I can't remember 18 month old play so well now, (twas only a year ago !) but I did take a flight when DD was 18 months.
I made a posting game for her and she loved it, it kept her amused for ages. You can use an old tissue box, then glue pictures on to card for posting. Pics can come from family photos, magazine images, catalogues etc. You can also use anything around to post of course, bottle tops, spoons, money...!!
Another great idea for travel is a magnetized travel board. You can buy small whiteboards from stationary shops like officeworks - A4 size then it can be used for all sorts of things. I guess I wouldn't trust an 18mo with whiteboard markers in the back of the car necessarily (depends on your DD!) but that could be a use for it as she gets older. For 18mo you could get colorful magnets to play on it with, but even better you can print pictures onto magnetized paper (again from officeworks) for games such as matching, or even draw your own images onto the magnetized paper. We have pictures of family members printed and they keep DD entertained for ages, pulling them out of a bag and sticking them on the board. If you print two of each she has to match the people together. You can also download a gorgeous paper doll image (google wee wonderfuls paper doll) and then she will have a doll to dress! This board is something that can be used for years to come with games becoming increasingly complicated as they get older - think board games etc. Plus if she sits it on a cushion on her lap it becomes a "stable table" for eating or drawing on etc.
Other ideas: decal stickers for the car window? Talking book kids stories?
Also, make sure your DD isn't the type to get motion sickness! If so, look into seabands. They come in child size and are a great natural way to deal with it.
Plus I would keep only a few toys in reach and keep a number of options with you to surprise her with when you need the novelty!
I just remembered we travelled an 8 hr trip with DD at about 12 months and did the evening leave so she would sleep most of the way - we drove overnight. She usually went down to sleep without a worry at home but for this trip, didn't sleep a wink! I couldn't believe it. She sat in the back and read books - in the dark - the whole way!!! So, not to freak you out completely but don't take for granted that it works!
We did a 12 hour car trip when ds was 12 months old so a bit younger but one of the things we did was raid some friends toy boxes and borrowed some of the toys that they had for him to play with on the trip. Things that are easy to play with while sitting but that you know that your little one will like playing with. Gave the novelty factor as they weren't his toys but saved us from having to buy lots of new toys for the trip.
!) but I did take a flight when DD was 18 months.
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