Long road trips with kids can be a daunting task for any parent. The constant “are we there yet?” and fidgeting in the back seat can quickly become overwhelming. However, with a bit of planning and creativity, you can keep the kids entertained and make the journey enjoyable for the whole family. One of the best ways to pass the time on a road trip is by playing fun family travel games. Not only do they provide entertainment, but they also help the kids stay engaged and distracted from the long hours on the road.
Road trips can become a bonding experience for the family as you spend quality time together playing games, having conversations, and creating lasting memories. Here are some fun family travel games to keep the kids entertained on long road trips:
1. License Plate Game:
The License Plate Game is a classic road trip game that never gets old. The aim of the game is to spot license plates from different states or countries. Each time you spot a new license plate, you can mark it off on a checklist or keep track of the plates you’ve seen. You can also make it more challenging by keeping track of which state each plate is from.
2. I Spy:
I Spy is another timeless road trip game that is perfect for keeping kids entertained. One player selects an object they see and says “I spy with my little eye, something that is…” and provides a clue about the object’s color or shape. The other players then take turns guessing what the object is until someone guesses correctly. It’s a simple yet engaging game that can be played for hours on end.
3. Car Bingo:
Car Bingo is a fun twist on the traditional bingo game that is perfect for road trips. Create bingo cards with different road trip-related items such as road signs, animals, and vehicles. As you spot each item on your card, mark it off until you get a bingo. You can even offer a small prize for the winner to make the game more exciting.
4. 20 Questions:
20 Questions is a great game to keep kids entertained and engaged during a long car ride. One player thinks of an object, person, or animal, and the other players have 20 questions to guess what it is. The questions must be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no”. If the players are unable to guess the answer after 20 questions, the player who thought of the object wins.
5. Travel Scavenger Hunt:
A Travel Scavenger Hunt is a creative way to keep kids entertained and encourage them to pay attention to their surroundings during a road trip. Create a list of items for the kids to find along the way, such as a red car, a billboard with a certain word, or a specific road sign. The kids can cross off each item as they spot it, and the first one to find everything on the list wins a prize.
6. Storytelling:
Storytelling is a fantastic way to spark creativity and imagination in kids during a road trip. Start a story by saying a sentence or two, and then let each member of the family take turns adding to the story. The plot can take unexpected twists and turns, making it even more exciting for everyone involved. You can also use props or puppets to act out the story and bring it to life for the kids.
In conclusion, road trips don’t have to be a dreaded experience with bored and restless kids in the back seat. By incorporating fun family travel games into your journey, you can keep the kids entertained, engaged, and happy throughout the ride. Whether you’re playing classic games like I Spy and 20 Questions or getting creative with a Travel Scavenger Hunt or storytelling, these games will make the trip more enjoyable for everyone. So next time you hit the road with the family, be sure to pack some entertaining games to make the journey fun and memorable for all.
