FYI

Kids' Road Trip Essentials Checklist

The gear to have on hand when traveling with children. Guaranteed, you’ll hear fewer cries of "Are we there yet?"


Activities


Books, magazines, and comics
Games, such as the license plate game or travel bingo
Sketchbook, washable markers, and colored pencils
Pre-stamped blank postcards (find them at the post office), which your kids can decorate, or postcards bought on the road; have your children write to friends, relatives, even pets
Doodling doodads: a small dry-erase board, Etch A Sketch, Magna Doodle
Pipe cleaners, easy origami, and other scissor-less craft supplies
Portable DVD player and DVDs; don't forget headphones!

Tape recorder: Let the kids produce a vacation broadcast
Books on tape for the whole family, such as the Harry Potter series or "The Chronicles of Narnia"

Scrapbook envelope -- entrust your children with the responsibility of collecting postcards, ticket stubs, and brochures for a scrapbook

Food

Individually packaged, crumb-free snacks such as bite-sized goldfish crackers
Hard-to-bruise fruits such as apples and berries; or try fruit roll-ups or fruit leathers
Trail mix, which will leave kids feeling full longer (and keep fingers greaseless)
Reusable bottles filled with water

Miscellaneous


First-aid items, such as Neosporin, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, Tylenol, sunscreen, and Dramamine
Garbage bags to collect trash
Extra diapers and wipes, if necessary
Change of clothes, in case of accidental spills
A blanket for spur-of-the-moment picnics at rest areas -- and naps
Jump ropes and balls, so energetic little travelers can tire themselves out at rest stops!