6 Tips for Road Tripping with Kids in Tow

They say it's all about the journey, not the destination. Right — but when you're hitting the open road with ultra-young travelers, that journey can be pretty rough.

Fortunately, we have six tips and tricks to keep the little ones entertained and your sanity intact during a long road trip. And they're all using items you can find at Costco.com.

1. Change the scenery with window art

Drawing on the walls is one thing, but drawing on the windows is quite another. Using magic window markers, your kids will have a blast really coloring outside the lines.

Pro-Tip: Be sure to pack a cloth that can be moistened so your passengers can play repeated games of tic-tac-toe and hangman, or write friendly messages to passersby.

2. Let the crafts begin

Toss your kids a versatile craft kit and let their creativity shine. Encourage them to take notes, collect postcards, personalize maps and draw images of the things they see along the way.

Pro-Tip: To avoid mayhem, dangle auto storage cases behind the front seats so kids have a place to stow their supplies. Pack DIY decorated cookie sheets as surfaces for them to write on.

3. Anticipate the "I'm hungry" with mason-jar meals

Avoid fast food by packing healthy meals and snacks, such as peanut butter and celery sticks or fruit and yogurt, in portable mason jars. An empty plastic cereal container makes for a handy "open and close" waste bucket.

4. Don't forget the extra-special treats

Keep kids from running wild with their sweet tooth and encourage good behavior by rewarding polite passengers with tasty treats — stash them in colorful plastic easter eggs to keep them a mystery.

Pro-Tip: Decorate pins with the kids' initials and clip them to the sun visor. If someone acts up, their pin comes down. At each stop, those with a "live" pin are in for a treat.

5. Make the most of stops with their favorite toys

It's much easier to hop back into the car after a fun-filled stop. Make sure to take an extended breather for lunch — bring kites and remote-controlled helicopters for the kids.

Pro-Tip: Answer "Are we there yet?" by tying a string between the two front seats. Dangle colorful flags with numbers to act as a countdown for all the hours left to go.

6. Mount a "movie screen"

Using Velcro strips with an adhesive surface, fasten a tablet or an iPad to the back side of your headrest so kids can watch their all-time favorite (hopefully long) movies at a comfortable angle.

Pro-Tip: Place a shower caddy in the center seat and fill it with classic "movie night" treats, such as popcorn and candy. Or, to stay on the healthy side, use sweet-and-salty trail mix.