Now that our daughter has passed the two year mark, things have gotten much easier. Sure, she still tests us every chance she gets to see just how far she can stretch her limits, but that’s typical toddler behavior. She eats better and is more willing to try new things, and she absorbs language and other skills like a sponge.

One thing that hasn’t gotten easier, however, is traveling with her. She doesn’t like to sit still for very long, so leaving the house is a challenge. She’ll willingly get into the car seat when we leave the house, but getting her in and out multiple times (such as when we’re running errands) can be difficult.

Here are some of the ways we’ve found to keep her happy while we’re traveling.

• Keep snacks handy. There’s nothing worse than a cranky, hungry toddler. We travel with finger foods. Snacks that are portable and easy to eat in the car, such as baggies or snack cups half filled with Cheerios or other snacks.

• Keep them hydrated. A sippy cup of juice or milk helps to keep her hydrated and happy for car rides.

• Keep them entertained. We keep a few toys around that are only played with in the car, and rotate them. This way, she always has something somewhat “new” to play with while she’s in the car seat.

• Keep it short. If you can, try to limit the amount of time they’re in the car. For longer trips, take breaks every hour or two to stretch out. We like to park the car at a park or other large, grassy area so our daughter can wander and play safely for a little while before getting back in the car.

• Keep them shaded. Use sunscreen, even when the sun isn’t out, to prevent sunburn. In addition, use a window shade or other screen on the window to keep the sunshine from being so bright and hot. We tuck a receiving blanket up into the window crack to form a curtain that blocks out most of the harsh sunlight.

• Expect the unexpected (and try to plan for it). The last time we traveled, our toddler caught a cold, which drastically changed our plans. While you can’t plan for everything, sick kids are a common reality. Be sure to pack the children’s medicines and any loveys or other items he or she finds comforting.

Thirteen Ways to Make Car Trips Less Painful

Driving with your baby in the car can be a trial sometimes. Even if your baby seems to love car rides, there may come a day when there’s incessant crying or screaming.
Here are some tips to make the trips a little less bumpy.

1. Make sure your baby isn’t hungry or thirsty before going for a drive.

2. If you can’t avoid having a hungry or thirsty baby, be prepared to pull over to feed the baby, or have nourishment ready as soon as you reach your destination.

3. Equip the car seat with toys (safely attached according to the manufacturer’s directions). Change the toys frequently if you can.

4. Talk to your baby. Tell him about your day, where you’re going, or where you’ve been.

5. Sing lots of songs. Whether it’s songs you make up as you go along, children’s songs, or your favorite tunes, just sing. Don’t worry if you have a horrible voice. Your baby loves it just the same.

6. Play the radio or a CD (not too loudly). You may want to play the same CD every time, and only play it in your car, so your baby starts to look forward to riding in the car.

7. Whenever possible, have a passenger sit in the backseat with the baby.

8. Dress your baby properly for the car’s temperature. Sure, it may be freezing outside, but a snowsuit may get to warm in a long car trip. At least turn down the heat.

9. Make sure the straps are adjusted correctly. Straps that are too tight can be very uncomfortable. But follow the instructions or get the seat checked out. You don’t want to make them too loose either.

10. Touch your baby when you can. At stoplights, in parking lots, or wherever you have a chance. Touch is a powerful soothing device.

11. Keep your errands short, if possible. Taking your baby out of the car seat to go on errand adventures helps break up the monotony.

12. Put a clean diaper on the baby before you get in the car.

13. Use a sun shield on the back and side windows. Sun in the eyes can make for an unhappy baby.

What tips do you have for pleasant car trips?