Some of us stay home for the holidays. Others make trips to see family and friends. But when you’ve got the kids in tow for children activities, road trips can become rather unpleasant.

It’s not that we don’t enjoy spending time with our kids. It’s just that they get bored. And they get hungry. And they need to stop at every rest area. But if you stop every time they want to stretch their legs or get a candy bar, you could add hours onto your trip. You may find yourself wondering why you didn’t just take a plane.

But road trips with the family don’t have to be an exercise in frustration. If you’re well prepared, they can actually be lots of fun. Here are some ideas to keep boredom and other things that make a road trip less pleasant at bay.

* Bring along plenty of snacks and drinks. But steer clear of chocolate, caffeine and sugar as much as possible, because these things can make already antsy kids even more hyperactive. Instead, pack some juice boxes, fresh fruits and veggies, crackers and other snacks that are healthy yet filling.

* Invest in a couple of travel games that the family can play together, or make up your own. These are great for keeping morale high and providing for quality time on long trips.

* Let each child bring a toy or individual game to play with. Most kids enjoy both group and individual activities at home, and they need both to keep them occupied and contented during a car trip. But be sure to place limits, because if you don’t, they’re likely to bring a whole bag full of stuff.

* If you have an infant, make sure to bring plenty of diapers, wipes, bottles and formula. Calculate how much of each item you will need, and bring about twice as much, just in case. Also, if any of your children take medication, be sure to bring an adequate supply.

* Bring something to put trash in. It’s surprising how many parents forget this. If you fail to do so, you’re just about guaranteed to end up with a car full of trash by the time the trip is over. Depending on the size of your family, you might need a grocery bag or a full-sized garbage bag.

* Be prepared for messes. If you have a mini car vac, it’s a good idea to bring it along. Other things you might need include wet wipes, paper towels, upholstery and carpet stain remover and glass cleaner.

* Ask kids if they need to use the restroom each time you stop at a restaurant or gas station. Otherwise, you might find yourself making lots of unscheduled rest stops.

Parents often consider holiday road trips necessary evils in which they must participate to get where they’re going. But if you plan ahead, the trip can be enjoyable for the whole family.

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Between summer vacations, spring breaks, fall getaways and the winter holidays, it seems that every season is filled with family travel. So to help parents plan vacations and children activities everyone can enjoy, Marriott International, Inc., one of the world’s leading lodging companies, is offering tips to make the experience one you won’t want to forget.

Family Travel Planning

* Make the process of selecting a destination a democratic one - that way everyone can voice their ideas and opinions.
* Look for special family travel packages and discount offers available in your top-five destinations. This will help determine where you can make the most of your time and your budget.
* Once you’ve selected a destination, get a city-specific travel guide designed for those traveling with children. It will help you find activities everyone can enjoy.

Choosing a Hotel

* Try to select a hotel designed for family travel. With amenities like on-site dining, room service, pools, babysitting services and/or kids’ clubs, high-speed internet access, video game consoles and DVD players, you can give them easy access to kid-friendly fun.
* Choose accommodations with room to roam. If you have teenagers or older children, you can also opt for connecting rooms.
* Select a hotel that’s near the attractions you want to see most. Rather than driving across town, you may be able to walk or take the hotel’s shuttle service to your destination.

Source Marriott International

Traveling with a young infant for the first time can be a frightening experience but it does not have to be as scary as some parents expect it will be. It is part of your infant care responsibility to secure all the necessary items needed for the travel.

By the time a baby reaches three months or age there is no reason why you cannot travel with him or her. Babies are not as fragile as many parents believe them to be and they are not able to walk or run off therefore keeping your baby close to you should not be a problem!

Food and comfort tips

* If you are breastfeeding your baby then make sure you bring a water bottle for yourself to help keep yourself hydrated during the trip.
* If you are bottle-feeding then the most convenient thing to bring along for the trip is ready-to-use formula.
* Make sure you bring a bib for your baby (or a couple) that have a plastic or waterproof coating and is big enough to cover his or her whole front.
* Pack enough diapers for the trip as well as bags to put dirty diapers in and lotion in case diaper rash develops.
* In your carry-on bag or in a bag that is easily accessible to you in the car, pack an extra set of clothing for both yourself and your baby in the event that your baby spits up on you or vomits or if a diaper leak occurs.
* Always have a blanket with you so your baby has a cozy, soft place to lie his or her head down and take a nap or even crawl around or roll on.

Health and safety tips

* Gather together all of the supplies you need to create a first aid kit to ensure that you can cope effectively with any minor medical problem that takes place on your trip, with either yourself or your baby. If your infant has any prescription medication that he or she needs make sure to pack it. Write out a list of essentials for the first aid kit if you are concerned that you might forget something important. Any over-the-counter drugs that you might need for your baby is important to include in the first aid kit as well.
* Make sure you have completed an emergency sheet for your baby, which details his or her health information as well as any medication he or she requires. Also include on this sheet all relevant names and telephone numbers of family, friends and doctors.
* A hat is essential for your baby both in the hot months as well as the cold months. Sunscreen is an essential item as well if you plan to have your infant outside. This is not just the case in the summer but all year long. Apply a sunscreen to the face and backs of hands of infants who are under six months of age and apply even more to babies who are older than six months. Always buy a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 for protection.