5 Fun Travel Games for Road Trips

Planning to hit the road with the kids in tow this summer?

Dreading the squabbles and the “I’m bored, Mom” songs?

Wondering if you’d have lost your sanity by the time you find the hotel?

Well, worry no more! I have your back. As a mom who’s done a road trip twice every year ever since her daughter was born, I know and understand the importance of keeping kids busy and engaged so that they take naps during the drive, don’t squabble and help you retain your sanity.

And trust me, if like me, you’re the parent of an only child, you WANT to know how to keep your li’l one busy.

Here are my top picks for travel games for road trips that are fun for the whole family:

1. Travel Board and Card Games

The first thing to go into your travel game kit should be travel versions of popular board and card games, like Uno, Monopoly and any other favorites. They’re easy to stash and easier to pull out and play when on the road.

2. Drawing and Coloring on the Go

My kindergartener loves her travel coloring kit from ELC, but you can easily find one on Amazon, such as this one from Crayola. If you have 2 kids or more, have them all work on their masterpieces that they can later include in their trip scrapbook. Fun and peace.

3. Memory and Word Games

Memory and word games are perfect for kids and grown-ups alike!

From playing “I spy” to easy and fun alphabet games, you can literally make up the games as you eat up the miles. For instance, on our recent road trip, we played an alphabet game where the “leader” would pick an alphabet and then, everyone would say a three-letter word with it. Yes, we’re working on 3-letter words at home but you see, you can adapt it to anything. Movies with a particular letter, road sign spotting for particular letters and more!

Memory games are great too. You can put together an ensemble of 6-8 small items that are in the car and then, everyone’s gotta write down what they remember. Keep switching the items around, pull some out from the handbag and add to the fun.

4. Car Spotting

A super-easy, no-fuss game. The challenge is to spot cars of a certain make or if that’s tough, a certain color. Whoever spots it first yells, “Spot!” and scores a point. Points are tallied at each rest stop and a new color or make is assigned. Again, this game can be adapted to different ages with ease.

5. Electronic Games

Finally, if your kids are older, you can easily have some time for electronic, hand-held games or iPad games. Have fun and friendly competitions with winners getting their choice of ice-cream at the rest stop.

What are YOUR favorite road trip games? Share with us in the comments.

Written By: Parenting Contributor, Prerna Malik, themomwrites.com