Long car rides with kids can be either the stuff of sweet family memories or a rolling meltdown waiting to happen. The difference usually comes down to preparation, especially when it comes to keeping those little passengers entertained. Whether you’re embarking on a cross-country adventure or just heading to a nearby camping site, having a lineup of engaging games and activities can make your trip much smoother (and quieter). Not only do travel games keep kids busy, but they also encourage creativity, foster connection, and even sneak in some learning along the way. From classics like Road Trip Bingo to creative twists on old favorites, this guide will fill your road trip toolkit with fun ideas to keep the whole family smiling.

How to Play Road Trip Bingo

Road Trip Bingo is a perennial family favorite. It’s simple, flexible, and works for kids of all ages. Here’s how it works:

  1. Make or Print Your Bingo Cards: Create Bingo cards featuring different items you might see on your drive. You can use pictures for younger kids or words for older ones. Common items include cows, traffic lights, gas stations, billboards, and tractor-trailers. You can find premade printable cards online or make your own for customized fun.
  2. Set the Rules: Each player gets a card and tries to spot items from their Bingo grid out the car window. When they find an item, they can mark it (with a sticker, pen, or marker). The first one to complete a row gets to shout “Bingo!” and wins the round.
  3. Add Fun Twists: To make things interesting, you can offer prizes for unique patterns like the four corners or diagonal rows. Or you might include “wild card” slots where players get to choose their own items to mark.

Road Trip Bingo is not just fun but also sneaks in a bit of focus and observation practice for the kids, turning the highway into a treasure hunt.

More Road Trip Games To Try

1. The Alphabet Game

Who knew the alphabet could lead to so much entertainment? The alphabet game is simple and works great for highway travel. Here’s how to play:

  • Players look for words on road signs, billboards, or license plates that start with each letter of the alphabet, beginning with A.
  • Take turns or play all at once, with each person finding their own letters.
  • The goal is to get all the way to Z.

The letter “Q” can be tough! Look out for Dairy Queen signs or “Quiet Zone” markings near train tracks.

2. Would You Rather

This conversational game can get laughs, spark debate, and make the time fly. One person starts by asking a “Would you rather?” question, and everyone else answers.

  • Would you rather have a pet dinosaur or a pet robot?
  • Would you rather eat only pizza for a year or only ice cream?
  • Would you rather have flying or teleportation superpower?
  • Would you rather live the Minecraft world or Roblox world?

The sillier the questions, the better. This is a perfect game for kids with big imaginations and works well on long stretches of road.

3. 20 Questions

This classic guessing game is perfect for winding down or passing a particularly boring segment of the drive. One person thinks of something (a person, place, or thing), and the rest of the car has 20 yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.

  • Guesser: “Is it an animal?”
  • Player: “Yes.”
  • Guesser “Does it live in the water?”
  • Player “No.”

Whoever guesses correctly gets to choose the next item to think of.

4. License Plate Game

This one combines geography with a bit of competition. During the drive, the goal is to spot license plates from as many different states (or countries) as possible.

  • Write down the states you’ve found, or use a printable map to color in state names.
  • Families can work together or compete individually to see who spots the highest number of plates.

Create themes for this game, like looking for plates from neighboring states or hunting down plates with interesting slogans. “The Sunshine State” and “The Land of Lincoln” are fun finds!

5. Story Chain

Story Chain is a collaborative storytelling game for kids who love to get creative. One person starts a story with one sentence, e.g., “Once upon a time, there was a tiger who wanted to learn how to drive a car.” The next person adds another sentence, then the next person, and so on.

The result? A totally unique and often downright hilarious adventure. There’s no winner or loser, just lots of giggles and imagination.

6. I Spy

Sometimes, simple is best. “I Spy” never gets old, especially with younger kids. One person picks an object they can see and says, “I spy with my little eye something blue!” Other players take turns guessing. Adjust the difficulty depending on your child’s age. Pick items for kids that are easy to spot if they’re younger, and trickier patterns or shapes for older kids.

7. Sing-Along Fun

Turn your car into a karaoke machine on wheels by creating a road trip playlist with family favorites. Disney hits, classic rock, or pop songs are all great choices. Singing together lifts everyone’s mood and gets everyone involved on something fun. Encourage silly voices or choreographed arm dances for added fun.

Don’t forget to throw in some campfire classics for a nostalgic vibe. “Wheels on the Bus” is always a hit with younger kids, while teens might be down for belting out chart-topping tunes. Putting on the latest top 100 list will surely get your teen jam along.

8. Travel Journal Doodles

Encourage kids who like to draw or write to keep a road trip journal. Each day, they can write about what they’ve seen, draw pictures, or paste in photos and mementos from stops along the way. Provide them with crayons, pens, and stickers for a creative outlet that doubles as a keepsake. Older kids can even get an instant or throwaway camera to make a scrapbook when they get home. It's a great memory box addition.

Tips for Making Road Trip Games a Success

Now that you’re armed with games, here are some simple tips to make sure they actually keep the peace:

  1. Take Breaks: Build in rest stops every few hours for bathroom breaks, snacks, and fresh air. Even the most fun game can’t entertain kids when they’re restless.
  2. Balance Screen Time: While these games are great for unplugging, it’s okay to sprinkle in a bit of movie time or tablet play on longer drives. Balance is key.
  3. Bring Rewards: Small prizes or snacks can help motivate kids to focus on the games. Think toy trinkets or a favorite treat for the winners.
  4. Stay Flexible: Kids (and adults) can lose patience if something isn’t working. Be ready to switch games on the fly if the mood shifts.