Long car rides with kids can be tough. I’m a mom to five and a pro at road trips. I’ve been on plenty of unforgettable trips and picked up tricks to make these drives fun for everyone. Ready? Grab some snacks, buckle up, and let’s get into the best car games for long car trips!
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Prepare a Car Games Travel Trip Kit
Before hitting the road, it’s important to assemble a travel kit that includes all the essentials your kids will need during the journey. Here are a few must-haves:
- Snack Pack: Pack an assortment of healthy and easily accessible snacks such as fruits, granola bars, and small sandwiches. Don’t forget to bring along some spill-proof water bottles too!
- Entertainment Bag: Fill a bag with coloring books, crayons, sticker sets, puzzles, and their favorite small toys. This way, they’ll have a variety of options to keep them engaged throughout the trip.
- Tech Gadgets: Load up tablets or smartphones with educational games, movies, or audiobooks that are appropriate for their age. Remember to bring headphones for each child to avoid any sibling rivalry over sound.
Engage in Fun Car Games for Trips
Car games are a fantastic way to keep everyone entertained and encourage bonding among family members. Here are a few classic car games you can play:
- “I Spy”: Take turns spotting objects outside the car and give hints by saying, “I spy with my little eye, something that is…” Encourage your kids to describe the object they see and keep the game going.
- License Plate Game: Create a list of states or countries, and each time you spot a license plate from a different place, mark it off. See who can find the most unique plates by the end of the trip.
- 20 Questions: Think of an object, person, or place, and let your kids ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. This game is perfect for stimulating their curiosity and critical thinking skills.
Make Music a Road Trip Companion
Music is a powerful tool that can uplift spirits and create a joyful atmosphere inside the car. Curate a playlist with your kids’ favorite songs and sing along together. You can even introduce them to some of your childhood favorites and have a mini karaoke session on wheels!
Top 10 Road Trip Songs that are Great for Kids and the Whole Family
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams – A catchy, upbeat song that’s sure to bring smiles.
- “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake – A fun, dance-worthy track perfect for keeping the energy up.
- “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift – An energetic song that encourages everyone to sing along.
- “Let It Go” from Disney’s Frozen – A favorite among kids, great for belting out together.
- “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves – A classic feel-good song for all ages.
- “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – A funky, lively tune that’s fun for the whole family.
- “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees – An oldie but a goodie that parents and kids can enjoy.
- “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors – An uplifting song perfect for road trip vibes.
- “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts – A road trip essential with a great beat.
- “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens – A fun and catchy song that’s easy to sing along to.
These songs are family-friendly and sure to make your road trip more enjoyable!
Audio Adventures
Audiobooks and podcasts are a fantastic way to engage your kids’ imagination and keep them entertained throughout the journey. Choose age-appropriate stories, educational podcasts, or even audio dramas that will captivate their attention.
DIY Activity Trays
Create personalized activity trays for each child by using cookie sheets or lap desks. Fill them with magnetic puzzles, stickers, dry-erase markers, and coloring sheets. These trays will provide a stable surface for various activities and minimize messes.
Road Trip Surprises
Surprises always make a journey more memorable. Prepare surprise bags filled with small toys, books, or treats and hand them out at specific intervals during the trip. Treat bags are a fantastic way to keep the excitement level high and give your kids something to look forward to.
Interactive Storytelling
Encourage your kids to create their own stories or participate in collaborative storytelling. Start a tale with a simple prompt and let each family member contribute a sentence or two. This activity sparks creativity and engages everyone in a collective storytelling adventure.
Travel Scavenger Hunt: Car Games for Trips
Make a game of spotting things on the road by giving your kids a list of items or landmarks to look out for. It can be simple stuff like a blue truck, a dog, or a sign for a diner. Hand out copies of the list and let them tick off what they see. Sweeten the deal with little rewards for finding everything, maybe they get to pick the next movie or snack. Don’t worry about making the list; I’ve got a free road trip scavenger hunt ready for you to print out and bring along!
Mad Libs
Mad Libs is a classic word game that guarantees laughs and silliness. Print out a few Mad Libs stories or create your own by leaving out key words like nouns, adjectives, and verbs. Ask your kids to fill in the blanks with their own words, and then read the story aloud. Prepare for giggles as the silly and unexpected combinations unfold.
Memory Car Game for Road Trip
This game is perfect for boosting memory skills while having fun. Start by saying, “I’m going on a road trip, and I’m bringing…” followed by an item that begins with the letter “A.” The next person repeats the phrase and adds an item starting with the letter “B.” Continue the pattern, going through the alphabet, and see how far you can go without forgetting any of the items. It’s a fantastic way to challenge their memory while keeping the conversation lively.
Sing-Along Medleys
Take the classic sing-along session to the next level by creating medleys of songs. Choose a theme like animals, superheroes, or even colors, and string together snippets of songs that fit the theme. Singing a few lines of each song will keep the kids entertained and guessing which song comes next.
Road Trip Bingo: Car Games for Trips
Prepare customized bingo cards with different objects or landmarks that you’re likely to encounter during the journey. As your kids spot these items, they can mark them off on their bingo cards. The first one to complete a line or the entire card wins a small prize. It’s a fantastic way to keep their eyes peeled for interesting sights along the way.
Travel Trivia
Challenge your kids’ knowledge with some travel-themed trivia questions. Prepare a list of questions about different states, famous landmarks, or even different cultures. You can take turns asking questions or assign a scorekeeper who keeps track of correct answers. It’s an educational and engaging activity that also sparks curiosity about the world.
DIY Magnetic Games
Create portable magnetic games by attaching magnets to small toys, puzzles, or even printouts of characters. Use a metal baking sheet or a magnetic board as the playing surface. Your kids can move the magnets around, create stories, or solve puzzles without worrying about pieces falling off during the drive.
Story Podcasts
Introduce your kids to storytelling podcasts that offer captivating tales for all ages. From adventure stories to science fiction or fairy tales, there are numerous options available to suit their interests. Listening to these stories can transport them to different worlds and keep their imagination active throughout the journey.
Car Concert
Turn your car into a mini concert hall by allowing each family member to choose a song to perform. Encourage them to sing their hearts out, play imaginary instruments, and put on a show. This activity not only entertains but also boosts their confidence and creativity.
Taking a long car ride with kids doesn’t have to be something you dread. Get a travel kit ready, play car games on your trip, listen to music and stories, stop to check out new places, make DIY activity trays, plan some surprises, and tell stories together. This turns your trip into a great time for family bonding. With these car game ideas, you’re all set for any long car trip with your kids.
