Road Trip Activities for Kids: Car Games and Printables

Long car journeys can be a challenge with children, but with a bit of planning they can also be a lot of fun. This guide has road trip activities for kids, from classic car games that need nothing at all to printable activities, travel tips, packing ideas and activities for flights and train trips too.

Before you go: plan the trip

Plan stops. Stop every two hours to stretch legs, use the bathroom and have a snack.
Leave at the right time. Some families leave very early or at nap time so young children sleep for part of the journey.
Pack a travel bag. Keep activities, snacks and wipes within reach.
Bring a surprise. Wrap a few small new activities and hand one out every hour.
Download audio stories and music before you leave in case there is no signal.

Car games with no equipment

I spy. "I spy with my little eye something beginning with t."
The alphabet game. Find each letter of the alphabet, in order, on road signs and license plates.
Twenty questions. Think of an animal, person or object; others ask yes-or-no questions.
Count the cars. Count red cars, trucks or cows.
Story chain. Each person adds one sentence to a story.
Name that tune. Hum a song and others guess.
Would you rather. "Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?"
The license plate game. Spot plates from different states or regions.
Category game. Name an animal for every letter, or a food beginning with each letter.
Car bingo. Make a grid of things to spot: a cow, a bridge, a red car, a gas station.

Printables for the car

Printables are perfect for car trips: they are light, cheap and screen-free.

Coloring pages. Bring a clipboard and a few coloring pages in a folder.
Mazes. Print new mazes with the maze maker.
A coloring book. Print a whole coloring book as one PDF.
Worksheets. Light, fun practice like color by number math for school-age kids.
Travel bingo. Make or print a bingo card of things to spot.
Road trip journal. A notebook to draw and write about the journey.

Packing a travel activity bag

A clipboard or lap tray for a flat surface
Colored pencils (not markers, which can stain)
Printed coloring pages, mazes and puzzles
Stickers and sticker books
Small toys and figures
A magnetic drawing board
Books and audio stories
Headphones
Snacks in small portions and a water bottle
Wipes, tissues and a bag for rubbish

Road trip activities by age

Babies and toddlers

Soft toys, board books, sing-along songs, window clings, simple sticker books and snacks. Plan frequent stops and try to travel at nap time.

Preschoolers

Coloring pages, sticker books, I spy with colors, audio stories, magnetic drawing boards and small figures for pretend play.

Ages 6 to 9

Mazes, travel bingo, the alphabet game, audio books, card games, simple puzzles and a road trip journal.

Ages 10 and up

Reading, word puzzles, podcasts, map reading, planning stops and taking photos. Give older children a job, like navigator or DJ.

Learning on the road

Road trips are full of chances to learn without it feeling like school.

Map reading. Follow the route on a paper map and estimate how far you have gone.
Math. How many miles until the next stop? How long will it take?
Reading. Read signs, menus and brochures.
Geography. Learn about the places you pass through.
Nature. Spot animals, trees and different landscapes.

Activities for flights and train journeys

Many of the same activities work on planes and trains. Pack a small bag with coloring pages, stickers, small toys and snacks. On trains, children can walk around a little and look out the window. On planes, bring headphones, a tablet with downloaded shows for longer flights, and gum or a drink for take-off and landing.

Screen time on road trips

Tablets can be helpful on long journeys. Many families mix screen time with games, audio stories and printables, using screens as a treat for the last stretch of a long day. Download films and games before you leave.

Keeping everyone happy

Take breaks before children get restless.
Keep snacks simple and not too sugary.
Rotate activities every 20 to 30 minutes.
Play calming music or audio stories when tempers rise.
Praise good behavior often.

Making memories

Ask children to draw or write about the best part of the trip each day, and collect tickets, leaflets and postcards in a scrapbook. These little journals become treasured holiday memories.

For more holiday ideas, see our summer activities for kids and camping activities for kids.

A road trip game plan

Break a long drive into chunks so it feels shorter:

First hour: car games such as I spy and the alphabet game, while everyone is fresh.
Second hour: printables and sticker books.
Stop: run around, snack and bathroom break.
Third hour: audio story or music sing-along.
Fourth hour: a wrapped surprise activity, then quiet time or a nap.

Keep a simple "are we there yet?" chart: a paper road with stops marked on it. Children color in each section as you pass it, so they can see how far there is to go. It turns waiting into progress and cuts down on the questions.

Finally, keep your own expectations realistic. There will be a moment of boredom or a squabble on most long trips. A quick stop, a snack and a new activity usually reset the mood, and the stories from the journey often become family favorites.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep kids entertained on a long car ride?

Mix car games like I spy and the alphabet game with printables, audio stories, snacks and regular stops. A wrapped surprise every hour helps a lot.

What should I pack for a road trip with kids?

A travel activity bag with a clipboard, colored pencils, printables, stickers, small toys, books, headphones, snacks, water and wipes.

What are good car games for kids?

I spy, the alphabet game, twenty questions, story chain, car bingo, would you rather and the license plate game.

Road trip activities for kids: car games and printables