But traveling with kids does offer challenges. The time spent getting there and back can seem endless. Kids can get tired and whiny and altogether crabby. Ditto for mom and dad. And that’s not the kind of memories you’re after. Instead, why not make everyone better travel companions by trying these tips:

• Leave early in the morning (or late at night), when the kids are sleepy. Settle them in the car with blankets and pillows. By the time they wake up, you’ll have covered a good stretch of miles. Then stop somewhere for breakfast, even if you have it packed in a cooler in the car. It’s a good time for everyone to stretch and have a break.

• Stop often — at least every 2–3 hours, even if it’s just to get out of the car for a few minutes.

• Plan extra travel time to get there and home. That way you won’t be stressed — or hesitate to stop — when you have the chance to see something interesting along the way.

• Plan your route to hit scenic drives or unusual attractions along the way. Go ahead and take an hour to see the world’s largest ball of twine or the biggest-ever statue of Paul Bunyan. It will give the kids something to talk about and help break up the day.

• Find a park or playground and have a picnic lunch. Let the kids blow off some energy before they pile back in the car. Who knows, they may even take a nap after lunch.

• Try and stay at a kid-friendly lodgings with free or discounted food for kids, a swimming pool, play area and fast check-in.

And don’t forget to push your OnStar button often — for directions to parks and playgrounds, attractions, accommodations, restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and whatever else you need along the way — anytime, 24/7.

Next month: Traveling with Kids, Part 2: Keeping kids entertained in the car.

What was the most memorable trip you took with your family?

When you have OnStar, you’ve got 24-hour peace of mind. That’s especially helpful for you snowbirds who travel to warm climates for the winter. You know that if you need Roadside Assistance⁽¹⁾ or Emergency Services⁽²⁾, OnStar is only a button push away. On your trip south, Turn-by-Turn Navigation⁽³⁾ can be especially helpful when you’re visiting unfamiliar areas. Knowing that you can get directions to anywhere you need to go, anytime, helps make traveling a more stress-free experience. Plus being able to keep in touch with loved ones — no matter where they are — with Hands-Free Calling⁽⁴⁾ provides you with plenty of peace of mind, too.

Here are a few tips and reminders to help make your travel time away from home worry-free:

• Turn the heat down and set programmable timers for lights and the TV.
• Unplug any appliances you won’t be using.
• Lock all windows and doors, including the inside garage door to the house, and place steel bars in slider doors.
• Give a trusted friend or neighbor a key and ask them to check your house periodically.
• Tell the police when you’ll be gone and when you’re returning.
• Arrange to have the snow cleared from your driveway and sidewalk.
• Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway periodically.
• Add motion-sensor security lights outside.
• Make sure your gutters are cleared of leaves and debris before you leave to help prevent ice dam damage.

Plus:

• Don’t forget to take your tax documents if you’ll be gone past April 15.

• Make a list of emergency contact numbers and prescriptions and give a copy to a family member.

Are you heading to warmer climates this winter? Or do you wish you were? Tell about it in the comments section below.

1 Roadside service provided by Cross Country.
2 Visit OnStar.com for vehicle availability, details and system limitations. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers.
3 Requires ABS and Directions & Connections Plan. Visit onstar.com for coverage map. Services vary by model.
4 Visit onstar.com for coverage map, details and system limitations.

‘Tis the season in many parts of the country for snow, sleet, wind, hail and ice. Which all add up to plenty of hazardous driving conditions over the next several months.

Here are a few tips to help you get safely through another winter driving season.

Do:

• Tell someone where you’re going and what time you should be there
• Check your wiper blades, fluids, tires and lights
• Make sure all your windows, headlights and taillights are cleared of snow
• Give yourself extra room to stop — allow at least three times more space between you and the vehicle in front of you than you normally would
• Drive with extra care on bridges and overpasses, which may be icy in cold weather
• Watch for black ice on shady sections of the road, especially in the early morning or evening

Don’t:

• Let your fuel tank get low
• Use cruise control on icy roads
• Hit the brakes if you start to slide on ice; instead take your foot off the accelerator and gently steer into the direction of the skid
• Get overconfident if you drive a four-wheel-drive truck or SUV. Four-wheel-drive won’t make a bit of difference on ice

Emergency supplies for your vehicle:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blankets and an extra coat, gloves, hat, pants, socks, boots
• Bottled water and nonperishable food (hard candy, energy bars, etc.)
• Flares
• Shovel
• Sand, salt, kitty litter or traction mats
• Empty can, matches, candles
• Jumper cables
• Paper towels
• First-aid kit

If you get stuck in a storm:

• Don’t panic
• Stay with your vehicle
• Push your OnStar button and tell the Advisor your situation
• Run the engine for a few minutes periodically to keep warm while you are waiting for help to arrive, but make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow first and crack the window open slightly in case of any carbon monoxide fumes

For more winter driving advice, visit:

Driving in Snow and Ice
Winter Driving Tips
10 Tips for Winter Driving
Safety Tips: Winter Driving
Are You Ready for Winter Driving?

If you were stranded in your vehicle during a storm, what’s the No. 1 thing you’d want to have with you? Tell us in the comments below.

I just want to let you know how much I LOVE OnStar! I would never personally purchase a vehicle for my use without it.

I have a 15-year-old daughter who plays on a travel softball league, and I cannot tell you how many times OnStar has helped us get to games when we had no idea where we were going.

Last month, OnStar took us to the East Coast National Softball finals in Maryland, where my daughter’s team placed third. Many times, teammates say, “Follow Mrs. Jacobs because she has OnStar!”

I am totally confident getting to where I need to go with OnStar, and I just wanted to say thank-you for both the technology that makes OnStar the phenomenal product that it is as well as the people who are behind the product. I never feel like I am ‘out there alone’ as long as I can push that OnStar button!

— Laureen Jacobs, OnStar subscriber

Have your own OnStar experience? Share your story.