Having the kids participate in packing their own travel bag (backpack) full of activities, toys, and books. Also bring a surprise activity, toy, or book for them. Cards, coloring book, activity workbook, books, puzzles, play doh, and Lego. From our library we get books on tape. With the cassette tape comes the book. The kids have the book on their "tabletop" in the car and read along to the audio. It's great. I also believe in each child having their own flashlight. While it isn't wise to use in the car, a flashlight can give so much entertainment to each child, it's amazing how much they love flashlights! So it's something to pack for them to play with and use once you arrive at your destination. Finally, we play the "clue game"--it's something like 20 questions, not exactly, but along those lines. It goes like this.."I'm blue and white though sometimes gray, and you can see me anytime you want. What am I?" The sky. That wasn't the best clue, but my son loves this game...giving clues or getting them. The last travel tip I have is to make it fun. Journaling about your vacation spot by adding pictures and drawing is great for some children. Having printouts of images to color of things that relate to your vacation spot is a good idea too. Having a map that you created together that highlights landmarks that might be exciting for kids is also a great way to engage the child while traveling. Lastly, have that catchall trick that calms your child, a CD with calming music, a story, a book, a picture book of animals or pets, or grandparents, a magazine that the child can create a collage from...ripping, cutting, pasting, and telling about what they found and made really occupies them, and makes them feel accomplished and proud. You can also have the children look for pictures in the magazine that may relate to your trip. Guessing games, finding certain colors or shapes as they look at their window is fun too!
