When you plan a family road trip or a trip to another country, you will need to think about how your kids will have to sit still and be “well behaved” for long periods of time.

When you get on a plane with your small child and walk down the aisle to your seat, everyone looks at you with a face that says one thing: they really hope you’re not going to sit in front of, behind, next to, or even close to them.

As you pack your bags and arrange your belongings in your car in a way reminiscent of Tetris, you can’t help but shiver at the thought of the endless stretches of road ahead of you and the hours of driving. This shudder can be caused by excitement, but if you have kids, it’s more likely to be caused by nerves about being asked, “Are we there yet?”

Take a break with your kids this summer? Here are some helpful hints and tips to make sure everything goes smoothly and that you even enjoy traveling with your kids.

Boxing up

Plan to get your child their own bag or other piece of luggage when they are old enough to take care of and keep with them in the car. You can put your child’s favorite toys and other fun things in this bag, like a book, some games, and anything else they might like to play with. The child will enjoy carrying and taking care of their own bag because they will feel like “a big boy or girl” who is in charge of their own things.

You should bring an extra small carry-on bag with you that has all the basics you might need at any time. This will keep you from having to dig through several bags or the whole trunk of your car to find the wet wipes. Also, this bag should always have extra clothes for you and your child in case they throw up. You don’t want to spend 12 hours on a plane covered in vomit.

Movies and Games

You might also want to buy earphones that are made for toddlers, since regular earphones are often too big and uncomfortable for kids. You might also want to put some games and movies your kids like on your cell phone or iPad while you’re packing for your trip. That way, they can watch them on the plane or in the back of the car.

You might also want to give your kids a few extra new toys or gifts that you can pull out during the holiday when things get tough. This will keep them busy and give you a chance to relax. If you are going on a trip to a game reserve, these new toys or activities could include an animal coloring book or other things that will teach the kids about the African bush and the place they are visiting.

Don’t forget about simple games like I-spy or memory. They’re great ways to spend an hour or two with your child and are also educational because they make them pay attention to what’s going on around them.

Before you go

Allow the kids and baby some time to run and crawl before you get on the plane or drive off the driveway. This time for exercise is a great way to get rid of some of that stress. Before getting in the car or on the plane, make sure everyone goes to the bathroom, even if they don’t need to go right now.

Food

Don’t depend on gas stations along the road or food on an airplane to keep your child fed and happy. Bring some simple, messy, or sticky foods that are easy to eat. If you have more than one child, bring two or three cups or bowls so that they don’t fight over who gets to eat first while they’re sitting on the plane.

You might also want to keep a “special” tin or packet of your kids’ favorite cookies or sweets on hand for times when you need to praise good behavior or hang a carrot for them.

Describe the Adventure

Before getting in the car or on the plane, tell them what’s going to happen, where you’re going, and why it’s important. Spend some time writing a story about the event. This will make it more exciting and may help your child understand why he or she needs to be extra-extra-extra-behaved.

You should give your child something to chew on or drink and nurse or feed your baby before takeoff and landing. The air pressure will go down. Little ones should be told that they can clear their ears by blowing through their nose and covering their ears. The more information they have, the easier it will be.