long car trips in the dark

[Honey693]

We live 5 hours away from my parents and in-laws.  Last year DD slept during the trips, but she's 2 now and sleeps a lot less.  Typically in the car she looks at books and plays with her toys.  This worked great during the summer when it was dark until 9pm, but now that it gets dark at 530 I don't know what she's going to do.  We can't leave earlier b/c of DH's schedule, she's too little to hold a flashlight and look at books and I can't sit in the back with her to help.  Any ideas on how to rig up a light oor ideas for what she can that doesn't require a ton of seeing.  I wanted a DVD player for the car, but DH nixed that idea :(

[lifeguard]

I was going to suggest the dvd.

We have given our 2 year old a flashlight in the car - he doesn't use it to look at books though - just flashes it around the car - which I will admit can be a bit distracting. Keeps him entertained though.

[woodchick]

Any chance you could leave later?  That way she'd be more inclined to sleep most of the way there.  It means you get there a little later, but might be worth it to have a sleeping, content passenger.

[HollyBearsMom]

We attached a batter operated clip on light to our sons car seat at that age.  Worked great and did not distract from driving! 

[Honey693]

Originally Posted by woodchick 

Any chance you could leave later?  That way she'd be more inclined to sleep most of the way there.  It means you get there a little later, but might be worth it to have a sleeping, content passenger.

She doesn't go to bed until midnight so DH and I would both be passing out.  I've thought about that though.

Originally Posted by HollyBearsMom 

We attached a batter operated clip on light to our sons car seat at that age.  Worked great and did not distract from driving! 

This is a great idea!  Off to look at clip on lights...

[elleystar]

Another idea-get a couple packages of differently colored glow sticks or glow necklaces. They are cheap (try the Target $1 bin) and fun to wave around with the rainbow of colors. My DS liked the novelty of them the one time we needed driving-in-the-dark entertainment.

[Areia]

Our winter commute from work is generally a 45 min drive in the dark.  I completely second the glow sticks and necklaces and the clip light.   My daughter also  has one of those glow in the dark writing pads.  I think it's called a glo doodle.  She can use her hands or the attached stylus.  It lights up in a couple of different colors and you press a button to clear the screen.  She also likes coloring or looking at books, legos and her Bailey doll (wooden "paper doll" type with felt clothing).  Also, we sing lots of silly songs and tell stories.

[galincognito]

you could also try a headlamp.  my dd1 loves it.

[snoopy5386]

These ideas are great and I'm totally all about the glowsticks next time we have a dark drive. Can I ask why your DH is so against the DVD player? 5 hours is a long trip for an adult, never mind a 2 yo who can't read or engage in adult conversation. I think watching a DVD for even 2 hours of the trip would make a big difference. If he is still against it, how about kid's books on tape or kid's cds?

[Honey693]

He was apparently against just the hand held ones b/c he thought DD would throw it/touch the screen, etc.  He's fine with the ones that attach to the back of the head rest so I found on in the black Friday sale ads and I'll be getting up at 3am to get  :)  I guess I should have asked him why he didn't want one sooner.

[Adaline'sMama]

I dont have a toddler, but we have a turtle that we use in the car. It is super awesome and I think she'll love it when shes older because it comes with a book to help you identify the constellations.

http://www.cloudb.com/ssandf/turtle.html 

[foodymama]

Hi Areia!

I got intrigued by your DD's Bailey Doll.  I think it would be something my DD would really enjoy!  I looked online and can't find it.  Can you point me in the right direction?  Thanks!  

Originally Posted by Areia 

Our winter commute from work is generally a 45 min drive in the dark.  I completely second the glow sticks and necklaces and the clip light.   My daughter also  has one of those glow in the dark writing pads.  I think it's called a glo doodle.  She can use her hands or the attached stylus.  It lights up in a couple of different colors and you press a button to clear the screen.  She also likes coloring or looking at books, legos and her Bailey doll (wooden "paper doll" type with felt clothing).  Also, we sing lots of silly songs and tell stories.

[Areia]

Hi FoodyMama,

I actually bought her in a hospital gift shop and don't recall the brand name (other than the doll was called Bayley).  I'll look tonight and let you know.

[Areia]

Hey again,

The Bailey doll is  a "book baby" from La-di-dolls -- http://ladidolls.com/shop_bookbaby.html.  She's one of my daughter's favorite toys.

[foodymama]

Thank you so much Areia!  It is so cute and it's very reasonable!  I think DD is going to get one of those for Christmas.  Thank you again! 

[nukuspot]

this is what we use too!
 

Originally Posted by Adaline'sMama 

I dont have a toddler, but we have a turtle that we use in the car. It is super awesome and I think she'll love it when shes older because it comes with a book to help you identify the constellations.

http://www.cloudb.com/ssandf/turtle.html 

[Honey693]

Originally Posted by Adaline'sMama 

I dont have a toddler, but we have a turtle that we use in the car. It is super awesome and I think she'll love it when shes older because it comes with a book to help you identify the constellations.

http://www.cloudb.com/ssandf/turtle.html 

Have you had a problem with the bulbs burning out?  I read a lot of reviews that said once they do you can't replace them.  I think that's cute, but I don't want it to die after 6 months.

[nukuspot]

No, we've had it for about a year.  I've never had any bulbs burn out, it's working fine!  I think it's made to leave on all night while a baby sleeps, so car rides are much shorter, maybe that's the difference.