Here are a few things to keep in mind or to have on hand for those long trips in the car when you have children -- they work well when your traveling with adults too.
- Don't drive 4 hours straight. The kids will go nuts and so will you. Take a 10-15 minute break every hour or two.
- For safety, keep all the doors lock and engage the child safety locks on the back doors if you have young children.
- Don't let the kids lie down, the safety belts can work properly and they might get motion sickness. Instead pack a lot of pillows they can prop up on.
- Don't pack items high in the back of the car. If you make a quick stop it will jet forward with tremendous force injuring whomever it makes contact with.
- Never drive when you are tired (or angry).
PACK
- flashlight (check batteries)
- first aid kit with lots of Band-Aids
- bottled water
- snacks
- paper towels
- tissues
- blankets and small pillows
- light jacket
- wet wipes and some no water antibacterial gel
- travel games, books, binoculars, drawing book with colored pencils and tape players with headphones