Traveling with kids can be a challenge, especially if you’re driving on long trips. The following travel tips will help make the journey easier for everyone:

General Travel Tip: Give kids a spending allowance
When you take kids on vacation with you, give them an allotment of spending money for additional treats or nick-knacks (such as $20 or $30 dollars, depending on the nature of the trip), and tell them they can keep whatever they don’t spend. They’ll likely make better choices about what they actually want, and won’t be bugging you as much to buy them things.

Tips for Long Car Trips With Kids Travel Mileage Prizes
For long trips, wrap up several small prizes inside aluminum foil, such as small toys purchased from the dollar store. Every 50 or 100 miles or so, toss each kids a prize to unwrap. They can play with them share them, or trade with siblings. It provides something novel to keep them occupied.

Create a Playground on the Go
Pack a few balls, Frisbee’s, or other toys in an easily accessible bag, and every time you stop at a rest stop, give kids 15 to 20 minutes of recess time to run around and play. You may not arrive at your destination as quickly, but this exorcise break can make a big difference in the whining and behavior problems you experience along the way. Just be sure to pack the bag with cheap toys that aren’t important to your kids, in case one should be left behind. And be sure to outline a perimeter for your children ahead of time that is a safe distance away from any cars.

A Tip for Keeping Your Child’s Lovey Safe While Traveling
When taking a trip, use a clothespin or safety pin to affix an address label and phone number to your child’s favorite blankey or stuffed animal. This way if it gets lost it will probably be returned, and it may even give your child extra piece of mind.