Surviving Family Road Trips

Family road trips can be a source of great pleasure, or misery, depending on how prepared you are for the experience.  If your kids are the type that ask “are we there yet?” just moments after pulling out of the driveway, then arm yourself with some fun ways to pass the time on the road and you’ll soon be enjoying each other’s company as the miles pass you by.

Of course, in this great age of technological advancement, there are always gadgets to keep your kids busy and entertained when on family road trips, such as portable DVD players, IPODs, game boys and PSP players.  But if you can limit the amount of time they’re “plugged in” in the car, you can use the time spent in such close quarters to really have fun as a family, to laugh and to talk.  Car time can be a great source of togetherness and quality time, since all outside distractions are absent.

I have put together a list of some of the best classic travel games to entertain the whole family in the car, as well as a few other helpful hints to make your next family road trip run smoothly.  Most games can be adapted for kids of any age and some are games that you can either play as an entire family or you can just leave the kids to entertain themselves in the back seat while you enjoy a little peace and quiet with your spouse in the front.

License Plate Game.  This is an old classic that can be played in many ways.  If you are going on a long trip, you can try to find license plates from as many states as possible.  Simply print out a map of the U.S. before the trip and family members can check off which states they see along the way.  Play together or on teams.  Another variation on this game is to check off plates that start with a certain letter in alphabetical order, or use the letters on the plate to make up phrases. 

Car Bingo.  Another travel classic.  You can still purchase games like this or make up your own sheet before you leave.  Depending on where you are traveling to, you can include items to find, such as road signs, animals, buildings, or specific sites.  For younger children, include photos of what they need to find.  For older kids, include descriptions of what they need to find, so they need to figure out first what it is that they’re looking for.

Scavenger Hunt.  Similar to Car Bingo.  Before you leave for your trip, make up a list of items that need to be found along the way.  This game can be played as a whole family, individually or in teams.  Include details that are specific to the type of road trip you are taking.

I-Spy.   Always a fun family game that can be adapted to any age.  One person starts saying “I spy, with my little eye, something that is …”, they keep including details until someone can figure out what it is they see.

Alphabet Game.  Have players try to find words on signs that begin with the letters of the alphabet.  To make it more challenging, make them find the words in alphabetical order.

Twenty Questions.  Always good to pass the time.  Players take turns thinking of something and everyone gets to ask up to twenty questions that can be answered with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers until they figure out what the thing is that the person is thinking of.

Who Am I?  Similar to twenty questions, but a person thinks of a specific person and players ask ‘yes’ and ‘no’ questions to try to figure out who the person is.

I’m Going On A Trip and I’m Bringing…  This game is always fun and provides lots of laughs.  The idea is that someone starts off by saying “I’m going on a trip and I’m bringing…” and each person has to say what they’re bringing, but you have to figure out the pattern of what the first person is thinking of.  If your object doesn’t meet the pattern, the first person tells you that you can’t bring that item and you have to figure out another item to bring to figure out the pattern.

Rhyming Words.  Try to come up with as many words as possible that rhyme with a particular word.

Geography.  One player starts with the name of a city, state or country and then subsequent players have to come up with another location that begins with the last letter of the place before them.

All of these travel games require no money and are usually good for a lot of laughs among parents and kids during a long road trip.  Most games can be adapted to be easier or harder based on the ages of the children in the car.  The rules are all flexible enough so you can recreate them to suit your needs, ages or interests.    The great thing about them is that they all require positive interaction among family members and make for some great family memories.  My kids are now 14 and 11 and they still periodically ask to play some of these games when we’re on a long trip or stuck in traffic.  It’s a lot more pleasant than having them silent in the backseat each listening to their own ipods or texting to their friends!

A few other game or activity suggestions to pass the time in the car:

Madlibs.   These can be purchased, created or downloaded and usually provide lots of good laughs!

Singing.  There’s nothing better than a family sing along in the car.  As the kids get older, they may roll their eyes at you, but it’s usually good for a few chuckles!

Travel Size Games.  There are lots to choose from in the store and can provide hours of entertainment (providing you don’t lose the pieces in the car!)

Maps.   Give kids their own maps so they can follow where you’re going on the trip.  If they keep asking “are we there yet?”, you can tell them to look at the map and can teach them how to estimate how long it takes to get somewhere based on the distance shown on the map.

Activity Box.  Fill a large plastic tub with items to keep the kids busy and they can use the tub as a lap desk to write on, color on, etc.

Other suggestions for a smooth road trip:

• Make sure to bring lots of portable snacks and water bottles.
• If you’re on a long trip, give each child a daily allowance to use to spend on treats and trinkets.  This way they don’t have to beg you at each stop for something.  They can learn to budget their money to get the things that are most important to them.
• Stop often and bring a Frisbee or ball to get some much needed exercise for a few minutes on long trips.

Remember that although family road trips may sometimes seem monotonous or things may not always go exactly as planned, they are usuaally the trips that kids remember most.  It must be that ‘family togetherness’ thing.  Can’t beat that!