Road Rules for Parents; Rand McNally Offers Smart Family Travel Tips for Vacationers

    SKOKIE, Ill.--June 24, 2002--It's going to be one busy summer for family car travelers. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, 25% of leisure travelers plan to travel more by auto and less by air this summer. To make that trip more enjoyable, Rand McNally, publisher of road-trip staples like the Road Atlas, has a few tips for parents.
    "Getting kids involved in the planning and keeping them occupied along the way makes the trip go smoothly," says Laurie Borman, editorial director of Rand McNally. "A little advance planning is all it takes."
    Rand McNally suggests the following tips for parents traveling with children:

    Let kids be a part of the process - Parents can incorporate children into the trip-planning and traveling process. A few ideas to encourage their cooperation and enthusiasm: Ask for their ideas about where to go and what to see; allow them to pack some items on their own; give them a disposable camera so they can take pictures along the way. En route, parents can let children earn their souvenir money with good behavior by handing out quarters from a $10 roll brought from the bank.

    Survival kits for the younger traveler - Keep the kids occupied in the backseat with activity books, portable electronic and board games, action figures or dolls, and books and magazines. Make a game with the Road Atlas to let them track the drive as you go, or find funny town names in the state you're traveling. Borman recommends the following products in Rand McNally Map & Travel Stores and on randmcnally.com:

    -- Rand McNally Kids' Road Atlas ($3.95) - The award-winning activity book includes individual state maps as well as games, puzzles and illustrations. It features road maps for each state with kid-level detail, and key information, such as the state capital, nickname, official bird, flower, and tree. Maps and games also include Canada and Mexico.

    -- Brain Quest ($10.95) - More than 1500 questions geared to each grade.

    -- FunFinder - 25 Great Travel Games: Rand McNally for Kids ($4.95) - Combines classic travel games on a laminated write-on/wipe-off surface. Includes felt-tip pen.

    -- Backseat Books Series ($3.95) - Features travel games, puzzles, mazes, and more.

    For the older kids on the go - Be sure your teens pack CD players with headphones. If they have a Palm(R) handheld with an expansion slot, they can help navigate the drive with a PalmPak(R) Travel Card: Rand McNally Road Atlas ($39.95). Crossword puzzles, magazines, and handheld electronic games, such as Electronic Handheld Scrabble Express(R) ($34.95) will also keep them occupied. Remind them to bring extra batteries and a flashlight for playing after dark.

    Remember the munchies - Frequent stops for snacks and food add extra time and expense to your drive. Bringing snacks and drinks or bottled water not only saves money and provides healthy options, but also helps deter boredom.

    For more tips on summer road travel and products to make the trip easier and more comfortable, visit Rand McNally's Web site at www.randmcnally.com.

    About Rand McNally

    Rand McNally & Company, founded in 1856, is the world's premier provider of mapping, routing, and travel solutions for consumers and businesses via print, software, the Internet, and handheld devices. In addition to publishing the flagship Rand McNally Road Atlas, the company operates 26 Map & Travel stores across the United States and provides online travel services at randmcnally.com. The company includes Thomas Bros. Maps and Rand McNally Canada and also creates geographic information for reference and education. For more information about Rand McNally, call 800/ 333-0136, Ext. 6171, or visit www.randmcnally.com.