If you’re a parent, the thought of a long summer car ride has the potential to strike fear in your heart. It’s not the traffic or cost of gas that’s scary. It’s the prospect of keeping the kids entertained for hours on end. That’s why having a few family car games ready to go can be a lifesaver on a road trip.
Here are a few car games for kids that can make the miles go faster and create a little family bonding in the process:
1. Barn, Bike, Beetle!
In this spotting game, the first person to spot a barn, a bike (your choice if motorcycles do or don’t count) and a Volkswagen Beetle wins. Change the spotting items to work for your surroundings.
2. Association
One person says a word and the next person says whatever comes to mind. Continue around the car for as long as you’d like. For example, one player might say “blue,” causing player two to say “water,” leading the next person to say “beach house!” The beauty of the game is that there are no right or wrong answers, and everyone can play.
3. Twenty Questions
A classic family car game, Twenty Questions is a simple game that can produce hours of fun. Take turns thinking of some sort of object; it can be a person, animal, food and anything in between. For younger children, you might want to establish a certain category to make the game a little easier. Players then can get 20 yes or no questions to ask, and then have to guess the secret object.
4. I Spy
I Spy is a great car game for young children due to its simplicity. One person picks out something from the surroundings, and gives a hint. Everyone then takes turns guessing the mystery object. Don’t forget the signature phrase, “I spy with my little eye” before giving a clue!
Safety First
While family car games can be a welcome addition to a road trip, safety always come first. Make sure whoever is driving maintains full focus on the road at all times and doesn’t get distracted by passengers playing a game. Here are more essential driving safety tips to keep in mind on your next road trip.
