So at the end of January I am taking my kids (ages 7 and 4)and moving to Arizona from Illinois. We are probably going via Greyhound bus or Amtrak train. (a 2-3 day trip). Most of our things will be shipped to Arizona prior to moving so we can travel as lightly as possible.

I'm making a check list of MUST HAVE's on the bus or train for the ride out there... not for me, but for the kids...

So far I am thinking basics like crayons and coloring books, hand-held video games, books, discman & CD's... extra batteries, baby wipes, juice boxes, bottled water, non-messy snacks...travel board games, 2 sets of clothes for each of them, ...and of course a camera.

We've never made a trip like this before. Any suggestions or tips/advice?

Travel pillows and blankets are always good. One thing with the things to keep them occupied, if you can, buy new things and don't give them out until they're on board. It'll keep them occupied longer than the same old, same old. Also, if you can buy, beg or borrow a portable dvd player with some dvd's, they are an absolute sanity saver on long trips.

Good luck to you

Hi singing, Well honey, I did the same thing in 1978. Moved my kids to AZ from Ohio. We drove, I should say I drove. A 3 day trip and we had a ball. Had our car loaded to the hilt!! We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies going across country. Can't really tell you what to take for those kids but enjoy the scenery! I lost both my husband and my mom this year and I at age 65 I getting ready to downsize big time, load a uhaul and move to Montana in June. Have no one there but going. Was there in Sept and fell in love with it. I do have a duaghter in Denver and a brother in Idaho athat will be about 2 1/2 hr away. I am going to see and do what I can while I am able!! Hope it all works out for you and kids!! You'll love AZ. Make sure you go up to Sedona. It gorgeous there!!

One piece of advice. If you go by way of bus they make gas stops, so if you need to save a little room take less water and a $20 for buying some with. It'll save on room nicely and every gas station has bottled water.

Arizona is a GREAT state to live in I have lived here
now for 14 years and will never move back to Michigan.
We will be in the 70's starting New Years DAY!! LOVE IT!!!
Today we are going to be a little chilly 58 degrees
a cold front moved in last night.....BURRRRRR

Rub it in a little bit!! I used to call my friends when it was snowing in Ohio and tell them how nice it was in AZ..........

My fiance and his family are from there. The fiance is in the Navy... so we'd stay with his parents temporarily. I think the change will be great, considering I've lived in the Chicago Area all my life...

AND- CUBS SPRING TRAINING! YIPPEE! Lol....

Thanks, all, for the input.

If you are still trying to choose between amtrak and greyhound, i would suggest amtrak. Once you get moving you will be able to move around a little bit with your children. not a whole lot maybe but they WILL be able to get up and move around with you a little instead of sitting still for HOW MANY HOURS? lol. I used to make an eight hour drive every other weekend (one way) to see my ex when she was training to go to Iraq. i took both kids with me, then 2 and 4, and believe me I wish I could have gone amtrack!!!

Thanks Daniel... actually, I just looked... Amtrak is almost a day less and $50 cheaper... thanks for the advice.

bring condoms. things get pretty steamy on greyhound busses...

Considering my fiance is in the Navy and 7000 miles away and I will be travelling ALONE with my Children (ages 7 and 4).... WOW. No thanks.

I don't know about your kids, but my son gets motion sickness. So just in case, I would pack something for that!! Some times they don't get sick in the car, but they do get sick on the bus or on the train! So you might want to take some precautions.
I wish you luck and I hope you and the children are very happy in AZ.

Thanks! Yes... my son sometimes does get motion sickness. That thought hadn't even crossed my mind! You're a life saver! Thank you!

Do you have a sleeper, or is it sitting upright, the whole way?

If you are sitting upright, take a compressed foam yoga mat,(they roll up to nothing) it can be laid at your feet for the four year old to stretch out and sleep...definitely pillows, and light blankets, and their favourite soft toy.

Fruit, fresh fruit if you can stick some in your backpack, and freeze some tiny yoghurts, for the first day, and a couple of plastic spoons...muesli bars,etc. oh and two spare rubbish bags...

Little ziplock bags of lego, or tiny cars, or farm animals are also great, and dont have to take up a lot of room.

Lots of walks up and down the train is great, also toothbrushes, and a spritzer spray bottle, (or face mister) as aircon gets quite drying...for the little one, an extra pair of undies, as sometimes the wait for the loo can be a bit daunting, and also a bit scary, with the noise and the movement of the train.

Treat it as an adventure, relax the rules a little, and be a big kid yourself...and all of you will have a more enjoyable journey.

I have travelled all over Australia with my kids by train, and from tiny little babies, to restless teenagers...the best advice I can give, is pack your sense of humour, and leave the discipline on the platform.

Up the clothing to 2-3 changes per DAY of travel. If it can happen, it will.

You will have a blast. Be sure to find some kiddie Dramamine in case of motion sickness and bring the Benadryl in case of allergies as long as your kids are not like mine (he is a paradox on Benadryl and it makes him hyper).

Dried fruit and nuts or whatever non sugary snacks that they will eat that are easily packed.

As said before, portable DVD is key (nowadays) and small toys to give as treats along the way.

Upgrade to a sleeper if you can afford it. Well worth it. Did it years and years ago overnight. It was way fun.

Is this the big move? No turning back? Wow! Already here?

Hugs, M

This is a common yet unknown side affect of enadryl with children; making them hyper

I recommend valium

My son has taken Dramamine before... no hyper activity.
AllSmiles... I should just get a zookeeper to tranq them out for me, huh? LOL
We've taken shorted bus and car trips to Madison, WI from Chicago (about a 3 hour drive)... and they handle that well. I know this is much longer, but we should be ok.

I do not have a sleeper car... it was $700 more and I couldn't afford it. Yes, Michelle... this is the big move... mom-in-law is really ill so the move had to be bumped up from beginning of March.

We are taking Amtrak. It's a 31 hour train ride... they have a dining car and a snack car... so I can pack some stuff, but we will have the option for the train amenities as well.

We have a few travel board games... and my son has a Nintendo DS (he hasn't been allowed to play it due to school issues for about 3 months... so it should keep him busy). My daughter will color for hours. I've also gotten them portable CD players and my brother has made them each a few mix discs of kids songs and kid-appropriate songs that they like. We have new books to read, too... so I think the time will be spent well. Once we get out of the midwest, I think their little faces will be glued to the windows in awe of the scenery, too.

I'm very excited. With life as is now, I haven't had as much time with them as I'd like... so I think this train ride will be a great bonding experience.

The other great thing is that our train departs at 3:15pm on the 29th and arrives at 9:50pm on the 30th... SO, for a good 8-9 hours, they will be sleeping. (my intention is to run them around at an indoor play place prior to departure).

You guys have all offered some great advice! Thanks so much!