Travel Tips for Kids - Packing, Entertainment, Saving Money - Page 3

Books, a journal, healthy homemade snacks, books, workbooks, portable DVD player, travel games, and more books were all big hits with our six year old.

My Travel Tip:  Packing is always very stressful with 3 kids and trying to keep it to a minimum.  I recommend the clever cache, it is an airtight rollable bag that in a nutshell gives you way extra space by helping you flatten out bulky items that are must haves with kids, like favorite stuffed animals or blankets.  It is a product for Clever Container Company-called Clever Cache-love it!

Make sure the everyone is dressed comfortably.
 

Make sure to do research  ahead of time - mini stops along the way of interesting things, compare rates, look for places to stay with kitchenette/minifridge, free breakfast.

My tip is take your time in getting there. On long road trips we stop frequently just to stretch our legs and see what we can see.
 

Buying something new for each kid and give it to them right before you leave.  What we get them depends on the time of year (how close to birthdays or Christmas) or how long the trip is.  We've done books, coloring books, a new movie, a new game, or small toys.
 

Pack toddler clothes and accessories in gallon zip lock bags for ease in dressing.  For the older kids we pack their outfits all folded together for the same concept.
 

I tie a series of velcro strips from the ceiling for my 2 year old.  I have baggies of treats, books in bags and toys she can easily reach and either open the bag to get what she wants or have her take the bag from off the velcro strip.  Then at each stop I either restock or replace the things she touched.

I also keep a pillow or two right next to her so if she drops something it is still within reach.  The pillows also make a great height for a small box (like an old wipes box) of toys and snacks.
If you hit up the dollar store for water, drinks, snacks and coloring my daughter will play with those more because she got to pick them out.  This is a great way to save money as the gas station snack prices are so high.

Also, keep a grocery sack in the car at all times.  You never know when you need a trash bag or a throw up bag for people that can get motion sick.  I love to keep them in an old wipes box as they are hard and can't be ruined when stepped on.  The box can also contain wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer and so much more!