1. When traveling with your children, always prepare in advance with them whom they should ask for help, if separated, or where to meet. Also, for young children, make each of them a card which states their name, place they are staying, contact phone number, parents' names, medications they are taking, allergies, and what to do if lost. Then, the child should be told to give the card ONLY to a police officer should they become separated. 

Backseat Survival Guide - Because I am a kid I have the inside scoop. The book is called Kidstravel: a Backseat Survival Guide (from Klutz Press) 

2. You can't beat music or stories for kids to pass the time. The ideal may be a personal stereo with headphones, but that's not always available or practical. If everyone has to listen together, it can be tougher, since much of kids' music is intolerable by older siblings and parents ... but not all. You might check out my stuff ... targeted toward preschool and elementary ages, but written with a wider audience in mind. I also have some stories in CD form at http://LightUpYourBrain.com 

3. If you have kids who are excited about going somewhere special (like a Disney Cruise) and they have calendars or planners have the start the day before you leave and write "1 more day!" and do that until you get up to the recent date on the calendar. My kids did this with the planners their school handed out and loved decorating their "Countdown" box! 

4. Here's a good idea for when you are traveling with older children or teens. If you are taking a road trip and space is little, one large, long book to read is much better than several short ones. One of those Harry Potter books work really well, or any other long book. 

5. When traveling with children on a plane, try to pack some food they like in a carry on bag. They tend to be a little picky about what they're serving on the plane. 

6. When packing your 'bag-o-tricks' for an airplane trip with kids, think 'versatility'. I like to travel light with things that can be used in more than one way. My favorites are:  A pad of unlined, white stationery - use for drawing, paper airplanes, fans, and other origami projects  Crayola WATERCOLOR pencils - These don't melt like crayons and, when dipped in a cup of water, can be used as face paint (dries quickly, doesn't smear, easily removed with water or baby wipe). I once pulled them out during an airport delay and ended up with a line of kids waiting to get their faces painted (not to mention several grateful parents!).  A set of 20(+/-) plastic 'links' - unlimited uses. Some are: hook onto child's belt loop in a crowd, stretch between 2 people and have a limbo contest while waiting to board the plane; hang baby's toys so they don't drop on dirty floors; use as fasteners on luggage for name tags or jacket holders; and ... 
One or 2 favorite 'beanies' - I can't begin to tell you the many adventures of 'Mickey' when he's accompanied us on our trips; great storytelling opportunities plus a wonderful ice-breaker for new friends! 

7. When traveling with young children we try to pack lots of snacks and drinks that don't have sugar in them. For example fruits and veggies, raisins, and crackers. After all - who needs a kid to get a sugar rush while confined in a car seat? 

8. Books-on-tape are great when traveling with children of any age. Everyone can enjoy them and they make the trip go by much faster. 

9. When traveling with children, especially if one parent only may accompany the child(ren) out of the country - make sure that you have a signed and notarized letter from both parents stating that permission is given to the accompanying parent (or temporary guardian) to take the child out of the country. Make sure also that the accompanying parent or guardian also has the necessary medical release forms for said child(ren). This is especially important when traveling to Mexico. Travel agents or the airline should have these forms available. 

10. Consider a home exchange vacation to both save money when visiting expensive cities and to have a comfortable base to return to after a day of sightseeing. Families with children have a much more relaxing vacation on an exchange than when cooped up in a hotel room. If you swap with another family with children of similar ages to your own, your children will have a whole new range of toys, books - and even local playmates! 

11. It helps to purchase disposable items that can be easily and quickly discarded throughout your trip. Items such as disposable bibs, anti-bacterial wipes, even plastic eating utensils if desired. This way nothing of value is lost and everything can just be tossed when finished with it! 

12. Prepare 'goodie bags. Every 1 to 2 hours they get a bag with a snack and drink, or inexpensive toy (crayons, silly putty, play-doh, items from the dollar store). We started this when my oldest was two and at age nine, it still works. They can't wait to see what is inside.

13. The TV with built-in VCR is also a life-saver. It has an adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter. My husband swears that it is the best investment I ever made. (Also comes in handy when one of the boys has to go to work with me.) 

14. At the beginning of the trip give them a dollar or 2 for each day. They are then responsible to buy all those little treats they want (like sodas or a snack). They can keep any money they don't spend. This keeps the kids from begging to buy everything they see. I find my children don't want as many snacks - they prefer to keep the cash! I spend less and don't have to deal with whining children! 

15. In case of separation, every second counts! When traveling through airports or other crowded places, I lace two 'jingle bells' to the toes of my son's shoes. (He calls them his 'jingle boots'.) I also hang a small plastic whistle on a string around his neck to be used ONLY if he gets separated from us. Finally, I carry a recent, full-length photo taken of him in his standard travel outfit (his blue wind suit) - a quick way for people to recognize him in a busy place! 

16. When taking cross country road trips, take small photos of children (school shots, etc.) On the back write their name and age, along with any other information you desire (such as emergency medical, who to notify). Put these in a zip lock baggy and tape to the dash or somewhere noticeable in the vehicle. If an accident were to happen most kids haven't any identification like adults do. 

17. When selecting toys for your baby or toddler on a long road trip, remember to leave the 'noisy' or 'musical' toys at home. Although they are entertaining, they can be very distracting to the driver (especially anything that sounds even remotely like a police siren) and no matter how much your baby loves 'the cow says moooo', you're going to find yourself ready to throw that toy out the window after a few hundred miles! 

18. While traveling a LONG way in the car, here is a fun game to play with children almost any age! As you are driving, there are signs that state the mileage until cities and states. As you see these signs, have each child state their prediction for how many miles the next sign will say. Whoever comes closest can receive a small prize or candy as an incentive. It's a great way to pass the time, and even teenagers in the family enjoy playing it! Also, the children get more and more excited as the miles grow shorter. Before you know it the signs will be reading 1 more mile to go!

19. On the day of the trip, use a Polaroid camera and take photos of each child. Put them in your purse, wallet or bag. If you become separated from your child, you will have a photo of what your child looks like RIGHT THEN, that day. Girls' hairstyles can change, clothing can look different, etc. - so even a recent photograph may not look like what your child looks like on the day of travel. But a Polaroid taken THAT DAY will help in locating a misdirected child. 

20. A game for traveling - draw road signs on a sheet of paper, when your child sees the sign he/she can cross it off, being given a reward as all are crossed off. (If the reward is good enough - it should keep them amused for some time!). 

21. On a long car trip, place an old blanket/bath towel along the length of the back seat, under any car seats, etc., if you have younger kids. This will save your car upholstery from the spilled juice, dropped snacks, etc. It also makes it easier at the other end to do the clean up job! 

22. When traveling by car, a simple trick like removing the children's shoes, or changing the location of their car seat, will ease a child. 

23. One fun game that I have enjoyed on long car trips is singing a song everyone knows. The catch is, each person sings one word at a time. I played this with a group ranging in age from 16 to 35 and it occupied us for an hour and a half! 

24. When going on long trips it is better to leave at night with young kids so they can sleep. I buy inexpensive toys and give 1 to them every hour since kids only like to play with toys the first hour. (Try magazines with older kids) 

25. Air travel with tots: To keep wiggly toddlers in their seats happily, film their favorite video on your handheld video camera. Replay in flight, letting them watch it on the small screen. (Tip: bring extra batteries!) 

26. Teach your kids to memorize your home phone number and that of at least one other relative at home (including area code). 

27. All adults traveling across international borders with children should be prepared to show proof of parentage or guardianship of the children. Single parents should carry a letter from the absent parent indicating their permission for the children to leave the country with you. If you are separated or divorced, be sure to have copies of legal documents with you regarding custody rights for minor children traveling with you.