When it comes to road trips, the journey can be just as memorable as the destination, especially if you have some fun games to pass the time. If you’ve ever found yourself on a long drive, staring at endless highways, you know how a well-timed game can transform the experience. The New York Times (NYT) has compiled some great recommendations for road trip games that will keep everyone entertained, from young kids to adults. Here’s a list of NYT’s most engaging road trip games that are perfect for all ages.
Table of Contents
1. 20 Questions – A Timeless Classic
The NYT recommends this classic guessing game for road trips because it requires no equipment, just a bit of creativity and curiosity. One player thinks of something (anything from an object to a famous person), and the other players ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to try to guess what it is. The simplicity and versatility of this game make it perfect for all ages and even the most winding roads.
Real-Life Example:
My family has played “20 Questions” on countless road trips. One time, my sister picked “platypus” as her object, and it took us all 20 questions to figure it out! By the end, we were all laughing at how close we came without getting it right until the last question.
Tip:
Try mixing it up by narrowing down the category. Play rounds of “20 Questions” with specific topics like animals, famous people, or even countries for added challenge!
2. License Plate Game – Spotting Hidden Gems
The License Plate Game is another NYT-recommended road trip classic, and it’s great for kids who love spotting new things. Each player keeps an eye out for license plates from different states or provinces. The goal is to see who can spot the most different plates by the end of the drive. You can even take it a step further by awarding bonus points for hard-to-find states like Alaska or Hawaii.
Real-Life Example:
On a cross-country trip from New York to California, we ended up finding plates from 36 different states! It was exciting to spot rare ones like Wyoming and Montana along the way.
Tip:
Keep a small notebook or a phone app handy to record the plates you’ve spotted. Some people even print out a checklist to make tracking easier, especially for younger kids.
3. I Spy – A Game for Observant Eyes
“I Spy” is a game that even the youngest road-trippers can enjoy. One player picks an object they see and says, “I spy with my little eye something…[color or other hint],” and the other players guess what it is. The NYT suggests this game for road trips because it encourages everyone to notice the little details in the surroundings, making the journey feel shorter.
Real-Life Example:
During a road trip through Arizona, we played “I Spy” using landmarks in the beautiful desert landscape. One person would say, “I spy with my little eye something red,” and we would try to guess which rock formation they meant. It turned our drive into a mini sightseeing tour!
Tip:
For added fun, set a rule that you can only pick items that will remain visible for a few minutes, so everyone has a fair chance to guess before the object disappears from view.
4. The Alphabet Game – Letter by Letter Fun
The Alphabet Game is a fantastic choice for families with kids who are starting to learn their ABCs, but it’s also challenging enough for adults. The goal is to find each letter of the alphabet on road signs, billboards, or even truck labels in order from A to Z. According to NYT, this game is perfect for long, uninterrupted highways where signs and billboards provide an easy source of letters.
Real-Life Example:
When I was younger, we played the Alphabet Game on a road trip through Nevada, and I still remember how we struggled to find the elusive letter “Q” until we finally spotted a Quiznos sign!
Tip:
If you want to increase the difficulty, limit the game to only letters on license plates or add a rule that everyone has to find their own letters individually rather than as a team.
5. Would You Rather – Road Trip Edition
Would You Rather is a great conversation-starter that brings out some hilarious answers. Each player takes turns asking a question that starts with “Would you rather…” and presents two options. The NYT highlights this game as one of the best for creating funny discussions and learning about each other’s preferences.
Example Questions:
- Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
- Would you rather take a road trip in a car with no air conditioning or no radio?
This game can get pretty silly and offers a fun distraction, especially during those long stretches of open road.
Tip:
Try to think of questions related to road trips, travel, or your current location to keep it engaging and relevant.
6. Name That Tune – For the Music Lovers
If your car has a radio or a well-curated playlist, “Name That Tune” is a fun way to get everyone involved. One person plays a song, and the others have to guess the title and artist as quickly as possible. The NYT recommends this game for music-loving families who don’t mind a bit of friendly competition. It’s perfect for testing everyone’s musical memory and is an easy game to set up on the go.
Real-Life Example:
On a recent road trip, my friends and I took turns playing 90s hits, and the competition got fierce when everyone tried to guess the song within the first few notes.
Tip:
Make the game fair for all ages by choosing music from different genres or decades. You could also add a rule where only instrumental intros are allowed, making it more challenging.
7. Story Building – Collaborative Creativity on the Road
Story Building is a wonderful game to spark creativity and entertain younger passengers. One person starts with a simple sentence like, “Once upon a time, there was a dog who loved to travel,” and each person adds to the story, sentence by sentence. The NYT suggests this as an ideal game for long road trips, as the stories can become funny, adventurous, or even spooky depending on the players’ imaginations.
Real-Life Example:
During a family trip, we came up with a story about a flying car that could only fly when the driver wore a blue hat. By the time we reached our destination, we had created an entire world filled with magical objects and quirky characters.
Tip:
Encourage everyone to keep the story going for as long as possible. You could also record your storytelling session and play it back later for a good laugh.
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re on a cross-country journey or a weekend getaway, these NYT-recommended road trip games will help keep everyone engaged, entertained, and laughing. From the classic “I Spy” and “20 Questions” to collaborative games like Story Building, each of these activities adds a bit of joy to your travel experience.
So, the next time you hit the road, remember to pack these games along with your essentials—they’re perfect for creating memories and making the journey as enjoyable as the destination. Safe travels, and happy gaming!