Anyone who has driven with children in the back of their car will know it won’t be long before you hear those two words, ‘I’m bored’. This is especially the case on the longer journeys that take place around the holiday season.
You don’t want to start your break with frustrated children in tow, so we’ve put together a list of classic games to play in the car that the whole family can get involved in – and they’re all screen free.
- I Spy – We couldn’t start anywhere else, could we? A classic game that develops observational skills as children (and adults) take turns spotting something on the journey that the others take turns guessing on. The only clue is the letter said object begins with.
- The Alphabet Game – Very similar to I Spy, but this time each member of the family takes turns spotting things on the road in alphabetical order. Who will draw the short straw with Q or X?
- The Number Plate Game – Keep an eye on the registration plates of the other cars on the road? Can you see every letter from A to Z or make up phrases from the last three letters.
- 20 Questions – Also known as the Yes/No game, this one is simple but fun. The ‘answerer’ chooses something the other players must guess. They have 20 questions that can only be answered with a yes or a no to decipher what it is. The ‘questioner’ who gets it correct becomes the ‘answerer’.
- The Memory Game – Another alphabet-based game. The first player can say ‘A is for alloys’, the second continues the theme but has to repeat what the player before said e.g. ‘A is for alloys, b is for brakes’. You can make it fiendishly difficult by sticking to a topic or finish on an earlier letter if younger children are playing.
- Travel Bingo – You can find travel bingo boards in high street shops. Give them to a little one and let them spot the objects while you journey to your destination.
- Name that Tune – Love music? Take turns humming your favourite songs and see if the other passengers can guess what they are…
- Spot the Yellow Car – According to SMMT, yellow cars made up 0.6% market share of all new car registrations in 2024. A rare sight on UK roads, whoever spots one first wins.
- Counting cows – Driving past a few farms or through the countryside? First one to spot a cow and let out a moo wins. Another take on this is ‘I can see the sea’…
- The Quiet Game – Last but not least is a very popular choice amongst parents, grandparents and guardians. The rule of the game is simple – whoever stays quiet the longest wins.
Even if you’re playing one of these games, you need to keep your eyes on the road while driving and concentrate on what’s around you. If it’s a long journey and you’re hoping to get more involved in what’s sure to be a closely fought game, why not get some temporary car insurance so you can share the driving with a passenger for complete peace of mind?
Sources
https://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/8-fun-car-game-ideas/
https://www.bloggeratlarge.com/exciting-road-trip-games/
https://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/ideas/8-fun-car-game-ideas/
https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/road-trip-games.html
https://findmykids.org/blog/en/road-trip-games-to-play-in-the-car
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best road trip games for toddlers?
If you’re driving with toddlers or preschoolers, some of the games above may be a little advanced. You can simplify games by asking them to look for different colours, listening to their favourite audiobooks or singing along to their favourite songs.
Are there any apps or digital games we can play in the car?
While we have focused on screen-free road trip activities in this post, we know many children will play games on their tablets over the course of a long journey. If you’re attaching the device to the back of a seat, make sure it is secure and be prepared to help if things disconnect at any point.
Can we adapt these games for older children, teenagers and adults?
Of course, these can be fun car games for teens and older. Just make sure you feel the content is appropriate for the age group and their tastes.
Do we need anything to play these family car games?
Although many can be played without any accessories, you could ask another passenger to bring notebooks and pens to keep track of the score etc.
