5 Ways To Amuse Your Baby On Car Journeys

Being strapped into a car seat for hours on end isn’t fun for anyone – including your baby.

But luckily all it takes is a few tricks up your sleeves (or should we say board books in your changing bag) to keep your baby's tears at bay – and your attention on the road.

Prep a car survival kit with these boredom-busting solutions...

1. Make A Seating Plan
Travelling with your partner or another adult is ideal if you’ve got a long way to go.

“Depending on how long the car journey, I'd always suggest having one adult in the back to be on hand to pick up discarded toys and interact with your baby,” says leading parenting expert Fi Star-Stone.

But obviously you can't always have someone else in the car. If you're travelling alone, arm your baby with some of his favourite toys and keep talking to him as you drive.

Or play a CD and sing along to it. He won’t care that you’re no Beyoncé – he just wants to hear your voice. 

2. Pack Books
Books are the perfect car journey companion for babies – especially thicker board-style books, touch and feel books or lift-the-flap books, if he’s able to manage them.

“I always keep a few favourites in the car,” says Fi. “Even on short journeys, it's good to have some books in the car, as you never know when you might wind up in a traffic jam.”

Alternatively, play some CD stories for your baby to listen to.

3. Put Together A Sensory Play Bag
As well as being brilliant for development, sensory play is bound to keep your tot happy for a while.

“Fill a bag with wonderful bright fabrics that have different textures or crinkle and make sounds. Throw in some music shakers, lovely, big and chewable toys (especially great for teething tots) and a baby safe mirror,” says Fi.

A small activity centre is also great for long journeys.

“There are lots of in-car ones that attach to the back seat so that if your baby sits in a rear-facing car seat then he has something fun to focus on and interact with,” says Fi.

4. Allow A Sleep
When possible, travel during your baby’s naptime.

“Pack his favourite toy or comforter to calm and comfort him,” says Fi. “Time it well and you'll not need to entertain your little one at all as he’ll be in the land of nod for the journey.”

5. Take Regular Breaks
Just like us adults, babies don’t like to be in one position for long – so take regular breaks if you have a long journey ahead.

“A stop each hour is ideal to let your baby have some time out of his car seat, and have a cuddle or a feed,” says Fi.

Try to time your stops so you arrive at the service station when he needs his next feed and the journey will go much more smoothly.

[10 Tried And Tested Sleep Tricks Mums Use At Bedtime]

[Mum Diary: Why Are Mums Always Late? It Took An Hour To Get My Two In The Car]

Do you have any other car journey tips? Share them in the comments below.