45 Road Trip Activities & Games to Help Parents Survive Any Long Drive

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Traveling with kids on a road trip is something I’ve always tried to avoid. I love my kids—deeply—but the idea of being stuck in a car with them for hours? Terrifying. I dread it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. But road trips are inevitable, and sometimes they’re the only option. So instead of fighting it, I’ve learned to prepare with plenty of road trip activities to keep everyone happy and entertained.

Preparation truly makes or breaks the experience. You need two things in abundance: snacks and road trip activities. Think of it as packing half the fridge and most of their room into a couple of cooler bags and tote bins. It takes effort (unfortunately), but it’s worth every minute once you hit the road.

To save time, you don’t even have to print everything yourself. Dollar Tree, Five Below, and Amazon all have great low-cost activity books, bingo sheets, coloring packs, and travel-friendly games. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to keeping kids busy—and parents sane.

These road trip activities for kids are designed with tweens (ages 8–12) in mind. While some can also entertain teenagers, they aren’t suitable for toddlers.

So to make your next drive smoother, quieter, and infinitely more manageable, here are 45 Road Trip Activities & Games to Help Parents Survive Any Long Drive, grouped into five parent-friendly categories.

NO-PREP GROUP GAMES

These are the ultimate road-trip lifesavers. No printing, no packing, no preparation—just simple games you can play anywhere, anytime. Whether you’re stuck in the car, waiting at a restaurant, or taking a quick pit stop, these games get everyone involved and keep boredom far, far away.

1. License Plate Sentence

Have each kid point out a license plate they see on the road, and then everyone makes a silly sentence out of it. For example, if you see the license plate “7LMD543,” you could say: “7 lazy monkeys danced for 5 hours and ate 4 bananas and 3 apples,” or “7 liars made drinks for 5 days, 4 nights, and 3 hours.” It always turns into something goofy, and the kids come up with the funniest ideas.

2. License Plate Math

For parents who want to sneak in a little learning, try a numbers twist on the license plate game. Pick a plate and have kids add up all the numbers. If addition feels too easy, mix it up with multiplication, subtraction, or division. For example, with 7LMD543, you could do “7 plus 5 plus 4 minus 3” or get trickier with “7 plus 5 times 4 divided by 3.” Just keep it playful and match the level to your kids so it stays fun, not frustrating.

3. Three-Words Sentence

This is one of our go-to games at home. You pick three completely random and unrelated words or phrases, and the kids have to turn them into a story. I usually pull ideas from things they’re obsessed with at the moment. Since both of my kids are really into Roblox, I might say: “Grow a Garden, swimming, and fried rice.” Then they’ll come up with something like, “After swimming, I ate fried rice and played Grow a Garden until midnight.” The stories usually go completely off the rails, and the kids love every second of it.

4. I – Spy

This is a classic road-trip game that never gets old. One person says, “I spy with my little eye, something that is…” and gives a color or clue. The others take turns guessing what it is. It’s simple, keeps kids observant, and perfect for filling short stretches of driving with fun and friendly competition.

5. Name Chain

This is a quick and fun game that’s perfect for car rides. One person says a name, and the next has to come up with a new one starting with the last letter of the previous name. For example: Mary → Yvonne → Elizabeth… It’s simple, keeps everyone thinking, and somehow the kids always end up throwing in characters from games or books I’ve never even heard of.

6. Story Chain

This is a fun, collaborative storytelling game for the car. One person starts with a sentence, and each player adds the next, building the story together. For example: “Three kids found a treasure map,” “They rode a flying roller coaster through a rainbow tornado,” “And a giant talking cat offered them pizza for breakfast,” and so on.

The crazier the ideas, the funnier the story gets! It’s perfect for sparking creativity, laughter, and teamwork while passing the time on long drives.

7. I Am Going On A Picnic

This is a classic memory-and-creativity game. Traditionally, it starts with someone saying, “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m bringing…” something that starts with A. The next player repeats the list and adds something starting with B, and so on through the alphabet. The goal is to remember the full list while adding your own item.

In our family, we like to twist it. The list can start with anything—“We’re going to Japan” or “We’re heading to the beach”—and the kids love adding the funniest, most random things, like the Brookhaven escape car or a Toca Boca rainbow smoothie machine. The weirder the items, the harder (and funnier) it gets!

8. Would You Rather?

This is one of our go-to games not just on road trips, but also on the way home from school. One person asks a “Would You Rather?” question, and the others choose between the two options. We usually do just a few questions at a time, often about anything totally crazy—like, “Would you rather eat a smoothie with broccoli or spam with chocolate ice cream?” The kids love coming up with the wildest options, and it always sparks laughs, debates, and lots of “ewws” along the way.

9. 20 Questions

This is one of our favorite road-trip fillers. One of us thinks of a person, place, or thing, and everyone else gets up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. I always remind my kids to start with something general—“Is it a person?” “Is it alive?”—before narrowing it down. Sometimes they get surprisingly strategic, and other times hilariously off-track, but it always gets everyone talking and laughing.

10. Guess the Memory

This one is such a sweet storytelling game because it sends everyone straight down memory lane. One person thinks of a specific memory or event—something fun or meaningful, not just “we ate dinner last Tuesday”—and everyone else takes turns asking yes-or-no or simple questions to figure out what it is. If I’m thinking of a specific beach day, the kids might ask, “Was it sunny?” or “Did we bring snacks?” I usually guide them a little by suggesting they start with time-related questions like, “Did it happen this year?” or “Was I already born?”

It’s such a fun way to get tweens talking, laughing, and actually practicing good questioning skills without even realizing it. And honestly, it always brings up the sweetest memories—some I forgot about—and reminds me just how quickly these years are flying by.

11. Family Music Playlist + Sing Along

Create a shared family playlist with everyone’s favorite songs—old classics, Disney hits, movie themes, or whatever gets your crew excited. We take turns choosing the next song, and before you know it, the car turns into our own little concert. The kids love belting out the lyrics (usually off-key, but that’s part of the charm), and it keeps the energy up during those long stretches on the road.

12. Be A Reporter

Kids take turns pretending to be little news reporters, “broadcasting live” from the backseat. This is one of those road trip activities that always gets them giggling. They’ll report on anything they spot—funny billboards, weird buildings, traffic, scenery, or completely made-up breaking news. It’s such a fun way to spark creativity and keep everyone entertained while the miles roll by. Honestly, half the time the game ends early because they’re laughing too hard to finish their report.

13. Create A Town

This is a fun storytelling game that sparks creativity on long drives. One person starts with a sentence describing a town—something completely random like, “There was a town with only the colors pink and blue.” The next person adds another sentence, like, “All the citizens eat only sweets,” and everyone keeps building the story from there.

My kids love taking it to the extreme with weird rules, wacky buildings, and the most eccentric townspeople you can imagine. And on days when we’re all in the mood, we’ll even take it a step further and draw the ridiculous town we just created.

14. Silly Commercial

Kids invent a pretend product—anything from “marshmallow shoes” to “automatic homework robots”—and then come up with a short, over-the-top commercial for it. Sometimes they act it out with visuals, sometimes they just give a silly slogan from their seat. It takes a little brainstorming, but that’s part of the fun.

For example, one of their creations was The Super Mega Snack Hat:
“Are you hungry every five minutes? Introducing the Super Mega Snack Hat—the only hat that drops snacks into your mouth automatically!”
Punchline: “Side effects: You might never stop eating.”

15. Guess Miles & Cost

Each kid takes a turn guessing how many miles are left until the next stop—and even how much the gas might cost to get there. Whoever comes closest wins a little reward. It’s a simple game, but it sneaks in math, estimation, and observation skills while keeping everyone busy and entertained on the road.

16. Two Truth & A Lie

Each player takes a turn sharing three statements about themselves—two truths and one lie—and everyone else tries to guess which one is the lie. It gets surprisingly tricky because the kids always come up with things I didn’t even know about them, and it’s hilarious to watch them try to bluff their way through.

QUIET ACTIVITIES

Perfect for moments when kids need a calm break, these road trip activities let them play or create on their own—like coloring, puzzles, or simple crafts—or enjoy a story together by listening to a podcast or audiobook with a parent. They’re ideal for keeping kids entertained without too much noise or chaos.

17. Travel Journal

Travel journals are my favorite road trip activities for kids. I usually include those as the first surprise in the goodie bag and have the kids start writing about their pre-trip activities. Of all the journals we’ve tried, the one from Lonely Planet Kids is hands-down my favorite.

Most kids’ travel journals are flimsy, bend easily, and basically require a solid table to write on—something you definitely don’t have in the backseat of a car. The Lonely Planet Kids journal acts like its own built-in writing board, so my kids can write, doodle, or tape in photos comfortably without the pages flopping around. The size also makes a huge difference. At around 7″ x 9″, it’s big enough for kids to draw and write freely, but not oversized or awkward to hold.

To make the journaling even more fun, I like to bring a portable photo printer so the kids can take pictures and print their favorites right away. We used to bring a Polaroid, but between the cost of film and not being able to pick the best photo, it wasn’t ideal. The printer gives them flexibility, and their entries come out so much more personal and creative.

18. Their Favorite Book

Pack a few of your kids’ favorite books to keep them quietly entertained during longer stretches of the drive. It helps them settle in, stay calm, and enjoy the ride without screens. You can also surprise them with a brand-new book tucked into their goodie bags—something they haven’t read yet but are excited about. My son is currently into Big Nate, and my daughter loves Diary of a Pug, so including these (or similar titles) keeps them engaged and makes quiet time more enjoyable.

19. Podcast Story

Podcast stories are a fantastic quiet option within road trip activities for kids on long drives. I like to pick engaging, family-friendly podcasts that spark imagination and storytelling—everything from adventures and mysteries to fun facts and science stories. Some of our favorites include Wow in the World, Stories Podcast, Circle Round, Brains On!, Tumble Science, and But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids. Kids can listen quietly on their own or with the family, making it perfect for a calm stretch of the trip.

20. Audiobook

Audiobooks are a great quiet activity for tweens on long drives. Some of the most popular audiobook for tweens are The Chronicles of Narnia, Percy Jackson, A Kind of Spark, and Harry Potter. Since my kids are different ages and at different reading levels, they often listen to different stories individually through their own devices and headphones. This allows each child to enjoy books suited to their level—my son might listen to Percy Jackson, while my daughter prefers Charlotte’s Web.

21. Printed School Work

This is probably not what everyone expects on a school-free trip, but I like to sneak in a bit of homework to balance all the stimulation. Nothing heavy—just a couple of pages from their usual workbooks. Yes, we do bring these on the road—you read that right—but definitely not the entire book if it’s thick.

The idea isn’t to make the trip feel like school, but to mix in some educational moments alongside all the fun and treats. This helps the kids stay a little engaged mentally, even while they enjoy games, snacks, and surprises. Do they protest? Definitely! That’s why I reward their effort with a goodie bag or special treat.

CREATIVE & IMAGINATIVE FUN

If you’re looking to spark your kids’ creativity on the road, these road trip activities are perfect. From playful storytelling and word games to hands-on challenges, they encourage imagination while keeping everyone engaged and entertained throughout the drive.

22. Sketch Book & Coloring Pencils

Sketch books and coloring tools are some of the necessities my kids bring on any trips. Two simple supplies can sparks so many possbilities. Not only can they draw, doodle, we can also make games out of it; tic-tac-toe, hangman…

No need to bring a gigantic or super-thick sketchbook, but I recommend one with a hard cover if you don’t have a car tray. Overall, we usually go for twistable crayons so there’s no need to pack a sharpener, or coloring markers that come in a convenient, portable case.

23. Other Types of Drawing Tools

Other than sketchbooks, Etch A Sketch, electronic doodle boards, or magnetic drawing boards are also wonderful, mess-free alternatives. While these are probably more suitable for younger kids, older kids can still enjoy them, especially for quick doodles, mini games, or creative challenges on the road.

These options are perfect when you want to avoid loose paper or markers, and they’re easy to pack and reuse. Plus, they give kids a break from screens while still letting them be imaginative during long drives.

24. Coloring Books

Coloring books are a classic road-trip favorite. They’re simple, mess-free, and perfect for letting kids unwind while still keeping their hands busy. Pair them with colored pencils, crayons, or markers, and kids can spend hours creating, doodling, or even turning the pages into mini-games like tic-tac-toe or drawing challenges.

For a fresh twist, consider adding a new coloring book to their goodie bag—it gives them something exciting to look forward to and keeps quiet time engaging throughout the trip.

25. Mini Lego Sets

Mini LEGO figures are perfect for creative, screen-free play on the road. I use a LEGO On-the-Go organizer that comes with a building plate, so my kids can build and play right in the car without making a mess. To add to the excitement, I sometimes include a new mini set in their goodie bag, giving them a surprise to unwrap and incorporate into their creations.

26. Create Your Own Road Sign

This is a fun, creative game for the car. Have the kids design their own road sign—anything goes, from silly warnings like “Beware of Flying Pizzas” to imaginative directions like “Unicorn Crossing Ahead.”

If you bring craft materials, you can extend the activity by making a mini 3D sign, adding extra layers of creativity. Kids can display their signs in the backseat or swap them with siblings, keeping everyone engaged while encouraging imagination, humor, and storytelling during long drives.

27. Create Family Logo

Have each child design a new family logo on paper, a notebook, or a portable electronic doodling device. It can be a simple image or include a fun slogan. This activity encourages creativity, lets kids express their personalities, and sparks fun conversations about what the family means to them—all while keeping them engaged during the drive.

Sometimes my kids get frustrated, especially the younger one, because they want their drawing to be perfect while including the whole family—but that’s when my parenting skills are truly tested. I remind them that nothing needs to be perfect; it’s all about having fun, sharing ideas, and enjoying the process together.

28. Origami On The Go

Origami is a simple yet engaging activity for tweens on long drives. I usually bring a small stack of colorful origami paper and print out instruction pages so my kids can try folding on their own. From there, they can experiment and create animals, boats, or funny shapes. It’s quiet, mess-free, and perfect for backseat play.

29. Wikki Sticks

Wikki Stix are bendable, colorful wax sticks that kids can use to create shapes, letters, or simple crafts right in the car. They’re mess-free, reusable, and portable, making them a perfect travel activity. Kids can form animals, spell out words, or even design tiny games, keeping their hands busy while sparking creativity and fine motor skills.

PLANNED GROUP ACTIVITIES

I like to pack a few games that combine fun and a little learning. Trivia questions challenge the kids’ knowledge, while my “Jar of Wonder” is full of prompts about everyday life These road trip activities and games encourage critical thinking, spark conversation, and keep everyone engaged, making long drives both entertaining and meaningful.

30. Trivia Questions & Facts About the Destination

Trivia questions and fun facts about your destination are a great way to keep everyone entertained and informed during the drive. I like to mix in easy questions for younger kids and more challenging ones for tweens so everyone can participate. You can tailor the trivia to the place you’re visiting—national parks, big cities, famous landmarks, or even local wildlife.

Sometimes I add visuals like a map, the state bird, local foods, or attractions to make the trivia more engaging. It helps kids connect the facts to the place and adds a fun, educational twist to the ride.

31. Jars of Wonder

This is another activity we originally started at home. I (in particular) write all kinds of questions, prompts, and strange little facts on slips of paper and drop them into an unused vase. Whenever we have downtime, we pull one out and everyone shares their answer, reaction, or learns something new and educational.

It has turned out to be a surprisingly helpful tool. I use it to gently guide my kids through challenges they face at school or issues I notice with friends or siblings. Instead of lecturing, the questions spark natural conversations and thoughtful discussions—making it a much easier and more meaningful way to connect.

32. Guess the Song

This is a simple but super fun game. I usually create a playlist just for this and include not only songs the kids have been listening to lately, but also “classics” that are permanently etched in their heads—think Frozen’s “Let It Go” or “Baby Shark.” I play just a few seconds of a song and see who can recognize it the fastest. Kids love shouting out their guesses—sometimes wildly wrong—and it always turns into a round of giggles. It’s an easy way to keep everyone entertained.

33. Riddles for Kids

Riddles are a fun way to get everyone thinking and laughing on the road. You can prepare a list of kid-friendly riddles ahead of time or simply ask ChatGPT for a few on the spot. Just keep in mind the cell reception—you don’t want the punchline ruined because the signal drops mid-question!

Kids love trying to solve them, especially when the answers are surprisingly simple. A few fun examples are:

• “What has to be broken before you can use it?” (An egg)
• “What has hands but can’t clap?” (A clock)
• “I’m tall when I’m young and short when I’m old. What am I?” (A candle)

Riddles are quick, silly, and perfect for filling small pockets of time. It’s an easy way to sneak in a little brain workout while keeping the mood light and playful.

34. Blind Fold Food Tasting

This fun and silly game challenges kids to guess foods while blindfolded. I like to include a mix of snacks, fruits, and ingredients from our meals—like rice or other familiar foods they wouldn’t expect in a tasting game. The trick is to use items they know but won’t immediately recognize by taste alone, which makes it fun, surprising, and often hilarious. For added excitement, turn it into a friendly competition and reward the most correct guesses with a small prize.

35. Mystery Box

The Mystery Box is an exciting—yet slightly scary—game that my kids love and hate at the same time. Even though they know I’m not putting anything truly frightening inside (no jumping spiders or mystery poisons!), they still hesitate before sticking their hand in.

This one needs a little prep before the trip, especially if you plan to include anything that won’t last long. Here are some everyday items that would work perfectly for this:

• A fuzzy sock
• A handful of LEGO pieces
• A makeup sponge
• A small hairbrush
• A stress ball or squishy
• A banana peel (if you’re using it right away)
• A wooden spoon
• A bundle of cotton balls
• A rubber band ball
• A cold peeled grape (classic!)
• A feather
• A pair of sunglasses
• A clump of Play-Doh wrapped loosely in foil

36. Bingo

This is a classic road trip activities that never gets old. You can print or buy bingo cards online with things kids might spot on the road—road signs, animals, landmarks, vehicles, funny license plates, construction cones, and more. Or create your own in Microsoft Excel with items you know you’ll encounter on your trip.

To make it extra fun, include small prizes for each bingo, like choosing the next song or earning a goodie-bag item. It keeps kids alert, looking out the window, and surprisingly competitive in the best way.

37. Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt is another fun way to keep kids engaged on the road. Give them a list of items to spot along the drive—anything from a red truck to a cow, a bridge, a “Welcome” sign, a construction cone, or someone walking a dog. You can keep it simple with a basic checklist or turn it into a timed challenge to see who finds the most items before the next stop.

I usually buy a ready-made scavenger hunt game online and set a specific time for my kids to spot as many items as they can. Whoever finds the most wins. It’s simple, competitive, and keeps them looking out the window instead of at a screen.

GOODIE BAG SURPRISES

This is the highlight of our road trips—surprise goodie bags! Pack some of the games and activities you decide to bring to the goodie bags and let the kids open them at specific stops or times. I always include a new travel journal for each trip, along with books my kids love. Pack things you know they’ll enjoy, so the goodies become something they look forward to and make the journey extra special.

With that said, here are a few additional ideas to add on top of the activities mentioned under Creative & Imaginative Fun.

38. Portable Size Magnetic Classical Games

These compact, magnetic versions of classic games—Chess, Checkers, Connect 4, Sorry!, Trouble, and Who’s There?—are perfect road trip activities for kids. The magnetic pieces stay in place, even on bumpy roads, and kids can pass the games around without worrying about losing anything. With their foldable, travel-sized boards, they’re easy to pack and perfect for some quiet, hands-on fun during long drives.

39. Mess-Free Games

For tweens who want something creative without the mess, these activities are perfect for the car. Mosaic sticker art, paint-by-sticker books, and advanced color-by-number keep hands busy and minds focused—without tiny pieces falling everywhere. They’re portable, calming, and zero-cleanup, making them ideal for long drives with older kids who still enjoy hands-on fun but want something a little more “grown-up.”

40. Mad Libs

Mad Libs is a hilarious fill-in-the-blank word game that’s perfect for road trips. Kids take turns giving different types of words—like adjectives, verbs, animals, or silly nouns—without knowing the story they’re completing. Once all the blanks are filled in, read the story aloud and get ready for guaranteed laughter. It’s portable, requires no prep, and comes in tons of themed versions (Christmas, mad scientists, sleepover, gross me out—everything).

41. Portable Scrabble

The portable travel version Scrabble set is perfect for road trips because the board is designed to hold each letter tile securely in place, even when the car hits bumps or turns. It has the full feel of classic Scrabble—100 tiles, racks, and a drawstring bag—but everything snaps neatly into the compact board so it’s easy to pack and play anywhere. Tweens especially enjoy this version because it keeps the strategy, spelling, and fun of the original game while being much easier to manage on the go. It’s durable, educational, and convenient, making it a great choice for families who want a quiet, engaging activity during long drives.

42. Puzzles & Activity Book

Puzzles and activity books are perfect for keeping tweens entertained on long drives. They can include sudoku, crossword puzzles, mazes, word searches, spot-the-difference challenges, hidden pictures, and more. These books are quiet, screen-free, and portable, giving kids a chance to focus, think critically, and have fun independently.

Dollar Tree, Five Below, and Amazon have tons of activity books to choose from. I usually buy mixed activity books and also print out extra pages tailored to my kids’ interests, so they get a mix of puzzles they already enjoy and new challenges that keep them engaged throughout the trip.

43. Spirograph

Spirograph is a fun, creative, and mess-free way to keep kids entertained on the road. They can create endless patterns, designs, and doodles with just a few gears and colored pens.

I love bringing this on trips because it keeps my kids focused and quietly engaged, yet still allows for imagination and creativity. Plus, the intricate designs always leave them feeling proud of what they’ve made—even in the car!

44. Brain Teasers

Brain teasers are a lifesaver on long drives with tweens. They come in many forms, and my kids love puzzles, logic challenges, and memory games. Compact, portable, and mess-free, they’re perfect for the car. These toys not only pass the time but also help develop critical thinking, patience, and focus while keeping kids happily engaged.

45. Classic Simon Memory Game

This timeless electronic game challenges players to repeat increasingly complex patterns of lights and sounds. There’s even a portable travel version, perfect for keeping everyone entertained on the road.

We adults love it too—sometimes the competition between kids and parents gets hilariously intense! It’s a fun, screen-free, interactive activity that’s easy to pack and play anywhere.

LITTLE THINGS WE OFTEN FORGET

➤ Don’t forget extra batteries for gadgets—those little things are easy to overlook!

➤ Wet wipes for sticky hands and unexpected messes.

➤ Travel-friendly trash bags to keep the car tidy.

➤ Neck pillows or small blankets for naps—or when the kids just want to cozy up and enjoy an audiobook or podcast.

➤ Always have a backup plan: coloring supplies, puzzles, or printables if a game or device fails.

➤ Snacks and drinks within reach—mix healthy options with fun treats to avoid constant pit stops.