“Having a few age-appropriate options for entertaining kids on a long car ride will help make the trip smoother,” Sara Huberman Carbone, MD, a pediatrician at One Medical in Orange County, California, told Verywell Family. “Consider choosing some activities kids can do on their own and some that involve the whole family to help mix things up.” Games can be especially helpful for kids who are prone to car sicknesses or if you are aiming for a screen-free ride. “Games that encourage looking outside of the car, such as ‘I Spy,’ will be the best option for someone who is prone to car sickness,” Dr. Huberman Carbone says. “Avoid games where the child needs to look down and focus on a screen or book.” We looked for games for kids that are easy to play, don’t have a lot of loose parts to lose in the car, and are fun for a variety of ages to create this list. Here are the best road trip games for kids. Get ready for easy, family fun with this set of four travel bingo game cards. We love that no reading is required to play, because each card features images (plus words) of what players need to find while on the road. The shutter slide cards are self-contained, so there are no small parts, and the flat cards are easy to store in a travel bag or glove compartment. While not a flashy, innovative game, bingo is a classic for good reason, and this set will keep kids looking out the window with the hopes of filling their bingo card. Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $23 Price at time of publication: $24 Price at time of publication: $29 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $8 for paperback Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $8
What to Look for in Road Trip Games for Kids
Use these tips to find the best games for the kids in your family.
Age Level
Find a game that fits the age level of your group. If it’s too easy, the gameplay will move too quickly or not keep kids engaged. If it’s too hard, kids won’t want to play. Use the age recommendations on the packaging for a helpful guide.
Number of Players
A car can only hold so many people, so the key to successful road trip games are ones that can be played alone or with a limited number of people.
Game Requirements
Since you’ll be playing these games in a car, avoid games with lots of loose pieces. We found games that don’t require a flat surface or table to play, since that’s nearly impossible to maintain in a moving car.
Safety
“Select a game where the child can stay safely in their seat with their seat belt buckled,” shares Dr. Huberman Carbone. She reminds us to think of the driver. “Avoid games that may cause the driver to become distracted by noise, lights, or other activities.”
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 12-year-old son, 9-year-old son, and 5-year-old daughter. Maya’s kids like to play lots of games in the car including a family favorite of “Who Am I?” with people ranging from well-known celebrities to hard-to-guess family acquaintances. When her crew tires of games, playing DJ is always a popular option.
