Diaper Bags for Dads & Moms - Diaper Dude Bags!

Dude, it’s the Holiday season and some of you may be packing up and hitting the road with your family.  I’m happy to say my family is staying put this year.  But with all the packing, schlepping, rushing and stressing I’ve done with my kids in the past, (secretly saying to my wife “are we there yet?”) I’ve discovered some tips along the way (whether you are traveling by land, sea or air) that will keep the kido’s occupied and more importantly, you sane.

Here is the game plan – it’s all about planning and a little planning goes a long way.

If your little dude or diva is 8 months and beyond, invest in portable DVD players.  You can totally get great deals at places like Target and Wal-Mart or if you’re lucky your vehicle already has one.  Next, stock up on DVDs that the kids like, TV series, movies or introduce them to stuff you liked as a kid that’s age appropriate.  You can even rent them on Netflix, or buy them on Amazon.com or your local movie rental store.  The Goal – keep them occupied and give yourself a dedicated amount of peaceful travel time.

TIP – Check out the movie rental store’s previously viewed section to find great deals!

Here’s one that is a bit creative and sure to keep them occupied. 

Create a Surprise Backpack – Kid’s of all ages will love this!  Take an empty backpack or tote bag and fill it with the stuff the kids have NOT SEEN.  Silly putty, play dough, coloring books, activity books, crayons, Crayola color wonder paints sets, Matchbox cars, story books or comic books, small stuffed animals, Nerf football, DVDs and snacks (get the idea?)  Personally I’ve found finger puppets to be the ultimate distraction for my little ones.  “Finger puppet theatre” as we called it, occupied most of the trip and the kids got to be creative with telling stories.   For the snacks, put together Ziploc bags filled with cheese & crackers, snack mix, cookies, trail mix, vegetables(if your lucky enough to have a kid who actually enjoys them) and a special treat like a favorite candy (if needed you can use this as a bribe in an emergency.)  The overall idea behind the surprise backpack is to introduce something new every hour or so.  The kids will be excited at the thought of experiencing something new.  You can even pick up most of these items at the 99Cents stores or your local drug store.

If you are driving, a few extra minutes spent mapping out your route will serve you well and be sure to find places to stop along the way.  Pick a couple for food. If you are driving through rural areas, there are often farms that sell their goods to the public and the kids may be able to check out some animals.  On your way to wherever you are going, there might be some interesting stuff to see , historical, kitschy or just plain cool (be sure to pack your digital camera for some great photo ops.)  Find a park along the way where you and your kids can run around and get out some energy.  Bring a ball or Frisbee and get a game or two in.

For the little ones, bring a blanket and relaxing music so you can get them in the mood to take a nap (if you are lucky.)

If all else fails, use the old incentive program – if there is something you know they want, make it work for you. 

Believe me these tips will make the trip more fun for everyone.  If you are going to see relatives, well, you’re on your own for now – maybe we’ll address that issue at a later date.  And of course, if you have some tips you want to share, the Dude would love to know!