Fun Children's Travel Bag for Long Journies

[Naughtynoonoo]

We are off for our holidays in a fortnights time and I want to pack 2 activity bags (small backpack size) for my dd 4/5 and ds, to try to keep them occupied on the long journey (only to Brittanty, but still it is a lifetime for small children). If you have any ideas on what to fill it with you would be a great help.

I have ds 4 and dd2 for our travel bags I have so far got reusable sticker pictures to make (one farm scene, one create a meal), one of those move the squares around to create the picture things, magnetic draughts, some crayola magic pens that are clear but become coloured on the special paper. A magnetic puzzle (oxfam)
for food things like raisins and iced gems that take longer to eat
I always wrap these and ive them at intervals as rewards for being patient - it's more exciting for them and takes a while to unwrap

Tescos do lots of cheap sticker, dot-to-dot etc books. Bought one last year for ds1 about flags of the world. Agree that you can't beat paper and pens (although pencils might be better than felt tips in the car). Fuzzy felt is good and you can get it in travel sizes sometimes. Maybe a magazine for the older one or some books with lots of pictures in. WH Smith and Toys r Us also do sheets of magnetic stickers from Barney, Noddy etc which you peel off and which adhere to the board they came on. A few small, soft toys are good. Lots of snacks also help to pass the time - things which won't make too much mess are best, raisins, apricots, carrot sticks etc.

\link{http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6056469741&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1\Stretchy animals}
\link{http://www.hawkin.com/rkmain.asp?PAGEID=20670&STK_PROD_CODE=03609&CTL_CAT_CODE=180905021&XPAGENO=2\Flexiface}
\link{http://www.hawkin.com/rkmain.asp?PAGEID=20670&STK_PROD_CODE=01968&CTL_CAT_CODE=180905021&XPAGENO=3\Bendy stretchy man}
\link{http://www.hawkin.com/rkmain.asp?PAGEID=20670&STK_PROD_CODE=03917&CTL_CAT_CODE=180905021&XPAGENO=2\Magnetic ladybirds/ frogs}
Padlock and key, keep the spare on you.
Mini ball puzzles,

Those plastic tubes with lots of little containers of play doh in them - they sell them in Woollies. Never had more value out of anything. Even at 4/5 when I thought DD might be too old.

Oh and don't forget some story and song tapes and be prepared to sing along to the Tweenies greatest hits!

THanks for all your great ideas, I shall be busy this Saturday! Btw AnnH we are still listening to Tweenies Christmas in the car everyday - how sad is that!

Oh yes lots of annoying kids music and story tapes.

Our kids travel quite well so they love watching DVDs on DH's laptop.