Who says you have to road trip to a chorus of “Are we there yet?” Buckle up, my friend, because these road trip games will make your journey fly by more smoothly than a Tesla on autopilot. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or stuck in traffic, these games are guaranteed to keep everyone entertained.
As a seasoned road tripper who is nearly always outnumbered by kids, I have had plenty of experience keeping kids entertained while also navigating the open road. While we have enjoyed these family-friendly audiobooks over the years, sometimes you need to switch things up.
That’s where our favorite games come into play. These road trip games have saved my sanity more times than I can count and created some of the best memories along the way. And by “best memories,” I mean “moments when everyone wasn’t asking for snacks or bathroom breaks every five minutes.”
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Alphabet Game
The Alphabet Game is a timeless classic that never gets old. The challenge is to find road signs along the journey that begin with alphabet letters in order. When you see it, shout it out and move on to the next letter. And if there’s a tie between two players who call out the same thing, play Rock, Paper, Scissors (see below) to decide who gets the credit.
This game keeps everyone alert and makes those long drives a lot more fun. Plus, it’s a great way to practice reading skills, because nothing says “educational vacation” like scouring billboards for letters.
License Plate Bingo
If there were an Olympic event for the license plate game, I would have more medals than Michale Phelps. Even when I’m just running errands around town, I always seem to notice out-of-state tags and point them out to my passengers. (And, yes, they usually roll their eyes.)
To play this classic road trip game, look for license plates from different states, countries, or provinces. Keep track of all the ones you find and see who has the most by the end of your journey. Print out a few copies of my free downloadable bingo sheets, pack a box of crayons, and you’re all set!
Would You Rather?
This simple game is a road trip staple. Ask another passenger two hypothetical questions they must choose between, making sure both options are equally pleasant or unpleasant. It’s amazing how something so simple can lead to hilarious conversations and memorable moments. Plus, it’s a great way to learn that your spouse would rather eat a shoe than give up pizza for a year.
Here are some examples to get you started:
- Would you rather be forced to sing along to every song you hear or dance to every song you hear?
- Would you rather work under the hot sun or in extreme cold?
- Would you rather never eat pizza or French fries again?
The possibilities are endless!
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are the perfect way to make the miles fly by, whether you have toddlers or teenagers on board. Before your trip, make a list of items you might see along the way, like animals, landmarks, or types of buildings. The first one to spot all the items on the list wins. Just be prepared for heated debates over whether that blob in the distance was really a cow or just an oddly shaped bush.
Sage Advice: Turn your scavenger hunt into a road trip bingo game. Simply repurpose your list of items into bingo cards, and you’re all set!
I Spy
I Spy is another classic road trip game that requires no unique materials—just your eyes, ears, and imagination. Find something either inside or outside the car and say, “I spy something beginning with…” and provide the first letter of the word. Or, use colors and say, “I spy something…” and provide the color. Other passengers take turns guessing until someone gets it right.
Here are some items that make great choices for I Spy:
- animals in their natural habitats,
- different types of vehicles,
- interesting roadside attractions, and
- unique landmarks or buildings.
Learn from my mistake, it’s best to choose something that won’t disappear in the rearview mirror before anyone guesses it.
Name That Tune
Name That Tune is a timeless classic. Everyone takes turns singing a snippet of lyrics from their favorite songs — sadly, no one has confused me for Taylor Swift yet. Then, your fellow travelers must guess the artist, song title, or both. For a real challenge, try humming the tune instead of singing.
This game not only provides family fun but also gives you a fantastic soundtrack for your road trip adventure. Just be prepared for the inevitable arguments over whether that was actually the correct lyric or not. I mean, I swear Tay Tay is saying “Hey all you Starbucks lovers” when she belts out Blank Space!
Rock Paper Scissors
Who would have thought a classic game like Rock Paper Scissors could be so much fun? Yet kids love it and will play it for hours.
Have a tournament leading to playoffs and a big final game for extra fun. Remember the rules:
- Paper beats rock
- Rock beats scissors
- Scissors beat paper
Don’t let your kids catch on that you always throw a rock. They’ll exploit that weakness faster than you can say “best two out of three.”
In My Suitcase
This classic memory game can also be hilarious. Don’t just stick to standard travel items — think of silly and outrageous things to pack and get your family laughing.
To play, the first person says, “I’m going on vacation, and I packed…” and lists an item in their suitcase. The second player has to repeat everything the previous player said and add their own thing to bring along on vacation.
If a player forgets one of the previous items packed — after all, who would actually pack an inflatable T-rex and a year’s supply of cheese puffs — they are out until only one person is left.
Related Article: 150 Road Trip Quotes Will Have You Packing Your Bags Today
Fortunately/Unfortunately
This game is another family favorite that involves working together to create an amusing story. After one person lays a foundational sentence, each storyteller adds to the tale with a “Fortunately” or “Unfortunately,” alternating as the story progresses.
Here is an example:
- Grace wanted to go on vacation.
- Unfortunately, she had no money.
- Fortunately, she won a trip to Montana.
- Unfortunately, her plane was grounded in rainy Seattle.
And so on, continuing with the saga of poor Grace’s attempt to take a vacation and all the roadblocks and triumphs that occur. Just don’t be surprised if Grace ends up on Mars fighting alien squirrels with a spatula. It’s amazing where a family’s collective imagination can take you when you’re trapped in a car for hours!
Twenty Questions
Twenty Questions is a fun game for family road trips. Its endless possibilities make each round unique and exciting. To play, think of a famous person, place, or thing, like “Beth Dutton,” “Niagara Falls,” or “broccoli.” Everyone takes turns asking yes-or-no questions to narrow it down and guess what it is—but they only get 20 questions to figure it out.
Do You Really Know Your Family?
For older kids and teens, Do You Really Know Your Family? is a great card game for road trips. Take turns drawing trivia questions from the stack. The first person to guess the correct answer to the cardholder’s question like “What’s my least favorite vegetable?” or “What is my favorite restaurant?” gets to keep the card. While the first person with 15 cards wins, everyone will discover surprising revelations about their fellow travelers.
Family Fun Road Trip Games
Road trips are a fantastic way to bond. With a bit of creativity and these fun car games, you can keep boredom at bay and hopefully travel at least 100 miles before you hear your first “Are we there yet?”
What’s Your Favorite Road Trip Game?
Road trips are a fantastic way to bond. With a bit of creativity and these fun car games, you can keep boredom at bay and hopefully travel at least 100 miles before you hear your first “Are we there yet?” And if all else fails, there’s always the timeless classic: “The Quiet Game.”
Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.
Everyday Wanderer is packed with all sorts of additional travel planning tips
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- Discover the sights, history, and culture of your destination with an interactive scavenger hunt
- Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners. Happy wandering!
