If you have a long drive ahead, it is better to drive through the night.
You won't miss "are we there yet?" Pack the car finished well in advance of leaving and make sure you included the sing-along tapes!

Get your older-than-toddler excited about the trip by going through brochures together beforehand and the map book. Create a road-trip route-map together, with recognisable landmarks for them to figure out whether "we are there yet".

Keep a trash bag and zip-loc bags for car/air sickness, garbage or storing toys, snacks or wet toothbrushes in your handbag.

Keep a mini First Aid kit with tissues and/or toilet paper plus liquid anti-bacterial soap - you will be glad when stopping at a remote (and funky) public restroom.

Keep a book light handy for older kids to read or play after dark.

When stopping to re-fuel, transfer planes or rest, use a small ball for your younger children to chase after. Burning energy and getting blood flowing again lifts the spirits and lowers restlessness.

Road Games

'I spy with my little eye' something beginning with a, b or c.

Car-spotting of a selected colour. Choose yellow for example and see them glued to the window!

Anything-spotting by selected theme, such as Cattle: Sheep: Lamb. Again, see them glued to the window.

Monetary prize for the child who stays quiet the longest - a firm favourite after 10 hours on the road!