Long rides aboard buses or trains with children can be especially challenging. Even the best behaved children will struggle with the monotony of being trapped in the same rail car or uncomfortable bus seat for hours on end. The simplest solution is to schedule the trip during the night, allowing the children to sleep away the trip; but that’s not always and an option. Parents who think ahead will be better prepared to deal with the situation.

Technology can provide one answer. The price of Portable DVD players has dropped considerably. Mini CD players and hand-held video games will provide at least a few hours of entertainment for the kids (and peace and quiet for the parents). However, for those children too young for the gadgets, and for all children when the gadgets get boring or the batteries die, make sure to have other things on hand.

A stack of books is always welcome on a long trip. Pack a variety of books appropriate to the ages of the children, from picture books for the youngest to magazines or novels for the oldest. An added advantage of books is that one book can occupy more than one child -  all of the children can listen while an adult reads aloud, or an older child can read a book to a younger one.

Make sure to bring a collection of toys, too. Younger children can entertain themselves for quite a while with a stuffed toy to cuddle or a doll to chat with.  Art supplies are one thing most parents don’t consider, but for a child who loves to draw, washable window markers and cling plastic stickers are the perfect tool to turn their window into a work of art.

Most importantly, don’t neglect the value of “quality time.” Just a pleasant conversation or a rousing chorus of “Ninety-Nine Bottles of Juice on the Wall” might be all that’s needed to turn a boring train ride into a memorable family vacation.

Long drives are a challenge for kids.  Kids want to be active, and sitting in a car for a long drive can really test their patience.  One way parents can help to make the time pass more easily is by having a wide variety of games and activities in mind for the trip.  After all, a driver can only listen to so many rounds of “Ninety Nine Bottles of Juice on the Wall” without trying to drown it out with some heavy metal from the car stereo.

Depending on the age level, something as simple as “I Spy” would work.  One player selects an item outside the vehicle, and says “I Spy something Orange!”  The rest of the players take turns trying to guess what that person has chosen.

Some children might enjoy Round Robin Storytelling.  One parent starts the story, and each person adds a sentence or two.  This rapidly becomes “The Adventures of Quinn and his pet Octopus in Underground Trashland After Dark.”  Keep a tape recorder handy!

With a little preparation, games such as Make and Model Bingo can use up several hours.  Lay out a dozen Bingo sheets, and randomly fill the squares with car descriptions.  For younger children, use “White Truck” and “Blue Car,” and for older children, add more detail, like “Purple Ford” and “Yellow Humm-Vee.”  Laminate the sheets so that crayon can be erased, and toss them in the car.  Since the driver can’t watch their sheet, they get to watch the road and call out the vehicles to mark.

Finally, for inspiration for older children, watch a few episodes of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and borrow some of their games.  For example, two players have to make up a conversation where every phrase has to start with the next letter of the alphabet:  “I would like a hamburger.”  “Just a moment please.”  “Keep the change.”  “Look, a flying saucer!”

Many kid friendly hotels and restaurants boast play areas for your children. While these playgrounds can give harried traveling parents a few minutes respite and give kids with cabin fever a way to burn off some energy, parents need to keep a few safety tips in mind.

First, check with the staff to be sure the play area wasn’t painted with lead based paint.  Wood playsets are generally treated with chemicals, so be sure to have kids wash their hands after playing on them. With either type of outdoor play set, be sure your children don’t put their mouth on them.

Keep the play area surface in mind.  Wood chips, play mats and other “spongy surfaces” are safer than gravel, dirt, and grass. Because the soft spongy materials absorb energy better, your child is less likely to break a bone when they fall. Watch very young children around wood chips. They are just as likely to taste them as to play in them.

To reduce the risk of serious injury, children under 5 should not climb more than five feet off the ground.  Make sure to remove any jackets with hoods before they reach the playground; hoods can easily become choking hazards in the heat of the moment.  Other hazardous clothing can include loose pants, pants that are too long, and untied shoes.

Ball Pits were all the rage a few years ago, but they’ve fallen out of favor because they’re very difficult to keep clean, and many places have simply removed them.  There’s no telling what could be lurking down below all of those brightly colored balls, so keep the kids out of them.  Spinning merry-go-rounds have likewise faded from playgrounds, but if you happen to find one, make sure your kids understand that they can go flying off!

At any playground, children should behave.  Pushing and shoving not only lead to hurt feelings, but at the top of a slide or fireman’s pole, they can lead to injury also.

When traveling by train or bus with small children, safety is a crucial factor.

In the station lobby, keep children close by.  Places like crowded airports and bustling train stations are very popular hangouts for purse snatchers and pickpockets, and an unsupervised child might be a very tempting target.

Don’t let your luggage out of sight, either.  With a family-sized pile of baggage, one small piece might not be missed until the family is a hundred miles from the station.  Put your ID on all of your luggage.  While you’re at it, make sure every child is also carrying ID, including name, address, itinerary, phone numbers, and if possible, the contact information for the person the child is going to see at their destination.  That way, even in the unlikely event you and your children are separated, they should be able to contact either you or someone at the destination.

Supervision of children is also critical when boarding or leaving the vehicle.  Bus and train stations are very active places, with vehicles moving in all directions, and a child could very easily step into danger while the parents are wrestling with a stroller or heavy bag.

Bus or train rides that last longer than a few minutes will require moving around, even if only for restroom breaks.  Since the vehicle will be moving, children may need help to keep their balance and footing while working their way to and from the restroom.

Place children in window seats on buses whenever possible.  Not only will this give them something to look at during the trip, it will also make it more difficult for them to wander away down the aisle if mommy or daddy falls asleep because they would have to crawl over or under the adult.

Trains and subways can be very crowded at times and small children can get lost in the commotion.  Be sure to keep the children close when the ride becomes “standing room only.”

When traveling out of the United States, your child, regardless of age, will need his/her own passport. To obtain a passport you will need to go to your local passport office and fill out the required forms. You will be required to show proof of identification for yourself and your child.

You can apply for a passport at most city offices. Check your local government listings for exact locations.

When you fill out the passport application you will need to have with you proof of US citizenship, proof of identity, two recent pictures, and the correct amount in fees.

You must have certified copies of all birth certificates submitted. The passport office will take your birth certificates with your application. They will be returned to you, by mail, with your new passport.

Photographs must be exactly 2 in X 2 in. and no more than 1 3/8 in from the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair. The image must be of you alone and no less than 1 in. Additionally, you must not be wearing any type of head covering or dark glasses, unless they are certified religious or medical in nature.

Also, for your children you will need  proof that you are the child’s parent or guardian, including a notarized statement signed by both parents or evidence you are the child’s only legal guardian. The US Department of State will provide you with these forms.

Keep in mind, the child must accompany the parent to the passport office. You can not apply for your child’s passport without them.

Plan well ahead and allow at least eight weeks to receive your passports. When you turn in your application and supporting documents, you will be given a website address where you can check on the status of your passport..