Traveling with small children can be a pleasurable experience for adults and children, if prepared. If the traveling event has not been planned in advance it can cause unneeded stress for adults and children, thereby instantly reducing some of the enjoyment that takes place during a family road trip. One idea to alleviate any departing stress would be departing just prior to a child’s normal sleep time. Leaving around the time of a child’s normal sleep schedule usually allows for a few hours of settling in and getting the first leg of the journey completed with little to no distraction. With that being said, parents planning to drive through the late evening hours may want to alter their own routine enough in advance to schedule in a nap. This will assure that the family is traveling with a well rested and alert driver at the wheel.

Other than departing around a child’s sleep schedule, there are a few items that children can bring with on a trip that will help ease the discomfort and restlessness a small child may experience during a long road trip. When possible, have the child pack their own backpack with things they are accustomed to playing with and depending on the age, your assistance may be required. This will involve the child in the planning and assist them in understanding why some of the changes are happening to their normal routine.

Following is a few ideas of items that can be easily packed and bring hours of satisfaction to a family trip.

• Age appropriate reading material such as picture books for small children and reading books for older children.

• Music playing electronic devices such as MP3 or CD player. Remember to bring along an extra set of batteries.

• Age appropriate activity books such as coloring books or puzzle books along with Color Wonder items. Color Wonder products do not show color unless used on specific paper or specific surfaces.

• Child specific backpack with personal items of their choice. Plastic drinking cups with built in straws that can have juice or water frozen in them prior to trip will reduce spilling and the need for ice.

• Electronic games

• Snack package containing fruit snacks or cereals such as Kix or Cheerios. Carrots and celery are another good option. There are many snack options available that will not leave sticky residue on fingers, face or automobile seats. Snacks can be packed to fit into a child’s personal backpack.

Keeping in mind the amount of time that will be required to travel to ones destination will help in determining just how many items the child should bring along. Age appropriate items that fit the child’s attention span will be key when implementing some of the previous tips.

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California is the third biggest state in the US and stretches over 163,000 square miles. Its sprawling surface area and coastal location makes for a diverse climate and ecological landscape, which means that whilst some areas are arid and desert-like, others are far cooler and temperate. With European tourists eager to escape the Eurozone this summer, and more and more airlines offering cheap flights to San Francisco, here is my guide to some of the standout natural sights of the region.

Death Valley

Redwood National and State ParksDeath Valley desert in California is one of the hottest places in the western hemisphere and is the location of the highest recorded temperature, 56.7 degrees Celsius, measured in 1922. Located in the south east of the state, Death Valley National Park is visited by over 700,000 visitors a year who come to see the inspiring landscapes and ancient geology (some rocks are said to be billions of years old). As a consequence of its harsh environment, the valley is home to a host of unique animals such as the coyote and pupfish.

Humboldt and Del North counties are located in the north east of  California, and are home to a great number of redwood forest and other areas of natural beauty – collectively known as the Redwood National and State Parks. The redwoods in the area descend directly from a species that grew 20 million years ago, though what remains today (almost 40,000 acres) is just 2 percent of what would have existed pre-civilization. Although there are no hotels or motels within the parks, nearby towns such as Orick and Crescent City offer sufficient lodging for visitors.

Lake County
Lake County takes its name from Clear Lake, the largest natural lake (68 square miles) entirely in California. Aside from being a quiet and tranquil destination for nature lovers, the area is also famed for wine production, an industry that flourished until prohibition in 1920 but has been re-established since the 60s. The county is also home to a portion of Medocino National Forest – a prime destination for recreational activities.

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is located in the central east of California, and stretches over 1,100 square miles. Despite its great size, the area that is mostly visited by the 3.5 million people each year is Yosemite Valley – a portion of the park that stretches over about 7 miles. The valley is popular due to the number of trails and the diversity of natural and geological sights within the relatively small area. Rock formations and cliffs such as El Capitan and Sentinal Rock offer inspirational scenery whilst the area boasts a Mediterranean climate.