FTF staffers compile a list of health, safety, and entertainment items for road trip travelers ranging from infants to adolescents.

When FTF's editor was asked to appear on CNN's Newsite before a recent holiday weekend to show parents how to create a "Car Trip Survival Kit," the FTF staff brain-stormed to come up with the goods. 

So, without breaking the bank or loading down parents with a lot of excess gear, FTF presents a Car Trip Survival Kit any parent can assemble, probably from gear you already own.

For Parents To Carry and Administer:

• Moist towelettes or wipes
• Paper towels
• Zip-loc bags: trash, dirty diapers and car sickness attacks
• Masking tape: stakes out territory for siblings
• Roll of "discipline" quarters: start your trip with a full roll for each child;  take one away for infractions or add one for good behavior
• Flashlight: to reward kids who want to read after dark
• Spare batteries for all

For Infants & Toddlers

• Cooler to hold toys and drinks/snacks
• Baby safety mirror: clip on visor so driver or passenger can view baby without turning around
• Pop-up top on sippy cup for juice/milk
• Bottle warmer with cigarette lighter power adaptor
• Pull-down, lock in place shade to keep sun away and divert vision of motion sick kids
• Plush toys
• Padded toy bar to clip onto rear or front-facing car seat
• Sports bottle caps to convert bottled water into no-spill containers

For Preschoolers to Have in Backseat

• Sing-along tape with book of lyrics for whole family
• Plush toy and picture book for sibling to read aloud
• Auto Bingo or "I Spy" out-the-window games on highway
• Playsets with self-stick felt pieces to place on cardboard scene, or crayons and pad of paper

For School Age Children to Have in Backseat

• Selection of absorbing books with large type
• Favorite comics, manuals, "Waldo" type books
• Books on tape
• CD player or I-Pod with headset (Y-jack for siblings)
• Magnetic chess and checkers gameboard
• Deck of cards

For Tweens and Teens to Carry on Own

• Most of the above plus:
• CDs or iPod collection to play on car stereo
• Selection of books
• Nintendo DS or PSP and video games
• Portable DVD player. While batteries run out, you can buy an inexpensive adaptor to run it off the car's cigarette lighter. Be sure to secure the player safely with Velcro to the back of the front seat or another convenient spot.

None of these suggested amusements take the place of using car trips and plane rides to get to know your captive kids a little better, and to discuss what's on their minds. That may well be the strongest family memory you take away from your vacation.