Family road trip survival guide

You've been in stop-and-go traffic for five miles with a sobbing toddler, a moody tween, and a pair of bickering 8-year-olds for company. This nightmare is not what you signed up for when you decided to plan a fun family road trip. Let's face it, traveling with kids can be a nightmare. Want to know the secret to survival? Entertain. Boredom is your number one enemy on the road, and without a babysitter to keep your kids occupied, things can turn ugly. Avoid a mid-route meltdown and check out this eight step recipe for happy kids and peaceful travels.

1. Lose the technology limits. At home you may holler to turn off the TV or put down the Nintendo DS, but when traveling, give your kids (and yourself) a break. Don't feel like you are a bad parent for letting your kids spend their travel time staring at a screen - it is often the best way to keep them occupied and happy. And it doesn't all have to be mindless entertainment. Educational handheld games and downloadable audio books are more intellectual options.

2. Go old-fashioned. There's a reason the license plate game is still around 50 years later. For no-frills family fun, try old standbys like 20 Questions, Counting Cows, Geography, or Travel Bingo. Another source of old-fashioned fun is a classic board game like Sorry, Clue or checkers, which all come in travel sizes. You may be surprised by how much your kids will love these simple amusements so don't be afraid to drop the DVDs and start a rousing game of I Spy. For more car game ideas and printable game boards, check out MomsMinivan.com.

3. Pack snacks. No matter what toys you have in tow, your child will not survive the trip on an empty stomach. Fueling them with their favorite snacks will keep them engaged in whatever activities you brought. Do not rely on plane food or rest stop snacks. Picky kids will turn their noses at the unfamiliar fare, not to mention the selection will mostly be junk food. Bring healthy options from home like PB&J, granola bars and fruit - and hey, a few sugary treats for emergencies couldn't hurt either.

4. Get creative. For artistically inclined children, a sketchpad alone could be enough to occupy them for hours. Let their creativity reign free. Or engage their artsy side by asking them to capture the passing landscape or draw their own version of the family home, complete with their favorite (and much-missed) pet in the front yard.

5. Surprise them. Purchase some new toys to reveal while on the road. These surprise amusements do not need to break the bank. The simple act of running to the dollar store for a couple of new playthings can go a long way.

6. Appoint a co-pilot. Give your kids a map or directions to your destination and ask them to help you navigate the trip. Put them in charge of alerting you of upcoming exits or identifying points of interest. This is a great way to keep older children stimulated and teach them the valuable skill of using a map to travel from point A to point B.

7. Schedule stops. Stopping regularly is essential to road trip survival. Not only are stops necessary for diaper changes and snack runs, but also for preventing en route meltdowns. Giving kids a chance to run around and burn some energy can be the difference between a peaceful car ride and the road trip from hell. A romp around a McDonald's play place or game of tag in a park near the highway will reduce antsiness and improve your child's mood.

8. Buy an activity kit. Activity kits are the simple solution to backseat boredom. Rather than cramming a bag full of games, notebooks, crayons and craft supplies, simply buy a kit which has it all. Activity kits come with pages of coloring, mazes, puzzles, and car games - enough to keep your little one content for hours. TravelKiddy and Klutz are the best places to find fun activity kits that will make your next family trip pain-free.