How to Stop Kids Whining On Long Car Trips

You're tired of the kids whining in the backseat on length car trips and you've decided to throw in the towel and purchase some type of mobile entertainment system for them. But like a lot of other parents, you're not sure what to get, and you may be wondering if you can even justify the expense at all. Well, rest assured there are many different types of auto DVD systems that are both affordable and suitable for back-seat passengers, and one's got your name on it.

Let's take a look at the options that are available on the market. There are three main types of DVD systems that are designed to entertain back-seat passengers: these are portable DVD players, ceiling-mounted or flip-down DVD players, and headrest DVD units.

The first choice, portable DVD players, may seem like the obvious option to many people. You buy it, and your kids can use it not only in the car but anywhere else as well. You're looking at prices starting around $160, on the very low end, to $200, on the high end. For a good-quality, basic model you're probably looking at least $400 with taxes and whatnot. The drawback with this option is that it's not really suitable for more than one child, unless you have very well-behaved children who also have the same taste in movies. Otherwise, you'll end up listening to them complain about whose turn it is to choose the movie, who gets to hold the player, etc!

The second option is a ceiling-mounted DVD player. These can be a better choice if your kids are prone to arguing, because it can't be pushed around or fought over. Cheaper brands will start at around $150, and go up from there. You may be able to find one a bit cheaper if you shop around. Unfortunately, there're two obvious cons to this type of player and they are as follows: they're an obvious target for thieves, as they can't really be concealed, and they can be a safety hazard as they're traditionally mounted directly in line with the rear-view mirror bit of a hazard when it comes to backing up and changing lanes safely.

Thirdly is a headrest car DVD. These are fairly invented players that come pre-installed in headrests that you swap for your existing headrests (or buy the unit separately and install it yourself if you're fanatical about your upholstery). The great thing about headrest DVD models is that you can pick up not one, but two fairly cheaply which means that if you've got two or more children with different tastes in films, they can each choose their own movie and avoid squabbles over whose turn it is to choose the film. Headrest players are also unlikely to attract the attention of thieves, as they blend in well with the headrests some even come with a zip-up cover that allows them to be completely concealed.

You can purchase a pair of headrest DVD units for $1250-$510, depending on the brand you choose, or a single player for $80-$210.

As you can see, it's possible to spend a relatively low amount of money on a car DVD player that will keep your kids entertained on those long trips. When deciding what to buy, just consider the following: how many kids you have (and whether or not you'll need one or two players), price, quality, and what extra features you might need. If you take your time and shop around, you're sure to find a system that fits your needs, and your budget!