Are you struggling to keep your toddler entertained and happy while on the road? If so, you aren’t alone!
Travelling with a toddler in the car can be a trying experience, with the constant nagging, shouting and upset child. You had thought you were prepared for the journey but it quickly became apparent that you had miscalculated. The child was restless, bored and hard to keep happy, despite your best efforts to keep them entertained.
It is important to remember that it is normal for toddlers to get upset and frustrated when travelling, but there are ways to make the journey a pleasant experience for everyone.
Discover Essential Car Trip Accessories
The good news is that the correct car seat accessories can make a huge difference to the whole experience.
With the right car seat accessories, you can make car trips with your toddler much more enjoyable. From magnetic board playsets, audio books to comfortable neck pillows, there are a wide variety of car seat accessories that can help to keep your little one occupied and comfortable while on the road.
We have created a comprehensive list of the best car trip accessories for toddlers, divided into three categories: Entertainment, Organization and Comfort. This is designed to help you make an informed decision about what you need to buy to make your toddler’s journey more enjoyable.
We’ll begin by exploring car accessories for entertainment. Here are 7 items that can make a journey with a toddler more enjoyable.
7 car accessories to keep toddlers entertained on road trips:
1. Timio
Timio is a great way to keep your toddler entertained while you’re driving. It’s an interactive toy that plays music and sounds when it’s touched or moved. TIMIO is the perfect way to engage your child in fun, interactive, and educational playtime, without the worry of screens.
Combining audio and music, TIMIO stimulates learning and imagination in children, ages 2 and above. With no screen involved, TIMIO is both safe and entertaining for your little one.
Each disc pack includes content appropriate for multiple ages, subjects, and languages. As your child grows, TIMIO grows with them. TIMIO is the perfect way to provide your child with quality playtime and educational content.
2. Busy bag
Create a bag with fun activities for your toddler! Fill it with items such as stickers, crayons, water books, and even snacks for them to enjoy during their travels. A busy bag or activity bag, tailored to your toddler’s interests, is the perfect way to keep them entertained on the trip.
The busy bag is usually an instant hit with the toddlers. They love the variety of activities and snacks that they can find in the bag. It keeps them occupied and happy during the car rides for some time.
3. Magnetic board playset
A Magnetic Board Playset is a great way to keep your toddler entertained! Featuring a board with vibrant magnets that stick like a puzzle, your little one can move the pieces around and create shapes or pictures. It encourages creative expression and imagination, especially useful for car trips – no more lost pieces and your child can keep playing even on the move. Just watch out if your child is prone to car sickness – looking down and playing with this toy may not be ideal.
4. Travel tray
A travel tray is the perfect way to keep your little one occupied while you’re driving. It attaches to the back of the car seat and has plenty of space and pockets to store toys, snacks, and books. Many travel trays also come with a detachable play surface, so your toddler can enjoy puzzles, drawing, or coloring books during the ride.
5. Universal tablet headrest
We all know that a cartoon can be a great tool for keeping your toddler entertained during long trips. A universal tablet headrest is a great accessory that attaches to the back of the car seat and has a secure mount for your tablet. This makes it easy to watch movies, TV shows, and listen to music while you’re on the go and your toddler wants to be entertained.
6. MP3 player
An MP3 player with headphones is an ideal way to keep your toddler entertained while travelling. Load up a range of tracks and stories that your child will love. This way, your toddler can listen to their favorite music without disrupting anyone else in the car. Moreover, if your toddler is prone to motion sickness, an mp3 player is a great way for them to focus on the road, instead of looking down.
Having the seven car accessories we discussed above that help with entertaining toddlers on road trips is great, but to make the journey even smoother, it is beneficial to keep your car organised with these 5 car accessories that we’ll be discussing now below.
5 car accessories to keep car organised for a trip with your toddler:
- Disposable urinal
- Car rubbish bag
- Travel snack pouches / Zip lock bags
- Cup snack holder
- Kick mats or back seat protectors
1. Disposable urinal
Nothing is worse than a crying toddler in the backseat who has to go to the bathroom but can’t. Having a disposable urinal or a travel potty in the car can be a lifesaver for both you and your toddler in these situations. Disposable urinals are easy to store in the car and can be thrown away or recycled when finished. They’re also great for keeping the car clean and odour-free for the remainder of the trip.
2. Car rubbish bag
This is an essential accessory for any car trip with a toddler. Kids can get pretty messy, so having a proper rubbish bag to store all the wrappers, used wipes, and other waste can help keep the car tidy and organised. This will also save you from having to make any extra stops to throw things away.
3. Travel snack pouches / Zip lock bags
These are great for keeping snacks and other small items organised and easy to access. They’re also great for containing any mess and containing any crumbs that may accumulate during the trip. Zip lock bags are ideal for separating your toddler’s favourite snacks.
4. Cup snack holder
A cup snack holder is a great way to keep drinks and snacks organised and within reach for your toddler. It attaches easily to the side of the car seat so your toddler can easily reach for snacks or drinks without causing a mess.
5. Kick mats or back seat protectors
These are great for protecting the backs of your car seats from dirty feet, spilled drinks, and other messes that toddlers are great at making. These mats provide a protective layer that’s easy to clean and maintain.
Let’s now consider our final category of car accessories for a comfortable road trip with your toddler – comfort. We have already looked into entertainment and organisation for the car, and now we can focus on items that will help your toddler feel relaxed and comfortable on the journey.
3 car accessories to keep toddler comfortable during a car trip:
1. Neck pillow
Neck pillows are ideal for keeping your toddler cozy and supported on a car journey. They provide a comfortable cushion for their head and neck, plus can be used to block out the sun’s rays. With a wide range of colors and designs, you can find a neck pillow that corresponds to your toddler’s style, making them even more likely to wear it.
2. Car window sunshades
Sunshades for car windows are an excellent way to protect your toddler from the sun’s rays. They help keep the car’s interior cooler and minimise glare from the sun. With a range of sizes, shapes, and colours, there is a sunshade to fit any car interior. No one enjoys the feeling of being directly hit by the sun. Protect your toddler from sun stroke by investing in a car window sunshade.
3. Car strap covers
Car strap covers are a great way to make sure that your toddler’s car seat straps don’t rub or chafe against their skin. They come in a variety of colors and styles to match your car’s interior, with some being large enough to double as a pillow, and are easy to install. They help to keep your toddler comfortable and can also help to reduce the risk of skin irritation caused by the seat straps.
Make road trips with toddlers enjoyable for all
With the right car accessories, you can make the experience of a car trip with a toddler much more enjoyable for both you and your little one. It’s also important to set expectations before getting into the car, so that the child is aware of the rules, and what behaviour is and isn’t acceptable. This can help to curb any outbursts and help to keep the journey as pleasant as possible.
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You may also like to read our posts about how to save money for travelling and our well-picked 6 best toddler travel beds.
