Packing for a trip with children can be downright difficult, especially when the trip involves a lot of driving. With a little planning, a Pacific Coast Highway Road trip can be a pleasant experience for the whole family.

There are certain essentials one should pack for the kids to keep them happy – and to allow you to enjoy the many scenic drives you’ll encounter along the Pacific Coast. Here are the Top Five Things to Pack for your kids so the scenic route can be an enjoyable experience:

1) Car-Friendly Snack Foods – When the next rest stop is more than 50 miles down the highway, it's a good idea to have car-friendly snack foods at the ready so the kids don’t get cranky. Whole grain crackers, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bananas and apples are all great options that won’t cause a lot of mess and are easy to serve.

2) Car-Friendly Entertainment –A deck of cards is the simplest toy to bring besides some paper, crayons and a lap desk. Travel-sized toys such as MagnaDoodle and Etch A Sketch are great to keep the kids entertained. For younger toddlers, felt or cloth books for them to browse in their car seats are also a good idea.

3) A Portable Potty and a roll of toilet paper – The fact that a kid will have to go to the bathroom on a road trip is predictable, but the quality of the bathrooms on your trip may not be as reliable. For a child, especially one learning to potty-train, a familiar portable potty that they can use in the back of the car and some toilet paper can be a lifesaver.

4) Pillows, lullabies and other sleep basics – Since the scenic route tends to be long, it is likely that the kids will want to sleep. To make the car ride comfortable for them, a pillow from home and a favorite stuffed animal will go a long way in getting them to sleep. A CD of classical lullabies is another item that can be helpful, especially for babies and toddlers.

5) Nausea Medication – For kids who get nauseous on road trips, scenic drives can be miserable. Children’s pediatricians can recommend over-the-counter nausea medication. Natural remedies such as ginger (in the form of ginger ale or ginger candies) and salted crackers can be extremely helpful as well.

With these things in tow, your Pacific Coast Highway Road trip will be a success!