7 best travel games for the car

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: November 4, 2023

Then there is that dreaded car ride. How do you enjoy yourself or your children during a long journey in the car?

You can of course take a children's tablet with you on holiday, but will it keep your kids entertained for the entire journey? Maybe, but you probably want some family entertainment too.

With this spell you come a long way, or well on the way:

From toddler to toddler activity book collection

Educational games and coloring pages for 3 to 6 years

Your toddler and preschooler will love this e-book, along with the accompanying printables. He or she can play with it at every stage of development, together with mom and dad.

Buy at Bol.com

1. Car Bingo

Kids of all ages love bingo, so these Travel Bingo Cards are perfect if you're looking for a fun, affordable, and travel-friendly game for all the family.

The miles fly by as children study the landscape while trying to win a round.

When they recognize different items such as a truck, stop sign or letterbox, they simply mark the object on the bingo card.

The first person to get five objects in a row wins. If a child wants to play alone, he can create challenges for himself, such as attempts to fill the entire board.

Overall this is the best car game because:

• It encourages interactivity. This way you can have a nice chat with each other.
• Fun for kids of different age groups
• The game itself makes no noise.
• Play together or alone.
• It has a good mix of urban and rural items, so this game is perfect for anywhere your family is heading to by car.

The set comes with markers and enough bingo cards to use it for a long time.

I did read a review on bol.com that it is also very nice for younger children, for example from 3 years, but with a little help from the parents (or a very sweet bigger brother). The supplied markers apparently run out very quickly and on a longer trip an extra set of markers is a good idea.

2. Melissa & Doug Reis Memory Game

Melissa & Doug, known for their creative and well-crafted toys, offers a smart way for kids to play the classic memory game on the go.

This sturdy Travel Memory Game is provided with 24 wooden cards, which are attached to the board with stretchy cords. Even when the game is collapsed, the wooden cards will remain stuck.

Children can choose from fourteen different fun themes, slide one of the laminated cards into the board and then flip up the tiles to find pictures.

They can play alone or challenge another. The built-in numbered scoreboard lets them keep track of their matches.

There are no loose pieces and everything is conveniently stored in the board, so this game is perfect for that traveling.

3. Celebrity mentions

Do you know many celebrities? Get ready to name names like never before in this fast paced word association game.

Playing style

The first player starts by saying a famous name that everyone would know.

The next player must think of another famous person whose name starts with the first letter of the last name.

If the first name has the same initial letter as the last name, for example Marilyn Monroe, the game reverses direction.

If a player can't come up with a name, it takes too long, or drops a name that no one knows, they lose.

What makes it great

The game has to be fast, so there are inevitably a lot of mistakes, the worse the better.

The random names people say can be hilarious too. Expect a lot of good oldies and B stars.

Players: 2+

Expect: shout loudly and maybe swear

Game duration: n / a

4. Just a minute

If you are the type to talk to everyone then this game might be for you. But can you stay on the topic for a whole minute?

Playing style

Someone (not the driver) sets a timer for a minute on their phone and becomes the chairman.

The first player then has 60 seconds to speak on a topic randomly selected by the chairman.

They have to do this without “hesitation, repetition or deviation” and the rest of the passengers are judges.

If they think the speaker is pausing for too long, stepping off the topic, or repeating a word, they can challenge it. The timer will stop when this happens.

If the challenge is deemed correct by the chairman, they get a point and take over the topic for the rest of the time.

If not correct, they lose a point and the original speaker continues.

The person who is the speaker at the end of the minute and completes it is awarded a point.

If a player manages to speak for the entire minute, they are awarded one more bonus point.

What makes it great

This game sounds super simple, but it is incredibly difficult! Speaking for a full minute without breaking the rules is next to impossible.

But the ways people try to win are hilarious, and the arguments about fighting can run pretty deep.

Players: 4+

Expected: a lot of talking and talking as a Brugman

Game duration: n / a

5. Three stories

Are you a big liar or do you own a horrible poker face?

Well, it doesn't really matter in this game, it's all about making up false stories that are less credible than the truth.

The more you can fool your fellow players, the greater the chance of winning.

Playing style

Players take turns taking three stories or “facts” (all about yourself, or as a family on other topics) that the other players don't know.

However, only one of the two must be true.

The other players must try to find out which is the real story and which are two lies. To get this, they may each ask two follow-up questions.

Each gambler gets a point and the first to a predetermined number of points is the winner.

What makes it great

This is a great way to get to know your fellow road trippers a lot better. And no matter how well you know them, you will learn some pretty surprising things.

This game quickly gets weird and has the whole car in a burst of laughter quickly.

Players: 2+

Expected: a lot of nonsense

Game duration: n / a

6. I know them

Do you see yourself as a bit of a storyteller?

This is a great game that will test your imagination when creating a story about someone you've never met or seen before.

Playing style

One player selects a passer-by in a car that you pass or someone standing by the road. Then they start telling a story about them.

Each player takes turns taking something fun or interesting to add.

Start with the basics like name, age and profession if you need to get in a bit, then work your way up to a full life story.

The more bizarre the backstory you create, the better. And when you pass them on the road again, you can't hold back your laughter.

What makes it great

There are no losers or winners, just one travel to the bizarre and confused minds of your fellow road travelers. This can continue as long as you are all still enjoying yourself.

Players: 2+

Expected: bizarre stories and a glimpse into people's lives

Game duration: n / a

7. Melissa & Doug classic children's games hangman on a trip

Go old school with these classic kids games in magnetic and reusable travel variant.

Siblings can play drafts, hangman, and tic-tac-toe together in the backseat. It's really nice that you can continue the fun with the whole family once you have arrived at your destination.

• Three different games to choose from, so plenty of fun!
• Magnetic pieces that stick to the board, so no worries about stray pieces.
• Have fun playing together
• The small travel variants fit easily in your child's suitcase or in your handbag and of course in the back pocket of the car seat.

Melissa & Doug's hangman game is my favorite and has easy-to-erase markers for lasting fun with the same card:

(view more images)

These games are recommended for ages five and up.

Other options and anti-boredom tips for fun during the ride

Of course there comes a time when even the most fun games have to be taken a break. To prevent boredom, I have collected an extra number of anti-boredom tips here and divided them into different age categories.

Other fun ways to stay entertained during your road trip are to play games of your own making, listen to audiobooks or podcasts, or play Car Karaoke together (you can even bring a karaoke microphone with you). 

Take plenty of suitable toys with you in the car

Car toys are specifically designed for use during car journeys and are distinguished by some unique features. It is typically compact, can be attached to car seats or windows, and is sturdy enough to withstand shock and movement. This type of toy is intended to entertain and distract children during long car journeys, allowing parents to concentrate better on driving.

Anti-Bored Tips for Babies

There may not be many options for the little ones, but fortunately they sleep a lot, especially in the car. When they are awake, they like to play with a cuddly toy, rattle something or a bite toy.

A play stuffed animal or a Miffy rattle is soon enough.

Anti-boredom tips for toddlers

Toddlers also like to play with 'grown up stuff'. For example with a bag where they can put things in and take out. Books are of course also fun for toddlers. A CD of children's songs is also always appreciated.

Some invented games like:

• Whoever sees a red car first; whoever spotted a red car first wins. Did you have the red car? Then continue with a blue car etc.
• “I see I see what you don't see”. This game is always fun. Choose an object you see and let the other person guess it. The object is not meant to be quickly out of sight!  

Anti-boredom tips for toddlers

Listen CDs are ideal for toddlers! For example from 'Pluk van de Petteflet'.

• Preschool children often find a self-made game like seeing how far you can count. For example, do you see the number 1 somewhere? Then quickly search for number 2 etc.
• But why? Toddlers prefer to ask why for everything, turn the question around! Ask your preschooler why they think certain things are the way they are. It makes them think and the imaginative answers can be hilarious at times.

Anti-boredom tips for primary school children

Primary school children often prefer to play independently. They often enjoy writing and drawing, so it is great to give them a blank notebook in which they can write down and draw their holiday experiences. Another nice idea is tying bracelets: tie a few colored strings to the chair back in front of you and braid or tie nice bracelets. Also fun for teenagers!

If they do feel like playing together:

• Play “I'm going on vacation and I'm taking…” and find out who has the best memory!
• “No yes and no no” game
• 'Who's it' play. Have a famous person in mind and let someone else guess.

Anti-Bored Tips for Teens

Teenagers need slightly fewer activities and they may have slightly different rules regarding, for example, their screen time. Let them watch a movie on the laptop. Before you know it they have already gone an hour and a half.

But you can also play games together with your older kids!

Made-up games like:

• The radio game, within 10 seconds you have to guess which song it is. Don't you know in 10 seconds? Then the other may guess. If you have guessed correctly, you will of course receive points for it! There are enough radio stations.
• Come up with an exciting story, or write a story together. You may think of or write a few sentences alternately. We bet that unexpected stories will emerge from this.
• Use the time with your teen to catch up and cherish these moments!

Traveling with kids can also be a lot of fun!

If you take the right things with you, you will see that your car trip as a family can be quite relaxed. It helps enormously to come up with crazy games and fun activities for on the road in advance and to keep it a bit exciting for the kids.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.