The Theme Song Game
Someone hums the tune to a favorite TV show, and everyone else tries to name the show as fast as possible. The first person to guess correctly hums the next song. For toddlers, you can use Nursery Rhymes and for older kids, you can also use top current pop hits!
The Alphabet Game
One person chooses the right-hand side of the road, and someone else the left. Each player looks for letters of the alphabet that appear on signs or license plates on their side. The object of the game is to point out all the letters of the alphabet in order, from A to Z. The first person to spot the entire alphabet wins.
The Animal Name Game
One person names an animal. Then each person in order has to name another animal (no repeating!) that starts with the last letter of the previous animal named. There are no winners or losers in this game. With older children, try the game with TV shows, or geographical categories such as cities or countries. Come up with new challenging categories.
Alphabet Memory Game
The first player can say, "I'm going on a picinic and I am going to take ____" and you must follow the alphabet and start from A each time it is your turn, repeating what everyone had already said until you get the next letter that needs a word and you can fill in the blank. The turn is then passed on to the next player. Change the theme for this game, ex. Going to school, a theme-park, the grocery store, packing for trip etc., to keep things interesting.
Secret Place Race
The first player looks at a road map and finds a small town, village, river, etc. That person announces the name of the place she or he has chosen. A second player has 60 seconds to look at the map and try to find the secret place.
Restaurant Race
Each player chooses a restaurant, such as Burger King, Wendy's, McDonalds, etc. Players can earn points by spotting their restaurant off the road, on a billboard, on exit markers, on Food/Fuel signs, or by hearing it mentioned on the radio. Set a time limit, then add up the points.
Roadside Search
Someone chooses an item to search for and whoever is the FIRST to spot it, chooses the next item. (i.e. a blue sign, blown tire bits, fast food shop, a farm, etc.).
Animals Game
You have one team on the left side of the car and one on the right. The first team to get 20 animals on their side wins!
I-Spy
The classic car game! 'I spy with my little eye, something beginning with the letter 'D'... Everyone takes turns to guess i.e. dog, dirt, doughnuts, etc. Or you can look for objects of a certain colour.
Counting Games
Who will be the first to spot 20 farms? 30 trucks? Name an object easily found on the road and see who can spot the items and count the fastest.
Silly Stories
Start with 'Once upon a time...' and build a story where everybody takes turns to add a word, or a sentence, each taking turns. Make it the silliest story possible!
Need more ideas?
Visit these websites for more ideas and for Free printable car games and activities:
About Travel with Kids Travel Games to Print
Crayola.com Printable Travel Games
EnchantedLearning.com Car Travel Activity Book
Family Education Network Printable Travel Games for the Road
Family Fun Printable Games for the Car
HP Activity Center Travelin Kids Printable Book of Travel Games
Kids Domain Games to Play on the Go
Martha Stewart Living Kids' Travel Kit
Nick Jr. Printable Car Games
