These ideas and activities may help keep them amused and entertained when they get restless.

Babies

• Usually babies lives revolve around food, nappy changes, sleeping & crying, when you are travelling you will need to be ready to cope with all these things to keep them comfortable.
• Take some familiar things like a blanket or soft toys, pacifiers, also pack a few toys that will distract them when crying. If the crying is persistent it’s time for a break, baby may need a feed, a change  of the nappy and check for rashes, also lay them down flat for a short time to let them stretch or give them a big cuddle and hopefully baby will settle and have a sleep.
• Older babies maybe amused with games like Peek-a-boo, singing. or a noisy toy, play some music and have a few different new toys for variety.

Toddlers

• Buy some inexpensive toys from bargain stores, games and other activity items and wrap them like gifts. When you stop for fuel, rest or meals, let each of them open a gift. It works well, especially when stopped at places where they don’t want to leave. They don’t get their gift until they got back in the car.
• Cheap stickers are good, they come in many types they are great for kids to make pictures and stories in a scribble pad. I have seen kids having fun with band aids especially the character ones like the ‘Wiggles’ , the band aids take a while to unwrap and then they stick them on themselves, sure worth a try.
• Let your kids do a picture diary for a trip, they get to write and draw things they see that are interesting and also take photos when stopped for a break. Keep them interested in doing it each day, it will have them constantly looking for ideas to add to their diary.
• To keep their belongings together tie a backpack to the back of front seat or use a backseat organiser, everything will be easy to reach and not spread all over the floor.
• Use ziplock bags to keep snacks in for each day and person, also use ziplock bags to wrap toys up in and play pass the parcel.

Have you found any other ways to keep babies & toddlers amused while travelling?

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Taking your baby or toddler travelling long distance or camping is most likely going to be a challenge. Most parents will wait until baby is at least 2 months old especially if it is the first baby. If you have older children you maybe more comfortable taking a younger baby sooner.

Young babies sleep quite often so they will hopefully sleep through a lot of the travelling time. The motion and humming of the car puts them to sleep usually fairly quickly.

Travelling with a baby that is about 6 to 12 months old can be a little awkward at times as they are more alert and are moving about. Usually they get frustrated if they are restricted so they need a safe area to play in, they will also enjoy walks in pram or stroller as they love seeing new surroundings.

When you have a baby or toddler it may be easier for you to take short breaks and stay in one place and keep your routine as best you can. Instead of going away for weeks and moving several times.

Travelling and camping with several children of varying ages eg, a baby, toddler and preschooler. Sure is a challenge but very possible, you need to prepare and accept that you will be taking breaks often when you are travelling and constantly attending to their needs.

Young children have very short attention spans so be ready with activities for them, take their favourite toys, books and put them in a backpack or carry bag for each child. A backpack can be strapped to the back of the front seat so toys, books are easily accessible.  Your children will be also be easily amused with  fun things like animals, music, playgrounds and interacting with other kids.

Young kids love collecting things like shells on the beach, collecting firewood, swimming, helping with cooking and if they are old enough they will enjoy taking photos or having a photo of themselves doing something special.

I found when we went camping and travelling with our kids when they were young they loved camping and the travelling experience, as teenagers now they still love it.

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