Your kids are out of school for a week and you’ve carved precious time from your work schedule to take a much-needed family vacay. The last thing you need now, while you’re scrambling to get the trip together, is added stress. Working Mother to the rescue! Here, sanity-saving tips, helpful travel apps and on-the-go fun that will make for smooth sailing.

Pack the essentials. When you’re traveling with kids, you need a master list—everything from toiletries and undies to toys and snacks. “No matter what mode of travel you take, you’re bound to need something from your travel bag, especially if your kids are on a tight eating or sleeping schedule,” says travel expert Mark Murphy. To prep a list you’ll never lose, try the Packing Pro app ($3, iTunes.com), which lets you make a checklist you can edit any time a new item pops into your head. You can even set up categories like backseat, carry-on, mom’s suitcase and more. As soon as the kids are old enough (around age 6 or 7 with some help from you), have them pack their own rolling suitcases, Murphy advises, so they’ll each know what they have and where to find it.

Stash the snacks. Plane rides can be the hardest part of any family trip, with low blood sugar often leading to cranky kids. “Children get hungry frequently, so be sure to pack enough snacks for the ride,” Murphy suggests. If you’ll be in the air several hours or on multiple flights, don’t hesitate to restock at airport snack bars as needed.

Prep for the road. Traveling on the ground? Find good food wherever you are, fast, with the Yelp app (free, iTunes.com). The restaurant site, with user-generated reviews, can help you locate kid-friendly eateries most anywhere you are. Another road-trip issue: “I-need-to-go-to-the-bathroom-now!” wails. The Rest Stops Plus app ($2, iTunes.com) will quickly help you pinpoint the nearest public bathroom. Gas tank near empty? The Gas Buddy app (free, iTunes.com) helps you track the closest service station.

Bring portable fun. Got kids? Gotta have entertainment while traveling. The Pocket Pouch ($28, tegu.com) includes eight magnetic wooden blocks so budding architects can build right on their own laps—no worries about lost pieces. Slide your iPhone, iPod Touch or Droid into the PodFlexPro ($25, podflexpro.com) and hang it over the seat in front of your mini movie buff to let her enjoy favorite films or shows at eye level. Rather keep your device for yourself? Consider the Philips Dual Screen Portable DVD Player ($145, walmart.com) for your kids. The double display allows two to watch their own screens simultaneously. You’ll avoid those “he-won’t-share” arguments—one more way to have a happier travel experience for all.