Check out these fun road trip games to play with teens! These are the best games for long car rides and are perfect for a family vacation. These travel games are great for family members to join in on the fun.
All of these fun travel games are great for older kids and family travel and are a fun way for helping the time pass in the car. Just have the players take turns and see who comes out victorious.
Consider these games for kids on your next family road trip.
You’ve made the decision to take a trip by car with your family. When they were younger, you could think of all sorts of things to do to keep them occupied in the car.
Teens and older children will have fun with the ever-popular Tik Tok game, Put a Finger Down Questions. This game is perfect for passing the time during long car rides or flights. It’s an easy and entertaining way for teenagers and older children to bond and create new memories while on vacation.
Games like I-Spy with my little eye, the alphabet game, car scavenger hunt, guess the letter of the alphabet, or the License Plate game can keep the little ones engaged, but what are some road trip games to play with your teens?
Fun Road Trip Games to Play with Teens
Add these games to your next travel adventure. (and don’t forget to work in some of the classics like Road Sign fun, too!)
Balderdash
This hilariously fun game comes with obscure words, people, and even movies. You can get the Balderdash board game to take in the car or come up with your own topics and words. Here’s how it works.
One person will share a word then the other members of your family will come up with a definition for the word. The original word giver will write down the correct definition and the other members will write down definitions or descriptions that sound like they could be true.
The original word giver will then read all of the possible choices and the passengers will vote on the ones they think are correct. This is the perfect game for your teens to improvise, use creativity, and come up with hilarious ideas.
It’s difficult for the driver to contribute to the fake definitions, but they can definitely have a vote!
Name that Tune
There’s no need to fiddle with the radio or your phones with this game. Your teens (and you) can share a lyric from a song and the rest of the members of the road trip crew will guess the name of the song.
The game works with singing the lyrics, of course, or for an extra challenge have the game players simply speak the lyrics. The person who guesses the correct song gets to pick the next one.
You can set categories (like country music, pop songs, Taylor Swift tunes) or just go full catalog and pick any tune!
At our house, we have an Alexa Show in the kitchen and we often play the Song Quiz app. It is a fun way to keep my older teens helping in the kitchen and we all enjoy it. This app would work super well on a road trip game, too!
20 Questions
Twenty questions is the old school game you’re probably familiar with. One member thinks of a person, place, or thing, and the other members ask yes or no questions about the noun chosen.
The guessers get 20 questions to figure out the identity of the person, place, or thing. Make it more teen-friendly by choosing a broad category like book characters, family memories, or other relevant teen categories. You can keep it open-ended as well, but by narrowing the scope of the game, you may start some fun, family discussions.
You could also try the electronic 20Q Game. It’s a lot of fun and amazing to see that the little computer can guess what you’re thinking!
Secret Word
One person thinks of a “secret word”. They do not share the word. It usually works best if it’s a word passengers are somewhat likely to say, but not one that is so common that they can’t avoid it (the, car, you, me).
Once they say the word, the word speaker gets to choose the next secret word. An alternative way of playing the game is having all passengers decide on a secret word that everyone knows about. Everyone in the car must avoid saying the word. The first person to say the word loses.
Car games have grown up since your kids were little. These road trip games to play with your teens will keep them from having their faces in electronics and avoid the chorus of “I’m bored”.
The games can be modified to be age-appropriate for your younger passengers as well. Enjoy your family trip, and have fun with these road trip games!
Which one of these games do you think your teen is going to want to play first?
How do I plan a road trip scavenger hunt for the whole family to enjoy?
When planning a road trip scavenger hunt for the whole family to enjoy, there are several key factors to consider. Firstly, determining the length of the drive and the stops along the way will help to establish the parameters of the hunt.
Next, identifying the age ranges and interests of the participants will aid in the creation of clues and challenges that are engaging for all involved. It is also important to consider the safety of the participants and the environment in which the hunt will take place, ensuring that all clues and challenges do not put anyone at risk.
Finally, providing a clear set of rules and guidelines for the hunt will help to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all.
By carefully considering these factors, a road trip scavenger hunt can be a memorable and fun-filled activity for the entire family to enjoy.
Should I allow screen time on a long car journey?
With the invention of digital technology, the use of devices such as tablets, smartphones, and laptops continues to be on the rise. Long car journeys, particularly with children, can be challenging and often parents turn to screen time as a way to keep their children occupied.
While the use of screens can be an effective solution, it is important for parents to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of allowing screen time during long car journeys.
Research has shown that excessive screen time can have negative effects on children’s mental and physical health, from eye strain and disrupted sleep patterns to an increased risk of obesity and mental health problems.
On the other hand, appropriate use of screens, such as educational apps and games, can enhance children’s literacy and cognitive skills.
Therefore, it is up to parents to use screen time in moderation and with careful consideration to not only keep their children entertained on a long car journey, but also to avoid negative long-term effects of screen time on their child’s development.
How do I incorporate learning about different states on family road trips?
Taking a family road trip can be an exciting adventure, made all the more enriching by incorporating educational opportunities along the way. Learning about different states can be a fascinating way to add value to your journey.
Researching the history, geography, and culture of each state beforehand can provide context and enhance engagement when exploring their landmarks, museums, and other attractions. Encouraging children to keep a travel journal and documenting new discoveries can help to reinforce learning and facilitate discussion.
Engaging in local customs, trying regional cuisine, and visiting historical sites are all ways to foster a deeper understanding of each state’s unique identity.
Through proactive involvement in the learning process, incorporating educational activities alongside entertainment, and following a road trip itinerary that includes stops at various state-specific sites, you can ensure your family has a fun, educational, and memorable trip.
What road signs make a great game idea for a long road trip?
One game that can make the journey much more manageable involves taking inspiration from road signs to come up with creative ideas. For example, one could make a game of spotting specific types of signs, such as speed limit or construction signs, and giving points for each one that is spotted.
Another option is to create a scavenger hunt-like list of signs, such as ones for rest areas, historical landmarks, or animal crossings. The possibilities are endless when it comes to adapting road signs into game ideas for a long trip.
What road trip activities are great for young kids and little kids as well?
Planning a successful road trip with young children typically requires a bit of extra preparation. Fortunately, there are many fun activities that can keep little ones engaged and entertained throughout the journey.
For very young children, creative play with soft toys, coloring books, or activity pads can provide hours of enjoyment. Meanwhile, slightly older children might enjoy a variety of traditional car games, such as scavenger hunts or license plate bingo.
Additionally, interactive storytelling, picture books, or even educational documentaries can help stimulate children’s intellectual curiosity while teaching them new things.
Regardless of which road trip activities parents choose for their young children, it’s important to ensure that ample breaks are taken for food, rest, and physical activity to keep everyone happy, healthy, and energized.
Are there any card games that can be played on a road trip?
Card games can be a great source of entertainment during long road trips. Fortunately, there are several card games that can be played while on your next road trip.
Popular games include “Crazy Eights,” “Go Fish,” and “Old Maid.” These games do not require any special equipment and can be played with a standard deck of cards. I
n addition, they provide an opportunity for family members and friends to interact and bond during long car rides.
Pick an easy game or a classic game that everyone already knows how to play. That way, it’s a stress-free car trip and an activity that younger kids might be able to join in on as well.
Having a variety of fun things for a road trip is never a bad idea!
What are fun car games for a long drive?
Long drives can be a tedious affair, especially for teenagers who may find themselves easily bored.
One popular game is the classic “I Spy” game, where players take turns guessing objects that they can spot from their seat. Another favorite among teens is the game “20 Questions,” where one person chooses a person, place, or thing and the other players ask yes or no questions to try and guess the answer.
Additionally, the game “License Plate Bingo” involves players looking out for different state or province license plates and trying to fill out a bingo card.
These games are an excellent way to add some excitement and entertainment to a long drive, making the journey much more enjoyable for everyone involved.