When we get in the car to go somewhere, our kids are typically not permitted to take tablets, gaming systems, or DVD players on the trip. We just think it’s important for them to learn how to entertain themselves and not be reliant on screens to do it. Instead, we try to come up with little games we can play in the car.

Here is a list of 5 of our favorite car games for kids.

1. I Spy – Now most kids learn this game early. It’s great to help with colors. For those that aren’t as familiar (not sure these people exist), one person starts by saying “I spy with my little eye, something” and inserts a color. It has to be something inside the car. Everyone else tries to guess what it is. Whoever guesses the correct item first, gets to be it the next time. For the parent, I know this game can get annoying quickly. That’s why we have 4 others on the list!
2. Counting Cars – Everyone picks a color of car they are going to look for. Every time you see a car that matches your color, count it. This is a competition so you have to set a number like the first person to 20 wins. Or maybe the person with the highest number by the time we reach our destination wins. This game is usually a bit more enjoyable than the first on the list.
3. 20 Questions – One person thinks of an object that everyone else can try to guess. There are only 20 questions allowed. Each person takes a turn asking a question about it. Exampes: is it an animal? is it a person? can you wear it? The questions can only be answered with a yes or a no. The person that correctly guesses the item first gets to be it the next time. If no one guesses it by the time all 20 questions are asked, the person that thought of it wins and gets to be it again.
4. Building a Story – You take turns creating a story together one line at a time. So the first person starts with the first sentence. The second person adds on. Then the next. This can last as long as you want. Example: Person 1 says “A little boy decided to take a walk through the woods”. Person 2 says “Along the way he saw a bear.” Person 3 says “The bear saw the little boy and ran towards him really fast”. Person 1: “The little boy was really scared and didn’t know what to do”. Person 2: “The bear stopped, picked the boy up, and gave him a big hug”.
5. Cloud Shapes – If it’s a cloudy day, search for clouds that are shaped like objects. This is a great use of their imaginations. It’s funny to see what they come up with.

Bonus Game: When you’ve decided you’ve had enough and just want a quiet ride, there is always the Quiet Game. I’m sure it was created by a parent while on a long road trip with kids. Let’s see who can be the quietest for the longest! It sometimes helps when the kids won’t stop talking or fighting and you just need a few moments of peace.

Enjoy!