You’re in the car five minutes into the 500-mile road trip and the Short Traveler starts in with the “I’m bored!” and “Are we there yet?” If you’ve got a reader who doesn’t get sick in the car, you’re all set. But what if – like me – the kid gets sick in the car when he reads, or doesn’t read yet? Time to get the imagination in the saddle and the games on the road.
Straight Face
One person is “it” and the others pick a silly phrase for him to use to answer questions. For example, they could pick “a ten-foot pole.” The others ask him questions, and he must answer with “a ten-foot pole.” Other children ask him questions like,
- What do you do your homework with?
- What did you eat for lunch?
- What would play jump-rope with?
- What do you clean your room with?
When he laughs, it is someone else’s turn to be “it.” And you pick another phrase. Here are some phrases you can try:
- My rhino’s horn
- Seven slimy snails
- The dog’s ear
- Tweedle-Dee’s top
Sing-Along
Belt out the classics! Read up on classic kid song lyrics for songs like “On Top of Spaghetti,” “Clementine” (Oh My Darlin’), or “The Ants Go Marching.”
Alphabet
Find the letters of the alphabet – in order – outside the car. For added challenge, stipulate that the letters only come from billboards or only from license plates.
Numbers
Find numbers in order. The number two inside the number 42 doesn’t count!
I Spy
Play the classic I Spy game – catch it quick before you pass it!
State Spy
Find license plates for as many states as possible.
What are some of your favorite games to play in the car?
(photo courtesy of Andrew Currie)
