Need ideas for road trip games to play? No Wi-Fi? No worries! These road trip game ideas will keep the entire family engaged, learning, and having fun while travelling this summer.
Getting from here to there this summer might mean time spent travelling. After the playlists are done, the chapters read, and the episodes watched, how can you keep the family from becoming bored and asking the inevitable, “Are we there yet?”
Simple road trip games are the answer. Combine old-school memory work with a fun challenge to keep kids engaged and learning. Not only are these games fun, but they also help develop memory and listening skills! These games are easy to play and only require an imagination.
Easy Road Trip Games to Play
Tap into some brain power and flex memory muscles with these simple games.
The Alphabet List Game
An all-time favorite road trip games is the Alphabet List Game. It’s a very simple game that can encourage creative thinking.
Using the alphabet as a guide, select a theme, and create an alphabetized list according to that theme. Some good themes are animals, cities, fruits and vegetables, sports teams, pizza toppings, and underwater. The possibilities are endless!
Now select someone to start. They begin with the letter A and, based on the category chosen, give an example of something that begins with the letter A. For animals, it would be alligators; for cities, it would be Amsterdam. Then the next person gets the letter B, the following person the letter C…and so on, until somebody can’t think of an example for that letter. Some letters are more challenging than others, so everybody is allowed one pass.
Twenty Questions
Think of something simple…it can be anything at all, though regular play usually limits the choice to something that falls into animal, vegetable, or mineral categories.
When you’ve chosen your item, the game begins. Let the players know that you’ve selected something with the simple statement, “I’ve got it!” Then, the kids ask 20 questions to determine what the item is. The trick is that all answers must be a yes or a no; this way, the kids must phrase the questions in a specific way in order to get a yes or no answer.
This game is great for children’s practice of formulating questions in a structured way, and it’s even better for them to take all the replies and deduce the answer. What a fun way to develop critical thinking skills!
Find out more about how board games can promote learning.
The Classic Game of ‘I-Spy’
The old “I Spy With My Little Eye” game is always popular with younger children. Simply select anything in the car or room and say, “I spy with my little eye, something that is [that color].” Then, the kids take turns guessing what the item is. Adjust the difficulty to meet the child’s age.
Tip: When kids are stumped, give them a phonetic clue. For instance, “It starts with the sound ‘mmmm’.”
The I-Packed-a-Suitcase Game
In the repeat-after-me tradition of games, the always-popular suitcase game stands out. Not only is it fun, but it’s also a great way to develop your child’s memory.
Here are the simple rules:
The first person begins with the sentence: “I packed a suitcase, and in it, I put…” followed by an item of that person’s choice, such as “a toothbrush.”
The second person also starts with the same statement: “I packed a suitcase, and in it, I put…” Then, they repeat what the first person said and add their own item: “a toothbrush and a bathing suit,” and so on, until someone forgets to list one of the items!
You can adjust the level of difficulty and absurdity according to your mood, such as packing a battering ram or an elephant…you never know when you’ll need one!
Learn more about the rules here.
Backwards Listening Game
his is a great game to encourage listening abilities. You say a series of random words and have your child repeat them to you in the opposite order! For example:
- You: shirt, cow
- Child: cow, shirt
Start with two words and increase the number as proficiency improves. Or, if you’re feeling up to it, create a backward sentence so that when your child says it back to you, they are decoding your message! Hilarity is sure to ensue!
- You: cheese, like, smell, socks, Dad’s
- Child: Dad’s socks smell like cheese!
Summer Learning Programs at GradePower Learning
While playing road trip games that keep kids occupied and learning on road trips over the summer is great, the best way to keep children learning in the summer with with a summer program at GradePower Learning.
Our personalized programs ensure your child focuses on the areas needing the most support to help them get ready to excel once the new school year begins.
Summer programs are now enrolling. Find a location near you and schedule an assessment to get started.
