Ah, the family road trip: where expectations of wholesome bonding collide with “Are we there yet?” on a continuous loop.
If you’re desperate for a trick or two to keep your crew entertained (and to maintain your own sanity), you’ve come to the right place.
Forget screen zombies in the backseat—these road trip games are so good, you might just find yourself playing after you’ve already parked.
I Spy—But With a Twist
The classic “I Spy” isn’t going anywhere soon, but sometimes you need to go beyond the red stop sign.
Upgrade with rounds themed around categories—vehicles, animals (real or imagined), or objects that rhyme with “truck” (you’ll hear some creative answers).
For older kids, challenge them with abstract clues: “I spy something that starts with the same letter as your name” or “I spy something that could be used in a magic spell.”
Keep it fresh, keep it silly, and you’ll be amazed at how invested even your most cynical tween can get.
License Plate Legends
Scanning for different states’ plates is a classic, but let’s take it up a notch. Hand out a pad of paper and have each backseat bandit jot down the plates they spot.
The twist? Whoever spies a rare plate (Alaska in Pennsylvania, for instance) gets to make up a wild (and PG) backstory for the driver.
Why is someone from Hawaii driving through Nebraska? What’s in that boot (trunk)? The best tall tale wins…well, bragging rights and possibly the last bag of crisps.
This game not only passes time but has been suggested by child development experts as a great way to spark storytelling and imagination.
Would You Rather, Road Edition
If cabin fever is setting in, “Would You Rather” can lead to fits of giggles (and some raised eyebrows).
Stick to road trip themes: “Would you rather eat nothing but service station hot chips for a week or listen to Baby Shark on repeat for 24 hours?” or “Would you rather have a kangaroo bounce past your car or a UFO hover overhead?”
Bonus: this one works for all ages, and even the grown-ups will get sucked in. Just brace yourself for the inevitable existential questions from your resident philosopher.
The Alphabet Game—All Grown Up
Yes, you can spot letters A to Z on signs. But what if you made it about categories? Try girls’ names, book titles, or animals.
“A” for armadillo, “B” for baboon…if you get stuck on “Q,” someone can always shout “quokka” and feel smug.
If you’ve got little ones learning their letters, this game is secretly educational, and according to early education specialists, it can reinforce phonics and memory skills.
Twenty Questions, Infinite Laughs
One child thinks of a person, place, or thing; everyone else gets twenty yes/no questions to guess what it is.
The twist for older kids: if someone guesses it in under ten questions, they get to add a silly rule for the next round (“You must ask questions in a pirate accent!”).
It’s amazing how a little competitiveness and some goofy rules can transform a game faster than your GPS recalculating after a missed turn.
Name That Tune—Backseat Spotify Edition
No aux cord? No problem. Hum or whistle a song—kids’ favourites, chart hits, classic TV themes—and see who can name it first.
If your kids are older and rolling their eyes at your humming, let them take over. You’ll be shocked how quickly you’re left guessing at the latest viral TikTok bop.
Research from music therapists even suggests that these musical showdowns can bring families closer, plus it’s a sneaky way to introduce your offspring to your own questionable taste in 80s pop.
Story Chain on Wheels
Start a story with one sentence. Each person adds a sentence, building the plot as you barrel down the motorway.
The rule: you have to pick up exactly where the last person left off, no matter how bizarre it gets.
This one’s a winner for sparking creativity, and it’s a rare game where even the three-year-old’s “And then a dinosaur ate the steering wheel!” becomes a plot twist for the ages.
Not to mention, literacy professionals at Reading Rockets recommend story-telling games as a sneaky way to boost narrative skills.
Who Am I
Stick a post-it (or scrap of napkin, if you’re mid-trip and desperate) with a famous person’s name, animal, or character on each person’s forehead.
Players ask yes/no questions to figure out their identity. (“Am I a cartoon? Can I fly? Did Granny once knit me a jumper?”)
If you’re driving solo with the kids, let them quiz each other and act as judge.
If you’re brave, join in and discover how quickly you can descend from “parental authority” to “maybe you’re SpongeBob’s neighbour’s dog?”
Roadside Bingo—With Actual Prizes
Print or draw bingo cards filled with road trip sights: wind turbines, cows, a yellow ute, a police car, a drive-thru, someone picking their nose at the lights (hey, it happens).
Winner gets to choose the next snack or control the playlist for half an hour.
There are loads of free templates online, or you can let the kids create their own before setting out.
Bingo gives restless hands something to do—and who doesn’t love shouting “Bingo!” at full volume in a confined space?
Car Colours Showdown
Pick a car colour at the beginning of the journey. Every time you spot that colour, you score a point.
The twist? Only the first person to call out the car gets the point. Tensions run high, alliances form and crumble, and you’ll be amazed at how entertaining a beige sedan can suddenly become.
If you want to keep things peaceful, rotate colours every hour, and maybe avoid black or white (unless you really want a marathon).
Mystery Bag Challenge
Before you leave, pack a mystery bag with odd objects from around the house—rubber duck, spatula, plastic dinosaur, random sock (clean, please).
When the mood dips, toss an item to the backseat. The game? Come up with as many uses or stories for the object as possible.
Points for creativity and, if you’re lucky, a few minutes of silence as little minds work overtime. Parenting win.
Road Trip Karaoke—No Shame Allowed
You haven’t truly bonded as a family until you’ve all belted out “Let It Go” at a roadhouse parking lot. Queue up a playlist, pass the “microphone” (hairbrush or travel mug), and let each person pick a song.
No one gets out of singing. Not even the moody teenager. Extra points for interpretive dance moves that don’t interfere with seatbelts.
There’s a reason family psychologists recommend shared music experiences—they’re unifying, and they work in even the dodgiest rest stop.
Guess the Animal Sound
Maybe you’re crawling through traffic and need a quick fix. Someone makes an animal noise (the more ridiculous, the better), and the others guess what it is.
If your six-year-old’s best elephant impression sounds more like an air horn, all the better.
You can level up: try acting out animals’ movements (within the bounds of car safety, obviously), or use a sound effects app for even zanier challenges.
Spot the Odd Thing
Everyone’s staring out the window anyway—why not turn it into a competition? Each person tries to spot something strange or out of place: a cow on a trampoline, a pink mailbox, a car with one door a different colour.
If you spot something genuinely weird, you win the round—and earn the right to tell everyone about it for the rest of the trip.
If you’re travelling a familiar route, this one’s a lifesaver for keeping things interesting.
Travel Trivia
Create trivia questions about your route, the places you’re passing, or family history. What’s the capital of the next state? How many cousins does Mum have? Who once got lost at the Big Banana?
If you’re short on local knowledge, there are great travel trivia apps and printable cards from road trip experts. The best part? The kids might accidentally learn something. Don’t tell them.
Cloud Stories
Perfect for those endless country stretches.
Pick a cloud and have each person describe what they see—a dragon playing the bagpipes, a shoe with wings, a smiling potato. The more outlandish, the better.
This game works best when everyone’s a bit loopy from too many hours in the car and needs to exercise their imaginations (and the adults need an excuse for coffee number four).
The “No Repeat” Challenge
Pick a category—animals, foods, songs, movie titles. Take turns naming one item at a time. No repeats allowed. Hesitate too long or repeat an answer, and you’re out.
Winner gets to adjust the air con (within reason).
Great for older kids who love a challenge, and brilliant for stretching vocab and memory skills. Younger kids can play too, with easier categories and a little help from a teammate.
The Quiet Game—A Gift to Parents Everywhere
Every parent’s secret weapon. Who can stay quiet the longest? The winner receives an actual, tangible prize—or maybe just your undying gratitude.
Sell it as a competition and watch the magic happen. If you need scientific backing, child psychologists say even a few minutes of quiet can reset everyone’s mood. Who knew serenity could be so competitive?
More Than Just Passing Time
A road trip is more than a slog from Point A to Point B. It’s a chance to build family memories, share a laugh (or a groan), and maybe even discover that your kids have inherited your suspiciously competitive streak.
Next time you hear, “I’m bored,” you’ll be ready—with an arsenal of games that might just become family traditions.
And if all else fails? There’s always “Who Can Spot the Nearest Drive-Thru.” Safe travels and may your backseat be ever merry.
