Are you going on a family vacation and wondering how to make the drive go smoothly with your toddlers? Your road trip with toddlers doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With proper planning, you can make a fun adventure out of it. Some of these tricks we learned on our family road trip to Oklahoma. I also asked a Facebook group of moms to share their best tips for road tripping with toddlers. Here is what they said.

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8 Best Road Trip with Toddler Hacks

1. Leave Early Before the Sun Comes Up

This was by far the most popular tip that was shared amongst moms on Facebook. While the kids are still asleep (around 4 or 5 am) pack them in the car and start your drive. They might wake up wondering what is going on but will fall back asleep. This will give you a few hours of quiet time before they wake up full of energy.

2. Pack Snacks – Lots of Snacks

Having multiple snacks is a must on your road trip. Have the go-to snacks that you usually have at home as well as some new snacks they have never tried. Try not to overdo it with beverages, otherwise, you will need to make multiple stops at restrooms.

3. Buy New Toys from Target’s Dollar Section

Put together bags of toys from Target’s Dollar section for your road trip with toddlers. Map out your road trip and open bags at different checkpoints. This will keep your toddlers entertained and excited to open the next bag.

4. Bring Window Clings

Window clings are a big hit on a road trip with toddlers. I don’t know about you, but we do not use window clings in our house unless it is for the holidays. They will have a great time decorating the windows and moving the clings around.

5. Use Magnets on a Cookie Sheet

I had never thought of this idea, but this was mentioned a couple of times in the Facebook group. I know that my toddlers love magnets, so I will try this trick on our next road trip.

6. Take Out the Tablet

A road trip with toddlers is a time when it’s a-okay to take out the tablet. Make sure to download tv shows ahead of time on Netflix. We usually download our kids’ favorite shows as well as a couple of new shows. I also suggest hanging the tablet on the back of the seat. Even with the lock button on, my daughter still found a way to get out of the tv show, making us have to start it up again.

7. Make Stops at Parks Along the Way

Your toddlers will build up a lot of energy while sitting in the car for hours. I suggest stopping at parks along the way so they can let out some of that energy. Lunchtime is a great time to stop at a park. Enjoy a picnic together and let the kids play for a bit. After the stop, they can open one of their new bags of toys again.

8. Play The Quiet Game

I thought this response was pretty funny. If the kids are fighting, play the quiet game. Whoever talks first loses. Hopefully, this gives you some peace for just a minute before they start fighting again and demanding snacks.

I hope you enjoyed these hacks for road tripping with toddlers. If you’re looking for ideas on where to go for your next road trip, check out these great U.S. vacation destinations. Here is a list of some great things to do while you travel. Your kids are only young once, so enjoy the small things. Remember that you are creating memories that will last a lifetime.