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The novelty of being in the car wears off pretty quick, so it's good to have a few surprise toys to whip out when the little ones start to get restless.
If practicality reigns in your household, then trash bags are actually the best solution!
It's a lot easier to squeeze soft luggage like gym bags or duffel bags into the packed car, rather than large suitcases.
One of the biggest concerns on long car journeys is keeping everyone entertained. No one wants to travel to a chorus of "are we there yet?"
A creative way to keep them full as well as entertained is to fill a jam jar with healthy snacks such as nuts and dried fruits, but with a few treats like chocolate coins or candies hidden inside.
A singalong is a fun way to keep everyone entertained! They could be songs they're learning at school, or pop hits on the radio.
If your kids like to read in the car, then you can take them on a pre-vacation trip to the library to pick out a few new books. Saving them until the journey starts will add to the excitement.
An activity book with stickers or a "choose your own adventure" book are fantastic for keeping the kids occupied.
The 'Harry Potter' series narrated by the incomparable Stephen Fry is a great pick.
Frequent stops and opportunities to stretch the legs are important, but you can do better than a gas station! Try to find playgrounds or parks on your route where you can take a 30-minute break.
Don't be afraid to rely on technology to get through the journey. A bit of extra screen time might be worth it!
Audiobooks are ideal for road trips, especially for those who don't like to read in the car or get motion sickness. The whole family can listen in too, so find a story that's enjoyable for everyone!
A nice picnic stop is also a great alternative to a rest stop if you can find one on the way.
If possible, you can plan your route around interesting landmarks or even split the journey into multiple parts and spend the night somewhere new before arriving at the final destination!
You can pick out some of their favorite movies in advance, or find some new child-friendly apps for them to play.
Older kids won't fall for this one, but "the quiet game" involves seeing who can keep quiet the longest.
If there are two parents in the car, then ideally one can deal with the backseat drama while the other concentrates fully on driving. Otherwise, it's best to pull over and try to calm things down safely.
Set an ongoing game of "spot the ____" that the kids can play during the journey. It could be red cars, bridges, or cows! They must keep a lookout and try to be the first one to spot the chosen object.
Twenty Questions is a classic to play with the kids. Think up some fun ideas before the trip.
If all else fails, bribery might be the answer! The promise of a small treat at the end of the trip as a reward for good behavior may provide the right kind of motivation.
See also: The strange rules presidential children have to follow
You could even wrap a small new toy or book and hide it under their seats so they can discover it later on!
It's a nice idea for each child to have their own little activity backpack with them. It can contain any books or toys they might want during the journey.
Wet wipes are a must-have on any journey with the kids, but now more than ever. It's a good idea to bring hand sanitizers and even mini bottles of hand soap just in case rest stops don't have any.
It's natural for kids to get cranky on a long trip and bickering is to be expected. The same goes for tantrums from the younger ones.
So you're ready to pack up the car, throw in the kids, and hit the road! If only it were that simple... Long car trips with children have never been easy, but the need for constant stimulation seems to grow with each generation. It can be a real challenge to get everything organized and ensure the VIP passengers are kept entertained too. Despite this, millions of parents brave the highways every year. Thankfully, they've come up with a few tips and tricks you can keep in your back pocket. Click through this gallery to learn more.
Essential tips for road trips with kids
How to make the best out of a long car journey
TRAVEL Family holiday
So you're ready to pack up the car, throw in the kids, and hit the road! If only it were that simple... Long car trips with children have never been easy, but the need for constant stimulation seems to grow with each generation. It can be a real challenge to get everything organized and ensure the VIP passengers are kept entertained too. Despite this, millions of parents brave the highways every year. Thankfully, they've come up with a few tips and tricks you can keep in your back pocket. Click through this gallery to learn more.