Tips for Car Travel with Young Children

A few times a year we make the 10-12 hour drive to upstate NY to visit family. I'm often asked how we manage to do that considering we have 3 young children. The trips are very fun and positive and I actually look forward to them. I've realized that not everyone does so here are a few tips to make those upcoming holiday car trips more better.

Lots of small toys and books. You can buy a soft-sided fabric backseat toy box that fits between the carseats. You can also get an organizer that hangs on the back of the seat in front of the child with lots of pockets. Good car toys are magna-doodles, color wonder markers and books, etch-a-sketch, dolls, sticker books, lift-the-flap books and the old standby - coloring books and crayons. Colorforms will stick to windows and car bingo with pictures is a hit with even preschoolers.

Soccer ball and frisbee. Every 4-5 hours we have a long stop at a rest area that lasts 30-45 minutes. We spend a good portion of that time in a grassy area kicking the ball around, having the kids chase the frisbee or simply playing tag. The key is movement - get the kids to burn off energy. A rest area is no time to be eating - they can eat while sitting in the car.

Keep a schedule. We eat meals and snacks at about the same time we normally do. After lunch, we put books and toys away, put on a quiet CD and the younger 2 children can take a nap. Even our 6 year old will nap on a long car trip if he's tired out from running around during a morning rest stop.

DVD player. A DVD player will make the trip easier but don't overdo it. We limit it to 1 movie after naptime and the again after dinner when it's dark outside and too dark to see in the car to play. Don't play it continuously the entire time. If kids are active with playing and a good conversation, they are more likely to sleep well that night despite being cooped up in a car all day.

Schedule in a fun break. If there's a state park or something similiar about halfway, schedule in an hour to visit. Pack a picnic lunch, go on a short hike, kick around a soccer ball or even go swimming. It's amazing how re-energized everyone will feel afterwards.

Have the right attitude. If you treat the drive as part of the adventure then your children will to. Expect something to go wrong and when it does just go with the flow.