how do you entertain a nearly 1 year old in the car ?

[herbgarden]

My nearly 1 year old has suddenly become a horrible whinger in the car. He used to just get fed up and suck his thumb. He'e extremely active and so I think is frustrated at having to be in his car seat for any length of time. It's miserable for all involved !

I expect you've tried singing or a CD that he likes? Not really sure, mine have always fallen asleep within seconds of being in the car!

Borrow an older child to sit next to him and be entertaining/comical.
And avoid long journeys as much as poss...

If I'm going out all day he might sleep but otherwise, he sleeps in a routine so once he's had his sleep at home for a couple of hours, there's no way he's going off for even 5 mins in the car !!

we had a couple of ELC CDs which had extremely irritating songs on but they seemed very popular with the DSs

We always pack a very small bag of toys and little books for DS when we travel anywhere - now he is nearly 2 he chooses his own from the toy/book box before we go out. It doesn't stop ALL the whinging however but he does usually sit quietly either reading or playing, or sleeping.