Help! How can I keep 19-month-old DD distracted on 4-hour car journey?!

[bean612]

I've never driven solo with DD for more than a short hop - on long journeys DH always drives and I sit in the back with her and play games, sing songs, read stories, pick up her toys when she drops them, etc.

This weekend we are going to Wales to stay with friends, and DH isn't coming as he's going to a wedding elsewhere. So I'll be driving, and DD will have to entertain herself to a large degree - obviously I can talk/sing to her, but can't interact physically as I'll be bombing down the motorway (at 70 mph or under, obviously). Like most toddlers, DD has a 20-second attention span, and when she's bored, she howls. Any suggestions for things for her/me to do to try and keep the mood sweet would be much appreciated!! She'll probably nap for an hour or so, but 3 hours is a lot of time to fill...

bump

Travel at night when she's had her bath and is ready for bed? This works for us then you should be able to transfer her, sleep asleep hopefully, into where she is sleeping while you are away. Failing that, a dummy on a piece of ribbon safety pinned to our DD also works! I suspect you may find she will sleep for more of the journey than you expect.

Snacks and songs and sleep should get you through with minimal opportunity for boredom.

When we do long drives with DD (also 19 months), we set off an hour before her usual nap time. The first 30 mins in the car she plays and looks out the window happily. When boredom strikes we give her food - dry finger foods like toast, chicken goujon, cereal - anything I can pass to her safely in a little pot and it doesn't matter if it gets thrown round the car. Then she'll sleep for a bit. On waking we put on a mix CD of all her favourite songs and sing along with her. Then more food. Then more songs. Then dig out a favourite or new toy for the last part of the journey.

There will inevitably be some whingeing but this plan usually keeps it to a minimum!

p.s. the real problem we have is trying to stop her wriggling out of her car seat straps ... a serious design flaw with these 5 point harnesses!