The equivalent, for your device, of Chimp Smart's Baby Music & Animals -- it's a way to turn the device into a funny musical instrument.

https://appadvice.com/app/baby-music-animals-marimba-vibraphone/884767116

Anonymous wrote:I think I got this idea here: bring a sheet pan. It's magnetic so good for letters/numbers, or magnetic stickers, or just turn it over and it's a good thing to use for coloring. Also bring LOTS of snacks. Do you have a snack trap? Could put cheerios on it, have them string it into a necklace and then eat it. Buy the fruity cheerios if they don't usually get those.

For that purpose: I'd bring a magnet to the store, make sure the the magnet sticks to the pan, then buy a new magnet-verified pan.

I just did this for a flight and it worked really well. My kid is 3.5YO and loves these "blind bag" things, but they're $5 a piece and usually aren't whatever character or whatnot he was hoping for. So I went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of little figures and toys in the characters I know he likes and wrapped them individually in paper bags. He got one every half hour.

We also listen to a lot of Kidz Bop in the car. Haven't done any audio books but we should try that.

Apps he likes are Nick Jr, Netflix, PBS Kids (there's also a PBS Kids Games app), Toca Dance, Disney Now, Lego Micros, Lego Juniors, Duplo Trains. We also have the WaterWow books, magic pen books, MagnaDoodle.

OP here - thank you for all of your suggestions!

Get a head rest holder for the iPad and download shows or a movie. I'd try other things first, games etc. And then if he's just getting agitated or gonna lose it, offer a show on the iPad. We made it most of the way on our four hour drive before pulling out the screen. She watched two 20 minute shows and we were there.

And a trip last summer we made it the entire way down without the iPad, and then used it for a good chunk of the way home.

I think I got this idea here: bring a sheet pan. It's magnetic so good for letters/numbers, or magnetic stickers, or just turn it over and it's a good thing to use for coloring. Also bring LOTS of snacks. Do you have a snack trap? Could put cheerios on it, have them string it into a necklace and then eat it. Buy the fruity cheerios if they don't usually get those.

Podcasts - Wow in the World, Circle Round, Brains On

Toys - Magnadoodle or Boogie Board kind of drawing toy

Anonymous wrote:The recommendations I've gotten from Common Sense Media have generally been good:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-apps-for-toddlers

One in particular we've liked:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/endless-alphabet

It's pricey for an app but will hold up for years - at least until age 6-7.

Both my kids loved endless alphabet and its sibling endless reader!

Also try the apps by Toca -- Toca Tailor, doctor, store.

You do not need to go the ipad route - there are other options.

Have you tried music or audio books?

pulll out a cookie sheet and do magnets or other games?

Anonymous wrote:Homer app, Nick Jr

Not an app - have you tried Melissa and Doug Water WOW books?

Yes, he loves those on planes. Will have those along with other little things that work on planes. Something about the car really ticks him off though.

The recommendations I've gotten from Common Sense Media have generally been good:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-apps-for-toddlers

One in particular we've liked:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/endless-alphabet

It's pricey for an app but will hold up for years - at least until age 6-7.

At that age, I'd just download a bunch of shows that my kid likes to watch on Netflix to the ipad and let they watch TV with headphones on. That will keep their attention better than games, or at least give them an alternative to games.

That said, my kids really like the Lego Duplo games. They are all free and pretty easy for a 3 year old to figure out and play by themselves.

At that age Dr Panda games were a hit with my kids and Monkey Preschool and LEGO Duplo too. Nick Jr, PBS Jr, Disney are good but require internet connection. Might also be worth buying an episode or two of a favorite show to download; at that age they still like watching a favorite over and over.

My 4 and 8 year old don’t want to spend their whole car ride on a tablet. They like to have books, magazines, action figures, and listening to music. They also like checking out the scenery out the window (when there is stuff to point out).

Homer app, Nick Jr

Not an app - have you tried Melissa and Doug Water WOW books?

Our 3 1/2 year old is really not used to long car rides, given that the ride to his day care is about 5 minutes. Whenever we're in the car longer than 15-30 minutes, it turns ugly. Some screaming, some screeching, some whining, just generally talking ALL the time about things I cannot fix, asking for me (even though I'm RIGHT THERE). Some of this is being three years old. But I am dreading an upcoming drive to the beach. I haven't let my kids watch the iPad in the car (no judgement for others, I just haven't done it in the past), so obviously I will be allowing this for this trip. Any specific Apps for this age that will hold his attention? Other ideas welcome too. I have books on tape (sometimes this works, but they are over quickly if they are books that are understandable for his age). I have a couple of podcasts -- He likes "Story Pirates" - if you have other Podcast ideas, I'm all ears.

thank you!