1. Pace: allow enough time for rest stops. Two hours of car time, then a break, makes a good pattern.
2. Pack: a special backpack or bag for each child, with crayons, books, toys, activity sets, stickers, handheld games.
3. Pack: some new wrapped surprises for little kids. But don't give out all the loot at once!
4. Print out some simple games to play in the car.
5. Play: a story for the whole family on the car stereo system; or bring individual players for your kids.
6. Play pint-sized board-games. Clue, Sorry, Trouble... are oldies but goodies.
7. Playrooms: Burger King and MacDonalds have great playrooms on major highways. Let the kids burn off energy while you order their food "to go" to eat later in the car.
8. Playgrounds: every school and most parks have them! Little limbs need to shake, rattle, and roll.
9. Picnics: buy the fixins' at a deli or grocery store, find somewhere scenic where the kids can run around. You save money, too.
10. Potties: it's worth bringing a training pottie, if your child has need-to-go-NOW emergencies.
11. Sleepy Time: kids fall asleep easily in the car, and a snooze can be a great way to let the miles fly by. Just be sure to allow lots of wakie-wakie time. Rousing a child from deep sleep because "we're there now" is tough.
12. Rush: is a four-letter word when you Travel With Kids!

Tips

• Make sure your child go the "potty" before the trip.
• Always carry baby wipes no matter how old your children are.
• If your child gets sick, simply pull over and clean up the mess (It would be a good thing if you KNOW your kid is going to get sick bring paper towels,plastic bag and some spray)
• If your infant and toddler are crying simply pull over and stop the crying by a bottle for the infant and a snack for the toddler.
• If you have a DVD player. Bring IT!
• Give your children pillows and blanket just in case they take a snooze.
• Make sure you have a first aid kit for cuts or hard bangs.

Warnings

• Your child may be cranky when you arrive to your hotel/motel.
•  Your child may grow bored of the toy you give him/her, make sure to switch the toy every hour or even every 20-30 minutes.
• Never say "We're Here!" to wake your child up, when you're not at your hotel/motel. It may cause tears and disappointment.

This article was orignally posted here.