for movies etc.
-mom who regularly drove 12+ hours with toddlers as the solo adult

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just did 18 with a 4/2/7month old! Honestly tablets and try to drive during nap times. My 4 year old is the pro and never complains.

Those invisible ink things are good, but a tablet buys you the length of a movie or two without whining.

My recommendation is that if you have not introduced tech, try to hold off. Best decision ever for us, as they didn’t constantly whine for movies etc.
-mom who regularly drove 12+ hours with toddlers as the solo adult

My kids don't whine for the tablet, they just get bored and whine to get out of the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just did 18 with a 4/2/7month old! Honestly tablets and try to drive during nap times. My 4 year old is the pro and never complains.

Those invisible ink things are good, but a tablet buys you the length of a movie or two without whining.

My recommendation is that if you have not introduced tech, try to hold off. Best decision ever for us, as they didn’t constantly whine for movies etc.
-mom who regularly drove 12+ hours with toddlers as the solo adult

+1

[Anonymous]

I have fond memories of collecting things over the spring for a bag that my daughter got once we were on the highway on the way to the beach. There was always a new Beanie Baby and a new coloring book, a new box of crayons, and fidget toys like a Rubik’s Cube. For the markers, you can try attaching a string with tape to the caps and the markers. The string has to be long enough to allow the marker to be used, and they may tangle with the others, but might work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just did 18 with a 4/2/7month old! Honestly tablets and try to drive during nap times. My 4 year old is the pro and never complains.

Those invisible ink things are good, but a tablet buys you the length of a movie or two without whining.

My recommendation is that if you have not introduced tech, try to hold off. Best decision ever for us, as they didn’t constantly whine for movies etc.
-mom who regularly drove 12+ hours with toddlers as the solo adult

My kids don't whine for the tablet, they just get bored and whine to get out of the car.

That could certainly happen. I did not have that experience with my kids. I have been on shorter trips with other families whose kids could not go an hour without screaming for a movie or a tablet. Even my kids were annoyed with them — especially the kids in ES.