Too Many Lists!!

If you're travelling for a month with two kids in a small van, you have to be smart about what you bring or don't bring. We're wanting to cook quite a bit so luckily Clementine has some storage space for pantry items and cooking utensils. The boys both can go through clothes pretty fast, but we'll just hit the laundrymat once in awhile instead of bringing a month's worth of clothing. We had a soft roof-top carrier for all bedding (2 sleeping bags, 3 blankets, and 4 pillows).

There is some space in between the backseat and the back window, but due to the engine being in the back, it's not that deep a space. I bought 2-for-1 Rubbermaid containers today from Zellers. Two large ones and 2 small for our clothes and other miscellaneous items. All four containers should fit nicely in the back. The cooler can either be bunjee-corded next to Malachi or stay on the floor behind the driver's seat.

That leaves 'entertainment' items. The boys will be in the van for an incredible amount of time. I've hummed and hawed over what to bring for them to play with, but with the spacing and slight budget issues (Please Canada Post go back to work so Nate's work cheque comes!!!) I just am not sure what to bring for them. They love art, so a few colouring books will be good. And we will be stuffing in as many little cars as we can. I've thought about a Magna-Doodle or Etch-A-Sketch too. I don't think too many electronic toys are good, but we have two iPod's for sanity breaks. I have some pipe cleaners and I've read about bring painter's tape... that could potentially be hours of entertainment right there. I've also printed off some picture scavenger hunt pages, where the boys have to cross off an item once they spot it out the window. Not sure how great it will work, but it's only paper! I wish I could squeeze in their bikes and tonnes of fun things for them to play with while we're at campsites... but like I said.. space is an issue.

So, what would you bring? What would you leave at home? Do you have ideas for great road trip games appropriate for a 4 and 3 year old?