5 Fun Road Games for Kids

Pin It!
April 20, 2012 8:00 am

by Jessica Weiner

It is tempting to let the kids while away the long miles buried in a stack of movies, but a road trip provides the perfect opportunity for quality family time. Whether they create literary masterpieces, compete to find funny car decals or journal their adventures, these fun car games will help the hours pass quickly.

Theme Day

With a little imagination, the car can whisk kids away on exciting adventures. Let the theme determine the songs you sing, the clothes you wear, the snacks you eat and the accents you speak. For a Western celebration, don a cowboy hat, pop in a country music CD and wrangle up a sassafras float for dessert. The next day, the kids can board a pirate ship or blast off in a space rocket.

Disney Family Fun offers dozens of exciting road trip vacations, including traveling by covered wagons, sailing the Mississippi River and hunting for shark teeth.

road trip1 the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11

Tell a Tale

children reading 006 the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11
Like the traditional campfire pastime, one person starts a story then passes it on to the next person at a cliffhanging moment. You can also buy a gamebook, such as the Choose Your Own Adventure series, that lets the reader determine the characters’ decisions and the plot outcome. Read the story together and come to a consensus before choosing the next path in the road. When the story evolves, switch readers.

Milepost Surprise!

Loosely wrap small trinkets, snacks, funny fortunes and activity ideas in shiny aluminum foil balls. At specific mileposts, or when the kids are getting a little cranky, toss a ball into the backseat. Challenge your youngsters to shape the foil into silly creatures, an alien tin foil hat or goofy sunglasses.
kids car roadtrip sanity the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11

Adventure Journal

kids journal the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11
Decorate a plain notebook before the trip or purchase a kid-friendly travel journal that includes daily activities, car games, writing prompts as well as memento pockets for maps, photos and ticket stubs. All you need to tote along is a colorful pack of pens and tape for securing souvenirs, whether it is a colorful postcard or an autumn leaf.

I Spy Scavenger Hunt

Update these two classic games by combining them into one family friendly competition. Before the trip, create a list of expected and rare items you might spot along the journey, such as a state sign, a bridge, a hot pink car, a train or a stick-family car decal. The first person to catch sight of an item on the list calls out, “I Spy (item)!” Only those who see the item can check it off their scavenger list.

This game can be played while on the road as well as during pit stops by adding collectible items, such as a black rock, a bird feather or a giant leaf. For younger children who cannot read, give them a picture list, while older children can complete more complex scavenges, such as spotting three things in a row that begin with the letter A (armadillo, apple and airplane).

10 Best Tips Road Trips Kids the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11

With these five fun games, there will never be a dull moment on your next family road trip. Whether you are taking a three-hour tour through the mountains or a three-day journey across the country, take advantage of the time together to create family memories that will last a lifetime.

 

 

If you loved what you just read then I KNOW you'll love these:
drive bys and the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11
Drive-bys, Toilet Water, and Doggy Doo – Our First Family Road Trip
The family and I just got back from an eventful family road trip to the illustrious city of Birmingham, Alabama. This is where our good friend's the Gilchrist's have unfortunately ...
READ MORE!
Featured Image Template NEW NEW1 the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11
Fun Games You Can Play With A One Year Old
Although everyone may not acknowledge it, being a stay at home mom is a tough full time job. I put in overtime every week cooking every day, washing clothes, picking ...
READ MORE!
transgendered kids the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11
Transgendered Kids
Last night I watched Transgendered Kids on the Style Network. The Mother of a 16 year old transgendered um.. boy was just hit on by her "son's" male mentor... who ...
READ MORE!
funny things kids say1 the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11
Amusing Things My Kids Have Said
  Guest blogger Kieron Casey shares some of the hilarious things that his children have said.   Children’s use of language is a constant source of amusement as they learn what phrases mean ...
READ MORE!
we need to talk the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11
“We Need to Talk”…We Got Kidz Explores the Serious Issue of Child Molestation and How to Discuss It With Your Kids
It’s time for We Got Kidz to get serious for a second and discuss the craziness that has been happening lately in reference to children and molestation. From dirty man ...
READ MORE!
iphone ap the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11
Five Annoying Smartphone Apps That Your Kids Will Probably Download
Most parents want the same thing for their kids. You want your children to be happy and carefree. You want them to have a normal childhood and be just like ...
READ MORE!
Drive-bys, Toilet Water, and Doggy Doo – Our First Family Road Trip
Fun Games You Can Play With A One Year Old
Transgendered Kids
Amusing Things My Kids Have Said
“We Need to Talk”…We Got Kidz Explores the Serious Issue of Child Molestation and How
Five Annoying Smartphone Apps That Your Kids Will Probably Download

You might also like:

Jessica avatar 64x64 the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11

Jessica

Jessica is a freelance writer who contributes to many different blogs about a wide variety of stuff. When she is not writing you can find her cooking up a storm in her kitchen.
Jessica avatar 64x64 the kids preschoolers ages 3 5 parenting the kids adolescents ages 6 11

Latest posts by Jessica (see all)

 
 
 
 
new-to-we-got-kidz-parenting-site
Click here!
we-got-kidz-welcomeIf you're new here, welcome! I appreciate you coming to hang out for a bit. If you're curious to know what it is we do around these parts, click the link up top to get the nitty gritty. Have fun! Don't forget to give us a like!