Beat Boredom on the Road: Fun Games for Entertaining Kids (and Adults!) on Car Trips

Updated 3 July 2024 - Originally published 28 June 2019

Looking for ways to make those long car journeys a breeze for everyone? Put down the tablets and rediscover the joy of classic car games that keep kids entertained and adults reminiscing about their own childhood adventures.

Games for All Ages:

• I Spy: A timeless favourite! One player picks an object they see and says “I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…” followed by the first letter. Others guess the object by asking questions answerable with “yes” or “no.”

• Tunnel Challenge: Deep breath, everyone! When you enter a tunnel, hold your breath for as long as you can. The one who lasts the longest wins (just breathe normally afterwards!).

• The Picnic Game: Test your memory! The first player starts with “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing…” followed by an object starting with “A” (e.g., apple). Each player repeats everything said before and adds their own item starting with the next letter (e.g., apple, banana). See how long the chain can grow!

Guessing Games:

• 20 Questions: Someone secretly thinks of a person, place, or thing. The others take turns asking yes-or-no questions within 20 attempts to guess it correctly.

• Yes & No Game: Similar to 20 questions, but with no limit on the number of questions. Keep them yes-or-no to narrow down the possibilities.

Spotting Games:

• Colour Quest: Each player chooses a colour. The first one to spot 10 vehicles of their colour wins! Make it trickier by looking for specific car models in your chosen colour.

• Car Bingo: Create bingo cards beforehand with squares containing pictures or descriptions of things you might see on your trip (e.g., cow, bridge, yellow house). Mark them off as you spot them. The first to get a full row, column, or diagonal wins!

Letter Games:

• Alphabet Adventure: Take turns finding objects starting with each letter of the alphabet in order. Get creative! For letters like X or Z, consider signs, license plates, or even shapes of clouds.

Wordplay Games:

• Word Association: Pick a starting word (anything goes!). Players take turns saying a word related to the previous one. See how long you can keep the chain going!

Bonus Tips:

• Mix it Up: Alternate between screen-based activities and classic games to avoid boredom.
• Prepare for Younger Kids: For car bingo with younger children, use pictures instead of words.
• Get Creative: Make up your own variations of these games to keep things fresh.
• Pack the Essentials: Bring notebooks, pencils, and small toys for games like drawing or storytelling.
• Don’t Forget the Snacks: Healthy snacks like fruit and veggie sticks keep energy levels up and meltdowns at bay.

With these fun and interactive games, your next car journey can be a blast from the past for you and a delightful adventure for the kids. So buckle up, crank up the tunes, and get ready to create lasting memories on the road!