The best games and activities for kids while traveling by car

Traveling by car with children can be a challenge. Children get bored easily, and long hours spent in one place can be tiring. To avoid grumbling and ensure a peaceful journey, it's worth preparing a set of games and activities that will keep both children and adults entertained. Below are some tried-and-true ideas for the best games and activities for children during car journeys.

Traveling by car with children doesn't have to be stressful. With the right games and activities, you can make your time spent in the car enjoyable and full of fun. Therefore, it's worth preparing a set of ideas in advance that will make the trip more enjoyable for both children and adults.

Word games

Word games are the simplest of games, requiring no props or sophisticated knowledge. They are suitable for entertaining children for at least 30 minutes and do not require significant parental involvement.

Word starting with the last letter

This very simple game is popular with toddlers. The first person says a word, and the next person must say a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word. For older children, we can make the game more challenging and, for example, limit the words to a specific category, such as "animals."

Association game

The word association game is a great game for children of all ages. One person names a word, and the next person must come up with a word they associate with it. The game continues until someone can't find the right association. It can be modified in many ways, for example, by establishing thematic categories (e.g., animals, colors, food).

Numbers in order

This is a simple game that involves listing numbers in order. You can add some variety by adding rules, for example, change numbers divisible by 3 to "boom" and those divisible by 5 to "bzz." The game develops counting and concentration skills and is suitable for children of early school age.

"I see..."

The game involves selecting objects we see outside the window and describing them, starting with the words "I see something that is...". Other participants must guess what object they're referring to. This game not only entertains them but also develops observational and language skills.

Hali, hali, something is burning, starting with the letter...

Another popular game among children is word guessing. One person thinks up a word, and the others try to guess it by asking questions, but only those that can be answered with "yes," "no," or "not applicable." Example questions include "Is this alive?", "Is this bigger than a car?", "Is this nearby?" The first person to guess the word wins. For younger children, you can simplify the game by introducing a rule that the word (thing) being searched for must be visible during the game, e.g., "mom," "desk," "window."

Observation games

This type of fun is especially popular with children and encourages them to admire the landscapes they pass by while traveling.

Searching for license plates

One of the most popular games for long road trips is searching for license plates from different locations. You can create lists of all the plates you've seen and compete to see who finds the most different plates within a given time.

Travel Bingo

Travel bingo is a game that requires specially prepared cards with pictures or names of objects that can be seen during a trip (e.g., a bridge, a tractor, a cow, a gas station). Participants mark objects they see outside their window on their cards. The first person to mark all the boxes in a single line or the entire card wins.

Searching for colors

In this game, participants must find objects of a specific color. For example, one person chooses a color, and the rest must find as many objects of that color as possible within a given time limit. The game helps develop observation skills and concentration.

Counting windmills

Another simple search game is "Counting Windmills." The game involves selecting a characteristic object from a given location, such as a windmill, cow, barn, bridge, or dog. Children search for the selected objects and count them. They can compete with each other to see who finds the most or count them together.

Games and programs on mobile devices

If the trip is going to be really long, consider using tablets or smartphones. There are many educational apps that will not only keep kids occupied but also help them learn. Apps for learning languages, math, or science can be a fun form of entertainment.

Educational applications

Long periods spent in the car can be usefully spent playing and learning. Before your trip, install valuable and fun apps with your child, for example, to teach them basic phrases in the language of the country you're traveling to through play. Younger children can also benefit from interesting apps, such as simple games like the Toca Boca series. These apps will make long journeys pass more quickly, and they'll learn about hygiene, basic cooking, and human anatomy while also developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Video games

For older children, consider video games that require strategic thinking or puzzle-solving. It's important that the games are age-appropriate and don't take up the entire travel time to avoid eye strain. Siblings can spend time together playing games, for example, using mobile consoles. It's worth choosing cooperative games that won't cause unnecessary conflict.

Singing together and listening to audiobooks

A car trip is the perfect time to consider forming a family band, though be warned that after a few hours of singing together, your enthusiasm may wane. If you don't have your favorite songs, make a playlist, for example, on Spotify, of your favorite songs from cartoons and children's movies.

Karaoke in the car

Singing your favorite songs is a fun activity that never gets old. You can prepare a playlist of your children's favorite songs and organize a little karaoke. This will not only make the time more enjoyable but can also put everyone in a good mood.

Audiobooks and podcasts

Listening to audiobooks or podcasts is a great alternative to traditional reading. You can choose stories appropriate for your child's age, allowing them to immerse themselves in a world of imagination. It's also worth seeking out educational podcasts that are not only engaging but also informative.

Coloring pages and stickers

A great way to keep your child occupied for a longer period of time is to prepare several books and notebooks with coloring pages and puzzles. It's also worth providing your child with a travel-sized, soft table where they can freely draw and place their crayons.

Coloring pages

Before your trip, prepare coloring pages with your child's favorite themes, such as fairy tales or games. Coloring pages should be age-appropriate. For toddlers, choose simple illustrations with large squares, and for older children, choose more complex images, such as doodles or complex mandalas. Don't forget crayons and a sharpener. Instead of buying ready-made coloring pages, you can print beautiful illustrations from the internet, such as Endo coloring pages .

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Stickers

Stickers are one of the most popular activities for children. You can purchase sticker books that complement the included scenes. It's worth investing in books with reusable stickers. This way, your child can have fun moving the stickers to different places in the illustration. Popular themes include farm and animal scenes, outer space scenes, and stickers of clothes for fashion shows and home decor.

Sketchbook and pencils

Art enthusiasts will appreciate a trusty sketchbook and crayons. You can encourage your child to draw, for example, landscapes of fields or forests you pass during your travels. Remember to choose a thick sketchbook to ensure your child is comfortable while drawing, or you can optionally use a stiff clipboard.

Books with riddles

For those who love logic puzzles, give them puzzle books. Younger children will enjoy puzzles and mazes. Older children will enjoy solving crosswords or Sudoku.

Tips for parents - Pre-trip preparation

Before you set off on your journey, it's worth preparing well in advance. You can make a list of games and activities you plan to use, and also stock up on necessary supplies (e.g., bingo cards, rhyme books, simple travel games like UNO or travel Scrabble). It's also important to remember to take regular breaks to rest and stretch your legs. Don't forget to prepare healthy snacks and drinks for the journey. Regular snacks can prevent hunger pangs and help keep children in a good mood.

Every child is different and may have different needs and preferences when it comes to play. It's important to be flexible and adapt to the situation. Sometimes it's worth changing the plan and allowing your child a moment of rest or a quiet moment to admire the scenery outside.