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I Spy

This is a classic fun game, and is especially great for smaller kids learning about the world around them. The rules are simple: The driver starts off with, “I spy with my little eye something that....” begins with a certain letter, is a certain color, is tall, short, near, far, etc. The object should be in view long enough for kids to guess it before it passes out of view. The great benefit is that if you’re on a scenic trip, this will get the kids to look out the windows, rather than stare at the back of the front seat head restraints. Once they get the hang of it, the rug rats can take over and play amongst themselves, with the older kids taking the lead.

20 Questions

Another classic, this one is great for building up those deductive reasoning skills. Again, the driver (or older passenger) thinks up something – an animal, vegetable, famous person, etc. – and everyone else has 20 chances to get the answer. Whoever gets it in the least amount of questions wins. If you have a larger gap between age groups, make sure the little ones can guess them too sometimes; maybe tell your older kids to sit it out a round or two.

License Plate Alphabet

If there’s a universal constant to road trips, it’s the license plates of other cars. There are many different variations of license-plate based games, from figuring out what personalized ones mean to counting out of state plates. One of our favorites, and one that’s great for preschool-age kids, is the alphabet game. It’s simple: scan license plates of your fellow motorists, and shout out the letters in order until you have the entire alphabet. It’s a great way to keep the kids entertained, and to help them brush up on those valuable skills.

License Plate Addition

A variation of the license plate alphabet game is the addition game. This is good for those first and second graders who are starting off on their math skills. It’s simple: look at a car’s license plate, add up the numbers, and tell mom or dad so they can double check the math. Not only is it a good way to pass up the time, but it’ll probably help you with your own arithmetic. Don’t think it needs help? Quick: What’s 5 + 1 + 4 + 9?

Word Association

Another favorite, this game is good for a few laughs and to pass time. One person says a word and another person yells out the first thing that comes to mind. Go around until the car goes quiet, or someone says "I didn't think of anything." This can get pretty hilarious; start off with “telephone” and after a few rounds around the car you’re suddenly shouting out things like “toilet paper.”