1. The License Plate Game — There are many variations, but the goal of the basic license plate game is to spot plates from the 50 states. Make a list as you see license plates from different states, or start with a pre-printed list and check them off as you go.
2. License Plate Phrases — Call out the letters on a passing license plate and come up with funny phrases that fit the letters. For example, “HJB” could be “high jumping bears” or “holly jolly bus.”
3. Travel Scavenger Hunt — Make up a list of things you may see while traveling and check off the items you find. You can also find a list of items online before your trip. Whoever finds the most wins.
4. Travel Bingo — Make car travel bingo cards using commonly spotted objects in place of the usual bingo numbers, or buy cards with sliding covers to mark each spot. You can play regular bingo or other variations like four corners, whole card or postage stamp.
5. Common Cars — Everyone picks a type of car before the trip and counts up the number they see while traveling. The one who finds the most of their car type wins. It helps to keep a running tally sheet.
6. Packing for a Trip — Start with the letter A and take turns going through the alphabet to name crazy items you would pack for a trip. The catch: each person has to name all of the previous items and their new one. The first one to incorrectly name a previously mentioned item or repeat an item loses. Keep going until only one person can correctly name all the previous items and one new one.
7. Quick Categories — Pick a category (animals, cities, flowers, etc.) and see how many items each person can come up with in two minutes. The one with the highest number wins.
8. How Far is It? — Spot an object in the distance that you will drive past, like a bridge or large sign, and have everyone guess how far it away it is. Use the odometer to see whose guess was the closest. To play this game safely, have the person in the passenger seat (not the driver) watch the odometer, or make your guesses in seconds and count it out.
9. The Alphabet Game — Choose a broad category (food, colors, etc.) and take turns going through each letter of the alphabet to name an item that fits the category. The first person who can’t think of an item that fits their letter loses.
10. Who Am I? — One player thinks of a person who everyone knows and gives a clue to describe him or her. Everyone else guesses who is being described. New clues are added until someone guesses correctly.
