BudgetTravel

Bring a cooler and pack it with nuts, raisins, fruit, and veggies such as baby carrots. Don't forget water and juice; they're healthier than soda, and they'll lead to fewer bathroom trips than caffeinated drinks do.

Instead of the usual fast-food pit stops for lunch, go to a supermarket and pick up salads, cold cuts, cheese, and bread and have a picnic. Always keep paper plates, plastic utensils, and one real knife on hand, as well as a blanket or a sheet you can spread on the beach or any patch of grass.

(Michael Kraus) 2007 FAMILY TRAVEL HANDBOOK • 15 Places Every Kid Should See • Toy Museums • As Scary as They Look • Game On! • America's Most Scenic Train Rides • Traveling With Thomas • Teen Movie High Schools • Mysterious Prizes Await • Narnia, Oz, Hogwarts, Neverland . . . • Cam-Foolery • If You're Stuck Inside . . . and Desperate • Six Cool Attractions Opening This Year • What's in Store • Art That's Not Boring • Staying Healthy on the Road MAY 2007 ISSUE • Table of Contents • Bermuda: Third Time's a Charm? • Secret Hotels of the Greek Isles • The Family Travel Handbook • Eat Like a Local: Toronto • Web Smart: Google Earth • Road Trip: Colorado • 40 Best Vacations

Portion control with snacks is essential. Measure out an appropriate amount of Goldfish or pretzels and put it in a Ziploc bag. Otherwise, kids might eat too much--and probably make a mess in the process.

Make exercise part of the experience. Bring bicycles for everybody and find a place to go for a ride, and sightsee on foot every day. Consider staying at a hotel with a pool. Kids love them, and splashing around in a pool is much better than sitting around watching television or playing video games.