A few years ago, my sister-in-law introduced a travel rule: nobody was ever to say those dreaded four words: ARE WE THERE YET? We have since adopted this rule in our family and strangely, if anyone utters the words, all I have to say say is, "YOU KNOW THE RULE!" and it has 'em shaking in the boots.

My neighbor once told me that when her boys were young she would take a roll of Scotch tape on the plane, make tape balls, and stick them all over the kids' shirts. I kid you not. Have you ever seen toddler with a roll of tape? HOURS of fun! The same friend gave me another great suggestion: stockpile mail-order catalogs and take along these "magazines" for the kids to "read." When you get on the plane, hand them each a pen and have them circle the things they would like to put on their holiday/birthday lists. But remember, the magazines must be "forgotten" on the plane!

A few ridiculous things that have entertained my kids over the years: a rubber band ball kit (as a bonus, you can take it apart and do it over on the way home!), a giant horseshoe magnet (let's see if the pilot's belt buckle is magnetic!), and a tape measure (seriously, it goes on every trip).

If you aren't familiar with it, check out New York's Flight 001, the coolest travel store around. On my last visit, I picked up Plane Pals Kids Kits, which are prepackaged inflight entertainment kits: crayons, games, activity books, and binoculars ('cause you may have to check out what the lady in seat 6D is doing!). I stashed them away for our next trip and bought a few as holiday gifts in case they run out in December.

You know those soft cotton receiving blankets you use for about three minutes to swaddle your newborns? Still have a few in the house? Since I am completely frightened by airline blankets, I toss one or two of these puppies in my bag each time I get on a plane. It's the perfect size to throw over yourself or your kids when the air conditioning is blasting. And if your kids aren't cold, you can always introduce them to the "silent ghost contest."

I am too lazy to transfer shampoo and conditioner into small empty bottles, so before I travel I ransack Duane Reade for sample sizes. But here's my new source: drugstore.com has tons of travel sizes. Type "travel" into the search box and from shaving cream to deodorant, they have tiny sizes galore. While you're at it, order a pack of makeup remover wipes so you need not worry that your eye makeup remover is going to leak.

--Enjoy! AS