Tooling around town with the kids in the car is not generally too bad. But what happens if a trip will take longer than a typical 30-minute run to the store? Chances are strong that young children and even some older ones will get a little cranky and bored. After all, there is only so much scenery they can stand to watch.

Parents who want to make preemptive strikes against roadway boredom do have some options at their fingertips. The choices of things to keep kids busy during transport range from free to a little pricy, but each one can make a difference on the ride ahead. They include:

Old fashion car games – This will not cost anyone a dime and it can even turn ride time into bonding time. To keep them busy, play the license plate game, I Spy or just sing songs.

Video games – If the kids are too high-tech to handle I Spy, bring along portable video games for any ride that will take longer than a half hour.

DVD players – Whether you invest in a permanent car system or just buy a portable player, which can also work great in hotel rooms, keeping them busy with a movie or two is a great way to go.

Laptop desks – Pick up a car desk, some paper and crayons and set them to work creating an art project on the ride. Coloring books are also a great idea for smaller children.

Kids are just not wired to sit still for too long. If a ride will demand too much time, fight back against boredom by taking preemptive action.