Before you hit the road, its a good idea to pack up a travel bag for each child - thats what weve done here!. Your object is to keep kids distracted so they don't give you or the others sitting next to you a case of the green meanies!  The key is to look at traveling as an opportunity to connect with your kids- without the typical distractions of phones, computers & meetings. It's a special time for making some family memories and getting there can be part of the fun. A little advanced planning will go a long way.

For young babies in back facing seats you want to have things that they can gaze at as well as things you can hand to them to shake, taste, and investigate. The younger the child the more variety you'll need. Few things interest them for long, so pack an assortment of soft rattles, teethers and manipulatives for them to explore. Some of our picks to bring along:

Little Lessons Rooster 
(Eden $12) You can hang this black & white patterned rooster on the back seat coat hook for newborns to gaze at.  But it will be even more fun to explore for slightly older infants. There are silky textures as well as squeaker and crinkle sounds.  Colorful rattle rings move on the long legs that are easy to grab. Perhaps best of all there are big textured chewy feet for little teethers. Newborns & up.  (800) 443-4275.

On the Go Mobile
(Infantino $16) This innovative portable mobile has a suction cup you can put on the car window for baby to gaze at and then use at Grandma's over the crib or changing table. (800) 365-8182.
 
Car Dashboard with Remote Control
(Fisher-Price $19.99) Here's a high tech toy that allows you to activate the music on baby's dashboard with a push of a button. Baby activates the sounds and lights by pushing on the steering wheel. So, even it you are

Few things will hold their interest for long and sitting still is contrary to their active nature. Snacks, songs and plenty of patience will be needed for long hauls. Your toddler also needs variety and you are still the one who will be doing the entertaining. To keep them engaged try bringing along the following.
 
Baby's Peek-a-Boo Book
(Sassy $8) Little hands can turn the vinyl pages without ripping them and lift the flaps to play peek-a-boo! (800) 323-6336
 
Maisy or Curious George 
(Alma's Designs $33) These two favorite storybook characters are like paper dolls done in fabric. They come with assorted outfits with Velcro backing so kids can dress them and act out little stories as they play. This is a good language toy that will have more interest if the interaction is between parent and child. (800) 826-5627.
 
Tomy Twist'n'Turn 
(International Playthings $7.95) This little figure has parts to turn, feet to chew and interesting look, sounds and feel. (800) 445-8347.

Preschoolers can now entertain themselves for short periods of time if you provide the props for play.  But, you carry the goodies! If they carry the bag everything in it will be out and done for within the first 10 minutes of the trip. Besides, if you let them do the packing, they  are apt to pack everything but the kitchen sink.
 
Color Magic Paper and Markers  
(Crayola $7.99 & up) This new art material is great for travel because the markers are colorless and won't stain anything. Best of all they have a magic quality and turn color as kids draw on the special paper. This comes with coloring books that keep color inside the lines, but we prefer the open-ended paper that kids can use any way they like.  2 & up. (800)  CRAYOLA.
 
Silly City                
(Uniset $8) Put these in the back seat pocket of the car or your travel bag. You can play a good game of who is behind or in front of the school bus or the fire truck. Or what car goes with what building? Kids can make up stories while moving cling pieces on a colorful play setting designed by the popular illustrator, Todd Parr. Lots of language and concept building possibilities. 3 & up. (800) 445-8347.
 
Blue's Clue's Felt Storybook
Learning Curve $24.99) You can play with it  together-as a matching game or use it for telling new stories or playing a clue game of your own. After you share it they'll enjoy it on their own,too. (800) 704-8697.
 
Dino Adventure   
(Lauri $14.99) Dinohaulics hands and imaginations will have plenty of action with this traveling case of take-along dinos. There are two large dinos to lace or trace, a play "setting with a palm tree and volcano and lots of little dinos to string, sort by color or move about for dramatic play. Develops fine motor skills along with language and dramatic play. 4-7. (800) 451-0520.
 
Berchet Mininurse Travel Case
(International Playthings $40) Perfect companion for overnight trips, the small soft baby doll with vinyl head and limbs comes in a soft travel case that includes feeding supplies, a place for changing and a bed for naps. You may need to remove some of the small accessories if your preschooler is still mouthing toys. 3 & up. (800) 445-8347.
 
Thumb Puppets
(Schylling $4 each) These little wooden figures of Curious George, Arthur and other popular figures bend as you push the wooden button under their stand. Little pretenders will enjoy making up stories as kids activate them. They make an entertaining alternative to finger puppets.  (800) 541-2929.

Even though older kids may pack and carry their own bags - it's a good idea to have some surprises tucked up your sleeve. Have a new tape to listen to, a cartridge for their Gameboy and don't overlook some good games in your head.   You can find free games to down load right here on our website: tuck them in the glove compartment or your travel bag for the road.
 
Lunar Lockout
(Binary Arts $12) This new space game requires serious thinking.  The object is to move your "Spacepod" to the Emergency Entry Port.  HelperBots assist but also control where your Spacepod can move. Game becomes increasingly more challenging.  We found it really helpful to go through the included "pre-flights" that help players understand the logic of the game.  Calls for more strategy than Binary Art's Hoppers ($12) which looks similar but is really a fun twist on a solitary peg game. Both come with small easy to take cases that hold playing pieces and cards.  (800) 468-1864.
 
Creamy Gel Color Case  
(Alex $14.95) Our testers could not get enough of these pastel creamy gel pens that standout on black paper.   A black zippered case comes with a 30 page pad of black paper and 10 pens.  (800) 666-2539. 
 
Scratch-Art Magic Packs
(Scratch-Art Co. $4.99) Remember making scratch art with crayons scribbles covered with black paint that you scratch away? Now Scratch-Art Dazzle paper has glittering foil effects that appear. A package with 4 sheets, a stylus, stencil and instructions makes an inexpensive but special treat. Or look for a Combo pack with Dazzle, Stained Glass and Rainbow Black & White sheets. 5 &up. (800) 377-9003.
 
e-Fortunes
(Tiger $7.99) No cookie crumbs here- these virtual fortune cookies are loaded with 150-200 electronic messages that scroll across when you pull them apart. If you don't like what it says the first time-pull, pull again! These are a novelty item like your old 8 Ball. Choose a cookie with Predictions of the Future, Horoscope for the Day or classic Words of Wisdom –any will make a hit on the road. (847) 913-8100
 
Are We There Yet? Flying Edition
(Are We There Yet $12) We told you about the original Auto version of this game, which we still highly recommend. Now you can take a deck of 288 cards along that will have everyone in the family on the look out for people, objects, and signs that one is likely to see in the airport or on board. The object is to be the one who collects the most cards while en route. Cards are printed in French English & Spanish. You can play cooperatively with mixed ages or kids can play solo and try to beat their own score within a given time period. However you play it, this will make time fly while you fly, too. 6 & up. (800) 892-9012.
 

Bring along a few familiar lullaby tapes that comfort your infant or toddler. Music like Dream Songs by Laurie Burke(800)862-7232; Sweet Dreams of Home with Mae Robertson (800) 490-8875 are soothing . 

For preschoolers pack some story tapes and paperback books. For everyone bring some folksongs  like This Land is Your Land with Woodie & Arlo Guthrie (800)443-4727 or Pete Seeger for Kids & Just Plain Folks (Sony- no number available) with songs you can all sing together.

For older kids there are books like Love From Your Friend Hannah or one Harry Potter book (Listening Library) (six hours worth of listening - we  listened to it as a family).  We all enjoyed it, in fact, my kids enjoyed it so much that they actually looked forward to the ride to the beach and back. (800) 243-4504.