Ah, those nostalgic long drives to see family, right? Before the age of portable gaming and tablets, families had to create their own fun. If you’re looking to unplug and reconnect with your loved ones, these classic road trip games will keep boredom at bay.
- License Plate Hunt
Can you spot a license plate from every state? It’s a fun challenge, especially when you start noticing the quirky designs. Bonus points if you can identify vanity plates and make up stories about their owners! - I-Spy
“I spy with my little eye something green.” This game might lead to some amusing arguments, like “Those are just trees!” - Road Trip Math
If your hotel is at exit 64 and you’re at mile marker 392, how far is it to your stop? For older kids, try calculating travel time based on your speed. Spot ads for roadside attractions and throw in some math challenges for extra fun. - Count the Animals
In states like Montana, there are more cows than people. How many can you count? Or try counting alligators on Alligator Alley! - Punch Buggy
How many VW Bugs can you find? This game has evolved into a “Where’s Waldo” style of competition. - 20 Questions
Who or what am I? Narrow down the theme to make it even more interesting—Harry Potter characters, perhaps? - Story Dice
These dice are great for sparking creativity. Each side features a word or concept, and you can either create a story together or take turns building on one another’s tales. - Alphabet Search
Starting with A, each participant looks for words on signs that begin with the letters of the alphabet. If you spot a cemetery, the person who sees it stays at their letter while everyone else resets to A. - Another Alphabet Game
Using items you see or think of, each person names something starting with an alphabet letter, but they also have to remember everything that came before them. - Padiddle
How many cars with a burnt-out headlight can you find? - Would You Rather?
A great way to learn about your fellow travelers! Would they prefer to fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses? - Radio Guessing Game
Put the radio on scan and see who can identify songs the quickest. - Human Jukebox
One person sings a line from a song, and the next has to use the last word of that line to start a new song. - The Name Game
Start with a celebrity’s name; the next person must use the first letter of that name to name another celebrity. - Going on a Picnic
Begin with “I’m going on a picnic and I’ll bring…” and grow the list until someone forgets an item. - Six Degrees of Separation
Choose two people and connect them in six or fewer links. It’s a fun challenge, especially with one being a celebrity. - The Quiet Game
Perfect for those moments when you want some peace and quiet! - Superlatives
Who in the car is most likely to take a trip to Mars or befriend a rock star? Everyone votes on their favorites! - Hangman
Got a notebook? Play hangman with words related to your travel destination. - My Cows!
First to yell “My Cows!” when passing a farm earns points for the number of cows they see. Beware of bridges and cemeteries that can sabotage your score! - License Plate Stories
Create a fun story using the letters on a passing license plate. - Getting to Know You
Use your phone or a book with questions to delve deeper into each other’s lives. - Compliment Chain
Go through the alphabet, complimenting each other based on the letters. - Bad Movie Plot Descriptions
How poorly can you summarize your favorite movie? “A girl just wants to build a snowman” for Frozen is a great example!
If you’re looking for some travel-sized games, many stores offer spill-proof versions of classic favorites. A few rounds of these games will keep everyone entertained for hours on end, ensuring that your journey is just as fun as the destination.
For more great travel tips, check out this related blog post. You can also learn more about pregnancy and home insemination at March of Dimes and dive into egg health with Intracervical Insemination’s resources.
Summary:
These 24 engaging road trip games are perfect for keeping kids entertained during long car rides. From classic games like I-Spy and 20 Questions to creative challenges like Story Dice and License Plate Stories, there’s something for everyone. These activities encourage family bonding and fun without screens.