Travel Games
If you've ever spent a long time in a vehicle with children then
you've probably had to come up with some quick, creative ideas
on how to keep them occupied. I have spent countless hours
playing travel games with children. Here are a few of the travel
games that I have found perfect for passing the time.
Travel Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of things you might see as you're travelling (this
will vary depending on your location). Some good examples would
be... an airplane flying overhead, a lamb, a cyclist, an
ambulance, a yield sign, litter, a train, etc. Make a list for
everyone or play the game as a group. If children are playing
individually, the first person to call out an item gets to check
it off their list. If the item appears another time at a
different location on your route another child may call it and
check it off of their list. Whoever gets all of their items
first or whoever has the most items when you reach your
destination wins.
Travel Bingo
Make up some blank bingo cars and purchase some automobile,
street sign, animal or any combination of applicable stickers to
put in the blank spaces. Just be sure that any stickers you buy
are of items you might see in your travels. Have the children
choose and place one sticker in each square (kids love stickers,
so even that part is fun). As you're driving children call out
and check off any items on their card that they see along the
road. The first one to get a full diagonal, horizontal, or
vertical line checked off wins. In a pinch, children can draw
their own bingo card on a piece of paper and either write in or
draw items they might see on their trip.
Category Cards
Buy a package of blank index cards and either write one category
name or draw one category picture on each card. You should make
up at least sixteen cards. Categories should reflect things you
might see on your travels. Be creative with your ideas and the
possibilities are limitless. Some good examples would be...
street signs, emergency vehicles, transportation, animals,
restaurants, sports, etc. When the cards are complete, shuffle
them and turn them upside down. When traveling, the first player
must draw a card and find something that fits the category
picked. When an item is found the next card is picked up and an
applicable item is found. All players take turns until all cards
are used up. Cards can then be reshuffled and the game can
continue, however, if a 'car' was found for the vehicle category
on the first round, a different vehicle (eg. truck, train) must
be found on the next round. Play for fun or set a time limit for
each item and score a point only for items found in the given
time.
Licence Plate Spell
Have each child choose a different 5 letter word. When driving
each player must find the first letter of their word on a
licence plate. When the first letter has been found, they must
find the second letter of their word on a different licence
plate. This continues till someone completes their word. Then,
players choose new words and start again. The player who
completes the most words first by the end of the trip wins.