You’ve packed the car to it’s max with all the essentials you and your family could possibly need on your trip, everything but the kitchen sink right?  The plan is to make sure everyone is fed and has a potty break BEFORE heading out on the trip so you can travel the farthest possible before having to stop again; if you are anything like my family, nothing goes to plan.  Most experienced road trippers with kids have heard the phrase “I’m hungry!”, “I have to pee!”, “Are we there yet?” or “I’m bored!” a time or two.  On your trek this summer to wherever it is you and your family are travelling to, it’s always handy to have a few car games at the ready to avoid the inevitable boredom ants in the pants syndrome.

Some of our favourite road trip travel games for kids are:

1. I Spy – An oldie but a goodie.  We use this game versus the spot that plate or sign game because here in the Saskatchewan prairies it might be a long distance before we spot anything and that would just be plain “borrrrring mom”.  Create a list of things to spot such as a a cow, a red barn, a sign, a yellow car or anything you might spot along your travels.  Even the little ones learning their colours or animals can play this one.

2. What would you do IF? – Being big IF’ers, my girls LOVE playing this game; it feeds into the annoying habit of asking “What IF…”.  What IF a plane hit our house or what IF my hair was black…I’m sure you get the picture.  I use this game to ask them things like what they would do IF Justin Beiber was at our the hotel? OR what IF there was a pool at the campground?  This little game gets them excited about our destination.

3.  Story Tellers – Start a cute little short story with one sentence and have each person add a sentence to the story.  By the end of the first go around, you will already have quite an interesting twist to the original version and I wouldn’t doubt have you in stitches.

4.  First Word – Say a word and have each person say what the first word that comes to mind. Don’t be surprised when one of your kids comes up with something a little out there, if you know what I mean.  I asked my 10 year old what the first that came to mind when I said “Chicken”, she said “Tasty”….true enough.

5.  Time Competitions – Who can keep their eyes closed the longest or sing the longest or sit still the longest?  My ultimate favourite is when they choose to have the who can stay quiet the longest game.

There are many games that you can play during a road trip; these are only a few that do not require taking along extra materials.  Prepare a few age appropriate kids travel games ahead and you will keep your kids content and busy during any road trip and maintain your sanity too.