After quite a few years of travel with kids we have learnt a few things along the way to make it easier for everyone
1) Activities. Have a backpack or one of those really big pencil cases full of age appropriate activities. We would include things like colouring books, activity books, pens and pencils. One thing I found kept them amused far longer than I expected was a magazine of spot-the-difference. They sat there for hours finding the difference between photographs. There is also those scratch papers that once you scratch it off it creates a picture from what's underneath it
2) Tablets/iPads... we would do some of our schoolwork online and would use our travel time to get some of it done. There are some great educational programs for the under 6th grade such as Reading Eggs is all about reading, duolingo is a great one for learning another language, time4learning is a all round curriculum program that can be done.
3) Passes. Specifically for the states getting hold of the National Park pass. It's $80 and covers all the National Parks in the USA. It's cheaper to do it this way than pay each time you visit one, and I highly recommend visiting as many as possible
4) Apps. Download the app Campendium. You can search for campground based on your specific requirements. I loved searching for state parks in the area. Always a great stay and super cheap.
5) Lists. I would always do a search as we got into a new state on "top things to see and do in ...". Most of them we wouldn't visit unless it was a stand out activity. There is only so many museums the kids will go to before they are whining all the way around them. In saying that there are a few museums that we went to that were out of this world. The Henry Ford museum was amazing and so interactive for the kids (and adults) and Jamestown Museum was another stand out favorite with everyone.
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