Pack up activity box with kids' travel supplies

If the inside of your car is like mine, the kids' travel stuff is notorious for finding its way under the back seat and getting lost forever. I'm convinced there's some little travel troll under there whose job it is to torment parents on the road.

In an effort to stop this "stuff snatcher," here's a fun "on-the- go" activity box where your kids can stick all their special travel supplies.

Make one for each sibling, so even the little ones have their own creativity laptop.

Here's what you need:

Plastic shoe-storage box with snap-on lid, available at discount stores (a regular cardboard shoe box with its lid also works)

Fabric fastener, such as Velcro

4 empty film canisters with lids

Self-adhesive dry-erase paper or self-adhesive chalkboard paper

2 snack-size, zipper-style plastic bags

Small baby sock or eraser

Dry-erase markers or chalk, glue stick, small crayon box, coloring book, pencils, tape, pad of paper and scissors

Simple craft items, such as pipe cleaners, buttons and beads (optional)

Here's how to assemble the supplies:

Attach 1-inch strips of Velcro to the sides of the film canisters, the backsides of the crayon box and chalk box, the glue stick and whatever else you have. Attach 3 short strips or 1 long 3-inch strip to one side of each plastic bag near the opening. Now attach the corresponding Velcro pieces to the inside of the storage box at the exact places where you would like to attach the items. (Reinforce the Velcro with glue if you wish.)

If the kids are old enough, they can keep some toll change in the film canisters and take turns counting it out as you approach a tollbooth.

Take a few bandages and place in another canister for a miniature first-aid kit.

To finish it off, fill the bags with chalk and dry-erase markers. Then attach the dry-erase paper to fit on top of the lid. Place the self-adhesive chalkboard paper on the underside of the lid. After using, wipe off dry-erase writing or chalk marks with the sock.

Write Donna with your questions and ideas at www.donnasday.com. Donna's latest book, "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families," is available in bookstores nationwide. ? Donna Erickson Dist. by King Features Syndicate

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