Nothing spoils a car trip as quickly as when a child gets carsick.

	Sick Bear Bowls Click photo for larger image.

"It just ruins the whole day," said Cindy Kroiss, whose youngest daughter, Aspen, now 4, has gotten carsick since she was a baby.

"We used to use plastic bags or paper towels," she said. "But I needed something that she could hold in the car seat herself."

The Seattle mom contacted local hospitals to see if they had suitable containers, but came up empty. So she created her own.

The Sick Bear Bowl is lightweight with easy to grasp handles that a child can hold in his or her lap. They come in pink, blue and yellow and are dishwasher-safe.

Her oldest daughter, Krista, 6, keeps one in her bedroom in the event she has an upset tummy.

When Ms. Kroiss introduced the Sick Bear Bowl to the market in October, the first 1,000 allotment sold out immediately. "I've heard all the barf stories, all the throw-up stories," she joked.

She's now working on designing a lid for the bowl.

The bowls sell for $14.99, plus shipping and handling. You can order them by calling 1-877-209-5602 or order online at www.sickbear.com.

Here are some other handy products to take with you in the car:

Snack & Play Travel Tray Click photo for larger image.

Travel tray

Another mom invention is the Snack & Play Travel Tray, which provides a flat, safe area where children can eat and play. Alyson Probst of Colorado came up with the idea when she couldn't find a safe, practical surface for her 2 1/2-year-old son Daniel to use when he was in the car or stroller.

The travel tray is made of soft durable foam and 100 percent nylon and buckles around the child, car seat or stroller. It's easy to pop on and off, yet collapses upon impact during an emergency. The tray fits around most car or booster seats and includes a 2-inch wall to prevent toys and food from falling off. It includes side pockets for food, drink or toys. It sells for $20 at www.familytravelgear.com or www.starkids products.com.

Two-screen car DVD

To keep family squabbles to a minimum, ease the boredom with the Polaroid PDM-2737 two-screen portable car DVD to give your restless passengers two choices. You can watch movies on both 7-inch screens, or use one for video games. A built-in Dolby digital decoder combines with stereo speakers for great sound while dual headphone jacks allow riders to listen in privacy. It's compatible with most gaming systems (optional adapter required). $179, available where electronics are sold.

	Click photo for larger image.

A humorous guide

"The Three-Martini Family Vacation: A Field Guide to Intrepid Parenting" tells you how to have a getaway centered around Mom's and Dad's needs -- not the kids' -- and still have a good time. Hint: Avoid amusement parks in the middle of summer.

The humorous guide (Chronicle Books, $12.95) is written by Christie Mellor, an L.A. actress who also has written "The Three-Martini Playdate."

"It is possible to have a relaxing holiday with your children without necessarily arranging the whole thing around what you think will please them," she advises. Indeed, that can be music to the ears of most parents.

Collision kit

Everyone hopes the family road trip goes smoothly. But if something happens, you want to be prepared. That's the idea behind the Buttoned Up Collision Kit, which provides everything you need to document details surrounding a traffic accident. It includes a disposable camera, pen, clipboard and pre-printed cards to remind you what information you should collect at the accident scene: road conditions, weather, patrol officer's badge number, etc. It easily fits into the glove compartment. $14.95, available at Target and seejanework.com (type in "Collision" in search window).