Put some crayons into plastic sandwich bags and store them in a paper bag. When children start getting antsy on a long car ride, give them the bags and invite them to create a paper bag puppet. The craft will occupy some time---as will the puppet show that children can write and perform after they've finished their puppets.
Before your road trip, buy magnet sheets (available at craft stores) and stick plain white paper on the back of the sheets. While on the trip, supply kids with the magnet sheets and a non-aluminum cookie sheet to stick them to so they don't slide. Invite kids to create several small pictures on the sheet; simple people and animals work well with this craft. At a rest stop or hotel, have an adult cut the shapes out and allow children to play with their new magnets on the cookie tray.
In preparation for your trip, help children decorate a cotton grocery tote with fabric paint and pens. Children may want to draw a picture of their destination or another scene. Parents and children can fill the Take-Along Tote with entertaining travel items. A pencil box filled with crayons and other art supplies will provide hours of creative fun on the road. Books, coloring books, paper, small toys and some healthy snacks should all be included in the tote for fun while traveling.
Older kids may enjoy recording their journey in a travel journal. Provide a colorful or theme-specific blank journal for children to add entries to while traveling. Colorful pens and travel related stickers will add color and illustration to journal pages. Bring invisible tape or a glue stick so the child can attach ticket stubs or receipts to her journal. Small sandwich bags are handy for keeping pretty leaves that are found along the way in a safe place. Bring a digital camera and add photos to the journal after pictures have been printed.
