This is going to be a great summer! We’re vacationing earlier than usual this year, due it being an incredibly stressful year, with LOTS of changes on the horizon for the kids. And, we will be driving. In light of that, we have to determine must have tech for travel with kids!
This year is unique in that we are going to let the kids go swimming respite, then pack ’em up in the car and drive down to Virginia. We’ve found a Mellow Mushroom to eat just before we arrive and we’ll be packing up Epsom salt to detox all that nasty chlorine. Other than that, it’ll be Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and a relaxing swim vacation!
I’m reposting this blog from 2014 because I’m going to need this for those car trips!
Mom and Dad’s Phones
Of course, you’ll need these especially if you don’t have GPS (or your car breaks down), to plot out destinations, bathrooms, and the nearest gluten-free restaurants. Make sure you have the app, Find Me GF App. It was a hit in locating an AWESOME GF burger joint that was affordable in Manhattan and tracking down last minute food for hungry kiddos after all that traveling. I love this app and use it everywhere! The key is to make sure the kids don’t get your phone while driving. They’ll suck down all your power and then you’ll be stuck if you need to make an emergency call, get lost or have to track down a bathroom. To solve that, make sure you bring…
Old Phones for the Kids
Assuming your kids don’t have activated phone of their own or you don’t want to bring them on vacation, this is an ideal solution. If you have old phones lying around that no one will take off your hands, that’s perfect. Download games you can play offline, load up movies or music, and make sure the camera function is intact in case you have a junior photographer in your back seat. DO NOT let the kids take your phone because you’ll need them to navigate.
iPad and/or Portable Gaming System
Yea, we bring these – sometimes. The iPad is excellent to help a nonverbal child with an app like ProLoQuo2Go talk through their needs or to set up a vacation reward system. It’s also good for loading up some movies on a larger yet still portable screen, or if mom needs to get some blogging work done. (In that case, bring your Mac keyboard along too, if you have one). Or try with a highly interactive app. Avoid the music ones or you may want to shoot yourself by the time you get there. Load up a movie too (NOT Chipmunks!)
Easy Low Tech
Sometimes kids DO get tired of games and movies. Obviously, you don’t want to bring a bagful of crafts, pens, or games with parts. (For me, portable games are just an invitation to lose pieces away from home!) Self-contained toys are ideal for car and plane trips. like the Ohio Art Pocket Doodle Sketch for under $10, so your kids can draw without mess or fuss or extra pieces.
Spare Car Charger
And whatever you do, do NOT forget a spare charger – or charging it on the way! If you have one that plugs into your lighter, all the better. Ours is dual recharger – pretty sweet!
Enjoy your vacation and remember to relax on the way… 🙂
Jeanine @MommyEntourage says
Our must have is snacks! My kids always love something to munch on during long car rides!
Gina B says
Totally a must-have! That is one that we always forget 🙁
Heather says
We do the old phone trick too!
latanya says
teenage mutant ninja turtle figures
Susan P says
Same here with old phones! We gave my iPhone 4 to my youngest daughter when the older kids bought iPods with their Christmas money. She loves it. But I found out the hard way I should have removed all my contacts first. She texted a couple of them some rather odd messages.
Gina B says
Oh no! Amelia has done that to Chris, LOL!
Caitlin says
a travel travel that hooks on to her carseat. Perfect for coloring, crafts and meals!
Margaret Smith says
Usually some games, snacks, some small toys.
jodi says
snacks, ipad to watch movies on, travel pillow and more snacks
natosha says
I think for kids I would need to have a handheld game system or a book of puzzles to keep the kids entertained.
kelly mcgrew says
dont have kids but i need my kindle!
Alan Saxon says
Handheld gaming device.
Ann Fantom says
Tissues, granola bars and Nintendo games.
Dawn Hecke says
A must have for travelling with kids is snacks,pens,paper,crayons,tablets and earphones.
Katie P says
Snacks & water!
Tina Bredbury says
Movies, Ipad, Games, Coloring and food. ALL MUST HAVES 🙂
Brenda says
Travel games like Bingo and connect four.
Samantha Daleo says
No matter how old they get, a good ol’ sketch pad and pencils are both of my kids favorite traveling go-to’s.
Casondra king says
Must have snacks and wipes definitive must
Amy Conyers says
Healthy snacks, water, lots of activities, travel pillow…
wendi watson says
i have to have the iPads and their chargers so there is something for them to do instead of argue
Lorayne Gothard says
Electronics and more electronics!! Short trips we just talk and have fun!!
nickie says
Snacks, drinks, and kindle fire.
denice p says
I’ve always found word search puzzles to be pretty good when traveling with kids. I like it because sometimes it takes them a good while to find the word that they are looking for.
Judith Carlow says
I need this ! 🙂
Cynthia C says
Lots of snacks and a hand held gaming system usually kept my kids busy.
Mrs B says
Books and coloring books! And audiobooks so we can all listen.
John OBrien says
sippy cups and coloring books.
Rick J Bryant says
Like the brand. Will use while working!!!!
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
We have to have books and toys to keep them happy. We also have an overnight bag so we do not have to unpack everything just for a one night stay.
vmkids3 at msn dot com
DEBRA GIFFORD says
For my grandsons, I need gaming systems, snacks, and drinks.
Jennifer A says
My must have is always snacks. With 3 boys, someone is always hungry.
Rebecca H says
Bottled water.
Kelly D says
Our must haves are snacks, drinks, stuffed animals and handheld games
Heather R says
a travel dvd player is amazing on a long trip!
Brandon Culley says
Definitely some tech such as ipad, or handheld gaming system, some munchies and a drink! maybe a movie 🙂
christine j says
my biggest must have for a road trip has always been a portable dvd player
Linda G. says
I always keep books in the car for the grandkids, they love to read and makes the travel time from their house to ours go more quickly!
Sara Filler says
each boy has a bag with toys they have selected to bring
April G says
His DS (with headphones!) and snacks!
Angela W says
Snacks and the portable DS or ipad
RICHARD HICKS says
Must have their favorite movies and a video player to keep them occupied.
Yulia M. says
We always have some type of snack and thank goodness for tablets.
Carolsue says
As long as my daughter has her iPod, she’s happy.
Sofia says
Snacks, a lot of snacks. And DVDs. 🙂
alena svetelska says
drinks,snacks,coloring books and crayons and kindle fire;-)
Mindi says
I make sure they have an iPad, tablet, or portable DVD player!
Jennifer O says
When the kids have electronics to keep them distracted you can go on longer trips. Recently went all the way from NY to the Florida keys.
Jane Thomas says
Snacks, ipod and activity books.
laurakc181 says
We always create a travel box with all their favorite snacks and drinks and that way we don’t have to stop for snacks along the way.
Crystal Gregg says
fruit squeeze pouches and hot wheels cars
Kurt Mehring says
Definitely a must have!!!
Julie says
All my three year old needs for a 10 hour drive is a couple snacks, bottle of water or juice and a few books to read. She also loves to play the iPad on our break from driving and we sing a lot in the car and just play games.
Jessibeth Vicenty says
A lot of Snacks and music or a few movies! 🙂
Brittney House says
My kids love their ipods.
Melissa Dealmeida says
A good CD collection and snacks!
Shannon says
I would say snacks and games. I don’t have kids but I would have to say these are must haves.
Jennifer Rote says
Nintendo 3DS and snacks.
Tracy Jones says
We usually take the portable DVD player.
Sarah Johnson says
We do the old phone thing as well we call them the “game phones” We also always have coloring materials as well.
Merry says
A toy or snack kept in reserve. It’s so helpful to have something to pull out in the case of a boredom emergency!
Austin Baroudi says
Snacks and drinks!
Carly Jor says
You can’t go anywhere without snacks.
nannypanpan says
snacks and an electronic devise
Lee Campo says
Snacks.
Sarah Jestings says
I always have baby wipes with traveling with the kids.
Stephanie Larison says
Snacks for everyone, and the leappad 2 for them to play with.
debra p says
games, books, snacks, juice, water
traci bender says
IPOD is the best when traveling with my 13 & 15 teen boys 🙂
Tara Funair says
My must haves are snacks, pillows, blankets, and electronics with plenty of chargers.
darby says
books and snacks
Holly Kennedy says
Snacks and travel at night if possible.
xty cruz says
Always bring healthy snack and water
danielle Marie says
you should prepare for everything. there is no such thing as being too prepared. snacks, games, changes of clothes etc.
Erica B. says
Gotta pack snacks.
Steve Stone says
games and toys for us.
Mrs. Sarah Coller says
Must haves for travel with kids: something for them to write or draw with (pencils—not pens!), something for them to snack on (NO HOT DOGS…that can get gross.), something for them to listen to (my choice!!).
Denise Anderson says
Snacks, books and dvds!! Must haves!
heather e.g. kaufman says
I always take crayons, pens & paper.
Jessica Epps says
Snacks and movies are a must when we travel.
Karen Drake says
Our must haves for traveling with the kids are handheld games like Gameboy, and snacks.
Reichal Winn says
Our kids are always either listening to mp3 players or playing on our phones when we are in the car.
Trudy says
snacks and games.
Anita says
My daughter favorite toy a Minnie Mouse Plush doll and my son of course his 3DS
Daniel M says
games movies snacks
Jill Myrick says
When we travel I pack each of my kids a small backpack that might contain a favorite blankie, a book, a game, snacks, drink boxes etc. They love having their favorite items and I love how much more peaceful it makes traveling.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
amanda whitley says
my must haves are a portable dvd player or tablet to have the kids watch movies on and lots of snacks
Jason Washuta says
My son always brings his tablet.
Contest Kim says
Lots of snacks!
Sarah Hall says
We have to have something to entertain them and lots of car-friendly snacks.
Patricia Edwards says
Tablet, cell phone and snacks!
will m says
We always have animal crackers and listen to the radio for sing-a-longs!
Lisa says
snacks, drinks, and music are a must!
Tawny says
I always need to have snacks and portable gaming systems. I always make sure I have a car charger available for what the kids may need.
Lori Walker says
we must bring snacks, books, and pillows.
Paula Hafner says
We bring snacks, drinks, a light blanket, dvd player, and dvds. We also bring some small toys.
Alison says
Snacks and books or a movie are essential for traveling with kiddos!
Tram Le says
A must have for traveling with kids is definitely some portable games.
Brenda Elsner says
Must bring snacks and books.
nikolas alexander says
lots of healthy snacks and water.
melina r says
Must have for traveling with kids is games and snacks.
Annmarie W. says
We don’t travel without my son’s DS and water or something else to drink. He usually has pokemon cards with him, too.
T.h.Ransom says
Our must haves would be books and Dvds!
lissa crane says
A dvd player so they can watch movies! A gaming device or my phone for games is a great idea too!
Ciara B. says
plenty of snacks and toys!
kara kjellman says
Movies and snacks!
Jackie Williams says
We never leave home without our phones, which are really mini couputers now a days! Keeps everyone occupied for hours 🙂
Nikki Lynn Hanna says
some snacks, books, crayons and a portable dvd player if possible
Birdiebee says
Car games, headsets and iPods.
carl says
snacks and crayon books
Virginia Rowell says
My must haves are books, snacks and a portable dvd player.
kathy dalton says
SNACKS AND WATER OR JUICE ARE MUST HAVES
Darlene Owen says
A must have is baby wipes.
Stephanie Galbraith says
Car games are a must.
Deanna Middendorf says
Snacks, blanket, wipes, small pillow, you name it, we better have it with us.
Stephanie O'Day says
A pillow, blanket, and some sort of activity book!
lauren says
dvd player for long car ride and plenty of movies, especially new ones
melissaandkeith miller says
tablet and portable dvd player
Brandy says
We make sure we have the nabi a pillow and snacks.
liz l says
Coloring books and flashcards
caitmckenz13 says
Distracting movies to keep them occupied.
Sue Hull says
Coloring book,crayons,snacks and movies. 2 sets of ear phone if you have 2 dvd players. Thank you for great giveaway 🙂
Leela says
Drinks, snacks and games.
Trisha McKee says
Snacks and ipod are must – haves for traveling with my daughter.
Fiona N says
books, games, car charger, cell-phones, sunscreens, blankets, snacks, drinks!
Thank You
Lily Kwan says
snacks and books