kids trip to Egypt

I'm taking my sons and my nephew (ages 12, 16 and 17) on a trip to Egypt - first roughing it/ back packing trip for any of them. I'm doing tons of research, but I would welcome any suggestions/ tips that would help make this an exciting, memorable and safe trip.
Thanks!
Trey

It has been ages since I have been to Egypt, but I've been a couple of times (pre-kids) and this is what I'd probably choose to do if my kids were that old. Pyramids, Luxor, and Abu Simbel are probably standard. I'd spend more time in Luxor exploring some of the more obscure tombs that are around (not a lot of time, but an extra day or afternoon depending on the kids interest). I enjoyed these more than some of the bigger sites on the west bank (but after Valley of the queens and kings). I'd take them on an overnight private felucca ride from Aswan. Years ago I also enjoyed the western oases, but maybe they are not so enjoyable now.... Sinai is worth visiting if you have time - you can take some amazing trips through the canyons (you can do a lot of climbing which suits many boys), with or without camels, and stay overnight with a bedouin family. If you have even more time, you could cross to Jordan and see Petra as well, perhaps camp out in Wadi Rum.

Don't want to discourage you but Egypt is pretty hard core for a first trip. Having said that, Api's suggestions are spot on. In addition perhaps a sleeper train to Luxor from Cairo or see if you could pick up a last minute deal on a Nile cruise (there are some astonishingly good deals around at the moment).

Personally, I'd ease them into the Middle East with going to Jordan which has Petra, Jerash, the Dead Sea, Castles etc but I guess depends on how resilient they are. Not suggesting there's any danger apart from shocking traffic but it can be a bit full on.

Based on my previous three experiences in Egypt, I think you rather better to visit pyramids in Giza and Egyptian museum in cairo ( cairo and giza are almost the same ) may be also citadel of muhamed aly, and then you can move to Aswan by plane, you have to avoid the sleeping train as it wont be comfortable for your kids, ( note aswan and luxor are very hot cities specially in summer times so it is not recommended so much )
or may like to visit alexandria as it is coastal city and you will like to visit such a city which looks like Athens of greece, but i think the best choice for u can be hurghada or sharm elsheikh resorts on red sea specially your kids will like the sea and like to play on sea shores there.
i also recommend you to use this company www.goldenegypttours.com i used them twice of my three tours and was very satisfied about their services, contact ahmed or basem there and u can send them Dave greetings, they are still my friends and i keep both of fbk
good luck