Games on the Go - Keeping the Boredom Blues at Bay

"Are we there yet?" 

2 minutes later... 

"When are we going to be there?  I'm so bored!" 

For the 110th time I sigh. 

"We're almost there.  Maybe another hour and we'll be there." 

Inside I cringe because I know that to a preschooler, an hour feels like an eternity. Here are some of our family's favorite games that help to break up a long car ride and engage kids with their surroundings and work on their concentration skills.

• I Spy (Ages 3+)
• Punch Buggy (Ages 3+)
• On a Hunt for a Number (Ages 4+)
• Count the ... (Ages 4 to 7)
• Bridges and Tunnels (Ages 4+)
• A is for Armadillo (Ages 7+)

For more travel games for kids that involve a different part of the brain, you might want to check out "Getting to Know You Games", "Creative Travel Games", and "Guessing Games for the Road".

1. The good ol' "I spy" (Ages 3+)

Preschoolers love giving clues about a secret and guessing what a secret is. This is so easy to tailor to different age groups by making descriptions more or less obscure.  You can use it to work on letters, sounds and numbers.  It teaches kids to observe and describe.  Just in case you're not familiar with this old favorite, it goes like this. 

     1) One person picks something to be the object of the game.

     2) They say "I spy with my eyes something that is round, looks like a lollipop, and is red."

     3) Everyone else in the car starts guessing.  "Is it a tree? Is it a street lamp? Oh...is it a stop sign?

     4) Yes!  It's a stop sign. 

Rules:  The object that is chosen needs to be within view for the whole length of the guessing time.

Preschoolers like goofy humor.  Try "I spy with my gigantic 3 eyes" and other funny variations.  Laughter makes time pass quickly.

2.    Punch Buggy (Ages 3+)

This is a old-school game where the person who spots the most Volkswagon Beetles win. The original version had you "punching" your car companions, but since that's often a bad idea with kids, you might want to modify it. Count how many you see and the winner is the one who sees the most. You can change it to "Squeeze Buggy" or "Pat Buggy" and give your seatmate a gentle squeeze or pat.

3.  On a Hunt for the Number... (Ages 4+)

For preschoolers, this is a great way to work on number recognition.  One person picks a number that everyone has to hunt for as you are driving down the highway.  The first one to spot it shouts it out and identifies it.  Whoever finds the number first gets to choose the next number.  For older kids, you can work sequentially starting with 1. Minnemom says "You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find a 12 or a 27 on a license plate, sign, or whatever. On our Texas trip, we made it to the 60’s but it takes a lot of concentration."

You can also do this with letters of the alphabet.  But that's a little more challenging.  This game also develops memory and concentration because children have to remember what number they are looking for.  Rewarding the winner is a great way to ration out the treats in your goody bag. 

For younger children, ask them to find colors or shapes.

Another version involves having players look for combination of numbers or numbers that add or substract to a certain result, or numbers that are divisible by a certain number. 

4.    Count the... (Ages 4 to 7)

Although older kids might not be interested in this one, little ones often enjoy it for a shortwhile. The game is very simple, just look out the window and count the .... semi-trucks, things that are purple, telephone poles, motorcycles, bike racks, red cars - anything that kids might find interesting. Challenge them and see if they can find 100 of them on the road.

5.   Bridges and Tunnels (Ages 4+)

Coming up to a bridge or tunnel? Everyone take a deep breath and see who can hold their breath the longest. What's the furtherest anyone has lastest? I'm sure there are some swimmers out there who would blow us all away with their lung capacity.

6.    A is for Armadillo (Ages 7+)

Good things come in 2? No, 3! In this game, pick a letter like "A". Each player then tries to find 3 items that start with the chosen letter. Whoever can find 3 first wins.  How about an airplane, an arm and an Armadillo!

For more travel games for kids that involve a different part of the brain, check out Trekaroo’s Activities and Games Guide for Traveling with Kids.

If you've exhausted all these options, then I must admit the DVD player might like to make an appearance.  Miles of Smiles - 101 Car Games and Actiivites is a handy book with lots of ideas. Keep it in you car as a go to resource.  Share what games help your family uses to pass the time on the road with.

Related articles:

• 10 Fun Travel Activities for Kids
• Toys on the Fly
• Travel Toy Recommendations for Babies and Toddlers
• Preparing Kids to Travel

Visit Trekaroo’s Travel Store for more of our favorite travel gear, toys, and books for babies to teens!