1) Get a portable DVD player (no brainer). Obtain lots of DVD's from the local library (for FREE) or hit up your own stash for family favorites.
2) Have fun snacks the kids don't normally eat.
3) Color books, Leapster, lap/activity trays, books...
4) Metal cookie sheets with lots of magnets provide endless fun. You can also use the cookie sheet as a desk, so that the kids can manipulate small parts on it (such as Mr. Potato Head, etc.)
5) Play the license plate game (find all the States), play car bingo, sing lots and lots of songs!
6) Download podcasts. Bring your iPod.
7) Chew gum and mints. Especially bring some peppermint to stave off nausea after long amounts of driving.
8) Books on tape or CD (this is a problem for me, as our car stereo is busted)! Boo.
9) Take requests of toys the kids would like to bring, so that they feel a part of it all.
10) www.momsminivan.com also has some great ideas for road trip travel.
11) Dry erase boards.
12) Clean the minivan (or family car) first, top to bottom. Have a fresh canvas before you go.
13) Line the seats with sheets, before you buckle kids down or put the car seats in (easier to clean up after in case of messes).
14) Have trash bags handy in each "aisle" to keep things neat.
15) Keep Clorox wipes, paper towels, and face wipes handy in the car too, for easy clean up!
16) If necessary, have a "carsick" station. Maria uses a gallon-sized ice cream bin, lined with a plastic grocery bag, in case someone becomes ill in a hurry.
17) Get each kid a small bag with toys from the Dollar Store etc., and wrap them! Once every hour or two [depending on how long the trip is] they get to open one up! It keeps them looking forward to the next leg and acts like good incentive to stay patient/quiet. If it's brand new, you'll be surprised how cool it is for them and they will normally be satisfied for a good long while. You can wrap them in gift wrap, or use foil. The foil is faster and shiny too!
18) Pack an extra shirt for everyone.
19) Truly consider a port-o-potty. (I would not dream of going without one, and can't believe I did last year on our road trip). Maria says, line it with a cheap diaper, wrap it up and toss. No clean up.
20) Avoid melty snacks or drinks that spoil. Offer juice boxes or water (no milk).
21) Offer little incentives for good behavior - choosing a song, choosing the next movie - quarters for a vending machine at a rest stop - etc etc. BRIBERY=SANITY.
22) Wear comfy clothes (cotton, elastic waist work best).
23) Make sure the kids bring their special blankies, pillows and comfort items.
Some of my thoughts:
24) Stop as often as you need to. We plan to make some "pit stops" at playgrounds or at a park, so that the kids can get some fresh air and get some of their energy out.
25) Take a GPS (beg, borrow or steal). It will save you time and money if you know where you are going and can find places (such as a park) to rescue you when you are in the "middle of no where."
26) Pack most of your own food, drinks and snacks. We plan to picnic most of the way along the trip. This takes up room and planning at the beginning, but it will keep costs low in the end.
27) We also pre-planned our accommodation stops, based on our per day goals. It was more cost-effective to book this in advance, rather than "wing it," as we did last year. Last year our kids ended up "fried and miserable" after a long day of driving, and we ended up settling for a dive in a horrible part of a city. It was one of the worst nights of my life! A nice hotel (with a pool) in a decent section of town is sooooo worth it after a long drive.
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