Road trips are an essential part of summer. Not only are they a great opportunity for family bonding and adventure, but they also give you a chance to explore new places and instil in children a love of travel. But let’s face it, long car rides can sometimes be challenging, especially with kids in the backseat. Emily often gets carsick and taking her mind off driving is the only way any of us can survive the road trip. This is why we always play some fun and engaging road trip games that the whole family can enjoy and that will keep everyone entertained and happy.
I Spy
“I Spy” is a classic game that has been keeping kids engaged for years and years.
How to Play: One person starts by saying, “I spy with my little eye something that is…” and then gives a clue about an object they can see, such as its colour or shape. The other players take turns guessing what the object is. This game can be played for as long as interest lasts and helps kids practice their observation and deduction skills. Pro tip: The first object is almost always a tree.
20 Questions
This game is great for stimulating kids’ curiosity and reasoning abilities.
How to Play: One player thinks of an object, animal, or person, and the other players take turns asking up to 20 yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is. The goal is to guess the correct answer within the 20 questions. If no one guesses correctly, the person reveals what they were thinking of. Emily still doesn’t get the point of the game, but listening to her questions and answers is the most entertaining part of the game.
License Plate Game
A perfect way to pass the time and learn about geography.
How to Play: We usually travel through Europe so we play by seeing who can spot license plates from the most different countries, but you can play with states if in the USA. To make it more challenging, you can assign points based on how far away the country or the state is from your starting point.
Alphabet Game
This game is ideal for keeping kids engaged and alert during the drive and is perfect for kids who are starting to learn how to read.
How to Play: Players must find something outside the car that starts with each letter of the alphabet, in order from A to Z. For example, “A” for “airplane,” “B” for “billboard,” etc. The first person to get to “Z” wins. This game can also be adapted for finding letters on road signs.
Road Trip Bingo
Create bingo cards with common sights and landmarks. I used Canva to create one for Emily, and it kept her entertained throughout the trip as she kept coming back to it.
How to Play: Before the trip, create bingo cards with pictures or names of things you might see on your journey (e.g., cow, stop sign, gas station, bridge, windmill). As you travel, you mark off the items on the card when you spot them. If you have more people in the car you can play that the first person to get five in a row wins. Since Emily was the only one playing, she had to find all the items and at the next rest stop, she could choose a present for herself.
Story Chain
A collaborative and imaginative game that sparks creativity. This is one of our favourites as we all end up laughing with each new sentence.
How to Play: One person starts a story with a single sentence, such as “Once upon a time, there was a brave princess.” Each person adds a sentence in turn, continuing the story. This game can get quite funny and unpredictable, and it’s a great way to keep everyone involved.
Would You Rather?
A fun game that prompts interesting discussions.
How to Play: Take turns asking each other “Would you rather” questions, such as “Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?” This game can lead to some hilarious and enlightening conversations, and it’s a great way to learn more about each other’s preferences and imaginations. Emily would always rather be a ninja or Elsa.
Spot the Car
Emily likes this game because she is the first one to choose the colour and she always wins.
How to Play: Players choose a specific type of car or colour to look for (e.g., red cars or convertibles). The first person to spot a predetermined number of those cars wins. You can also make it more challenging by choosing less common cars or specific makes and models. Just adjust the difficulty level based on the players’ ages.
Does your family play different road trip games? Share them with me so we can try it out our next road trip.
Tips for a Successful Road Trip
To make the most of these games and ensure a smooth journey, keep these tips in mind:
- Plan Ahead: Prepare any materials you might need, like bingo cards or lists for the license plate game.
- Take Breaks: Schedule regular breaks to stretch, use restrooms, and get some fresh air. This helps keep everyone refreshed and reduces crankiness.
- Stay Flexible: Be open to changing games if interest wanes. Sometimes, a spontaneous sing-along, storytelling session or even quiet drawing time can be just as fun. We got a portable Travel Tray where we keep all of her neccesities for a quiet time such as her drawing material, stickers and some of her favourite toys.
- Snacks and Drinks: Keep a variety of snacks and drinks on hand to keep hunger and thirst at bay, especially with the kids. This can also prevent crankiness and help maintain a good mood.
With these engaging road trip games, your family is sure to have a blast on the journey, creating fun memories along the way. So buckle up, start the engine, and get ready for an adventure-filled ride!