Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past couple of years (and for the sake of argument, let’s assume you haven’t), you know that iPhones and iPads are the best thing to happen to traveling parents since portable DVD players.

If you have one, lucky you!

Now all you need are a handful of high quality apps with good replay value to keep your kids busy and happy while traveling. Don’t have time to slog through the entire iTunes App Store looking for them? Here are a few of my favorites.

I know packing lists are long for summer getaways, however, be sure not to miss Tales2Go. An application for the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad, Tales2Go plays an unlimited number of children’s stories and songs. It’s like the favorite app Pandora Radio with kid-focused content.

I was testing out this application and quickly fell in love.

The thought of being trapped with a screaming child on an airplane is enough to keep even the most avid travelers on the ground. For others, it drives them to play Polly Pocket or to speak in an unnaturally high and sweet voice for hours on end. To spare you from this, we’ve come up with ideas that will help keep everyone sane on the plane.

Just like kids, parents come in all types of personalities—the planner and the non-planner, laid-back and uptight, etc. We’ve met them and possibly been them all.

Flying long distances with young kids is at the same level on fun meter as going to the dentist for most parents. Although flights to Europe are less scary …