Most people are no stranger to the infamous road trip. Sure, some folks love hitting the open road, basking in that feeling of freedom as they drive farther and farther away from civilization. And then there’s the rest of us, who struggle seeing the poetic sense of road trips, and are bored out of our minds when we’re too far away for the internet to reach us. Lots of people resort to old fashioned CD’s or rambling podcasts to get through the drive, but we at VIP European Auto have a better idea: play games for road trips. There’s nothing like a little cutthroat competition to abolish boredom and make the time fly by. And if you need a little help preparing your car interior for your upcoming family road trip, click here for all our suggestions.
Road Trip Games for Kids
Game: The Story Game
Supplies: None
Rules: The rules of this game are simple: one person starts a story, but cannot finish their sentence. The person next to them has to pick up right where they left off, and continue the story themselves, and so on. This game can get quite outrageous and humorous, and is fun for all ages.
Game: The Alphabet Game
Supplies: None
Rules: There are many variations of this game for road trips, from amiable to competitive. For a lighthearted version, one person starts and finds something they can see that starts with the letter “A.” Then, the person next to them finds something they can see that starts with the letter “B,” and you cycle through the entire alphabet. You can make it easier for little ones by eliminating trickly letters like “Q,” “X,” and “Z.” At the end of the game, pull out a prize for the kids to symbolize their success.
If your family has a more competitive spirit, try version two, where everyone individually finds objects in the order of the alphabet. To make the game even more challenging, no one can repeat items. So if one kid calls out “cows” for the letter “c,” no one else can use that word. For a fun twist, add the graveyard rule. If someone spots a graveyard at any time and calls it out first, everyone except for them has to go back to “a.” This game can last for hours, and be delightfully frustrating and time-consuming, which is (arguably) the perfect road trip mix.
The Best Road Trip Games for Teens
Hitting the open road for hours on end with teenagers can be challenging. Once the internet service goes away, the boredom surfaces, and can lead to a spiritless journey. The key to keeping teens engaged is to amp up the competition. And once you get home, be sure to check out our tips for cleaning up your car upholstery. Long trips can wear on your car’s interior!
Game: Name That Song
Supplies: A device to play music
Rules: This is another simple game for road trips. One person plays a song of their choosing for a set amount of time (20-30 seconds is standard, but you can shorten the time to increase the difficulty). Then, one person has to guess the name of the song before time is up. Whoever guesses the most songs correctly wins. Bet on the winner and loser to raise the stakes and excitement. Make the bets fun by promising the winner something truly great, and the loser a chore they’re sure to prefer avoiding.
Game: Awkward Moment Card Game
Supplies: Awkward Moment Card Game (click here to find it on Amazon)
Rules: Let’s face it; being a teenager is just an awkward stage of life. This game brings that to light in a humorous way that’s sure to pass the time. All your teens have to do is pick a card, read aloud the awkward situation written, and then decide exactly how they would handle it. The magic of this game is in how relatable it is, and in how everyone has a different solution for the same situation. Plus, you can play this game with as little as 3 and as many as 8 players, making it ideal for groups of varying sizes.
Entertaining Road Trip Games for Adults
Game: The Hot Seat
Warning: Not for the faint of heart
Supplies: Just your honesty
Rules: This game can be as casual or intense as you make it. One person in the car is in “the hot seat,” meaning they are asked five questions that they would not normally answer by the other players in the car. If someone gets a question they refuse to answer, they have to pay for it in another way (like buying everyone in the car lunch, or sitting in the middle seat for the rest of the trip).
Game: The Forbidden Word
Supplies: None
Rules: Collectively decide on a word that is pretty commonly said, and then banish it from everyone’s vocabulary. Then, choose a replacement word that you say in place of the forbidden word. Keep track of who slips up the most, and then make that person buy a round of drinks or everyone’s dinner that night. This game can go on for as long as your trip lasts, and can be hilariously frustrating.
The Ultimate Road Trip Game for Couples (And Why You Should Play It)
If you ask an older couple for advice, time and time again they’ll say to go on a road trip with your significant other. You learn an immense amount about someone when you’re cooped up with them in a small space for hours on end. Are they annoying? Whiny? Boring? Or are they engaging? Kind? Funny? Either way, you’ll find out. If you can spend hours in a car together, there’s a good chance you can make it work outside of that car. Here’s one game to make the most of your time on a couples road trip.
Game: The Question Game
Supplies: None
Rules: People love to talk about themselves. It’s true. But you also want to learn more about your partner. The question game combines both elements to keep you both entertained. The name of this game explains itself: have a list of questions you’re dying to know, and take turns answering them. Here’s some examples to get you started.
How do you prefer to relax after a crazy day?
What personality traits get under your skin?
When you meet someone new, what is the first thing you notice about them?
Who is your favorite friend or family member to spend time with?
What alcoholic beverage will you never drink again? And why?
If you had to choose a different name for yourself, what would it be?
Intersperse fun questions with deeper ones to get to know your partner on multiple levels. You may find key differences in lifestyles, or you may find more in common than you ever knew. Either way, road trips are a great way to learn more about each other and assess how far you want your relationship to go!
Thanks for reading! We at VIP European Auto are experts at repairing car interiors for all types of vehicles. We wish you the best on your next road trip, and are always here for a free estimate or any questions you may have at (480) 448- 1183.
