Games That'll Keep Your Family Busy On A Long Road Trip

"Are we there yet?" When spoken repeatedly, this sentence can get on any parent's nerves, no matter how much they love their children. Whether it's 10 minutes or 10 hours into a road trip, kids (and adults, too) can get restless, especially if they don't have any entertainment. Sitting quietly while bored out of your skull is not for everyone, even if you're catching the most breathtaking views on your road trip route. When you're constantly anticipating the end of an event (such as a road trip), the clock slows to almost a grinding halt. However, if you have amusing distractions, time flies, making the journey much more pleasurable. 

Sure, you can all bury your noses in personal activity, but this is the perfect opportunity to participate in group games and bond with one another. Before you head to your destination, you'll want to be prepared. So, what are some games that'll keep your family busy on a cross-country journey? We'll show you the best activities that'll make the hours in your car whiz by.

This game is similar to I Spy but gives you more flexibility since you can offer practically anything in the world as answers. Originally a parlor game, 20 Questions is easy to learn since it's a simple yes or no play, making it ideal for all ages. It also lets participants put their thinking caps on since it employs deductive reasoning. And again, you won't need any equipment to play, so you can easily switch between activities.

To start, one person will think of a person, place, or object. The other family members will go around asking questions to narrow things down. As the name suggests, you're limited to 20 questions before making a guess. The fewer questions you use, the more points you get. Want to make 20 Questions less challenging for your loved ones? Then, restrict the game to specific categories. For instance, one round can be people only, or to take it one step further, it can be pop stars only. These variations can keep things interesting, and you'll be at your destination before you know it.

Do you like Punch Buggy but aren't seeing many Beetles while driving around? Then, switch to Zitch Dog, which is an almost identical game. You must yell the phrase if you see a dog in another car. You'll get a point after someone else also confirms they've seen the dog. To make it more difficult to score points, consider being more specific, such as going after certain dog breeds, colors, sizes, etc.

Mix things up a little by playing Zitch Dog alternatives. One is The Banana Game, where you yell out "banana" if you see a yellow vehicle and get a point for it. You can use a wide variety of fruits for other colors, such as apple, orange, and blueberry. Also, an exciting nighttime option is Padiddle. Watch the vehicles around yours, and if any has only one working headlight, yell out, "Padiddle!" This gets you a point, and the person with the most wins when the car stops.

The Picnic Game is guaranteed to keep everyone amused during car journeys. If part of your road trip is camping alongside a large lake or anywhere else, let this game inspire what you pack in your picnic basket. The beauty of this activity is that there are two versions, so if your little ones find the first one too difficult, you can jump to the other. No matter which you choose, players must make this statement: "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm bringing..."

The more challenging version of The Picnic Game is to take turns listing picnic items alphabetically. The first player states an item starting with "A"; the second player repeats it and mentions a "B" item; the third player parrots both of the players' items and states their picnic item starting with "C," and so it continues. As the sentence grows longer, it'll test the boundaries of their memory. If someone forgets an item or misremembers it, then they're out. The game continues until all players are eliminated but one.

The easier version is similar to 20 Questions. One player thinks of a theme for the picnic objects, such as a certain letter or color. The others will guess the theme, and with every wrong answer, the original player will add to their picnic items. To bump the difficulty level, you can use patterns as the theme, such as items that increase in weight.

Do you like the concept of Mad Libs but find it too restricting? Then, try team storytelling. This game gives you more freedom and flexibility since you're not limited to stories already written for you. Instead, the world's your oyster and your loved ones can throw in plot twists to keep everyone on their toes. You'll start the story by saying something like, "Once upon a time..." After you're finished with your sentence, the next person adds another. Or you can each add one word instead of a sentence to have a rapid-fire story going on. 

In any case, team storytelling can occupy an extensive period of time before you conclude the story. And once you're done, you can start all over again with a completely different tale. To hold onto these memories, you can take voice notes or type the story down on a laptop as you go. Print it out when you get home, and you'll have a memento from this road trip. The kids will beg you to read it to them during bedtime to reflect on the positive experience.

This isn't a game, per se, but it can certainly be. If you've got older teenagers who won't stop swearing, this can be a fun exercise in curbing the habit. Mom and Dad can join in to make it a group effort. The objective is simple: Try not to swear; if you do, you need to put a specified amount of money into the swear jar. Plus, you have to tally up everyone's swear totals. We know cash isn't used much nowadays, so if you don't have much on hand, you can keep a tally. Also, if you have younger children who don't swear (yet), you can pick a taboo word instead.

When you reach your destination, see who has the highest tally for the swear jar. They'll be responsible for the amount in there and will have to buy dessert at the next meal. If you're not playing with cash, the person with the highest tally is the loser, and the game starts again when you get back on the road.

This is another game often played in college, yet it can be adapted for family-friendly entertainment. Admittedly, this is better played with older kids since they'll have more life experiences and are more independent. Despite that, younger children can still participate in innocent lies. Two Truths and a Lie is played exactly how it sounds: Players take turns telling two truths and one lie, and others have to pinpoint which statement is untrue. Right guesses earn you points, while incorrect ones lead to point deductions. Of course, the person with the most points is crowned the winner at the end of the road trip.

This game can put your lying skills to the test, which can have you all bursting with laughter. In addition, you'll see how well your loved ones know you. And, as a bonus, you may find out things that may have remained secrets without the aid of this game.

All the suggestions in this story are excellent for getting your family away from screens and unplugging from the internet. However, if you want to make the minutes fly by, some screentime can be a game-changer on unbearably long road trips. Your children probably already have their own Nintendo Switches, so take full advantage of that. But you shouldn't let them put in their earbuds and play games as a solitary activity. Instead, have them bond with their siblings (parents, too, if you guys are gamers) over local wireless multiplayer games, which, luckily, Nintendo has tons of. 

You can witness some healthy competition with a few rounds of "Mario Kart" or "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate," or encourage teamwork with a session of "Minecraft" or "Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate." Just make sure your kids download all the titles they're interested in before leaving the house, especially if you won't get a reliable internet connection while traveling. Plus, this ensures they can game as soon as they get in the car.