Colorado Trip - Dallas,TX

Last trip we took with the 3 small grandkids I went to the $1.00 store and bought games and toys so each child got 2 gifts per day so there was a new package every morning and again in the afternoon. I also bought each a small backpack to keep all their things in. We also love the markers that are kid proof only writing on their coloring books for the older kids. I did the same with snacks making trash out of several different low sugar cereals with raisins or banana chips and putting it in small snack size ziplocks. DVD's were great when it was dark out.

We do a 13 hour drive to Colorado every year with our boys, now 6 and 8, and this year will add a 5 month old girl to the mix. We are blessed to have family waiting at the other end, so we leave around 7 PM and take turns driving all night, and they wake up in time for us to hand off to grandparents while we nap.

We stop in Amarillo on the way home for ,in a sense ,a mini vacation (and to break up the trip instead of driving overnight). We stay at La Kiva hotel - cheap but clean with an indoor pool (the highlight) and breakfast, and the other biggie - a free "limo" ride (in a stretch cadillac with longhorns on the hood to the Big Texas - the Texas cliche Texas tourist trap of a restaurant where people try to eat a 72 oz steak within an hour to get it for free, singing cowboys serenade the tables, and you can get fried rattlesnake and rocky mountain oysters for an appetizer!

I love the idea for the light sticks - I think we will add that to the overnight trip this year! I've seen them cheap at the dollar store. We also let the boys pick out a couple of new books at half price books, or the library, and the DVD player is our best friend. If you look up locations before you go, you can rent DVD's at a Red Box here, and drop them off at any location in the US (they are mainly at McDonalds and Valero gas statins, but also Krogers, HEB, and some other spots). Blockbuster has kisoks too, but not as many (there is one in Denver, here in Tom Thumbs)

Sorry cant help you except to say maybe coloring books for the older 2, activity books, snacks. If you have a portable DVD player - bring some of their favorite DVD's

Where in Colorado are you going? We are leaving I think Saturday or Monday (depending upon if DH gets the weekend off) for Colorado. We have a 13yo DD, 8yo DD & 6yo DD

We do long car trips every summer and here are some things we've found that help: We wake up about 3:00 in the morning, put the kids in the car in jammies and go...works great because we get a few hours sleep before & the kids will sleep at least until the sun comes up. Take a large sheet that you keep folded in the back, then plan to stop every 2-3 hours at rest stops, spread the sheet out and have a picnic snack or lunch. It's better than a fast food joint because the kids can really run (we always have races around the farthest tree or other landmark) & the baby can roll/scoot/crawl around. There's also an awesome Safety Rest Stop...think it's between Childress & Amarillo (I'm sure you can find the location on-line). It has a playground, so we plan a good 30 minutes or more there. Of course, the DVD player...and the key is to borrow or rent videos they haven't seen yet. Also, my kids love their magna-doodles in the car, and the non-driving adult blowing bubbles is a good one for a restless baby and the big kids get a kick out of bubble-popping in the car. And the #1 way to keep your kids happy in the car: SNACKS!! Lots and lots of snacks. We always have a big bag with boxes of fruit snacks, chex mix, granola bars, fruit, etc. And, a cooler with small water bottles and juice boxes. Lots of snacks will save your sanity :) Also found that a new activity toy to hang on the baby's seat was good distraction (actually switched out two toys for variety).
Have a great trip!!

Here are some ideas to keep them entertained.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/600

The DVD player idea is one that saved us. Also, leave early in the morning so that the kids will sleep the first several hours of the drive. Then stop for a picnic and let them run off steam and hopefully they will nap until the next stop. Bring CD's for children and have a sing a long. Go to a toy store and see if they have the old car bingo games.

I have done that drive several times. (by myself with kiddos) DVD player is the bomb for the older 2. The baby is the challenge. My advice to you is to leave at 2-3pm, drive till dinner. Stop at a playland and let them run around. Then hit it hard and drive while they are asleep after dinner through the night. This always worked for me. At night u have chat time with ur hubby or u put in the ipod and rock the night away!
Good Luck!

I think you should bring his fav. toys

My kids love their fisher price art doodles on the road and so do we since they are nice and quiet :) Have a safe trip and may God bless you~Chell

I remember my first trip to Colorado with children in 1986. All I packed was summer clothes. We had to purchase warm clothes for all on our first night there. It was still in the 40's at night up there - - even in the middle of summer. So, first of all, don't forget jackets and sweatpants!! I was a hold-out for a long time on the DVD thing. I wanted my children to read books or enjoy the scenery. My husband is the one who cracked and gave in & got one installed in the car. I have to admit, once we got the DVDs into the car, long drives with 4 kids went smoother. But then, just as I feared, we did encounter the problem of getting them out of the car long enough to go look at stuff. "Lowest point in the USA in Death Valley? Great, mom. OK. I see it! Let me get back to '10 Things I Hate About You' !!"

light sticks, I don't travel without them.