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How to Get from A to B  without Going CrAZy
By Jessica Sylvester

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning, finally the winter cold is behind us, and I decide to pile the kids in the car and head out to playground, but to my dismay the ride has left me with a crying baby, two fighting kids and what I am quite sure is my last nerve. As I turn to give the kids the usual ultimatum, I can’t help but think to myself that there has to be an easier way to travel.

Whether you’re off to start your daily routine or venturing out on a weekend leisure trip, the bottom line is that, at one time or another, we all have to gather our troops and hit the road. But, with a few tricks and little planning, instead of each outing ending with an insanity plea perhaps everyone could actually have a little fun on the ride.

Pack it Up

First and foremost, each child must have their very own tote bag on hand. The tote gives each child a chance to pack items, of their choosing, to bring for the ride. Not only does a tote bag motivate the kids and provide a routine when heading out the door, but it also helps keep your vehicle mess-free.

Library Anyone?

The library is an excellent resource, offering something for everyone in the family. Big books, little books, baby books, all kinds of books, just let the kids wander the isles and discover new books or even DVDs to borrow at each visit. Quick tip: keep all library items together in a designated bag, so no matter who checked them out you know where they are when you need to return them.

Music

Music is always a crowd pleaser and some great music can help to speed up a slow ride or fill in the 10 minute wait at the gas station. Have each passenger choose a few songs and burn a CD, or, if you dare, pull out  some music from mom or dad’s collection and sort through it with the kids—you just may find that you have a little Pink Floyd or Tom Petty fan on your hands (my son Jake,8, just loves Pink Floyd’s The Wall). Snacks

Empty bellies equal cranky kids, so squash any pleas for a fast food pit stop and pack your own snacks for the ride. Keep it as simple and as crumb-free as possible: pretzels, dry cereal, fruit (like grapes) or nuts, and seeds are good choices that will fill them up without the sugar that revs them up. And, since sharing doesn’t always work well when seat belts are involved, be sure to pack everyone their own serving. Another good item to have handy, as long as you have confidence that you won’t need to stop and get anyone a hair cut, is sugarless gum—it’s a great way to keep those little chops busy.

Games/Activities

Many of us have found that game night at home can be a fun family activity, so why not bring that same concept with you on the road? On your next trip, grab a hand full of trivia cards and take turns answering, or, better yet, hand the deck to your young readers and let the kids put you on the hot seat to see if mom really is always right. After a few rounds of Q&A, you can try one of the travel size games available including some old family favorites like Sorry, Monopoly and Scrabble that have been condensed and promise a 20 minute express game for two to four people. Have a younger child on board that needs to be occupied, then grab a book of stickers (remember how fun stickers were when you were little). Add a piece of paper and some crayons and let your little Picasso create an original.

Maps/Drawing

Drawing a picture for the person you are going to see or creating a picture about the place you are going to visit is always a fun activity for kids, and their mini masterpiece can double as trip souvenirs or as gifts for loved ones once you arrive. Another fun activity for an older child is mapping out the route to your destination. My 8 year old just loves tracking our path on the map, and I would venture to say that he is better at reading a map than I am. 

Something Comfy

Once in a while a ride in the car blesses with you with something you may not have expected—a nap. Pack something comfy for everyone like a soft blanket and small pillow or a favorite fuzzy friend and relax as they drift off to dreamland.

Jessica Sylvester is a freelance writer.