HAVERTOWN, Penn., June 19, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- (WITH PACKAGE) More than 18 million American families will take to the road for summer vacations this year. According to Liz Walsh, president and founder of Survive the Drive and a premiere expert in traveling with kids, the following 15 tips should be required reading for all parents hoping to "survive the drive" with their kids this summer. (Survive the Drive's one-of-a-kind service offers in-car video rentals, travel gear, games and activities.) These tried and true, road-tested tips have helped thousands of families traveling millions of miles.
Survive the Drive: Fifteen Fantastic Family Travel Tips
1. Pack a roll of tin foil and let the kids create tin-foil
sculptures. (Shiny, noisy, easy to sculpt -- what could be better
or cheaper!)
2. Add multi-colored pipe cleaners to the sculpting mix and you'll
have masterpieces! (Try a tobacco shop, craft store, or go with
Klutz' Pipe Cleaners Gone Crazy, $15.95, www.survivethedrive.com)
3. Give your kids 25 pennies. Fine them a penny (or more) when they
whine or fight. Reward them for cooperation. If they have all
their money when you stop, promise to double their money. (Then
do it!)
4. Bring a container of baby wipes -- don't ask, just bring them.
5. Give each child a clipboard. It helps keep papers secure on laps
and is great for passing tic-tac-toe and Hangman games back and
forth.
6. Have an easily accessible change of clothes for every member of
the family. (If you have to ask why, you are in for a REAL
surprise!)
7. Plan stops. (Gives everyone something to look forward to.) If
you're looking for something out of the ordinary, try
www.roadsideamerica.com
8. If heading to the beach or lake or any place with swimming, pack
a pool bag with suits, sunscreen, flotation devices and towels
(if necessary). Do not bury this bag in the trunk!
9. Rent or buy a Video Unit made to fit safely in your vehicle. Then,
drop in a tape, hit "play" and pass the popcorn. (starting at
$49, www.survivethedrive.com, 800-573-6018)
10. Keep Children's Motrin and Children's Mylanta in glove
compartment for fast access -- make sure you have a spoon or
squirter. (If you have it, hopefully you won't need it!)
11. Take stops. (Before the inevitable melt-down -- this is key!)
12. Give each child a copy of the route map with key landmarks
highlighted. Include a highlighter for them to track your
progress. Rand McNally's Kids' Map of the United States, $1.95,
has other games and activities included.
(www.survivethedrive.com, 800-573-6018)
13. Use the time in the car to talk with your kids. Let them ask
questions about when you were growing up. Who was your first
boyfriend or girlfriend? What subject did you hate in school?
What subject did you love? Who was your favorite teacher and why?
What was the most embarrassing moment in your life?
14. Ask your kids questions. If you were president, what would be
your first law? If you could invite anyone in the world to
dinner, who would it be? If you could make up a new holiday, what
would it be?
15. Have the car detailed when you get home -- until then -- DO NOT
WORRY ABOUT THE MESS IN THE CAR!!!!
Note to editors: Please visit our Web site, www.survivethedrive.com, for a complete listing of all our products and services. If you would like to try out our video equipment, call John Charles 800-573-6018, to set up a complimentary weekend rental. For more information on Survive the Drive, continue reading...
Already looking forward to that next family road trip? Tempers rising with the astronomical gas prices. All that quality time in the car with the children -- sharing stories, entertaining one and other, enjoying the ride. Wouldn't it be great if your kids could watch their favorite videos while you cruise toward your vacation destination in relative peace and quiet.
However, can you safely jury rig a TV/VCR combo in your vehicle? No, not safely. Can you get a video system in the backseat without buying a new car or spending an arm and a leg for a custom installation? The answer is yes. The answer is Survive the Drive.
Over 3,000 families, nationwide, turned to Survive the Drive last summer to help eliminate the stress of travel. The company, the leader in "backseat entertainment," is the only company to rent video systems specifically designed for safe use in the car, SUV and minivan. Survive the Drive also offers a unique line of family travel tips and products including books on tape, games, activities, cargo carriers, rooftop carriers and portable DVD systems.
"Parents can reserve any of the Survival Gear by telephone or on our Web site, www.survivethedrive.com. We offer free shipping to any of our customers within the United States. The units are so easy to use, all you have to do is unpack the unit, place it in your vehicle, plug it into the cigarette lighter and hit play. It's that simple," said Liz Walsh, president of Survive the Drive. "Our goal is to help families enjoy traveling together."
The company has also seen an enormous increase in its portable in-car video system sales, and is one of the few outlets offering a new 10.4" monitor version of the Videotraveler, the largest in-car screen currently available. "Families really appreciate the flexibility of being able to move our systems safely and easily from one car to another. And these systems are priced much more reasonably than the custom installed versions, an important consideration for many families," says Ms. Walsh.
Does it work? According to Survive the Drive, business has grown over 500% in two and a half years. With appearances on CNN and on Family Talk, Survive the Drive and its president Liz Walsh are now recognized experts on traveling with kids.
For additional information on Survive the Drive, visit www.survivethedrive.com or call 1-800-573-6018.
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CONTACT: Survive the Drive
Liz Walsh, president
(800) 573-6018