With a little bit of preparation and an open mind, you can travel with your family this summer-and survive to do it again. Here are a few helpful hints to consider before hitting the road:
-> Survive the drive. Take time to plot out a trip that includes preplanned rest stops, a cooler of refreshments (to avoid high-priced rest stop and fast food prices), music and books on tape and lots of activities for the kids in the back.
-> It’s in the bag. To eliminate frayed nerves on your journey, pack a travel knapsack for your kids. Make sure you have a separate bag for each child to avoid arguments. Some suggestions for items to include are: spiral notebook, colored pencils, washable markers, storybooks, activity books, magnetic games, card games, travel-size board games, a portable DVD player, handheld electronic games, sticker books, invisible ink books, small cars, small dolls or action figures, blunt scissors, puzzles, pipe cleaners and a tape or CD player with headphones.
-> Camping with kids. To help ensure that your family has a safe, enjoyable excursion to the lake, campsite or other outdoor location: Teach young children to stay within eyesight,...