Road trips can get boring. Whether you are traveling two hours or twenty-two hours, car rides can feel long. Reading, watching movies, listening to music and sleeping are fun, but here are some car ride games for the whole family.
1. The License Plate Game
Everyone knows the license plate game. For some families, it's who can spot the license plate that has come the farthest. Others like to see how many of the plate can you find in one day. Others yet look for how many variations of the same state license plate can you find.
2. Yellow Car, Pink Car
I learned how to play this game on a school trip in high school. Yellow Car, Pink Car is a game that can get really competitive. The rules are this: for every yellow car you find (taxis, semi-trucks, buses, and cars with company logos do not count), you earn 1 point. For any pink car you find (semi-trucks, taxis, buses, and cars with company logos do not count), you earn 5 points. My sister and I have gone on to add purple (5 points), lime green (3 points) and bright orange (2 points) to add points to the game. You only earn points if you are the first person to yell out "_________ car, (point value); I win" For example, "Yellow car, one point; I win"
3. I Spy
I Spy is game we all have played since we were little kids. The whole family can join in on the guessing, and everyone can take turns.
4. The Alphabet Game
Using each letter of the alphabet, starting with A, each person has to name something that begins with that letter. Get creative with it; try doing a category like food and keep using the same letter until everyone is stumped before moving onto the next letter.
5. The VW Bug Game
Usually this game is someone spotting a VW Bug and hitting their neighbor. Instead of doing that, use a point system. Each Bug gets points for color and whether it is a new or vintage Bug.
7. Name That Song
Using the radio or an iPod, play a song and whoever guesses the name of the song and the artist gets points. To complicate the game, have someone sing the first few lines of any song without the music playing and see if anyone can guess what it is. A great way to work on your audition for The Voice.
8. Car Make/Modle Scavenger Hunt
For the older kids who know a little more about cars, try the car brand/type scavenger hunt. Before you leave make a list of different brands and see how many you can find!
Road trips do not have to be boring. The ride to your destination can be just as fun and memorable as the actual destination. Try some of these games and get a little competitive with your family.
