14 Road Trip Games and Activities to Keep Kids Entertained

Are you going on a road trip with your family soon? Long stretches in the car can be incredibly dull for children. The key to a stress-free road trip is keeping them entertained.

We've rounded up 14 fun road trip games and activities to keep your kids engaged and happy in the car. From classic games to new ideas, there's hopefully something for everyone on this list. So, buckle up, hit the road, and enjoy a fun trip with your kids.

I Spy - This game is great for younger kids. Take turns saying, "I spy with my little eye something that is..." and describe an object you see inside or outside the car. The other person has to guess what you're looking at.

Light & Sound Memory Game - This interactive memory game captivates the kids' attention and stimulates their cognitive abilities in a fun and engaging way. As they listen to captivating sounds and observe colourful lights, they are prompted to remember and repeat patterns, challenging their memory skills. The game's competitive aspect adds an extra layer of excitement as they strive to outperform siblings or friends in correctly remembering and replicating the sequences. With its portable design and ability to keep young minds occupied, this game is an ideal companion for long car journeys, making time fly by while keeping boredom at bay.

Rock-paper-scissors - This game is excellent for entertaining kids during long car rides. They can choose between rock, paper, or scissors with just their hands. The game's simplicity means that even younger kids can quickly learn how to play. 

Connect 4 - With its compact size and simple rules, Connect 4 provides endless fun. Children can strategise and compete against each other, aiming to be the first to connect four of their coloured discs in a row, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. It's a perfect way to keep their minds active and entertained while on the road.

Tic Tac Toe - Similar to Connect 4, Tic Tac Toe is another classic game that never fails to entertain kids during those seemingly endless car rides. Its straightforward rules and strategic gameplay make it ideal for keeping young minds engaged and challenged. With a simple grid and Xs and Os, children can compete against each other to create a winning line of three symbols horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The game's quick rounds and competitive nature ensure that time on the road becomes a joyful and mentally stimulating experience.

Scavenger Hunt - Give your kids a list of items to find during the trip, such as a red car, a billboard with a specific word, or a particular landmark. You can create a scavenger hunt for each state or city you visit, adding a bit of excitement to each leg of the journey.

Name That Tune - Play a snippet of a popular song and see who can guess the title or artist first. Use a music streaming app or prepare a playlist in advance

Mad Libs - These fill-in-the-blank stories are perfect for passing the time. You can buy a Mad Libs book or find printable templates online.

Car-Colour Counting - Choose a specific car colour (e.g., red) and count how many cars of that colour you see during the trip. Switch colours and see who can find the most.

Storytelling - Have one person start a story and take turns adding to it. This game can get pretty silly, but it's fun to spark creativity and imagination.

Road Trip Bingo - Make your bingo cards with things you're likely to see on the road, such as a rest stop, a cow, a bridge, or an RV. The first person to get five in a row wins!

Road Sign Alphabet - Start with the letter "A" and look for a sign that begins with that letter. Move on to "B," then "C," and so on. See how far you can get before you run out of letters.

Travel Journal - Give each child a notebook to record their thoughts, experiences, and observations on the trip. They can draw pictures, write stories, or even create a scrapbook with ticket stubs and other mementos.

Audio Books and Podcasts - Download some age-appropriate audio books or podcasts for your kids to listen to during the trip. This is a great way to keep them engaged while expanding their knowledge and imagination.

These 14 road trip games and activities will keep your kids entertained and engaged while you travel to your destination. Remember to stay flexible and mix it up when necessary - kids have short attention spans and may tire of a game quickly. With some planning and creativity, your road trip can be a fun and memorable experience for the whole family.