Travel Games for the Car

The good news is that babies looooove to sleep in the car. The bad news is that when they want something, they want it NOW! The best advice to follow is that as long as baby is sleeping, just keep driving and don't stop unless you have to. You'll need to stop every 2-3 hours to feed and change a baby, so try to plan accordingly to make the stops fun for your older children while you are taking care of baby.

Travel Games, Ideas and Tips for Babies:

Bubbles
Keep some bubbles in the non-spill container in the car, and blow some bubbles for baby when someone else is doing the driving. This calms a baby right down, and the big kids think it's pretty fun too. Tiny bubble containers sold for party favors are fun for this purpose.

Read a good Picture Book
Even very young babies will respond to a good book. You don't have to read the entire story word for word, but baby will enjoy hearing your voice as you point out objects in the pictures. The best books to hold their attention are books with photos of everyday objects, such as DK Counting Books, ABC Books, and especially pictures human faces.

Play Classical Music
Recent studies have indicated that classical music may help boost baby's intelligence. That remains to be seen, but babies and grownups can both enjoy a little Beethoven or Mozart now and then. You can even find classical music like Baby Mozart just for babies.

Peek-a-Boo
An all time classic baby game that's perfect for the car. Hide behind a book or your head rest and pop out while squealing "Peek-a-boo!" and watch baby's delight. Then cover baby's eyes for a moment and let her pop out to see you!

This Little Piggy
As long as you're stuck in the car, you may as well get some good toe-time in with your baby. Just in case you don't remember this one: Start with the big toe and say "This little piggy went to market...(next toe) this little piggy stayed home... this little piggy had roast beef... and this little piggy had none... and THIS little piggy (pinky toe) cried wee wee wee all the way home (as your fingers run up baby's leg for a quick tickle). Is there really anyone out there reading this who DOESN'T know how to play this one? :-)