| Remember the agonizing whine of "Are we there yet?"
coming from the back seat of the car from your two wonderful, bored
children on the last family vacation you took? Here are some game ideas
that you and your family can try for your upcoming vacation.
1. Geography
Geography is a great way to get your family in an upbeat mood for the
journey ahead. How to play: The first person thinks of a place (city,
state, country, etc...) then the next person has to think of a place
that starts with the last letter of previous place. Remember that you
can't use the same place twice and the place has to be real.
| Example: |
Dad starts with: North Carolina |
| Jill (daughter): Alabama |
| Mom: Arlington |
| Jack (son): New Mexico |
2. Twenty Questions
How to play: One person thinks of a person, place or thing and each
person in the family has 20 questions to figure out what it is. Remember
that "yes" or "no" can only answer the questions.
Example:
| Dad: Thinks of a person, place, or thing |
| Jill: Is it a person? |
| Dad: Yes |
| Mom: Is the person still alive? |
| Dad: No |
| Jack: Was this person a former President? |
3. License Plates
Are you ready to try to find all fifty license plates from around the
county? Be on the look for states that have more than 1 type of license
plate. A map is included to help you keep track of what states you
should be on the look for.
4. Buzz Here's a game that will test your math skills.
How to play: Take turns counting to 100. Whenever a 7, multiple of 7, or
7 in the number comes up, say "Buzz". Remember if one person makes a
mistake, you have to start the whole game over again.
Example:
| Jack: |
1 |
| Jill: |
2 |
| Mom: |
3 |
| Dad: |
4 |
| Jack: |
5 |
| Jill: |
6 |
| Mom: |
Buzz |
| Dad: |
8 |
5. Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger Hunts are a great game to play in the car. Before you leave
the house, prepare a list of things that you can see easily from the
car. Remember to bring a couple of lists with on the trip so your family
can play against each other. Also, remind your family that the first one
to spot all the items on the list gets a surprise!
Here are some ideas that can get you started on your list:
- Stop sign
- United States of America Flag
- Motor home
- Swimming pool
- Welcoming sign
- California license plate
- McDonald's Restaurant
- Mountain
- Bridge
- Boat
- Convertible car with the top down (weather permitting)
6. Alphabet Words
This is a great game for children beginning to read.
How to play: The object of the game is to find words on the road
starting the letter of alphabet in order.
Example:
| Jill: |
A- sees AT on bill-board |
| Mom: |
B- spots a Best Western sign |
7. I Spy
I spy is a classic favorite for family car rides.
Remember that you can limit what you see to the interior of the car or
you can include things that you have already passed. And the first one
to answer correctly goes next.
How to play: One person spies an object and the rest of the family has
to guess what it is.
Example:
Jack: I spy with my brown eyes something large.
8. Bingo
This version is a little different from what your family might be use
to, but it's a lot of fun. Prepare equal size grids for several colors
of cars and X out a square every time one is spotted. The first one that
Xs out all the squares wins! Remember to make each grid different so
your kids can compete against each other.
Example of the grid:
| Red |
Yellow |
Blue |
Green |
| Black |
White |
Red |
Maroon |
| Blue |
Black |
Beige |
Silver |
| Yellow |
Green |
Brown |
Black |
|
