DRIVING : Take Fun for Kids Along for the Ride

“Are we there yet?” It’s a question as timeless as travel when children are along for the ride.

Yet with a little planning, parents can help make the time pass quickly for everyone--including the kids.

“The first mistake parents make is to assume children will be entertained by the journey,” says Geoff Sundstrom of the American Automobile Assn. “Even if scenery is constantly changing, children still lose interest quickly.”

Sundstrom says the second mistake is to assume that children will be able to entertain themselves.

Sundstrom offers these tips:

* Choose casual clothes that are cool or warm. Don’t pick clothes that will “send you over the edge” if food spills on them.

* Keep snacks on hand--raw fruit and vegetables, low-fat crackers and cookies.

* Pack a few favorite toys. Familiar playthings are reassuring to children on rides.

* Bring along an instant camera. Use it to create a photo travel log with instant pictures of places you visit or stops along the way.

* Let the kids pick a radio station they like. If your car has a cassette player, bring recorded stories and songs that are family favorites.

* Stop frequently, about every two hours or 100 miles. Check your map in advance and plan stops at interesting sites, such as a park, special store, or attraction.