Last week, my ghetto mom van was in the shop for over a week. We had a few issues the dealership agreed to fix on our paid-for 2006 van and we weren’t about to turn them down. Because we like free. A lot. In exchange for my minivan, they gave us the tiniest car that seats 5 people.

I never thought I’d say this: but I missed my big white stinky, crumb-filled automobile something fierce.

Because noise and smells are magnified in a small car and the little people are VERY close to you.

For a split second, I rethought the whole driving for days and miles in a recreational vehicle.

The tight space reminded me that I really needed to have some activities ready for the long drive (it also reminded me to wash my son’s shoes).

Moving on.

A couple of years ago, I wrote this mega post of travel tips while on-the-road with kids. I thought I’d share it again with y’all:

• Audio books (my library checks them out) or you can download them here
• Ice chest w/drinks
• DVD player, preferably with movies that haven’t been seen
• We’ve been driving our smaller less gas-consuming car that doesn’t have a built-in TV.  So, we strap our laptop on an ice chest with a bungee, so the kids can watch a movie. (Yeah, we are THAT family).
• Bag or backpack with coloring books and small toys for each child.  
• This site says pack a plastic box for kids personal things and then use the lid as a tray to eat on.
• Lap Desk for writing and drawing
• Headphones for MP3 players and/or DVD player
• Kid’s camera
• Sketch pad/pencil
• Extra change of clothes, separate from luggage.  Because if it can happen, it probably will.
• If you’re traveling with a toddler, leave when they are tired.  If you leave first thing in the morning, this is their active time and they don’t make the best travelers
• A package of pipe cleaners (to bend, twist and create)
• Pack paper towels, wipes, and a couple of blankets.  Remember, we’re talking kids.
• Buy $5 Tape Recorder and ‘Read’ stories to your kids in your own voice
• Put a trash box in the back seat
• Travel Journal
• Sing silly road trip songs
• Travel games from the store  (Target has some great ones in the stationary section that are cheap and magnetic!)
• Travel freebies-links to free stuff for traveling
• Play the I spy game with license plates
• Wipe-off white board/marker
• Magnetic sets (paper dolls, fire trucks, found in book sections)
• Snack bag filled with pre-portioned zip-lock bags of non-messy foods
• Kid’s music
• Tin foil for creations
• Play Go Fish
• Make string figures
• Check out these awesome games (like Noah’s Ark, Build a Story and Fooler, Fooler) to play in the car!
• Kids pillow and blanket
• Treasure Jar
• Rest Stop Box-stock with jump rope, frisbee, inflatable beach ball and Nerf ball, according to July’s issue of Parents Magazine.
• They also encourage travelers to ‘crank up the radio, open the doors and have an outdoor dance-a-thon).
• Printable Car Trip Check List
• Child-safety scissors and paper (it worked on a long flight w/my preschooler)
• Invisible markers/Magic paper
• Chalk Cloth Oil Mat
• Moon sand on a tray
• Post It Notes-draw on them, then decorate the car (Women’s Day, July Issue)
• Spill-proof Bubbles (yes, in the car.  My toddler loves this).
• Printable Car Bingo
• Stickers
• Band-aids (again a toddler-pleaser)
• Leapster, DS Lite or hand-held game
• Magna Doodle
• Cookie sheet with magnetic alphabet letters
• The following incredible ideas came from MomsMinivan:  travel tickets, surprise packages, and more (Actually EVERY idea on this site is amazing!)
• Printable Boredom Busters
• I spy bags/jars
• Ear plugs for when the “how much longer questions begin”

What works for you on road trips?
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