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Original poster

4 Hour Car Journey, Help!

20 replies

Bazoo23 · 19/01/2019 07:34

We are going to Legoland with the kids (DD 6yo and DS 19 months).
It's a 4 hour drive each way. I think they'll sleep part of it as setting off very early but was planning on making them both little activity bags to pass the time.
They do both have tablets but they'll get bored of these quite quickly especially DD as won't be able to use YouTube.
Any ideas of things to pack, snacks, activities?
All suggestions welcome Smile

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brokenhead · 19/01/2019 07:35

Download iPlayer bbc or Netflix and download them tv to watch without the internet

Does the 6 mo not sleep? My son sleeps most of the car journeys
I give milk to bribe him when he gets ratty
Stop to change them if you have to but just put your foot down and get there so they can relax
4 hours isn't bad
You will be fine !! Have a good trip

GreenEggsHamandChips · 19/01/2019 07:36

Avoid sweets or anything sugary. Breadsticks are best for "im bored" snacks

Original poster
Bazoo23 · 19/01/2019 07:40

Brokenhead she's 6 years old, she probably will sleep a bit but she'll be excited so I'm not counting on it. DS will definitely sleep some of it.

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GetSchwifty · 19/01/2019 07:40

Download audible on your phone or tablet. Can you connect your phone to your car stereo? I had Peppa Pig stories playing on the stereo and my eldest listening to a book with headphones through an iPad.

Di11y · 19/01/2019 07:50

audio books of short stories are good. sticker book for 6yo.

lorisparkle · 19/01/2019 08:13

We could not use anything that the ds have to look at as they all get car sick so have always used book cds (the book people do great selections) and traditional games (e.g I spy, who can spot the first ....., spotting something for each letter of the alphabet, etc). Snacks were always savoury with definitely no chocolate!

Tiredeyes21 · 19/01/2019 08:15

You can get a free trial of YouTube premium at the min where you can downalod and watch everything off line. Life saver!!

OnwardsAndUpwards10 · 19/01/2019 08:19

We've done journeys far far longer than that since our DD was a few weeks old. As long as you have plenty of breaks and download films to tablet, colouring books etc it won't be as bad as you think.

TigerQuoll · 19/01/2019 08:24

This is what my parents did for us:

Each hour we would get a brown paper bag with a book, electronic toy, some lollies, other snacks and a fruit box. They had an electronic timer that counted down and if we complained or fought they would show us adding five minutes to the timer.

Requires a bit of preparation on your part but worth it. We always tried really hard to be quiet and resolve our disputes quietly! Cause we really really looked forward to new paper bags.

TigerQuoll · 19/01/2019 08:29

Also this involved 14 hour drives

RandomMess · 19/01/2019 09:26

You will struggle to get all of Legoland done in 1 day if it's busy...

Can you really not stay overnight and do 2 days?

I personally hate the place but the DC loved it. I would have hated a 4 hour drive home afterwards!!

When it's busy you even queue to park...

Original poster
Bazoo23 · 19/01/2019 10:05

Random Mess we are staying over.

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Bazoo23 · 19/01/2019 10:07

Posted too soon. We are going there Saturday AM and coming home Sunday PM. I wouldnt go all that way just for a day trip.

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Original poster
Bazoo23 · 19/01/2019 10:07

Thank you for the ideas, I love the paper bag suggestion!

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RandomMess · 19/01/2019 10:09

Thank goodness for that thought you were being insane GrinGrinGrinGrin

Which direction are you travelling from to get some recommendations if good places to stop for a break.

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Bazoo23 · 19/01/2019 10:12

Haha I'm not even the driver but I wouldn't do that to DH Smile
Coming from Lincolnshire area, so between 3.5 and 4 hours dependant on traffic.

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Justbackfromnewwine · 19/01/2019 10:13

We regularly do 10-12 hour drives jn Europe. age 6 is a breeze! Age 2, not so much!!
Should be ok on the way as excited about going. Way back she’ll probably be knackered. Give her responsibility - explain its a long journey and what would she like to pack to do.
I’d plan a stop halfway. A 2 hour stretch at once is fine, we normally
Do 3 with younger children.

A couple of films downloaded onto the tablet
Drawing
Can play games like I spy, ‘guess the animal’ etc. My children also enjoy spelling competitions!
Talk, listen to music, look out the window....
Have you never done a journey this length before?

Original poster
Bazoo23 · 19/01/2019 10:17

Justback. With my daughter its a breeze and it was also when my son was newborn-6 months. Bit more challenging at 19 months.
I obviously have things planned/ideas of my own, just looking for extra suggestions.

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Rockbird · 19/01/2019 10:35

Blimey my parents were harsh! They just shoved us into the car and drove Grin. We had to make our own amusement!

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Bazoo23 · 19/01/2019 11:27

I don't think that's harsh. Just like the idea of giving them little treats throughout the journey.

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