Easy road trip or school holiday games
Planning a road trip or trying to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays? Whether you’re stuck inside due to bad weather, enjoying sunny skies, or just looking to pass the time, this list of travel games is perfect for all ages.
When planning a trip, it’s important to be prepared and learn everything you need to know before you go. For example, if you’re driving in Europe, a helpful resource is this article on things you need to know before hitting the road – https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2026/01/14/driving-through-europe-top-things-you-need-to-know-before-hitting-the-road/.
We all know road trips can feel endless, no matter how excited you are about reaching your destination. Make the journey more fun by trying these car games with your travel crew or bringing them along for your vacation. Whether you’re cruising in a car, driving an RV, or camping for the week, these 15 travel games will keep everyone entertained.
Classic road trip games
Here are some classic games that even the driver can enjoy:
1. I-Spy
No road trip is complete without I-Spy! One person chooses an object in view and says, “I spy with my little eye… something beginning with [first letter].” Everyone else guesses the object. Simple and fun for younger kids.
2. I Hear with My Little Ear
A twist on I-Spy, but using sounds instead. One player picks a sound they hear, gives the first letter, and others try to guess it. Great for imaginative listening.
3. The License Plate Game
Spot license plates from all 50 U.S. states or, if you’re outside the U.S., plates starting with each letter of the alphabet. Keep track of your finds—whoever spots the most wins!
4. 20 Questions
Think of a person, place, or thing, and the other players guess by asking up to 20 yes-or-no questions. If they don’t figure it out, you win! Perfect for long drives and endless creativity.
5. The Alphabet Game
Look out for road signs containing words starting with each letter of the alphabet, in order from A to Z. The first person to reach Z wins!
6. Car Bingo
Mark off items like road signs, emergency vehicles, or landmarks on bingo sheets. You can download pre-made bingo cards or create your own. The first to complete a row wins!
7. Punch Buggy
Spot a Volkswagen Beetle, lightly tap a fellow passenger, and say, “Punch buggy, no punch back!” Beetles are rare these days, making it even more exciting to play.
8. The Sign Game
Similar to the Alphabet Game, but focused on signs along the way. Choose a type of sign to look for (e.g., speed limits, state welcome signs). The first person to spot it wins.
9. Name the Artist
For music lovers, guess the artist or band playing on the radio. The first person to answer correctly wins a point. No cheating with apps like Shazam!
10. In My Suitcase
A memory game where the first player says, “I’m going on vacation, and I packed…” followed by an item starting with A. Each player adds a new item in alphabetical order while repeating the previous list. Forget an item? You’re out!
11. Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt for the entire trip. Include items like “coffee from a rest stop” or “a red barn.” This game can be prepped in advance and lasts for the whole journey.
12. Who Am I?
Pick a famous person (celebrity or historical figure), and others ask yes-or-no questions to guess your identity. You can add rules, like only choosing living people, to make it easier.
Imaginative road trip games
Challenge your creativity with these games:
1. Telephone (Whisper game)
One person whispers a sentence to the next, who passes it on. By the time it reaches the last person, it’s often hilariously different from the original!
2. Categories (Scattergories)
Pick a category (e.g., animals, cities, sports), and players take turns naming something that fits, following alphabetical order. If someone can’t think of a word, the round ends.
3. Mad Libs
Bring along a Mad Libs book and fill out the blanks with random nouns, verbs, and adjectives to complete funny stories. Road trip-themed editions like “Mad Libs On The Road” are perfect for this.
