13 Road Trip Games to Keep Kids Entertained

Family Friendly

Embarking on a family road trip with children can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with its challenges. Keeping kids entertained during long drives is often at the top of the list. The good news is that with a bit of creativity and planning, road trips can be enjoyable for the whole family.

Here are some fun road trip game ideas to ensure that everyone, including the little ones, has a great time on the road.

Fun Road Trip Games for the Whole Family

1. I-Spy

How to Play:

One player starts by saying, “I spy with my little eye, something that is [color or characteristic].”
The other players take turns guessing what the object might be.
The game continues until the object is guessed or players give up, and then another player takes a turn.

Why It’s Great: I-Spy is a classic road trip game that requires no materials and can be played anywhere. It encourages kids to observe their surroundings, enhancing their attention to detail and making the scenery part of the fun.

2. While You Were Sleeping

How to Play:

When someone falls asleep, the awake players come up with a creative story to tell them when they wake up.
The story must include at least three things that happened while they were sleeping, incorporating elements from the actual trip.
When the person wakes up, the awake players take turns telling the story and seeing if the sleeper can guess what really happened and what was made up.

Why It’s Great: This game sparks creativity and imagination, allowing kids to create fun and sometimes silly stories. It also gives the sleeper something to look forward to when they wake up.

3. 21 Questions

How to Play:

One player thinks of something, and the other players have 21 chances to ask yes-or-no questions to guess what it is.
The questions can be about anything, such as “Is it an animal?” or “Is it something we can see right now?”
If someone guesses correctly within 21 questions, they win and think of the object for the next round.

Why It’s Great: 21 Questions helps develop critical thinking and deductive reasoning skills. It’s also a versatile game that can be played with various themes, such as animals, movies, or famous people.

4. The Alphabet Game

How to Play:

Players look for words outside the car that start with each letter of the alphabet in order from A to Z.
Words can be found on billboards, signs, license plates, and buildings.
The first player to complete the alphabet wins.

Why It’s Great: This game keeps kids engaged with their surroundings and helps with letter recognition and vocabulary building. It’s also a game that can be played individually or cooperatively.

5. License Plate Game

How to Play:

Each player tries to spot license plates from as many different states or countries as possible.
You can keep a checklist or simply call out the states as you see them.
The player who spots the most unique plates wins.

Why It’s Great: The License Plate Game is perfect for long road trips that cross state or country lines. It teaches kids geography and keeps them alert and looking out the window.

6. Story Chain

How to Play:

One player starts a story with a sentence, such as “Once upon a time, there was a brave knight.”
The next player adds another sentence to continue the story.
The story continues around the car, with each player adding a sentence until it reaches a funny or satisfying conclusion.

Why It’s Great: Story Chain is a favorite road trip game for fostering creativity and storytelling skills. It also encourages teamwork and can lead to hilarious and memorable family stories.

7. Would You Rather?

How to Play:

Players take turns asking each other “Would you rather?” questions, such as “Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?”
Each player must choose one of the options and explain their reasoning.

Why It’s Great: This game sparks interesting conversations and debates, helping kids to think about their preferences and make decisions. It’s also a great way to learn more about each other’s likes and dislikes on a long car ride.

8. Scavenger Hunt

How to Play:

Before the trip, make a list of items that players might see along the way, such as a red barn, a water tower, or a cow.
Players check off items as they spot them.
The first player to find all the items on the list wins.

Why It’s Great: A Scavenger Hunt keeps kids actively looking out the window and can be tailored to the specific route you’re taking. It’s a fun game that involves exploring the scenery and discovering new things.

9. Road Trip Bingo

How to Play:

Create bingo cards with items that you might see on a road trip, such as specific car models, animals, or road signs.
Players mark off items as they see them.
The first player to get a bingo wins.

Why It’s Great: Road Trip Bingo combines the fun of bingo with the excitement of a scavenger hunt. It’s easy to prepare and can be customized for different age groups and locations.

10. Travel Journal

How to Play:

Give each child a notebook and some colored pencils or markers.
Encourage them to draw pictures or write about what they see, places they visit, and their favorite parts of the trip.
They can also collect souvenirs like postcards or stickers to add to their journal.

Why It’s Great: A Travel Journal is a creative outlet that also serves as a keepsake of the trip. It encourages kids to observe their surroundings and express themselves through art and writing.

11. Who Am I?

How to Play:

One player thinks of a person, animal, or character, and the other players take turns asking yes-or-no questions to figure out who or what it is.
Questions can include “Are you alive?” or “Do you appear in movies?”
The game continues until someone guesses correctly.

Why It’s Great: Who Am I? is a fun way to practice critical thinking and deduction. It can also lead to interesting discussions about different people, animals, and characters.

12. Road Trip Songs

How to Play:

Create a playlist of favorite songs or take turns choosing songs to play.
Sing along together, have a karaoke session, or make up silly dances to go along with the music.

Why It’s Great: Music can set a positive mood and make time pass quickly. Singing and dancing together can be a great way to bond as a family.

13. Name That Tune

How to Play:

One player hums or plays a few notes of a song, and the other players try to guess the name of the song.
The first player to guess correctly gets to hum or play the next tune.

Why It’s Great: Name That Tune is a fun way to test musical knowledge and introduce kids to different genres and artists. It’s a great game for music lovers.

Take an RV Road Trip with Cruise America

Road trips can be a fantastic opportunity for families to bond, explore new places, and create lasting memories. By incorporating these fun car games, you can keep your kids entertained and make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Whether you’re playing I-Spy, creating stories with While You Were Sleeping, or singing along to your favorite tunes, these road trip games will ensure that everyone has a great time on the road.

So, reserve an RV rental from Cruise America and get to planning your road trip today!