Travel Fun for the Family

Good games to play so no one even cares if you’re “there yet?”

Long car journeys can be challenging for children, but keeping them entertained doesn’t have to rely on screens or expensive toys. If you’re tired of playing I-Spy, try these free, engaging travel games that require no equipment—just imagination and observation.  

The Alphabet Game

This classic game is simple but keeps kids occupied for miles. Players must spot words outside the car (on signs, billboards, or vehicles) that begin with each letter of the alphabet, in order. The first to reach ‘Z’ wins. For an extra challenge, allow only one word per sign or ban licence plates.  

20 Questions

One player thinks of an object, animal, or person, and the others take turns asking yes-or-no questions to guess it. The goal is to solve the mystery within 20 questions. This game encourages logical thinking and creativity.  

The Number Plate Game

Turn passing cars into a game by challenging children to create funny phrases from licence plate letters. For example, “BD51 XYZ” could become ‘Big Dinosaurs Eat Yellow Zebras’. The sillier, the better! Alternatively, players can add up the numbers on the plate, with the highest sum winning the round.  

Story Chain

Boost creativity by building a collaborative story. One person starts with a sentence, and each passenger adds another, weaving a tale that often becomes hilariously absurd. For example: "Once, a purple dog..." → "...stole a spaceship..." → "...and flew to the moon to eat cheese!"  

The Quiet Game

Perfect for when you need a little peace, this game rewards the child who stays silent the longest. The winner gets a small privilege, like choosing the next snack stop. It’s surprisingly competitive! 

Spot the Colour 

Pick a colour (e.g., red) and see who can spot the most items in that shade before the next rest stop. For older children, make it trickier by choosing uncommon colours like purple or turquoise.

Name That Tune

Hum or whistle a song and see who can guess it first. If you have a music playlist, play a few seconds of a track and award points for correct answers.

The Memory Game

Test recall with a shopping-list-style challenge. The first player says, "I went on a trip and packed an apple." The next adds an item ("an apple and a book"), and so on. The chain continues until someone forgets.  

Would You Rather?

Pose silly dilemmas like, "Would you rather have frog legs or jellyfish arms?" Kids love debating the options, and it sparks funny conversations.  

The Rainbow Challenge

Race to spot objects in every colour of the rainbow, in order. The first to find red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple wins.  

These games make car journeys more enjoyable without costing a penny. They encourage teamwork, observation, and laughter to help the miles fly by. Next time you hit the road, ditch ‘I-Spy’ and try something new!

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