Car Trip - 10 People - 40 Hours?

Question

I have taken many long car trips with my family, but never this long and with another family. I am making lists and then the other mother and I will be splitting costs and work of everything. We will also be bringing toys from each child. Here is the list for the 4 year olds (4). Can you tell me if I missed anything?

Magna Doodles (3)

Coloring Books (4)

Crayons (2 pencil boxes full of them and colored pencils)

Books (12)

Cars (6)

Dolls (2)

DVDs (15) {our kids watch very little TV, but this trip is 40 hours each way!}

Craft Supplies (enough for each child to make 2 car friendly crafts)

V-tech Portablle Video Games (4, plus plenty of games)

Large Legos (1 container for them to share)

Paper Dolls (1 little wooden box)

Finger Puppets (16)

Small Dinosaurs (a small bag of them)

Polly Pockets (6 plus clothes)

Kid CDs (2)

Plus they can borrow the teenagers' laptops or mine to play educational video games for a little while. And they can each pick a few toys besides what is on my list.

We will also be stopping at parks and rest stops to play once in a while. We are bringing...

Bubbles (4 small containers)

Balls (2)

Jump Ropes (2)

Plastic Baseball Bat (1)

Child's Catching Mitt (1)

Soft Baseball (1)

Obviously we will be sleeping in the car, for everybody we are bringing...

Blankets (13)

Pillows (11)

Stuffed Animals (4)

The kids will all be wearing comfy clothes that they can sleep in and we will have a few changes of clothes to change clothes at rest stops. The rest of our luggage is being shipped there.

Other things that will be up by me and the other mom are:

Baby Wipes (for sticky hands and faces)

One toddler potty chair (if they have to go potty and we are not able to get to a gas station)

2 iPod nanos filled with kid music to pass back when meltdowns start

4 plastic bibs (they don't wear bibs, but just in case we eat something messy)

Extra Underwear (just in case)

A hair brush (for fixing messy 4 year old girl hair)

Hand Sanitizer

I'm sorry this is so long, it is just really stressful for me. :) Did we miss anything?

Answer 1

Yes, you forgot earplugs and Valium. (for you, of course) Just Kidding. You are very brave. It also looks like you are very prepared. Have fun and good luck on your trip.  

Answer 2

No

Well not to me

But you must be like a hero or something to be bringing so many kids for so long [ i read you other questions]

To me this sounds perfect

Answer 3

I Must say they wont get bored (:

Wow your pretty prepared

How big is your car ?!?

Sleeps 10 people! Gosh

Hope it a nice journey

Good Luck

x

Answer 4

you are such a handful mom!

I think you are ready to go.

Just the kids that are missing and the daddy!

Enjoy!

Answer 5

40 hours? Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to fly at a group rate? I find this whole thing hard to believe, you are also conerned about what outfits to put them in. weird

Answer 6

I would also bring along things to drink and eat.  You could pack a cooler with juice boxes, sandwiches, crackers, grapes, cookies, waters, etc. so when you stop at the park you can just have a picnic and not have to wait in any long lines or if the kids get hungry or thirsty in the car you can give them something.  As far as toys  I think you have enough, but if by some chance they would get board you can play I spy.  Have then try to find different things as you are driving.  If they know there colors you could say I spy a red car.  Make sure you don't see one when you say it so it  will keep them busy looking until one drives past.  You could give the child that spots it a special treat or a quarter or dollar.  I play this game with my kids every time we go on a long trip.  Also just remember to be patient and have fun.  Don't try to stress to much this is your vacation to.