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36 Fun Road Trip Games and Activities for Teens, Tweens and Kids

Summer road trips with teens, tweens & kids can be a lot of fun as long as you have some games & activities planned! Here are 36 great ideas to keep everyone entertained on the long drive.

No matter how old your kids are a road trip can be a fun and bonding experience for every family member! If you plan ahead and are prepared for some inevitable boredom along the way. Planning a road trip ahead of time is crucial! Teens, Tweens and kids can all enjoy these road trip activities and games below.

Without games and activities, a long road trip can be extremely boring. This is especially true for kids, who may not be able to read or watch movies for hours on end.

Making sure to bring along a variety of travel games and amazing road trip activities to keep the whole family occupied and happy will save you from any headaches on a long trip!

Whether your road trip is hours long or kinda short these games and activities will work for you. Each game can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour long. Using a point system or setting a number of rounds to be played will help lengthen the time.

To help make the most of your next family vacation, I have put together a list of fun road trip games and activities that will keep everyone entertained.

Planning a road trip just got easier!

Best Games for Younger Children

This classic game is perfect for little ones on a long family road trip. One person starts by saying “I spy with my little eye something that is (color, shape, etc.)” and then everyone takes turns trying to guess what it is.

The License Plate Game:

See how many different license plates from different states you can spot on your road trip. You can also make it a competition to see who can spot the most.

The ABC Game:

Start with A and take turns naming things in alphabetical order. This is a great way to help little ones learn their ABCs and see fun things while on the road.

Once Upon a Time:

One person starts by saying “Once upon a time there was a…” and then the next person has to continue the story. This is a great way to spark your child’s imagination and get them telling stories on the long drive. This will make your family road trip a lot more interesting!

Name that Tune:

Young kids have a great time playing this game! One person hums a tune and the others have to guess what song it is. If you children are much younger you could even hum nursery rhymes they might be familiar with. Plus, you now have music on your road trip!

I’m going on a picnic:

This game is great for kids of all ages. One person starts by saying “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing…” and then the next person has to name something that begins with the last letter of the previous item. For example, if someone says “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing an apple,” the next person could say “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing an egg.”

The Rhyming Game:

This game is perfect for kids who are just learning to read or are starting to learn about rhyming words. One person starts by saying a word and the next person has to say a word that rhymes with it.

The Animal Game:

This game is perfect for kids who love animals. One person starts by saying the name of an animal and the next person has to name an animal that begins with the last letter of the previous animal. For example, if someone says “lion,” the next person could say “narwhal.”

The Counting Game:

This game is great for kids who are just learning to count. One person starts by saying a number and the next person has to say the next number in sequence. This is a perfect way to get your kids learning on a road trip without them even knowing it!

Classic Telephone Game:

The first player starts by whispering a phrase or sentence into the next player’s ear. The next person then whispers what they heard to the next person and so on. The last person then says out loud what they heard, which is usually very different from the original phrase or sentence. This game always guarantees a great time!

Find that Place:

This road trip game is lots of fun! One person starts by saying “I’m looking for a place that is…” and then the next person has to name a place that meets the criteria. For example, if someone says “I’m looking for a place that is cold,” the next person could say “Antarctica.”

Fast Food Find:

Each person names a fast food restaurant chain before you begin. Once you say start you will look or the fast food place you chose and each person gets 1 point for every time they see it on the drive. Winner is the one that has the most points at the end of road trip. This is great for a long car trip.

Best Car Games for Older Children/Teens Road Trip Tips

20 Questions:

One person thinks of an object, person, place, or thing and the others take turns asking up to 20 questions to try and figure out what it is.

Two Truths and a Lie:

Each person takes a turn telling three stories about themselves, two of which are true and one of which is a lie. The others then have to guess which story is the lie.

See how many different license plates from different states you can spot on your road trip.

The Scavenger Hunt Game:

One person makes a list of things to look for along the way and everyone tries to spot them. The first person to find all the items on the list wins. Here are some pre made scavenger hunts for the road too!

The Countdown Game:

Choose a category (ie. animals, countries, brands, etc.) and then take turns naming something from that category in alphabetical order. For example, if the category is animals, the first person could say “ant,” the next person could say “bird,” and so on. The first person to get to the end of the alphabet wins.

The Orderly Alphabet Game:

Take turns naming something from a chosen category in alphabetical order. For example, if the category is animals, the first person could say “ant,” the next person could say “bird,” and so on. The first person to get to the end of the alphabet wins.

The Would You Rather Game:

This is a fun way to get everyone to bond by getting to know each other more on your road trip. choose two random things and then ask people which one they would rather do. For example, would you rather eat a bug or drink a glass of milk?

The Never Have I Ever Game:

Everyone starts with some set amount of money. Oftentimes using pennies is enough to make the game fun. Next, take turns making statements about things you have never done. For example, “never have I ever been to Europe.” If someone has done the thing you say, they have to give you one penny. once you lose your money you are out. Winner takes all the money

The Car Bingo Game:

Each person has a bingo card with different objects, people, or things that can be seen on a road trip. For example, a license plate from Texas, a truck, a cow, etc. The first person to get bingo wins.

The Word Association Game:

One person says a word and the next person has to say a word in response that is associated with the first word. For example, if the first word is “summer,” the next person could say “vacation.” Keep going until someone can not think of a word. Set a time limit for answering like 10 seconds.

Punch Bug (or Slap Bug):

Every time you see a VW Beetle, you punch the person next to you. Loser is the person who gets punched the most. Before playing this you need to be certain your teens are old enough to punch lightly as to not start a fight or any whining and complaining.

I Went to the Store:

One person starts by saying “I went to the store and bought a (item).” The next person then has to say “I went to the store and bought a (item)” and so on, adding on to the list of items. The first person to mess up or take too long loses.

Fun Things & Activities Your Kids Will Enjoy on a Road Trip

Telling jokes

Joke books are a great way to keep everyone entertained on a road trip. They are filled with hilarious jokes that are sure to get a laugh from the entire family, and they can be easily carried around so you can pull them out whenever you need a laugh.

Plus, they’re perfect for when you’re stuck in traffic and need a distraction.

Listening to audio books, podcasts or music

There are a ton of great audio books for kids available, and it can be tough to know which ones to choose. This is great for the long car trip where you are spending hours in the car waiting to get to point b.

Here are some of my favorite audio books for kids when on a road trip:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

The BFG by Roald Dahl

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Podcasts for Teens on Road Trip

Podcasts are also great for those long car rides.

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

Wow in the World

NPR: Tiny Desk Concerts

The Mortified Podcast

The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel

Thats the way I heard it with Mike Rowe

Who Would Win

Stuff You Missed in History Class

Stuff You Should Know

Whats Good Games

Watching movies or shows on the car trip

When it comes to good movies for kids, there are a ton of great options to choose from. Especially if you have a backseat entertainment system.

Here are some of my favorites:

The Lion King

The Incredibles

Kung Fu Panda

The Lego Movie

The Secret Life of Pets

Finding Nemo

How to Train Your Dragon

Despicable Me

Keep Your Teens Busy With These Fun Activities

Some of the best fun activities for teens include watching movies. They might enjoy watching some good entertainment while on the open road.

Some of our favorites are:

80’s Movies

Avatar: The Last Airbender

The Legend of Korra

Steven Universe

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Star Wars Rebels

Phineas and Ferb

Gravity Falls

Adventure Time

Regular Show

Total Drama Island

Drawing or Coloring

One way to keep kids entertained is to have them do some drawing and coloring. This can help them learn how to focus and stay on task, and it also helps with their creativity and imagination. For younger children this will help develop their fine motor skills by using colored pencils. Also, their are some GREAT adult coloring books that are available!

Playing Card Games or Handheld Games

There are a ton of great card games for kids that can keep them entertained for hours on end.

Crazy Eights

Card Games Road Trip Tip to Keeping Teens and Tweens Entertained

They can be played with just a few cards, so they’re perfect for when you’re stuck in traffic and need a distraction. Plus, they’re perfect for when you’re stuck in a hotel room and want something to do.

Some of our favorite card games for teens are:

– Apples to Apples

– Phase 10

– Set

– 6 Nimmt!

– Blokus

– Boss Monster

– Carcassonne

– Dominion

– Munchkin

Handheld Games for Road Tripping

Some of our favorite handheld games for teens and Tweens are:

– Pokemon Go

– Super Mario Run

– Monument Valley

– Lara Croft GO

– Hitman GO

– The Room

– LIMBO

– Minecraft: Pocket Edition

– Terraria

Teens and Tweens keeping a journal of their road trip

Keeping a journal of all the memories and experiences from your trip can be a great way to keep kids entertained. It’s also a great way to document all the interesting stops you saw along the way. This can be a great thing to look back on later to remember your travel experience.

A journal entry could look like this,

“My road trip is going great! I’ve been playing a ton of card games with my brothers and sisters, and we’ve been listening to a lot of music and audiobooks. We’ve also seen some amazing sights along the way. Yesterday, we saw this huge waterfall, and today we’re in the middle of this huge desert.”

Teens and Tweens taking photos or making videos of their road trip

Since a road trip is all about seeing new sights and experiencing new things, older kids can capture all of that in a video. They could film themselves driving down the highway, or they could film themselves exploring a new city.

They could also film themselves playing games or just hanging out with friends and family. No matter what they choose to film, it’ll be a great way to document their trip.

Teens and Tweens listening to music on the road trip

Listening to their own music is a great way to keep kids entertained on a road trip. It’s also a great way to pass the time, and it can help kids relax and fall asleep.

So, whether you are on a road trip to the beach or on a long journey across the country, make sure to pack some of these fun games and activities. This is sure to make for a successful road trip! With a little advance planning these road trip essentials and road trip tips will keep your family entertained for hours on end and create memories that will last a lifetime.

And who knows? You may even find yourself enjoying one of these games as much as your kids do!

P.S Don’t forget road trip snacks for your family travel!

If you need more activities for your Teens, Tweens and kids this summer check out my other blog post’s for more fun ideas here!

Please leave me a comment and tell me about any family road trips you have planned?

Road Trip Activities for Adults: Fun Ideas for a Long Car Ride

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

Ready to have some fun in the car on your road trip? 

Whether this is your first time on the road or you’re a seasoned road trip adventurer, those long stretches on the highway can get a little monotonous. 

So if you are looking for a list of fun things to do in the car on a road trip for adults, you’ve come to the right place.

This list will give you plenty of ideas on how to enjoy your time in the car and make some travel memories.

We’ve got fun games for couples, introspective activities for the solo road warrior, and adventurous ways to make surprising uses of the technology you already have. 

Who says that doing fun things in the car on a road trip is only for kids? 

Listen to Music

If you’re headed out on a long adventure, make an exciting road trip playlist for you and your travel companions. 

Here are a few tips for making an absolute banger of a playlist that will become a memory all on its own.

• Explore new genres and artists you normally wouldn’t listen to.
• Put on some of the tunes that were big in your high school days. Finding out which songs still hold up and which should have been retired is a daring journey in itself.
• Share DJ duty. Exploring music your travel companions love will give you a chance to get to know more about them. Who knows, you might find out that French pop songs from the 50s are your thing!

Play Carpool Karaoke

Want to live your very own James Cordon’s Carpool Karaoke like you’re on The Late Late Show? Carpool Karaoke lets everyone take center stage. 

Carpool Karaoke gets better the more people you have on the ride. If you got a full van full of friends, then you were traveling with the band.

You can even throw in one of these Bluetooth microphones to take your carpool karaoke experience to the next level. 

Listen to a Podcast

Podcasts are contemporary radio. You’ve got episodic fiction podcasts that keep you on the edge of your seat. And also informative shows that give you insight into the world you’re driving through. There’s a podcast out there for you, no matter what your tastes are. 

Here are a few exciting podcasts that you can take on the road with you.

• The Black Tapes — This serialized fiction podcast takes a thriller spin on the NPR formula. You’ll follow a journalist as she explores not only her past but a globe-spanning mystery that gets more intense with each episode.
• Working People — This is a down-to-earth show with an eye towards important social issues. Journalist Maximilian Alvarez interviews everyday people, from construction workers to college professors, about their jobs and what’s important to them in their lives.
• This Paranormal Life — Join two “professional” paranormal investigators as they explore everything from UFO sightings to mysterious disappearances in this irreverent comedy podcast.

For even more podcast recommendations for a boredom-free road trip check out: Best Podcasts to Listen to on a Road Trip

Get Artistic

Even if you’re no Rembrandt, a road trip is a surprisingly good place to start exploring your artistic side.

Here’s a game with a spooky title that everyone on your road trip can enjoy: Exquisite Corpse. Each player takes a turn either writing a section of a story or drawing a section of a picture before passing it off to the next player, who then adds their contribution. 

When it’s all said and done, you’ve got a unique piece of artwork made by everyone on the ride.

The Museum of Modern Art has a great primer on the history of the Exquisite corpse . 

You can also pull over on the shoulder of the road and try your hand painting a beautiful sunset or pull out your phone and get in touch with your photographic side.

No matter which way you go, your next road trip is a great way to explore your hidden love of the arts.

If none of these podcasts strike your fancy, open up your favorite podcast app and take this as an opportunity to start exploring new shows you wouldn’t normally listen to. 

Listen to an Audiobook

The open road is one of the best places to throw on an audiobook. 

A little secret about audiobooks and road trips is that they give you something interesting to listen to as well as give everybody in the car a little break from socializing.

Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential is a great book for road trips. This book shares a chef’s behind-the-scenes view of restaurants. You’ll get to explore the unseen parts of the restaurant world while you explore the countryside. 

For more audiobooks that will keep you entertained throughout your long drive check out our list of the best audiobooks for road trips .

Play a Trivia Game

Trivia games never get old when you’re on the road.

There are countless trivia games out there. When picking a trivia game, a solid piece of advice is to find a game or subject where no one is the clear expert. 

These games are a fun way to test your knowledge and pick up new and exciting facts. They’re also a great way to start conversations.

There are some exciting trivia apps available on our smartphones that you can check out our list of the best road trip game apps .

Or if you want to test your road trip trivia knowledge, check out our 20 Intriguing Road Trip Trivia Questions .

Play the Question Game to Spark Conversations

If you’re looking to fill the silence, you can always try some fun and deep road trip questions.

Games like Table Topics present you with interesting questions designed to fire up a memorable conversation. Table Topics has a wide variety of additions, including one specifically for couples.

We also created an amazing list of road trip questions that both couples and friends can use.

Check it out here: Road Trip Questions: 149 Fun and Deep Conversation Starters

Play a Classic Road Trip Game

Now let’s talk about some classic road trip games.

These are timeless hits for a reason. When your phone is running low on batteries and you’re getting a little tired of The Epic Road Trip Playlist, you can always rely on these old throwbacks.

Games like 21 Questions and the License Plate Game are iconic staples of entertainment while on the road. They’re also a great way to relive the nostalgia of going on road trips as a kid.

Check out our list of 15 Ridiculously Fun Road Trip Games for more games to keep you entertained.

Find Fun Places to Stop on Your Road Trip

Part of the excitement of being on a road trip is giving yourself the freedom to stop whenever you want. While you’re out there on the road, your co-pilot can be looking for exciting places to stop.

Google Maps is a good place to start, but if you really want to see what’s out there, make sure to download the Roadtrippers app before you leave home. 

Roadtrippers will help you find everything from great mom-and-pop diners to historic destinations that you can swing by on your road trip.

The whole point of a road trip is to get out there and explore and make memories. Years down the road, that photograph of the two of you standing in front of The World’s Largest Candle in Indiana is going to be worth its weight in gold.

Turn Off the Radio

Turning off the radio may be the opposite of what you think of when you are looking for activities to keep you entertained on a road trip. 

Our lives have never been busier. And we don’t have many opportunities just to be. 

So if you find those long stretches starting to get a little monotonous, turn off the radio and sit with your thoughts. 

There’s something about the open road with the scenery rolling by that allows us to be honest with ourselves. Turning off the radio gives you the mental space to puzzle through those lingering thoughts.

While we love the quirky tourist traps and the adventures along the way, a road trip is also an opportunity to explore yourself and/or get to know your traveling companion.

Find More Road Trip Fun Here: 15 Ridiculously Fun Road Trip Games for Two People Road Trip Questions For Couples: 149 Fun and Deep Conversation Starters

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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to the Midwest!

12 Fun Michigan Road Trips For your Bucket List

October 10, 2022 by //  by  Midwest Explored 1 Comment

Are you thinking about taking a road trip through Michigan?

Then take a look at this list full of fun and unique Michigan road trips because there are so many fun things to do in Michigan!

I am from the Midwest, and Michigan is one of my favorite Midwestern states to visit.

It’s a state that has so much to offer, from varying landscapes to cute small towns and even amazing food.

If you have been thinking about exploring Michigan, then you’ll love all the different Michigan road trip options on this list!

There is truly something for every type of traveler on here, and I think you’ll quickly find yourself packing for your next road trip in Michigan.

So, let us take a look at 12 fun Michigan road trips for your bucket list!

12 Fun Michigan Road Trips For Your Bucket List

Southwest michigan road trips.

• Battle Creek

Start your Southwest Michigan road trip adventure in the town of Battle Creek.

Battle Creek is known as Cereal City because it is the birthplace of Kellogg’s.

The town also has a great Natural History Museum and Planetarium, a Kingman Museum, and the Leila Museum.

Next head to the town of Kalamazoo.

It is a University town and there are so many things to do in Kalamazoo!

You’ll definitely want to head to the Air Zoo. The Air Zoo is home to vintage planes that are all named after animals, many of which were used in WWII.

The Air Zoo also has fun aviation-themed rides and flying simulators.

After exploring Kalamazoo, finish your road trip to Southwest Michigan in Paw Paw.

Paw Paw is the Easternmost town in Michigan’s wine country.

While there, do a winery tour at one of the many local wineries and reflect on your fun Midwestern road trip.

Visiting The Upper Peninsula Is One Of The Epic Michigan Road Trips

• Mackinac Bridge
• Kitch-iti-kipi
• Porcupine Wilderness State Park
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

The Upper Peninsula is one of my favorite places in Michigan to explore and this is one of the best Michigan road trips to explore the area.

Start your road trip by crossing the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula.

Once you’ve crossed the Mackinac Bridge, you’ll be in the Upper Peninsula, so head on to Kitch-iti-kipi.

Kitch-iti-kipi is an amazing freshwater spring in Michigan. It has clear blue waters that you can see directly into.

From there, continue to Porcupine Wilderness State Park. It’s a great place to get out and it has some of the best hiking in Michigan!

Continue on to attractions in Marquette , the biggest city in the Upper Peninsula.

Grab something to eat, stroll through the shops, and enjoy views of Lake Superior.

End your Michigan road trip at Pictured Lakes Nation Lakeshore, one of the best National Parks in Michigan .

If you decide to travel to the UP there are so many things to do in Sault Ste Marie!

Lighthouses Of Michigan Road Trips

• Big Red Lighthouse
• Point Betsie Lighthouse
• Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
• Sturgeon Point Lighthouse

You can find some of the coolest lighthouses in the Midwest in Michigan.

Begin your road trip at the Big Red Lighthouse, one of Michigan’s most iconic lighthouses.

Big Red is a visitor favorite and is so cool to admire.

Then head to Point Betsie Lighthouse, which is known as a marker of the Manitou Passage.

Built in 1858, the 36-foot lighthouse is open to visitors daily.

From the top of the lighthouse, on clear days, you can see Sleeping Bear Dunes, which are 14 miles away.

Continue on to the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse. Built in 1890, it’s another one on this road trip in Michigan that is open daily for visitors.

Finish your Lighthouses of Michigan road trip at the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse.

It is a charming lighthouse that was originally built in 1869 and is a great way to end your trip.

There are so many comfy cabins in Michigan if you plan to extend your trip!

Waterfalls Of Michigan Road Trip

• Potawatomi Falls
• Manabezho Falls
• Miners Falls
• Tahquamenon Falls

There are so many beautiful waterfalls in Michigan and this road trip hits a lot of the best ones.

Begin your scenic drive in Michigan at the Potawatomi Falls. It is right near the Wisconsin border and part of the Black River Scenic Byway.

Continue on to Manabezho Falls, which can be found in Porcupine Wilderness State Park. It is one of the coolest state parks in Michigan .

From there, head to Miners Falls.

Miners Falls can be found at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

These falls may be difficult to get to as there are 77 steps that lead to the viewing platform. But if that sounds doable, they are worth the effort.

Finish your Michigan waterfalls road trip at the Tahquamenon Falls, which is one of the largest waterfalls East of the Mississippi.

The falls are absolutely stunning and make a great last waterfall on your road trip.

Michigan Road Trips For Natural Wonders

• Turnip Rock
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

This is one of the more unique Michigan road trips because its all about the diverse landscapes that you can find in the state.

Start by admiring the Turnip Rock in the small lakeside town of Port Austin.

You can kayak out to the unique rock formation to get a closer look, or admire it from the shore.

From there, head to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

The cliffs along the lakeshore are beautiful and you’ll find a ton of unique rock formations as well as great hiking trails.

Continue on to Kitch-iti-kipi, a large natural freshwater spring in the middle of the Upper Peninsula.

You can take a floating dock to the middle of the spring to get a better look at its depths.

Finish your Natural Wonders of Michigan road trip at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a beautiful lakeshore that is a great way to end your adventure.

Covered Bridges Of Michigan Road Trips

• Fallasburg Covered Bridge
• Ada Covered Bridge
• Holz-Brucke Bridge

The Michigan Covered Bridges Trail is one of the best Midwest road trips .

Begin your road trip at the Fallasburg Covered Bridge. At 100 feet long, it has been a popular local site since 1871.

From there, head to the Ada Covered Bridge.

The Ada Covered Bridge carries foot traffic over the Thornapple River to Bronson Street.

The first bridge was built in 1867 but unfortunately burned down in the 1970s. Since then, it has been lovingly rebuilt.

End your Covered Bridges of Michigan road trip at the Holz-Brucke Bridge.

The bridge is outside of the iconic town of Frankenmuth and is actually fairly new. It was built in 1980 but quickly became a tourist staple.

Michigan Road Trips For Foodies

• Rose’s Fine Food
• Frita Batidos
• Black Star Farms

You’ll begin your Michigan Foodies Road Trips at Rose’s Fine Food, one of the coolest restaurants in Detroit.

While there, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast fresh house-made bread, garlicky greens, and amazing fresh pastries.

Next head to restaurants in Ann Arbor where you can grab lunch at Frita Batidos. It is a hamburger restaurant that has a Cuban twist.

On the entire menu, you’ll find American diner staples with Cuban influences. Like chorizo burgers, black beans, and coconut milk milkshakes.

Continue on your road trip in Michigan to HopCat, a Grand Rapids restaurant.

HopCat is known for its craft beers and gourmet bar bites.

Finish the Michigan road trip at Black Star Farms in Sutton’s Bay. It is a great place to sample the local wine while you explore the extensive grounds.

If you are interested in food then this is one of the best Michigan road trips for you.

Ghost Towns Of Michigan Scenic Drives

• Lake Linden

Many of the ghost towns of Michigan are old mining towns that were left abandoned after the mining industry in the area dried up.

The first stop on your Michigan road trip is Laurium.

Laurium was originally named after an ancient Greek mining town. It is not completely abandoned, but with under 2,000 occupants, it is practically empty.

Next on your Michigan scenic drive is Lake Linden.

Lake Linden was the site of a copper ore processing plant outside of the town of Calumet.

It’s now on the National Register of Historic Places.

End your road trip in Hubbell, which was once a thriving mining town. Now, there are less than 900 occupants in the long-abandoned town.

Small Towns Of Michigan Road Trip s

• Frankenmuth

There are so many small towns in Michigan , and this road trip takes you to some of the best ones.

Begin your Small Towns of Michigan road trip in Frankenmuth.

Frankenmuth is known as ‘Little Bavaria’ and is full of charm. You’ll find great food, unique shops, and so much more as you stroll down the streets.

This is one of the best places to experience Christmas in Michigan.

Next, head to Chelsea. If you have time, make sure you check out a play at the local theater and peruse the cute shops in the downtown district.

From there travel to Saugatuck where you can check out one of the many local art galleries, sample some fresh fudge, and admire the boats in the harbor.

End your Michigan road trips in Frankfort a cute beach town. You’ll find rows of Victorian homes, beautiful lake views, and so much more.

Fall Foliage In Michigan Scenic Drives

• Hiawatha National Forest
• Fayette Historic State Park
• Palms Brook State Park

One of the best Michigan road trips is the Fall Foliage Road Trip.

For some of the best views of fall foliage, start your scenic Michigan drive in the Hiawatha National Forest.

The National Forest is over 890,000 acres and is the best place to view fall foliage during the peak season.

Next up is the Fayette Historic State Park where you can enjoy the fall leaves while exploring one of Michigan’s oldest smelting towns.

Its a really unique way to admire the fall foliage in Michigan.

You’ll finish your road trip at the Palms Brook State Park.

There you’ll find tons of hiking trails, and the famous Kitch-iti-kipi spring. Fall in Michigan is so beautiful!

Huron Shores Heritage Route

• Tawas Point State Park
• Dinosaur Gardens
• Presque Isle

The Huron Shores Heritage Trail makes for a great Michigan scenic drive and road trip.

In the charming small town of Standish, you’ll start your drive on the trail.

From there, head to Tawas Point State Park.

While you’re there, you can explore the hiking trails, swimming, and even a lighthouse.

Continue your scenic Michigan drive with a stop at the Dinosaur Gardens.

The Dinosaur Gardens is a fun roadside attraction with over 25 dinosaur statues.

It is a great place to stop and take a selfie and a fun place to make some unique memories.

Finish your exploration of the Huron Shores Heritage Route at Presque Isle.

There you can tour two lighthouses, admire the boats in the harbor, and find great places to eat and shop.

New Buffalo To St. Joseph On The Red Arrow Highway

• New Buffalo

There are so many things to do in New Buffalo . It is also the starting point of Michigan’s Red Arrow highway.

From there, head to check out the attractions in St. Joseph , a super cute small town in Michigan.

St. Joseph is known as one of the best beach towns in Michigan , so it’s worth a stop.

Continue on to Albion, where you can learn about the local history by touring a house museum.

In Jackson, you’ll finish your scenic drive in Michigan on the Red Arrow Highway.

Jackson has a great downtown scene, historic buildings, and great restaurants and shops. It’s the perfect stopping point for your road trip in Michigan.

Packing List For Your Michigan Road Trips

If you will be traveling, either by plane or by car to Michigan, here are some  tips on how to pack lightly.

A  concealed travel pouch  may be one of the most important items you bring along when during your scenic drives in Michigan. 

It is  always   important  to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.

This  unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is  lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind. You can place it under your hiking clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.

f you have a pouch already that does not come with the RFID protection, as I do, these  RFID  sleeves  are the perfect solution.

This configuration comes with enough credit card sleeves that the entire family would be protected. They are slim too, so they will easily fit into your pouch or wallet. 

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an  external charging battery .

This  Anker high-speed phone charging battery  is  the exact one  I carry with me on all of my trips.

My daughter gifted me with this  FugeTek selfie stick and tripod   setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use.

It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking selfies with all those nature shots while on your road trips in Michigan.

Hydration is so important when on vacation. You want to remain hydrated throughout your trip to support your immune system which in turn will be stronger to fight off any germs you will encounter during your travels. 

You will want to bring your own  refillable water bottle  with you. 

I never leave home on a trip without my  Bobble filtration bottle . The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for hiking and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.

When filled with water, it is not too heavy to carry. And the charcoal filter ensures fresh clean water whenever you fill the Bobble.

You can find  filter replacement s here. 

Perhaps you are traveling a long distance and packing space is a premium in your suitcase, or in your car. Then this  collapsible silicone foldable water bottle  would work well for you.

Would not take up much space at all. 

You will want a  backpack or daypack  with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. when on your Michigan road trips. No matter the time of day or evening.

This   foldable water-resistant backpack   would be great.

It is very affordable and is available in many color options for you to choose from. The fact that it folds down into a zippered pouch will make it easy to pack!

Michigan road trips are so varied and unique, it is difficult to select just one. If you decide to travel to the UP there are so many things to do in Sault Ste Marie!

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of my favorite road trips through this great Midwestern state.

Have you gone on any of these road trips, or any that are similar?

If not, is there one that is really calling to you?

I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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30 Screen-Free Road Trip Ideas for Kids

Summertime means vacations, road trips, and the inevitable chorus of “are we there yet?” Indeed, spending long car rides with kids can be hard and children, especially younger ones, often tend to get bored quickly. This can lead to children spending a lot of time in front of a screen, which is not ideal for anyone on a road trip. Children will not remember the drive day adventures if they are playing tablet games or watching a movie. Road trips with kids can be wonderful opportunities for children to explore new activities, see and learn new things, and play time-tested road trip games. Today, Sara Lesire , St. Louis based civil engineer, outdoor-loving, mom of two, makes road-tripping with children a breeze with these 30 screen-free road trip ideas for kids!

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Screen-free road trip ideas for kids

Our family has been taking long road trips since our kids were babies. We rarely have to resort to screen time to keep them entertained and happy during our drives. Our kids don’t own tablets so I have had to get creative over the years on new ideas for those annual 14+ hour each way drives.  If you are looking for ideas on how to get your kids’ eyes off the screens without the whining, here are some great screen-free road trip ideas for all ages. 

Invest in a travel tray

First, while this is not exactly an activity, it does help make traveling with kids easier! We have been using travel trays in the car for several years now. They provide a flat surface for activities while the raised edge helps keep items from rolling off. They can use the surface for coloring, drawing, or any other hands-on activities. There is even a cup holder and pockets for storage. While they have a flat surface, the edges of the trays are soft and padded for safety in the event of a crash. They are also perfect for meals and snacks on the go.

Road trip surprise boxes

1. The surprise box! Each and every road trip, my kids always look forward to seeing what is in their “surprise box.” The boxes are just lunchboxes I found at a garage sale. Each long trip I fill them with inexpensive trinkets and toys from garage sales, Dollar Tree, or things I find on clearance. This is always a hit, because the contents are new to my kids, making each item or activity that much more exciting. I also add in some snacks and special sweet treats.

If you want to extend the suspense or use it as a reward for good behavior, you could try making multiple small surprise bags to be opened at certain times or at each road trip stop. Ideas of things to include are Legos, Hotwheels cars, fidget toys, small dolls, small stuffed animals, stickers, crayons, notebooks, travel games, fruit snacks, applesauce pouches, or coloring books. Dollar Tree is an amazing resource for budget-friendly goodies. 

Keep little hands busy

There are so many great interactive and no mess activities available to pack along. Do a little browsing in your house and online to prepare some of the following activities. 

2. Fine motor control games : Use an empty can with a lid such as oatmeal or a whipped topping container. Cut in some holes in the lid just large enough for kids to push pom poms through.

3. Pipe cleaners: These are so simple but so much fun for kids. See what shapes they can make with them or what sort of creation they can make by bending them in different ways. 

4. Fidget toys: Any kid (or adult) that loves popping packing bubbles will enjoy popper toys . 

6. Window art: For kids that have a window seat, inexpensive window clings from the dollar store offer a creative way to stay entertained while making an artistic impression. 

7. Magnetic toys: Our kids enjoy the challenge of making different shapes using a magnetic tangram set or making funny faces with this fun kit . You can also grab a cheap dollar store cookie sheet and bring along alphabet magnets or magnetic tiles that you probably already have around the house. 

10. Toy tubes: These toy tubes and pipes were huge hits for my kids when they were toddler and preschool ages. The pieces are larger too, which helps avoid them getting lost in the car. 

11. Mess-free coloring: Crayola’s Color Wonder markers have been in use in our house for years. They only color on the special paper for no messes!

12. No mess drawing: This simple LCD drawing tablet has been a favorite of our kids.  Easy to draw and it erases with just the press of a button. 

13. Lego box: Use double-sided sticky tabs to stick a lego baseplate into the bottom of a dollar store tray or plastic box. Add in a variety of lego bricks for a traveling box of creative fun. If you are worried about losing parts of a set, Dollar Tree sells lego sets and baseplates for an inexpensive version. 

14. Make a sensory I-spy game: Fill a plastic bottle or Ziploc bag with rice. Add in several small toys, tape closed the container, and let kids shake the container to search for the treasures. 

15. Etch-a-Sketch drawing:  This is a hit with most kids, especially preschool age and up. Twisting those knobs to create a drawing is a challenge and children love seeing what they can create (even if the results are often staircases).

Let them follow along

16. Map fun! Print out a map of your travel plans or pick up a state paper map and let them follow along on the route. Mark off your stops with a star to give them an idea of how far there is to go. Both my kids absolutely love looking at maps. Add in a toy car for some pretend driving fun. 

Make a road trip binder

17. Create a road trip binder full of printables! There are so many amazing and free road trip game printables out there created by graphic snazzy parents. I like to put a group of them together in a binder for each child. The pockets of the binder are great for adding in crayons or markers. Pro Tip: If you want to avoid the expected lost markers, try taping string around the crayons and markers and then taping it to the binder.

Some of the blank pages I leave tucked in the binder pockets to be used for any sort of coloring or drawing. But, others I put in clear, protective sleeves to be used multiple times with a dry erase marker. If you are reading this at midnight the night before a long road trip and need something quick, a clipboard instead of a binder also works great too to keep the pages together.

Below is a list of free printables for kids of all ages. 

Preschool/Elementary Ages

• Tot Schooling has this super cute printable pack with dot pages, I-spy games, travel bingo, and more. 
• This travel-themed drawing prompts from Picklebums are so fun. 
• Playdough to Plato has another road trip pack with multiple games and activities. 
• Paper Trail has a selection of different I-Spy games with different themes. My daughter loves these hidden picture games.  
• Crayola has a huge selection of coloring pages and activities to print while Wood Jr. has tons of printables included themed mazes .  

Older Elementary/Tweens

• Carla Schauer Studio’s Travel Scavenger Hunt for Tweens is perfect for the older kids to keep their eyes away from the screens and out the windows. 
• Krazy Dad has printable mazes for all ages. Choose the right difficulty level to keep kids challenged. 
• 3 Boys and a Dog has these unique restaurant sign I-Spy games . 
• A Suburban Mom has the best license plate game I’ve seen. It has actual pictures of what each state’s plate actually looks like. 
• I love Sunny Day Family’s printable Vacation Journal . Kids can keep a record of the places they have been. If you want a ready-made version, this kid’s travel journal looks adorable. 

Let them capture the moment

18. Take pictures! My kids have loved being able to take photos of both the journey and the destination. And now that almost everyone has a smartphone, you can often find cheap point-and-shoot cameras at garage sales or local swap pages. My kids have been loving these child cameras that are just the right size for little hands. They often will spend part of the ride reviewing their past shots on the camera. 

Play car games

There are so many great games that the whole family can enjoy together. Most of these ideas can be adapted for a variety of ages. Even better, most of them require no prep. 

19. Counting game : Pick an item to keep track of and then count them together. For example, count the number of red cars or the number of barns, train crossings, or speed limit signs. 

20. Car hide and seek: Take some small objects or print out some pictures of animals, cars, etc. and hide them around the car but in viewing sight. Tell kids to look around and find them.

21. Ask questions: Have everyone take turn asking a question such as everyone’s favorite ice cream, or a place they want to visit someday. If you need some ideas, check out these cute printable conversation starters . You can also buy this ready-made Table Talk list of questions for kids. 

22. Travel scattergories: Take turns picking a topic such as animals, fruits, ice cream flavors, etc. Try to name as many as you can in each category that starts with a certain letter. 

23. Would you rather: Older kids many enjoy Landeelu’s printable Would You Rather game plus a list of road trip games for tweens and teens. 

24. That’s different: Take turns pointing out something you see out the window that is out of the ordinary. It could be a crazy sign, a fun-colored car, or a unique landmark. 

25. When I go: The first person starts off with “When I go to (destination name) I am bringing a (an object, the sillier the better.) Then the next person repeats the phrase and adds on another item. For example: When I go to Florida, I am bringing a flamingo, a picnic basket, an umbrella, and a guitar. See how long you can keep it going. 

26. Guess the animal: One person thinks of an animal and everyone else takes turns asking questions to try and figure out which animal it is. This is similar to 20 questions, but we never set a question limit. Model asking broad questions first, such as does it walk on four legs or does it have fur, before moving onto the more direct questions, like is it a fish or is it a hippo. 

27. Mad Libs: Mad Libs are sure to bring a laugh to everyone in the car. You can find versions online to print or buy a whole book for endless smiles. 

28. Travel games: Magnetic and travel-sized versions of classic games like Bingo and Fishing can be fun for multiple kids. I’ve already added these super adorable chicken shuffle and woodland animal strategy games to my kid’s wish lists. 

29. Read or listen to books! Hit up your local library before your trip for some new reads for the car. I like to search garage sales, thrift stores, and local book shops for some new-to-them books to help the miles fly by. Another great option is Audiobooks! This way the whole family can enjoy listening to the books together.

Make a game out of it by having an informal book review when the books are finished. Ask the kids what their favorite book of the day was and why. Extend the conversation to ask what they would do if they were the main character in the story or which character they liked the most and why. 

Plan kid-friendly stops

30. Make the stops fun! One final easy way to keep kids from becoming restless on long trips is to break up the journey with some fun stops. I like to use the GoWhee or Roadtrippers apps to look up fun destinations along the route. Or you can just search for “best playgrounds near city/town” to find a good spot for a break.

If you travel often, I highly recommend the Next Exit travel book . It lists all the gas stations and restaurants at each exit along the entire U.S. interstate system. It also lists amenities and locations of all rest areas so you can see which rest areas have playgrounds. 

If you’re traveling in/around either the St. Louis, MO area or the Bentonville, Arkansas area, be sure to check out our Get Out Guides for all kinds of fun OUTDOOR things to do in these cities! 

What are your favorite ways to keep kids busy and happy while traveling?

About the author.

Sara has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years and together they have two children. Sara spent many childhood hours outside on her grandparents’ farm and strives for her kids to have similar carefree kid adventures. Based in the St. Louis area, she loves to share on her blog and social media all the scenic and fun places to explore around the St. Louis area and beyond. Hiking is the most popular activity for her whole family followed by hitting up the best local playgrounds. Photography is also a passion of Sara’s and she continues to be amazed at the natural beauty and wonder of God’s creation. When she is not hitting the trail, Sara works as a civil engineer.

You can find more from Sara online in the following locations: Instagram: @midwestnomadfamily Facebook: Midwest Nomad Family RWMC posts: Sara Lesire

More like this

You are absolutely right that long car rides with kids will be absolutely tough and I know it firsthand because we really often have such trips. To tell the truth, we always try to distract our children and dilute this time on the road with some games, but, unfortunately, we are already out of ideas. I’m so glad that I came across your article because it is so helpful in our situation and it can make our road trip easier many times. The surprise box is an absolutely brilliant and original idea which can interest any child. It could even arouse my interest. Also, it is so cool that you can use it for different purposes. When my children be naughty on this trip, I will certainly present this box to them as a reward for their good behavior. I really like the idea of fine motor control games because in this case you can combine usefulness with pleasure, developing your brain, that is important.

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Discover the best that Southern USA has to offer! Hidden gems, vibrant cities and more!

15 Fun Tennessee Road Trips For Your Bucket List

February 19, 2021 //  by  Southern Trippers

Are you looking for fun Tennessee road trip ideas to add to your bucket list? Then you’ll love this list of fun and unique road trip ideas.

Tennessee is a beautiful state in the Southern United States most known for country music, beautiful mountain views, and Tennessee Hot Chicken. But there are so many other things that also make the state an awesome place to visit. Whether you’ve got a long weekend or a whole week to visit, you wont regret taking a road trip to see some of the best Tennessee has to offer.

Whether you want to hit all the major cities and explore the country music scene, taste your way through the state, or just enjoy the views, there is a Tennessee road trip for you. We’ve found the 15 best road trips that will make sure you get the most out of your next trip to Tennessee.

Tennessee Waterfalls Road Trip

• Cummins Falls
• Burgess Falls
• Fall Creek Falls

Thanks to the landscape of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee has some beautiful waterfalls. Start your trip at Cummins Falls on the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River. It is a very popular waterfall to visit and swim in during the warmer months. Next, head to Burgess Falls. Burgess Falls is in the Burgess Falls State Park, where you can find a total of four different waterfalls.

Continue on to Falls Creek Falls. It is a beautiful waterfall that has been featured in films and is the most visited State Park in the Summer. Finish your waterfall road trip at the Twin Falls. It is not a naturally formed waterfall, but it is stunning any time of the year, but especially during the Fall.

Big City Lights Road Trip

Start your Big City Lights road trip in the Western tip of Tennessee in Memphis. There you’ll want to take a tour of Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland, walk down Beale Street, and explore the National Civil Rights Museum. From Memphis, continue heading East to Nashville.

In Nashville, enjoy the Country Music Capital by visiting the Grand Ole’ Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and exploring the famous Centennial Park. Finish your Big City road trip in Knoxville. There you’ll be able to visit the Sunsphere, the World’s Fair Park, and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Best of Nature

• Twin Arches
• Rock Island State Park
• Lookout Mountain
• Cherohala Skyway

Start your journey through the best natural wonders of Tennessee in the North at Big South Fork State Park. There, you’ll want to take the Twin Arches Loop Trail where you can get close up views of the two natural rock arches on the trail. From there, continue South to Rock Island State Park. There you can see beautiful waterfalls and the Caney Fork River Gorge.

Continue South to Lookout Mountain. At Lookout Mountain you can purchase tickets to see the Ruby Falls, the “Seven States View”, or ride the Incline Railway. End your road trip by heading East towards Cherohala Skyway. It borders on North Carolina and offers picturesque views of the forested mountainside.

Haunted Tennessee

• Bell Witch Cave
• Stones River National Battlefield
• Hurricane Mills

Lovers of the supernatural will love this road trip, and definitely recognize the first stop on the Haunted Tennessee Road Trip. The Bell Witch Cave is infamous after a local family was haunted for years by the ghost of a witch that claimed to be from a nearby cave system. So, of course, it’s the first stop on your road trip.

Next, head South to the Stones River National Battlefield. There you can look for ghostly apparitions walking the grounds. End your Haunted Tennessee Road Trip in Hurricane Mills. There you can explore the Loretta Lynn Ranch which is rumored to be haunted.

Fall Foliage

• Port Royal State Park
• Ocoee Scenic Byway
• Great Smoky Mountain State Park

For the ultimate Fall Foliage Road Trip through Tennessee, start in the Northwestern part of the state at Port Royal State Park. There you can hike the trails or take a historical tour of the small town of Port Royal. From there, head Southeast to the Ocoee Scenic Byway.

As you drive the Ocoee Scenic Byway you’ll get to experience stunning views of rock bluffs and mountain peaks covered in bright Fall foliage. Finish your Fall Foliage Road Trip at the Great Smoky Mountain State Park. There you can go hiking, admire waterfalls, and even go whitewater rafting while you take in the beautiful fall colors. Check out the best places for Fall Foliage in Tennessee!

Covered Bridges

• Harrisburg Covered Bridge
• Bible Covered Bridge
• Elizabethton Covered Bridge

You’ll start your tour of Tennessee’s covered bridges outside of Pigeon Forge at the Harrisburg Covered Bridge. The Harrisburg Covered Bridge was originally built in 1875 and features a traditional king post truss design. From there, head North to the Bible Covered Bridge.

The Bible Covered Bridge is painted a deep brick red and resembles a barn. Just outside the bridge, there is a large plaque that details its history. Finish your trip at the Elizabethton Covered Bridge. Constructed in 1832 it is 134ft and painted white, making it a very unique covered bridge.

National Parks of Tennessee

• Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park

Begin your National Parks of Tennessee road trip at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. It’s home to one of the natural wonders of Tennessee, the Twin Arches. From there, head to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

There are plenty of things to do in and around the Great Smoky Mountains, so plan to spend some time there. End your tour of Tennessee’s National Parks at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. There you can learn about the battle that effectively ended the Civil War and Confederacy.

Abandoned Tennessee

• Gilley’s Hotel
• Island View School
• The Minister’s Treehouse
• Tennessee State Prison

Tennessee has some unique abandoned structures, and finding them makes for a fun road trip itinerary. In Bulls Gap you’ll explore Gilley’s Hotel and it’s where you’ll start your road trip. Continue South to the Island View School, an old school house that is abandoned on the side of Boyds Creek Highway.

Next, you’ll head to The Minister’s Treehouse, which is got to be one of the coolest things in all of Tennessee. It is a treehouse that was built by Minister Horace Burgess after he felt called by God to build it. Finish your trip at the Tennessee State Prison, which is the home of the famous ‘The Green Mile’.

The Great Smoky Mountains

• Sevierville

You’ll want to start your drive through the Great Smoky Mountains in Knoxville. Explore the beautiful city with the Great Smoky Mountains in the background. Next, continue on to Sevierville. Hike the Laurel Falls Trail, admire 360 views from Clingman’s Dome, and grab some BBQ for dinner.

While on the way to Gatlinburg, if you have the time, stop in the adorably kitschy Pigeon Forge . If you don’t have the time, finish your trip in Gatlinburg . There you’ll find the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and you’ll get to experience the full majesty of the mountain range. You’ll want to spend a few days there exploring before you leave.

Tennessee Foodie Trail

• Hagy’s Catfish Hotel Restaurant
• Prince’s Hot Chicken
• Barrel House BBQ
• Doc Collier Distillery

Tennesse is an amazing state for foodies to explore. For this road trip, you’re going to span the state, and start in the Southwest. There you’ll find Hagy’s Catfish Hotel Restaurant. Enjoy amazing fried fish and Southern comfort food staples. Next, head to Nashville for Prince’s Hot Chicken. Prince’s is the father of Nashville Hot Chicken, and is an absolute must visit for any serious foodie.

From Nashville, head south to Lynchburg and feast on delicious BBQ at Barrel House BBQ. It is one of the best BBQ places in Tennessee and you’ll leave happy and full. Finish your Tennessee Foodie Trail with some Tennessee whisky at the Doc Collier Distillery in Gatlinburg . You’ll end your trip sampling whisky and flavored moonshines. It can’t get more Tennessee than that!

Theme Parks of Tennessee

• Soaky Mountain
• Lake Winne and Soakya Waterpark

Thrill seekers will love exploring some of the best Theme Parks of Tennessee. If you are traveling in the Summer, you’ll want to make sure your first stop is the Soaky Mountain waterpark in Sevierville. It is a large park with water coasters, slides, a splash mat, and so much more. A trip to Tennessee wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t stop at Dollywood.

Dollywood celebrates Dolly Parton and has coasters, amazing park restaurants, and awesome live shows. Next head to Anakeesta, a theme park in the mountains of Gatlinburg . You’ll be able to zip line, go gem mining, ride mountain coasters, and enjoy a tree canopy walk. Finish your adventure at the Lake Winne and Soakya Waterpark. It is a small park on the state line with Georgia and offers vintage style coasters, a small waterpark, and kiddie rides.

Tennessee’s Scenic Byways

• Antebellum Trail
• Cumberland Scenic Byway
• Cades Cove Loop

Tennessee is a beautiful state, so it is naturally full of scenic byway, many of which you can use to explore the entire state. For this road trip, we suggest starting on the Antebellum Trail, an unofficial scenic byway that starts South of Nashville in Franklin. It takes you through the middle of Tennessee where you’ll get to admire beautiful Antebellum Architecture.

While you’re in the middle of the state, hop onto the Cumberland Scenic Byway. You’ll pass through several counties and make your way to the Great Smoky Mountains. Stop at any one of the scenic overlooks to enjoy the beautiful views. Finish your trip in the Great Smoky Mountains on the Cades Cove Loop. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the mountains and historical buildings inside the park.

Hiking Through Tennessee

• Ramsey Cascades
• Abrams Falls Way
• Rainbow Falls Trail
• Cataract Falls

Hiking Through Tennessee is an amazing way to see the state. The road trip starts off at Ramsey Cascades, which are actually the highest falls in the Smokies. Next, head to Abrams Falls Way. There you’ll hike to one of the smaller waterfalls on this trip, but the views are beautiful.

At the Rainbow Falls Trail you’ll actually be close to three trail heads. One for Rainbow Falls, one for Baskins Creek Falls, and one for the Grotto Falls. You can hike all of them or one of them, whatever you have time for. Finish the road trip at Cataract Falls. Its about a half mile hike and is actually one of the easiest hikes in the area, which is a perfect way to end a day or weekend spent hiking.

Hidden Gems of Tennessee

• The Lost Sea
• The Ministers Treehouse
• The First Cracker Barrell Old Country Store
• Geographic Center of Tennessee

Tennessee is full of unique attractions that you can only find in the state. Start your journey to the Hidden Gems of Tennessee in Sweetwater where you’ll explore the Lost Sea. You’ll tour 3/4 mile cavern system and get to take a short boat tour on the underground lake. Next, head to the Minister’s Treehouse. It is a massive abandoned treehouse structure built by a Minister in the early 1990s.

Continue your journey to the very first Cracker Barrell Old Country Store. It was opened in 1969 and now you can visit it at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. End your road trip at the Geographic Center of Tennessee. You can mark your trip by taking a picture next to the obelisk along the side of the road.

Tennessee’s Ghost Towns

• Mousetail Landing State Park
• Big Greenbriar

Start your spooky road trip through Tennessee’s Ghost Towns at Mousetail Landing State Park. Legend has it that an entire town was flooded and is now hidden under the murky waters of lake at Mousetail Landing. Continue on to the town of Wheat, which was once a thriving city. Now all that’s left of it is the small George Jones Missionary Church.

Your next stop is one of Tennessee’s most haunted towns – Elkmont. It was originally a logging camp, then a popular vacation spot, but after the land was bought in the 90s by the National Parks service it was quickly abandoned. Now it is a ghostly city in the mountains that is run down and decaying. End your trip through Tennessee’s haunted towns in Big Greenbriar. It too was once a popular city, but after the local industry dried up, it was quickly abandoned and now is nothing but stone foundations.

Have you done any of these fun Tennessee road trips, or anything similar? If you have, what was your favorite part of your trip? If you haven’t tried any of these road trips yet, let us know in the comments which one you want to try!

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81 FUN AND TOTALLY FREE ROAD TRIP TRIVIA QUESTIONS

Post Summary: A collection of road trip trivia questions and answers to help keep you entertained on the open road.

The key to a fun road trip with family or friends is to have a collection of fun games ready to whip out when you’re feeling bored and need to change things up.

After the success with our prior post on 160 Fun, Deep, and Sometimes Silly Road Trip Questions , I knew I wanted to come up with some more fun road trip games, and more specifically… ROAD TRIP TRIVIA!

As a total trivia nut, I may have had a little too much fun rummaging through the internet to come up with this list of road trip trivia for long car rides.

These car ride trivia questions are all built around the theme of US travel, road trips, and landmarks. There also might be a sprinkle of something totally random.

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER ROAD TRIP POSTS: The Ultimate Road Trip Food List 7 Amazing Cross Country Road Trips The Only Road Trip Packing List You’ll Ever Need 160 Road Trip Questions To Keep The Conversation Flowing 15 Tips For Surviving A Road Trip With A Toddler 17 Boredom Busting Things To Do On A Road Trip The 40 Essential Items You’ll Need In Your Camper

FUN TRIVIA FOR ROAD TRIPS

1. Route 66 also goes by the names The Main Street of America, The Will Rogers Highway, and the Mother Road. What novelist, in their depression-era saga, coined the term “The Mother Road?” . . . John Steinbeck in his novel The Grapes Of Wrath

2. In 2003, fed up with the bad press, the stealing of signs, and the mysterious traffic accidents, transportation departments from Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico decided to rename what is now Highway 491. What was Highway 491’s former name? . . . Route 666

3. What coastal spot along the Pacific Coast Highway has been prominently featured by Henry Miller, John Steinbeck, and John Kerouac ? . . . Big Sur

4. What animal is the ultimate “road tripper” and travels every year for up to 2000 miles to make it to the coast of California before winter? . . . The Monarch Butterfly

5. What is the least visited state in the US? . . . Alaska is the least visited state averaging 2.5 million visitors a year.

6. What is the most visited state in the US? . . . California. In 2018, the state generated 140 billion dollars in tourism.

7. What was the first official National Park of the United States? . . . Yellowstone National Park became the nation’s first “official” National Park on March 1, 1872.

8. What was the first unofficial National Park of the United States? . . . Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas became federally protected land in 1832. Because there wasn’t a national park system in place yet, it’s “unofficially” the first National Park. It didn’t become a National Park until 1921.

9. What city has the worst traffic in the US? . . . Boston, MA. A Boston driver spends, on average, 149 hours per year in traffic.

10. What car do you need to spot in order to play the classic road trip game of screaming “punch buggy” or “Slug Bug” while punching your fellow passengers in the arm? . . . A Volkswagen Beetle or VW “Bug”

11. What highway has the grim distinction of having the most fatalities in the US? . . . Interstate 4 in Florida

12. Which state in the US has the highest legal speed limit at 85mph? . . . Texas State Highway 130.

13.  Which state is known as the gem state? . . . With its abundance of natural minerals and its history as a mining state, Idaho is nicknamed the Gem State.

14. The popular theme park, Six Flags is a reference to the six nations that have governed Texas. What are the six nations? . .

. France, Spain, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The United States, Confederate States of America

15. Huckleberries are a sought-after summer berry that can not be cultivated. What are the five states where you can find huckleberries growing in the wild?  . . . Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Alaska

16. What is the longest river in the United States? . . . At 2,536 miles, the Missouri River is the longest river in the US.

17. What part of the US is famous for having reached a temperature of 134 degrees, the hottest temp ever recorded in the world? . . . Death Valley, California

18. The Mighty Five is a nickname for what five popular national parks in America? . . . The Mighty 5 is a reference to the five national parks located in Southern Utah: Capitol Reef, Arches , Canyonlands , Zion, and Bryce Canyon.

READ MORE: Learn how to see Utah’s most gorgeous landscapes on an extraordinary Mighty 5 Road Trip .

19. Why is Chicago called the windy city? . . . Though the origins aren’t 100% known, it has nothing to do with its harsh weather. It’s believed that the term was coined in the late 1800s to describe the political landscape in Chicago at the time and its “long-winded” politicians.

20. What is the windiest major city in the US? . . . This windiest city in the US seems to change every year, but Boston, MA, remains the windiest major city in the US.

21. What National Park in Kentucky boasts the glory of having the world’s longest cave? . . . Mammoth Cave National Park has the longest cave system in the world. 400 miles have been explored, and it’s estimated that the cave continues on for an extra 600 miles.

22. Which city in the US was named the #1 adventure city by National Geographic, the top mountain biking town by Bike Magazine, and the #1 town in the West by Outside Magazine? . . . Boise, Idaho

23. Which mountains (pictured above) are famous for their smoky blue-tinged hue? . . . The Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina

24.  What state is famous for having the most usable natural hot springs in the country? . . . Idaho

READ MORE: Learn how to see Idaho’s natural hot springs with our guide to the best hot springs near Boise .

25.  What year were American Indians given US citizenship by  Congress? . . . 1924

26. What is the deepest lake in the US? . . . Crater Lake in Oregon is the deepest lake in the US, reaching a depth of 1943 feet.

27. Who owns and operates the GPS (Global Positioning System) you are probably using right this second? . . . The Global Positioning System is a space-based navigational system owned by the US Government and operated by the United States Air Force.

28. What is California’s state animal that can be seen on its state flag? . . . The grizzly bear. Oddly enough, the grizzly bear is extinct in CA and was last seen in 1922.

28. Which city in the US has the most microbreweries per capita? . . . Portland, Maine, comes in first, with Asheville, NC, at a close second.

29. What is the #1 road trip song according to Time Out Magazine? . . . Born To Run by Bruce Springsteen

30. In the 90’s era movie Thelma and Louise, the two lead women famously end the movie by (SPOILER ALERT) driving off a cliff in the Grand Canyon. Where was the final scene actually filmed? . . . Dead Horse State Park in Utah. You can see pictures of this glorious state park on our Instagram here .

31. In what state is it illegal to hang fuzzy dice or air fresheners from your rearview mirror? . . . Chicago

32. This pictured street is known as the “crookedest street in the world.” Where does this street reside? . . . Lombard Street, located in San Francisco, CA, with its eight hairpin turns, is known as the “crookedest street in the world.” Technically, it’s the second “crookedest” street in the world, but the name has stuck.

33. The Bald Eagle is America’s official animal, but since they aren’t actually hairless, what does the “Bald” part of the name come from? . . . Bald is an old English word meaning white. The bird got its name from its signature white feathers.

34.  McDonalds arches are always displayed in their signature golden french fry color, except in Sedona, Arizona. What color are the arches in Sedona? . . . Turquoise. Sedona has a rule that prevents buildings and signage from clashing with the natural surroundings. They opted for the more aesthetically pleasing color of Turquoise.  

35. What animal that has become synonymous with American ideals of freedom and the pioneering West isn’t actually indigenous to the US and was brought over from Spain? . . . The mustang. The wild horses you can still see today are descendants of Spanish and Iberian Horses.

36. Which state boasts the tallest freesta nding sand dune in the US? . . . At 420 feet, Bruneau Dunes State Park located a one-hour drive from Boise, Idaho, is home to the tallest freestanding dune.

READ MORE: Learn more about Bruneau Dunes and ten other amazing day trips from Boise .

37.  What is the most widely grown product in the US? . . . Corn

38.  What is the least visited National Park in the US? . . . Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska. It’s thought of as “one of the last truly wild places on earth.”

39. What is the most fatal job in the US? . . . The use of heavy machinery and working with heavy logs makes logging work the most dangerous job in the US.

40. Which state issues the most traffic tickets per year? . . . Ohio, with Pennsylvania and New York in second and third place.

41. What attraction in the US gets the most visitors every year? . . . Times Square in New York City is visited by 40 million people every year.

42. What country gifted The Statue of Liberty to the United States? . . . France

43. Which state in the US has a city famous for having a population of 1? . . . Monowi, Nebraska

44. Which city in the US houses the biggest amount of billionaires? . . . New York City

45. Which US City has the largest amount of hotel rooms? . . . Las Vegas, Nevada

46. Which state has the shortest road in the US, measuring roughly 15 feet long? . . . McKinley Street in Bellefontaine, Ohio

47. Which state had no speed limit until 1974, when Richard Nixon mandated a federal speed limit? . . . Montana

48. What is the most popular car in the USA? . . . Ford F-150

49. Which state has the most expensive speeding tickets? . .

. Virginia. On average, a ticket with fees and taxes will come out to $250-$300.

50. What skill did Jack Kerouac, the writer of “On the Road,” never acquire? . . . He never learned to drive.

51. In Lancaster, California, a road is grooved to play which popular theme song if driven at 50 mph? . . . William Tell’s Overture made famous by the TV show The Lone Ranger. Originally a TV ad stunt for Honda, the “musical road” is now preserved as an attraction by the city of Lancaster.

52. Every year, you can watch over a hundred of what kinds of animals swim to Chincoteague Island in Virginia? . . . Horses

53. In which state was the first parking meter installed? . . . Oklahoma in 1935.

54. What is the nickname for Las Vegas? . . . Sin City.

55. In what state is the oldest and longest boardwalk? . . . At more than 5 miles in length, New Jersey’s Atlantic City boardwalk is the longest in the country.

RANDOM ROAD TRIP TRIVIA

***For our final 25 road trip trivia questions, we thought we’d throw in 25 totally random trivia questions just for the fun of it. Enjoy!

56. How many bones are in the human body? . . . 206

57. How many hearts does an octopus have? . . . 3

58. What company owns Bugatti, Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche, and Ducati? . . . Volkswagen

59. What kind of flower bulbs were once exchanged as a form of currency? . . . Tulips

60. What is the fastest fish in the ocean? . . . Sailfish

61. What symbol, commonly used in pop culture, is technically called an octothorpe? . . . A hashtag

62. What “American” dessert comes from a recipe created in England and fruit indigenous to Asia? . . . Apple pie

63. What is the largest known living organism? . . . An aspen grove in Utah has an interconnected root system that is estimated to be 80,000 years old and takes up more than 100 acres.

64. What is the national animal of Scotland? . . . The Unicorn

65. What name is given to a cluster of flamingos? . . . A Flamboyance

66. If one could drive straight up into space, how long would the journey take? . . . Approximately one hour.

67. Cynophobia is the fear of what kind of animal? . . . Dogs

68. What popular soda drink used the slogan “Ya-hoo…It’ll Tickle Yore Innards!”? . . .

Mountain Dew

69. What is the most expensive spice in the world by weight? . . . Saffron

70. Nephelococcygia is the practice of doing what?

. . . Finding shapes in clouds.

71. In what state is it illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork?

. . .  Gainesville, Georgia, passed a measure in 1961 making it illegal to eat fried chicken with anything other than your hands. Largely a joke meant to promote Gainesville as a poultry center.

72. A small town in Iceland diverted a road so as not to disturb what creature?

. . . Elves.

73. What do you call a group of unicorns? . . . A blessing.

74. What does an American do on average 22 times a day?

. . . Open the fridge.

75. Christian Bale studied which actor’s mannerisms to prepare for his role as a psychotic killer in American Psycho? . . . Tom Cruise

76. The Ancient Romans used to drop what food item into their wine for good health? . . . Toast, which is why we “raise a toast.”

77. What spice, if taken in large quantities, produces a mind-altering effect? . . . Nutmeg

78. Google Images was created because of which actress and her iconic dress at the Grammys? . . . So many people were searching for pictures of Jennifer Lopez at the 2000 Grammys that the search engine added an image function.

79. If you hold your nose, what are you not able to do? . . . Hum

80. What year was the first iPhone released? . . . 2007

81. Where in the human body would you find the medulla oblongata? . . . The Brain

Did you ace the road trip trivia? If you’re looking for more entertainment, be sure to check out our fun road trip questions post and our list of 17+ things to do on a road trip .

Happy road-tripping!

READ MORE OF OUR TRAVEL GUIDE POSTS: 11 Glorious National Parks In The East A Bucket List For Families: 50 Adventurous Ideas 12 National Parks That Are Perfect For Families

Hi, we’re Christina and Brad, Idaho based writers and photographers who live to explore. We did a short stint of traveling full time with our two year old and discovered we're much happier as part time nomads. What does that mean? We travel a lot! And then we go home. We love helping fellow parents and everyday adventurers discover new places and experiences.

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50 Fun Road Trip Activities for Kids to Keep Busy

I f your family is planning on hitting the road this fall or holiday season here are 50 fun road trip activities for kids to keep busy. 

Family road trips are fun any time of year and many families, including ours here at Two Kids and a Coupon love to hit the road in the fall and during the holidays for some fun new adventure.

If your family will be hitting the highway sometime soon, chances are you're looking for some fun activities to keep your kids busy. 

Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels

 From books to music, games to i-spy adventures , there are lots of ways to keep young kids as well as teens and tweens busy when you're traveling. Here are some of our favorite road trip activities for kids to keep everyone entertained.

This master list includes links to some fun how to's as well as some inexpensive items (and where to get them) to keep everyone busy and engaged for the miles to come.

We've also included some of the fun projects and printables from here at Two Kids and a Coupon that your family can take on the go.

Have a fun activity that is missing from this list? Leave a comment below and we'll be sure to add it in. 

Photo by JAGMEET SiNGH via Pexels

50 Fun Road Trip Activities for Kids

Coloring - Coloring is an easy and affordable way to keep kids busy when you're traveling.

Inexpensive coloring books or free printable coloring pages can keep both little and big kids busy.

Pack crayons, pens or c olored pencils and for tweens or teens, choose more complicated designs or adult coloring books to keep them challenged. 

Tic-Tac-Toe - Who doesn’t enjoy a good game of tic-tac-toe? Let the kids play together in the backseat to see who will win the most times! We love these magnetic tic-tac-toe games for taking on the road. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions via Pexels

I Spy - Get everyone involved in a fun game of I Spy, where you can try to guess what your children have spotted while passing through different areas on the road trip.

Pick out road side attractions, businesses, street signs and more. Want a paper version that you can keep in your vehicle? Don't miss our printable i-spy games or these fun I spy books . 

Word Puzzles - Pick up a few crossword puzzle books or word search books or print some of these puzzles at home before leaving for the road trip. They’ll test your family’s knowledge while keeping them occupied and entertained for miles. Don't miss all of the fun and free printables we have here on Two Kids and a Coupon! 

Drawing - Supply the kids with blank sheets of paper, or a sketch pad, pencils and coloring utensils and see what they can create. You never know what types of masterpieces they might draw.

  Doodle Board - Purchase fun doodle boards for the kids and let them go to town. These boards are entertaining and less messy. They are also great to play games like hangman and tic-tac-toe on the go. 

Play-Doh - If you have plastic trays for your children to place over their laps, why not let them play with Play-Doh ? It will keep them busy while they create different shapes and objects using their clay. Be sure to check out our favorite homemade Play-doh recipe . 

Sticker Art - Provide the kids with blank sheets of paper and a bunch of different stickers. Let them get creative while making sticker art. These paint by sticker books are another fun way to create art on the go. 

Silly Putty -  Silly putty is another fun product to let the children use. It’s a sensory activity that can engage the senses and entertain themselves for miles. 

Photo by Tim Mossholder via Pexels

Make Beaded Bracelets - When you have older children, making beaded bracelets is a lot of fun. Be sure to supply the beads and string so that they can create their jewelry and a small organizer can help them keep their supplies organized and tidy on the go.

Educational Apps - If you don’t mind your children using electronics and having some screentime, you can let the kids play on their phone, iPad or tablet. There are lots of age-appropriate and educational games available to keep kids of all ages busy.

  Twenty Questions - Play a good ol’ game of twenty questions! Come up with a list of questions before you even head out on the road trip.

Checkers - Pull out a game of checkers to play with the children. If you have the space for it, you can have a lot of fun and magnetic checkers games can be easy and affordable entertainment. 

Card Games - If you have a deck of cards, enjoy playing assorted card games with the family. You can play Speed, Go Fish, and much more.

Photo by Neil Ryan Famoso Saraña via Pexels

  Audio Books - Put an interesting and engaging audiobook in the car for your children to listen to. This is a great way to learn about new topics. Don't have any audio books? See if you can check some out from your local library or get 2 free audio books here . 

Simon Says -  You can’t go wrong with an old-fashioned game of Simon Says. It will have everyone in the car laughing! You may have to get creative since everyone is strapped into the seat belts, but it can make the game even more fun and challenging. 

  Magnetic Face Book - For a fun and silly activity, supply your younger kids with a magnet face book . The book is magnetic and allows children to create different faces using colorful, fun magnets.

Blow Bubbles - Grab mini bottles of bubbles and let the kids see who can blow the biggest ones. If you don't want the kids blowing bubbles in your car, have them blow them out the window, or when you stop at rest stops to stretch your legs. 

  Sensory Board - Make or buy sensory boards for each child. These boards are perfect for younger children and can improve their fine motor skills.

  Printable Worksheets - Find fun printable worksheets for the kids to do. You can find plenty of free options that are entertaining and full of unique activities including our rocket counting worksheets , alphabet coloring pages and more free printables . 

  Color by Number - Make coloring more of a challenge with color by number books. These books will help your children follow rules while creating colorful masterpieces.

Sticker by Number - In addition to color by number books, you can find sticker by number books that are just as fun for younger children.

Seek and Find Books - Look for some fun seek and find books and let your children go to town with them. These books will keep them searching for different items for hours.

  Read Books - Reading is always a great activity on the go for quiet time and one of our favorite road trip activities for kids. A great book or two is a must for road trips. Need something new for your kids to read? Hit the local library or check out where to get free books for kids . 

  Magnetic Letter Board - A  magnetic letter board encourages children to spell words and sentences. It’s a great activity for younger children who are still learning how to spell various words and you can have them practice their spelling list from school or other words. 

  Play School - Let the kids take turns being the teacher while playing school on the road trip! It’s a silly and fun activity that the children under 10 will like because they get to be in control for a bit.

Photo by Gustavo Fring via Pexels

  Snack Fun - While it’s not necessarily a big activity, providing the kids with fun snacks to eat and enjoy is a great way to keep them entertained for at least 30 minutes.

Busy Bags - Make busy bags for the kids to play with that include different items, including buttons, pipe cleaners, and other simple items. They can get creative with these interesting items and stay busy!

  Sing-Along Songs - Put on some sing-along songs and have the time of your life with the kids. Sing with the songs for lots of laughs and good times.

Movies - Use a portable DVD player to play a movie that the children can watch and enjoy when they’re on the road.

  Hand Games - Show your children how to play different hand games like you did when you were a child.

Action Figures - Pull out the action figures for the road trip. Kids can use their creative side and imagination to create different scenarios while playing with the figures.

  Barbie Dolls - The same thing goes for Barbies! Let your kids play with action figures and Barbies in the car to keep themselves entertained.

  License Plate Search Game - Enjoy the license plate game. Ask your kid if they can find a license plate with a specific state on it! The game keeps them looking until they find it.

Travel Bingo - Play games of travel bingo in the car. You can print the cards out online so that you don’t even have to buy them at the store. We have lots of free printable bingo games here on Two Kids and a Coupon including Halloween bingo , Thanksgiving Bingo , Christmas Bingo , Alphabet Bingo and more. 

  Paper Plate Crafts - Give the kids paper plates and markers and encourage them to create a mask. They can hold the face up when they’re done, using it like a mask.

Play Hangman - Who can go wrong with a good game of hangman? You can use a dry-erase board to play hangman in the car with the kids or try these fun travel hangman games . 

  Sign Search - Play a sign search game where the kids will look for specific signs, such as stop signs, one-way signs, and more.

Photo by Muhammad-taha Ibrahim

  Create Silly Songs - Ask the children to help you create silly songs to sing throughout the journey. It’s a lot of fun!

Play with Felt - Bring some felt supplies and let your children play with them. They can even create different things out of felt.

  Connect Four - Consider bringing the game of Connect Four for the ride. It’s a fun game that requires quick thinking! Place it on a tray or cookie sheet to help keep the discs contained when emptying out the board for the next game or check out these travel Connect Four games for the road. 

Guess Who? - If you have the space for it, a game of Guess Who can keep your older children entertained. We love this travel version of Guess Who . 

Color Rocks  - Rather than painting rocks and making a mess in the car, supply the kids with markers or paint pens and rocks to color them. Have them leave their artwork behind at rest stops and other locations along your travels for others to find and pick up more rocks every time you stop to decorate more. 

Photo by Wendy Wei via Pexels

  Photo Scavenger Hunt - Do your kids have phones or cameras? Give them a photo scavenger hunt list of things to photograph and have them search for the items during your travels. 

Fidget Toys -  Want to keep the kid's hands and minds busy? One of the favorite things we ever packed for a road trip was a bag of assorted fidget toys . The kids spun, popped and played for hours. 

  Sticker Letters - Have the kids practice spelling skills and create words and phrases using sticker letters to see what types of silly things they can come up with in the car.

  Printable Road Trip Games  - Find and print some easy road trip games that will keep the entire family entertained while out on the road. Don't miss our fun road trip word scramble and road trip word search !  

Photo by Breno Cardoso via Pexels

Binoculars - Let the kids use binoculars to see what they can find, such as birds lingering on tree branches. These are also handy to use when visiting attractions or attending events on your travels. 

Nail Painting - If you don’t mind the smell, older kids might enjoy painting their nails on a road trip. Have them bring a small tray or a cookie sheet to help keep things confined and prevent spills. 

Gel Pen Designs - Don’t forget about gel pens ! Let the kids doodle with them to create bright and sparkly designs! Have them use sketch pads or sketch pads to create fun designs and color them in. 

Keeping kids busy when you're on the road can keep them entertained and make the miles go faster. Not every activity has to be on electronics and this time can be a great time for kids to get creative and be unplugged. 

Disclosure: This author may receive commission through recommended links in this content. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions and love of saving money are completely and totally our own. 

8 Must-See Stops on the Ultimate Idaho Road Trip

Idaho’s rugged, diverse beauty is accessible from all sides, making a road trip one of the best ways to explore the state. To make your experience on four wheels as simple and pleasant as possible, this road trip welcomes you in the southeastern corner of the state from nearby Salt Lake City and snakes you all the way north into Idaho’s panhandle. Drop the top and prepare for high mountain deserts; deep, jagged canyons; dense, lush forests and lots of cool, fresh mountain water — and plenty of adventure — along this most scenic of routes.

Getting There

From Salt Lake City, take Interstate 84 northwest to Twin Falls, where your Idaho road-trip adventure begins.

See & Do

Perched across the awe-inducing Snake River Canyon lies the I.B. Perrine Bridge — your scenic gateway to Twin Falls. As you cross, watch for BASE (Building, Antenna, Span or Earth) jumpers. These thrill-seekers come from all over the world to load up with a parachute, leap from the bridge and free-fall before pulling their chute and floating to the canyon floor. If you’re ready for some more jaw-dropping views, head to Shoshone Falls (“the Niagara of the West”), which cascade 212 feet into the Snake River. Snap a selfie on the overlook and then hit Dierkes Lake Recreation Area for hiking trails, rock climbing and water activities. When hunger hits, grab a seat on the patio at Elevation 486 , where the impressive dishes are matched only by the spectacular view.

Nearby & Noteworthy

•       Milner’s Gate
•       Koto Brewing Co.
•       Zip the Snake
•       Canyon Springs Golf Course
•       Putters Mini Golf
•       Cloverleaf Creamery
•       Thousand Springs Scenic Byway
•       Bruneau Dunes State Park

From Twin Falls, take I-84 west.

Idaho’s capital city tops all types of lists for livability due to its vibrant arts and culture scene, outdoor recreation opportunities, and flourishing culinary options. Stretch your legs on the Ridge to Rivers Trail System, where you’ll find more than 100 miles of hiking and biking trails offering views of the city below. For a more leisurely stroll, rent a Boise GreenBike to explore the Boise Greenbelt , which winds through downtown and multiple parks along the Boise River. Stop off at the Capital City Public Market or The Boise Farmers Market for fresh, local foods and arts, crafts and more. Grab a bite at one of Boise’s palate-pleasing dining options or a raise a glass of Idaho craft beer or Idaho wine at one of several local breweries and wineries . If you’re staying the night, book tickets to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival (tip: you’ll want to book in advance as performances can sell out quickly) for an unforgettable night of theater under the stars.

•       Basque Museum & Culture Center
•       Freak Alley Gallery
•       Boise Whitewater Park
•       World Center for Birds of Prey

From Boise, take Highway 55 north.

Wrapped around the southern banks of Payette Lake , McCall is a charming mountain town packed with outdoor adventure for any age or level. Spend a day at the lake, where you can rent everything from paddleboards and kayaks to jet boats and pontoons or book a lake cruise . Hike or bike the variety of trails Ponderosa State Park or get your downhill thrills at Brundage Mountain Resort and then catch the sunset with a spectacular lake view at Osprey Cliff Overlook. When it’s time to cool down from all your activity, head straight to Ice Cream Alley .

•       Payette River Scenic Byway
•       Whitewater rafting on the Payette River
•       Lake Cascade State Park
•       Kelly’s Whitewater Park
•       Tamarack Resort
•       Gold Fork Hot Springs
•       Jug Mountain Ranch
•       Locals’ Favorite Hikes
•       Local Breweries

Cambridge & Hells Canyon

From McCall, take Highway 55 north through New Meadows and onto Highway 95 south.

The small town of Cambridge offers access to big adventure in the nearby Hells Canyon National Recreation Area . Stunning Hells Canyon is North America’s deepest river gorge (ever deeper than the Grand Canyon) and a staggering 10 miles wide at some points. Book a half- or full-day jet boat tour or a single- or multi-day whitewater rafting excursion (or a combo trip). Don’t miss an opportunity to take a breathtaking hike or fish for salmon and steelhead. Pro tip: The splendor of Hells Canyon lies 24 miles west from Cambridge, so be sure to load up on gas, ice and snacks as you come through town.

•       Mundo Hot Springs
•       Hells Canyon Scenic Byway
•       Weiser River Trail

From Cambridge, take Highway 95 north through New Meadows.

Lewiston is home to Idaho’s newest wine region (Lewis-Clark Valley AVA), where you’ll find 10 wineries producing award-winning wines. Book a wine tour to experience the area’s best sips and learn the history’s rich viticultural history and then indulge in the distinctive dishes at Mystic Café . A launching point to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area , Lewiston is an ideal base camp for tours on the Snake River that introduce you to wildlife, historical sites, and more.

•       Northwest Passage Scenic Byway
•       Nez Perce National Historical Park
•       Monastery of St. Gertrude
•       River Dance Lodge

From Lewiston, take Highway 95 north.

Surrounded by miles upon miles of rolling hills and fertile farmland, the charming college town of Moscow is an oasis of art, food and drink with enough hiking and biking to balance it all out. Play a round at the University of Idaho Golf Course or stroll through the garden displays at the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Gardens . Learn the significance of the horse to the Nez Perce at  the Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center . Take a hike in Idler’s Rest Nature Preserve or bike the Latah Trail . Enjoy an eclectic mix of sandwiches and soups at Kitchen Counter and then top it off with a pint at Hunga Dunga Brewing Co . or a glass of wine at Colter’s Creek Tasting Room.

• White Pine Scenic Byway
• Elk River Backcountry Byway

Coeur d’Alene

From Moscow, take Highway 95 north.

This stop in Idaho’s panhandle area features plenty of chances to get on or in some pristine Idaho mountain water. Spend the day at City Park & Beach on Lake Coeur d’Alene (kore-duh-LANE) — home to sandy beaches, barbecue pits, volleyball and basketball courts and more. After all that fun in the sun, treat your taste buds to some comfort food at Meltz Extreme Grilled Cheese . Tame the fiercest of hunger pangs with the seasonal Huckleberry Heaven sandwich and then head to McEuen Park for an evening of music at Life After 5 . Start your next morning off by fueling up with a Cajun-inspired breakfast at Ten/6 . Then it’s off to soar above and among the trees with fantastic views of Lake Coeur d’Alene on a zipline canopy tour . If you have any energy left, plan an evening hike on Tubbs Hill to catch the sunset on a lakeside trail or enjoy a sunset dinner cruise .

• Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway
• St. Joe River Scenic Byway
• Silverwood Theme Park
• Route of the Hiawatha
• Red Horse Mountain Ranch
• Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes
• Idaho Centennial Trail

From Coeur d’Alene, take Highway 95 north.

Sandpoint hugs the shore of Idaho’s largest and deepest body of water, Lake Pend Oreille (pond oh-RAY), where you’ll find one of the best sunrise spots at City Beach as well as paddleboard, kayak and jet ski rentals. Huddled among the Selkirk, Cabinet and Bitter Root Mountain Ranges, Sandpoint is surrounded by hiking and biking trails for all levels. For a one-stop-shop of ultimate adventure, purchase the Ultimate Fun Pass at Schweitzer Mountain Resort , which gives you a full day of all-you-can trampolining, ziplining, rock climbing and scenic chairlift riding. If you’re cruising into town in August, the Festival at Sandpoint is a must-do. When replenishing fuel stores is critical, Sandpoint delivers. Load up on locally sourced pub fare and a cold one at Baxter’s on Cedar or settle into a martini or classic cocktail served up with unrivaled fare and a waterfront view at the splendid Trinity at City Beach .

• Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
• Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway
• Pend Oreille Scenic Byway

For more trip ideas, check out the Idaho Roadsider and when you’re ready to hit the road, be sure to download the Idaho 511 app for real-time traffic updates.

Visit Idaho

Published on February 14, 2020

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100+ Fun Road Trip Games for Everyone!

Road trips offer a unique opportunity to explore, bond, and create unforgettable memories. An essential part of these journeys is the road trip games that bring laughter, joy, and friendly competition.

Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or solo, these games transform long drives into an adventure, making every mile an opportunity for fun and connection. Let the games begin!

Classic Road Trip Games

Embark on a journey back to the basics with classic road trip games that have stood the test of time. These games require no gadgets, just an eagerness to have fun and a dash of creativity.

Perfect for all ages, they turn every mile marker into a moment of joy and every road sign into a prompt for play. Let’s dive into the timeless fun that makes every road trip memorable.

How to Play: One player looks around and chooses an object that all players can see, but they keep it a secret. They say, “I spy with my little eye, something…” followed by a clue about the object’s color, shape, or a general description. The other passengers take turns guessing what the object might be. The game continues with players taking turns to “spy” new objects.

Players: 2 or more.

Variations: To keep things interesting, set themes for each round like “only things outside the car” or “items that start with the letter B.”

2. 20 Questions

How to Play: Think of something—animal, vegetable, or mineral—and let the others know the category. They have 20 questions to ask to guess what it is, but you can only answer with “yes” or “no.” If someone figures it out before reaching 20 questions, they win and get to think of the next object.

Variations: Try limiting the categories to specific themes, such as movie characters or historical figures, to ramp up the challenge.

3. License Plate Game

How to Play: Keep your eyes peeled for license plates from as many different states as possible. When someone spots a new state, they shout it out. Keep a list of all the states seen during the trip. The person or team that spots the most wins.

Players: Any number.

Variations: Make it educational by requiring the spotter to say something they know about the state or find the state on a map.

4. Alphabet Game

How to Play: The aim is to find words that begin with each letter of the alphabet, in order, from A to Z. Players look for letters on signs, license plates, billboards, and passing trucks. The first person to complete the alphabet wins.

Variations: Play in teams and make it a relay; once a player finds “A,” the next player looks for “B,” and so on.

5. The Picnic Game

How to Play: Start the game with “I’m going to a picnic and I’m bringing…” followed by something that begins with the letter A. The next player repeats the phrase, including the A item and adding something that starts with B. This continues through the alphabet. If you forget an item, you’re out!

Variations: Change the picnic to a different theme, like a monster party or a castle banquet, to spark imagination.

6. Story Time

How to Play: One person starts a story with a single sentence. The next player adds another sentence to continue the story, and so on. The tale grows more elaborate and often more humorous as each person adds their twist. The game ends when the story comes to a natural conclusion or becomes too absurd to continue.

Variations: Limit each contribution to specific genres, like sci-fi or fairy tales, or add rules like each sentence must contain a certain word or concept.

7. Guess the Song

How to Play: Hum, whistle, or softly sing the melody of a well-known song without using any lyrics. The other passengers try to guess the song as quickly as they can. The first person to name the song correctly gets to perform the next one.

Variations: Make it themed around specific decades, genres, or artists to cater to the group’s musical tastes or to challenge their knowledge.

8. Would You Rather

How to Play: Players take turns asking “Would you rather” questions, posing two scenarios from which the other passengers must choose. For example, “Would you rather always have to sing instead of speaking or dance everywhere you go?” The game sparks laughter and intriguing conversations as players justify their choices.

Variations: Set boundaries to keep questions appropriate for all players and consider creating themed rounds, like food-related choices, travel dilemmas, or superpower options.

9. The Name Game

How to Play: Start with any name (person, place, or thing). The next player has to come up with a name that begins with the last letter of the previous name mentioned. No repeats allowed! If someone gets stuck, they’re out, and the game continues until only one player remains.

Variations: Narrow it down to categories such as celebrities, cities, animals, or foods to increase the difficulty or educational value.

10. Silent Car DJ

How to Play: One player acts as the DJ and plays a song on their device, but with headphones in so only they can hear it. They hum or tap the rhythm, and the others have to guess the song. Points are awarded for correct guesses, and the DJ role rotates after each round.

Variations: Instead of humming, the DJ could describe the song with three adjectives, making others guess based on the description.

11. Categories

How to Play: Choose a broad category, such as animals, cities, foods, or movies. Players take turns naming items that fit within the category. The catch? You can’t repeat an item that’s already been said, and you only have a few seconds to think of your answer. If you can’t come up with something or you repeat an item, you’re out. The last player remaining wins.

Variations: To increase the challenge, narrow the categories to more specific themes, like ‘Animals in Africa’ or ‘Movies with Tom Hanks.’

12. Two Truths and a Lie

How to Play: Each player takes a turn to say three statements about themselves: two truths and one lie. The rest of the group has to guess which statement is the lie. This game is not only fun but also a great way for passengers to learn new and surprising things about each other.

Variations: For a twist, after the lie is revealed, the person has to tell the story behind one of the truths.

13. The Restaurant Game

How to Play: One player thinks of a restaurant, and the others ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. Questions can range from the type of cuisine to the restaurant’s location. This game can spark discussions about food, travel experiences, and personal preferences.

Variations: Expand the game to include any type of business or specific places the group has visited together to make it more personal and challenging.

14. The Alphabet Sign Game

How to Play: Similar to the Alphabet Game but with a twist. Players must find the letters of the alphabet, in order, on road signs only. The first person to spot a sign with the next letter calls it out and moves on to the next letter. The first player to reach ‘Z’ wins.

Variations: To make it more challenging, exclude common signs or require the whole word to start with the letter.

15. Telephone

How to Play: This classic game starts with one person whispering a short message to the person next to them. The message is whispered from person to person until it reaches the last player, who says it out loud. It’s often amusing to see how much the message changes as it’s passed along.

Players: 3 or more, the more, the merrier.

Variations: Introduce a theme for the messages, such as movie plots or famous quotes, to guide the whispering and add an element of challenge in remembering specific details.

Trivia and Quiz Games

Elevate your road trip with a dash of knowledge and a sprinkle of competition.

Trivia and quiz road trip games are perfect for those who love to learn, challenge their brains, and boast about their obscure knowledge.

These games are not only entertaining but also educational, making them ideal for travelers of all ages.

Ready to test your wit and perhaps learn a thing or two along the way? Let’s quiz!

1. Movie Trivia

How to Play: Test your group’s movie knowledge with questions about classic films, famous actors, and award-winning movies. One person plays the quizmaster, asking questions like, “Which movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1994?” or “Name the actor who played James Bond in ‘Casino Royale’.” Keep score, or just play for fun!

Variations: Focus on a specific genre, decade, or even movies from a single director to tailor the game to the interests of the passengers.

2. Capital Cities Quiz

How to Play: A geographical twist that challenges players to name the capital cities of countries around the world. The quizmaster names a country, and players take turns answering. Incorrect answers mean you’re out, and the last person standing is the geography champ!

Variations: Make it easier for younger players by asking for the country of famous landmarks or harder by asking for cities that are not capitals.

3. Name That Tune

How to Play: Hum, whistle, or sing a few bars of a song without revealing its title or the artist, and let the others guess. The person who guesses correctly gets a point and takes the next turn as the performer.

Variations: Stick to a particular decade, genre, or even songs from movies to keep everyone on their toes.

4. Celebrity Guessing Game

How to Play: Think of a celebrity, and the others ask yes-or-no questions to figure out who it is. Questions can be about their profession, their work, physical characteristics, or any public knowledge. The game goes on until the celebrity is guessed or the questions run out.

Variations: Limit the celebrities to a certain field, like athletes or musicians, to make the game more challenging.

5. Road Trip Bingo

How to Play: Before the trip, create bingo cards with common road trip sights (like a red car, a billboard, or a cow). Players mark off the items on their card as they see them. The first to get five in a row and shout “Bingo!” wins.

Variations: Customize bingo cards for different regions or themes, such as a beach trip, mountain adventure, or urban exploration.

6. The Ultimate Quiz

How to Play: Combine all areas of trivia into one ultimate quiz game. Include categories like sports, science, pop culture, history, and more. Each correct answer scores points, and the person with the most points at the end of the game—or the trip—wins ultimate bragging rights.

Variations: Have each passenger come up with their set of questions for the group, giving everyone a chance to be the quizmaster.

7. Finish the Fact

How to Play: Start a fact about something (it could be about a country, a scientific phenomenon, a historical event, etc.) but leave it incomplete. For example, “The Eiffel Tower was originally intended for…” Players then guess to complete the fact. This game can lead to hilarious answers and some genuine learning moments.

Variations: Choose facts related to the destinations on your trip route to add an educational twist that connects with your journey.

8. Sports Trivia

How to Play: Perfect for the sports enthusiasts in the car, ask questions related to different sports, famous athletes, Olympic records, and memorable sporting events. Keep track of points to find out who the ultimate sports trivia champion is by the end of the trip.

Variations: Narrow the focus to a particular sport, like basketball or soccer, or include questions about local sports teams and athletes from your area.

9. Book Worm Trivia

How to Play: This game is for the literary aficionados in the car. Challenge each other with questions about famous books, authors, literary genres, and classic literature. For example, “Who wrote ‘1984’?” or “In which book does the character Scout appear?” Points are awarded for correct answers, and the person with the most points after a set number of questions wins.

Variations: Focus on a specific literary period, genre, or even books that have been adapted into movies to cater to different interests.

10. Science and Nature Quiz

How to Play: Test your knowledge of the natural world and scientific discoveries with questions ranging from biology and chemistry to astronomy and earth science. The quizmaster poses a question, and players take turns answering. This game not only entertains but educates, sparking curiosity about the wonders of the world.

Variations: Make it more interactive by relating questions to the scenery outside. For instance, if you’re passing through a mountainous area, ask questions related to geology or mountain ecosystems.

11. Historical Figures Guess Who

How to Play: One player thinks of a famous historical figure, and the rest ask yes-or-no questions to figure out who it is. The game continues until the figure is guessed or the questions are exhausted. It’s a great way to brush up on history while having fun.

Variations: Narrow the pool of historical figures to a certain era or field, such as Renaissance artists, World War II leaders, or women in science, to make the game more challenging.

12. Mythology Matchup

How to Play: Dive into the rich world of myths and legends with this trivia game. Players are given a character or item from mythology, and they must name the mythological tradition it belongs to (Greek, Roman, Norse, etc.) or tell a fact about it. It’s a fantastic way to explore different cultures and stories.

Variations: Focus on one mythology at a time or challenge players to match gods and goddesses with their domains or symbols.

13. Foodie Trivia

How to Play: For the culinary enthusiasts, this game tests your knowledge of world cuisines, cooking techniques, famous chefs, and food history. Questions can range from “What is the main ingredient in a traditional ratatouille?” to “Who is considered the father of modern French cuisine?”

Variations: Challenge players to guess the dish from a list of ingredients or to name the country of origin for popular dishes.

14. Pop Culture Puzzles

How to Play: This game focuses on current pop culture, including movies, music, influencers, viral trends, and television shows. Players might have to answer questions like “What was the highest-grossing film of 2020?” or “Who sang the hit song ‘Levitating’?” Keep the questions current to test who’s really up-to-date.

Variations: For a twist, include “finish the meme” challenges where one player describes a popular meme, and others have to complete or explain it.

15. Environmental Trivia

How to Play: With a focus on the environment, sustainability, and wildlife, this game educates players on important issues while engaging them in a fun challenge. Questions can cover topics like endangered species, national parks, renewable energy sources, and significant environmental events.

Variations: Incorporate questions related to the regions you’re driving through, such as local conservation efforts, native species, or geographical features.

Word and Language Games

Inject some linguistic fun into your road trip with games that play with words and language.

These games are perfect for wordsmiths, budding poets, and anyone who loves to tangle with tenses, wrestle with rhymes, or simply savor the sounds of syllables sliding together.

They’re a fantastic way to keep minds sharp and spirits high, turning every turn of the road into a twist of the tongue. Let’s dive into the verbal voyage!

1. Word Association

How to Play: Kick off this simple yet stimulating game by saying a word. The next player says the first word that comes to mind associated with the previous word. The game continues with each player building off the last word mentioned. It’s a great way to see where your minds wander and how differently or similarly everyone thinks.

Variations: Introduce themes to guide the associations, such as only using adjectives, animals, or places, to make the game more challenging.

2. Rhyme Time

How to Play: One player says a word, and the others must take turns coming up with words that rhyme with it. Keep going until no one can think of any more rhymes. For an added challenge, disallow simple rhymes or set a timer to up the ante.

Variations: Make it a storytelling challenge where each rhyming word must be used in a sentence that continues the story.

3. Storytelling Round Robin

How to Play: Begin a story with a single sentence. The next player adds a sentence, and so on, with each contribution building on the last. The resulting stories can be fantastical, hilarious, or unexpectedly poignant, reflecting the collective creativity of the players.

Variations: Impose rules such as each sentence must contain a certain word, or each addition must switch the genre of the story.

4. Word Chain

How to Play: Start with any word. The next player must say a word that begins with the last letter of the previous word. No repeating words, and each word must be real and verifiable. This game can go on indefinitely and is a great way to expand your vocabulary.

Variations: Focus on specific categories, like animals or food, to narrow down the options and increase difficulty.

5. Alphabetical Sentences

How to Play: Construct sentences where each consecutive word begins with the next letter of the alphabet. For example, “Alligators bask, cautiously digesting.” Players can work together to create the longest possible sentence or challenge each other to see who can come up with the most complex or humorous sentence.

Variations: Try creating sentences in reverse alphabetical order for a brain-bending twist.

6. Synonym Rolls

How to Play: One player says a word, and the next must come up with a synonym for it. The game continues, with each player trying to think of another synonym. This game ends when players run out of synonyms or repeat a word.

Variations: Play the antonym version, where players must come up with opposite words instead.

7. Haiku Highway

How to Play: Embrace the beauty of your surroundings by composing haikus related to the trip. A traditional haiku is a three-line poem with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. Take turns sharing your poetic observations about the journey, the landscape, or travel companions.

Variations: Expand beyond haikus to other forms of poetry, challenging each other to limericks, free verse, or sonnets about the trip.

8. The Unending Sentence

How to Play: Start with a simple sentence. The next player adds to it, and so on, with the goal of creating the longest, most grammatically correct sentence possible. This game can lead to some hilariously complex sentences and tests your understanding of grammar and punctuation.

Variations: Impose limitations such as each addition must include a specific word class (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) to increase the educational value.

9. First Letter, Last Letter

How to Play: This game challenges players to think of a word that starts with the last letter of the word previously mentioned. For example, if the word is “road,” the next word could be “dog.” The game continues, with each player linking their word to the last letter of the word before theirs. This can be played with themes, such as animals, cities, or any category you choose.

Variations: Make it more challenging by disallowing repeat words or setting a time limit for responses.

10. Gibberish Translation

How to Play: One player says a phrase in gibberish, and the others have to guess what they’re trying to convey. The gibberish speaker can give hints if needed. The aim is to translate the gibberish back into English, rewarding the most creative and accurate interpretations.

Variations: Instead of gibberish, use a made-up language or incorporate simple foreign language phrases for a bilingual twist.

11. Tongue Twister Tournament

How to Play: Challenge your fellow travelers to say classic tongue twisters as quickly and accurately as possible. Each player takes turns attempting different tongue twisters, and the group votes on the performance. Players get points based on clarity and speed.

Variations: Create your own tongue twisters related to the trip or surroundings for a personalized touch.

12. The Silent Game

How to Play: While not strictly a word game, this game challenges players to stay silent for as long as possible. It’s a humorous way to enjoy some quiet time, with the last person remaining silent winning the game. The twist? Other players can try to make the silent player speak (without touching them).

Variations: Add challenges or tasks that the silent player must complete while maintaining their silence for added difficulty.

13. Celebrity Name Game

How to Play: Start with the name of a celebrity. The next player must think of another celebrity whose first name starts with the first letter of the last name of the previous celebrity. For example, if the first name is “Tom Hanks,” the next could be “Harrison Ford.”

Variations: Include fictional characters to broaden the pool of names and add an element of fun.

14. The Definition Game

How to Play: One player thinks of a word, preferably one that’s obscure or whose meaning might not be widely known, and shares it with the group. The other players then invent definitions for the word, trying to convince the others that their definition is the correct one. After everyone has presented, the true meaning is revealed.

Variations: Vote on the best fake definition for points, regardless of whether it’s correct, to reward creativity.

15. Reverse Spelling Bee

How to Play: In this twist on the traditional spelling bee, the quizmaster spells out a word backward, and the players must guess the word. This game tests listening skills and mental flexibility as players translate the backward spelling into a recognizable word.

Variations: Use words related to the trip or destinations for a thematic connection to your journey.

Interactive Tech Games

In the age of smartphones and tablets, technology offers a wealth of opportunities to make road trips more engaging and interactive.

These games leverage the power of devices to entertain, educate, and even connect players with others far away.

From trivia apps that test your knowledge to multiplayer games that pit passengers against each other in friendly competition, there’s no shortage of ways to turn your vehicle into a mobile game room.

So, charge up your devices, download some apps, and get ready for some high-tech fun on the road.

1. Mobile App Trivia

How to Play: Numerous trivia apps are available that cover a wide range of topics, from general knowledge and science to pop culture and history. Players can compete individually or split into teams, answering questions on their devices. Some apps allow for real-time competition against players from around the world.

Players: 1 or more per device.

Variations: Choose apps that offer themed trivia nights or allow players to create custom quizzes about each other for a personal touch.

2. Multiplayer Gaming Apps

How to Play: There are many apps designed for multiple players, allowing you to engage in everything from strategy games and puzzles to racing and action adventures. Find games that can be played on a single device or over a shared network, and dive into a virtual world together.

Variations: Look for games that require cooperation to complete challenges or solve puzzles, encouraging teamwork and communication among passengers.

3. Audiobook Story Guessing

How to Play: Listen to an audiobook together and pause it at cliffhanger moments or the end of chapters. Everyone then guesses what happens next, with points awarded for correct predictions or the most creative guesses. Resume playback to find out who was right.

Variations: Choose audiobooks from genres everyone enjoys, or for an educational twist, listen to historical or scientific audiobooks and quiz each other on the content.

4. Podcast Quiz

How to Play: Select a podcast episode related to a topic of interest for all passengers. After listening, one passenger poses questions about the episode. This can be a great way to learn something new and spark interesting discussions.

Variations: Choose different podcast genres for each leg of the trip, ranging from mystery and science to history and comedy, to keep the content fresh and engaging.

5. Geocaching Adventure

How to Play: Use a geocaching app to find hidden caches along your route. This global treasure hunt uses GPS to guide you to specific coordinates where a geocache is hidden. It’s a great way to add physical activity and adventure to your stops.

Variations: Look for caches that contain trackables—items that travel from cache to cache—and see how far items you track or place travel over time.

6. Virtual Scavenger Hunt

How to Play: Create a list of items to find or tasks to complete that can be done from the car, such as taking a photo of a specific landmark, finding a rare car model, or spotting wildlife. Use your phones to document each item found or task completed.

Variations: Make the scavenger hunt educational by including historical landmarks or natural wonders in the list of items to find.

7. Karaoke App Competition

How to Play: Use a karaoke app that scores your singing based on pitch and rhythm. Passengers take turns performing songs, and the app provides a score at the end of each performance. It’s a fun way to showcase your vocal talents (or lack thereof) and enjoy some music.

Variations: Hold a tournament with different musical genres or have duet battles for an added layer of fun.

8. Digital Pictionary

How to Play: Drawing and guessing games are available as apps, allowing players to sketch on their devices while others guess what’s being drawn. These apps often have time limits and scoreboards to keep the competition lively.

Variations: Choose themes for each round, such as movies, animals, or actions, to keep the game challenging and interesting.

9. Language Learning Challenge

How to Play: Use a language learning app to collectively learn basics or brush up on a language spoken at your destination. Compete to see who can complete lessons or earn the most points by the end of the trip. It’s a productive and fun way to prepare for international travel or simply learn something new together.

Variations: Focus on learning useful travel phrases or challenge each other to conversations using only the new language.

10. Escape Room Apps

How to Play: Dive into the world of virtual escape rooms, where you solve puzzles and decode messages to “escape” from a locked room. These apps offer a variety of themed adventures, from mystery and horror to fantasy. Work together to solve the puzzles as quickly as possible.

Variations: Assign roles based on strengths, such as puzzle solver, researcher, or coordinator, to tackle the challenges more effectively.

11. Virtual Reality Sightseeing

How to Play: If you have VR headsets or can share one among the group, download virtual reality apps that allow you to visit famous landmarks, museums, and natural wonders around the world. Take turns exploring different locations and share interesting facts or impressions with each other.

Players: 1 per VR headset.

Variations: Make it educational by focusing on historical sites or natural phenomena related to your road trip destinations.

12. Interactive Story Apps

How to Play: Choose an app that offers interactive stories, where your decisions affect the outcome. These can range from mystery and romance to fantasy and adventure. Read the story aloud, and as a group, decide which paths to take at key decision points.

Variations: Vote on decisions for a democratic approach or rotate the decision-maker role to let each player shape the story’s direction.

13. Fitness Challenge Apps

How to Play: Use fitness apps to set up daily challenges, such as achieving a certain number of steps during rest stops or completing mini-workouts. Keep track of everyone’s progress and reward the winner with a special treat or privilege on the trip.

Variations: Tailor challenges to the trip, like doing specific exercises at landmarks or competing in impromptu races.

14. Social Media Scavenger Hunt

How to Play: Create a list of photo or video challenges to complete and share on social media, such as imitating a statue, dancing in a scenic spot, or finding the quirkiest roadside attraction. Use hashtags to track your posts and see who can complete the most challenges.

Variations: Focus on creating content that tells a story of your journey or highlights lesser-known attractions.

15. Digital Art Contests

How to Play: Utilize drawing or painting apps to hold art contests. Choose a theme or subject, and everyone creates their digital artwork. Share the results with each other or on social media to let followers vote on their favorites.

Variations: Have art challenges based on scenery you pass or themes related to your trip destinations.

Creative and Imagination Games

Let your creativity soar and imagination run wild with games designed to inspire storytelling, artistic expression, and innovative thinking.

These games are perfect for travelers looking to stretch their minds and explore new ideas, all while enjoying the journey together.

Whether you’re crafting epic tales, sketching the passing landscape, or inventing new games, there’s no limit to where your creativity can take you.

Buckle up for a journey filled with whimsy, wonder, and the joy of creating something out of nothing.

1. Create a Story

How to Play: One person starts by saying a sentence to begin a story. The next person adds a sentence, and so on, with each addition building upon the last. The goal is to create a collaborative story that can take unexpected turns and evolve in surprising ways.

Variations: Introduce specific elements that must be included, such as a mysterious character, a magical object, or a specific setting, to guide the story’s direction.

2. Imagine If

How to Play: Players take turns posing hypothetical scenarios, starting with “Imagine if…” The scenarios can be as realistic or fantastical as you like. Each player then adds their response or continuation of the scenario, leading to creative and often humorous discussions.

Variations: Limit the scenarios to themes related to your trip or destinations for a more focused exploration of creativity.

3. Draw It Out

How to Play: Using paper and pens or a drawing app on a tablet, one player describes a scene or object without naming it, and the others must draw what they think is being described. Afterward, compare drawings to see how each person interpreted the description.

Variations: Make it a guessing game where players have to guess what was being described based on the drawings.

4. Invent a Game

How to Play: Challenge yourselves to invent a new game that can be played in the car. Discuss ideas, decide on the rules, and then test it out. This not only sparks creativity but also results in a unique game that’s personalized to your group’s interests.

Variations: Set constraints for the game creation, such as it must involve storytelling, drawing, or singing, to narrow down the focus.

5. The What-If World

How to Play: Players ask “What if” questions about the world around them, pondering alternate realities or outcomes. For example, “What if trees could talk?” or “What if we could fly?” Discuss the implications, invent stories, or draw conclusions based on these fantastical questions.

Variations: Focus on “What if” questions related to the places you’re passing through or visiting on your trip.

6. Design Your Dream Destination

How to Play: Each player describes their dream travel destination, detailing what makes it unique, what activities you can do there, and even what the local cuisine is like. This game encourages players to use their imagination and share their travel aspirations.

Variations: Sketch your dream destination or create a travel brochure for it, adding a visual or written element to the game.

7. Once Upon a Time

How to Play: Using the phrase “Once upon a time,” start a fairy tale that each player contributes to. The story can include classic elements like dragons, magic, and quests, but should also incorporate modern twists or personal touches from each player.

Variations: Assign roles (such as hero, villain, sidekick) to each player, who must then tell the story from their character’s perspective.

8. The Soundtrack of Our Trip

How to Play: Imagine your road trip is a movie. Discuss and decide together what songs would be on the soundtrack, including the opening credits, a dramatic moment, and the closing credits. Share why each song was chosen and how it fits the “movie” of your trip.

Variations: Create actual playlists based on these discussions and listen to them during your trip, enhancing the journey with your personalized soundtrack.

9. Collaborative Comic Strip

How to Play: Start creating a comic strip together. One person draws the first panel, then passes it to the next player to draw the second panel, and so on. Each panel should continue the story from where the last one left off. By the end, you’ll have a unique comic strip created by everyone in the car.

Variations: Set a theme or main character for the comic strip at the beginning, or let each panel be a surprise to the next artist to encourage spontaneity.

10. Dream Invention Brainstorm

How to Play: Discuss and brainstorm ideas for a new invention. It could be something practical, something futuristic, or completely whimsical. Talk about what problem it solves, how it works, and even what it looks like. The goal is to let your creativity and problem-solving skills run wild.

Variations: Sketch your inventions or come up with a pitch as if you were presenting it on a show like “Shark Tank.”

11. Alternate Ending

How to Play: Think of movies, books, or stories that everyone is familiar with, and discuss alternative endings for them. Each player proposes their unique twist on how the story could have concluded, encouraging creative thinking and storytelling skills.

Variations: Write down these alternate endings or act them out if space and safety allow.

12. The Time Capsule

How to Play: Pretend you’re creating a time capsule to be opened in 50 years. Discuss and decide what items (real or imagined) you would include to represent your current road trip, the era you’re living in, or your group of travelers. Explain why each item was chosen and what story it tells about your journey or time.

Variations: Design or draw the items instead of just discussing them, creating a visual time capsule.

13. Mythical Creature Creation

How to Play: Each player comes up with their own mythical creature, describing its appearance, abilities, and habitat. You can get as detailed as you like, from what it eats to how it interacts with humans (if at all). This game sparks imagination and can lead to some fascinating creature designs.

Variations: Draw your creatures or create a story involving all the creatures invented by the players.

14. Future City Planning

How to Play: Imagine you’re the planners of a city in the future. Discuss what innovative features and technologies your city will have, how it addresses modern challenges, and what daily life looks like for its inhabitants. This game encourages forward-thinking and discussions about technology, sustainability, and community living.

Variations: Sketch your city or specific technologies and buildings in it, or create a brochure or advertisement promoting your futuristic city.

15. Secret Superhero Identities

How to Play: Each player invents a superhero persona for themselves, complete with powers, weaknesses, a hero name, and a backstory. Share your superhero identities with each other, and then create scenarios or challenges that your superheroes might face on an adventure.

Variations: Combine all the superheroes into a single story or comic, working together to overcome a grand challenge or villain.

Puzzle and Strategy Games

Engage your brain and test your strategic thinking with puzzle and strategy games designed to challenge and entertain.

These games are perfect for those who enjoy a mental workout and the satisfaction of solving problems or outsmarting their opponents.

From logic puzzles that stretch your reasoning skills to strategy games that require foresight and planning, there’s a wealth of ways to turn the journey into a battle of wits.

Prepare to think critically and strategize creatively as we delve into games that make every decision count.

1. Sudoku Showdown

How to Play: Bring along printed sudoku puzzles or use a sudoku app. Compete to see who can complete their sudoku puzzle the fastest. To accommodate multiple players, you can work on the same puzzle and take turns, or each work on separate puzzles of similar difficulty levels.

Variations: Adjust the difficulty level based on the experience of the players, or try a team approach where players collaborate to solve more challenging puzzles.

2. Travel Chess or Checkers

How to Play: Use a travel-sized chess or checkers set for games on the go. These classic strategy games are perfect for rest stops or longer breaks. Players take turns, strategizing moves to outmaneuver their opponent.

Players: 2.

Variations: Play a tournament with brackets if you have more than two players, or introduce “speed chess” rules to keep games quick and engaging.

3. Crossword Competition

How to Play: Bring a book of crossword puzzles or find them in newspapers or apps. See who can complete a crossword puzzle the fastest, or work on a single puzzle as a group and see how many clues you can solve together.

Variations: For a collaborative twist, each player can be responsible for different sections of the crossword or specialize in certain types of clues.

4. Brain Teaser Battles

How to Play: Prepare a list of brain teasers, riddles, and logic puzzles before the trip. Challenge each other with these puzzles, and keep score of who solves the most. This game tests your critical thinking and problem-solving skills under pressure.

Variations: Turn it into a team game where one team poses puzzles to the other, alternating roles after each round.

5. Tangram Challenges

How to Play: Use a tangram set or an app to challenge each other with geometric puzzles. Players try to recreate specific shapes using the seven tangram pieces within a set time limit. This game tests spatial awareness and geometric skills.

Variations: Compete to see who can complete the most puzzles in a given time or who can create the most original design.

6. Memory Match

How to Play: Use a deck of cards or a memory match game app. Lay out the cards or activate the game, and players take turns flipping two cards at a time, trying to find matches. The player with the most matches at the end wins.

Variations: Increase the difficulty by adding more cards or using a version of the game with complex symbols or pictures.

7. Strategy Card Games

How to Play: Bring a deck of cards and play strategy-based card games like Rummy, Hearts, or Spades. These games require strategic thinking, planning, and a bit of bluffing to win.

Players: 2 to 4.

Variations: Learn and introduce new card games from different cultures to keep the gameplay fresh and educational.

8. Logic Puzzle League

How to Play: Equip yourselves with a book of logic puzzles, which might include grid puzzles, sequence puzzles, and more. Challenge yourselves to solve these puzzles individually or as a group, discussing your reasoning and strategies as you go.

Variations: Set up a league with a point system for different types of puzzles, crowning the “Logic Champion” at the end of the trip.

9. Battle of Wits: 20 Questions Reimagined

How to Play: Give the classic game of 20 Questions a strategic twist. One player thinks of an object, and the others have a limit of 20 questions to figure it out—but with a catch. Players also score points based on the efficiency of their questions, encouraging strategic thinking about what to ask next.

Variations: Implement a rule where the questioner can make a guess at any time, but if they’re wrong, they lose a point or give a point to the person who chose the object, adding an extra layer of strategy.

10. Codebreaker Challenge

How to Play: Create a simple code or cipher before the trip. During the trip, one player writes messages using this code, and the others try to decipher them. The first to crack the code or the one who decodes the most messages wins.

Variations: Use different types of codes throughout the trip, from simple substitution ciphers to more complex systems, to keep the game challenging.

11. Map Quest

How to Play: Using a physical map or a mapping app, one player selects a destination, and the others must figure out the most efficient route using only the information given by the map. This tests geographic knowledge, planning skills, and the ability to navigate complex routes.

Variations: Set challenges within this game, such as finding the shortest route, the most scenic route, or creating a route that passes through specific checkpoints.

12. Strategic Storytelling

How to Play: This game combines storytelling with strategic thinking. Players collaborate to tell a story, but each addition must follow a strategic goal, such as avoiding certain words, incorporating specific themes, or achieving a narrative objective set at the beginning.

Variations: Introduce “plot twist” cards or challenges at intervals, which must be incorporated into the story, requiring quick thinking and adaptability.

13. The Great Debate

How to Play: Players choose or are assigned different sides of a debate on a light-hearted topic. Each side must come up with arguments and strategies to convince the others. Points are awarded for creativity, logic, and persuasiveness.

Players: 3 or more (including a judge).

Variations: Incorporate absurd topics or fictional scenarios to make the debates more entertaining and imaginative.

14. Building Bridges

How to Play: Using paper, pens, and a creative mind, players must design a bridge that meets specific criteria, such as length, material limitations, and aesthetic appeal. After drawing, players present their designs, explaining the strategy behind their construction methods and choices.

Variations: Make it a competition with categories for judging, such as most innovative design, most realistic, or most likely to withstand natural disasters.

15. Escape Plan

How to Play: One player designs a hypothetical “escape room” scenario with puzzles, clues, and a storyline. The others must ask strategic questions to solve the puzzles and “escape” within a certain timeframe. This game tests problem-solving skills and creativity in both the design and execution phases.

Variations: Rotate the role of the escape room designer, allowing each player to craft their unique challenges and stories.

Musical and Sing-Along Games

Turn up the volume and let the rhythm take over with musical and sing-along games that celebrate the joy of music.

These games are perfect for music lovers and anyone who enjoys a good melody, offering a fun way to pass the time while showcasing your vocal talents—or just your enthusiasm for a catchy tune.

From guessing games that test your musical knowledge to creative challenges that let you compose your own songs, there’s a symphony of options for making your road trip a musical adventure.

Get ready to sing your heart out, tap your feet, and let the music lead the way.

1. Karaoke Challenge

How to Play: Use a karaoke app or simply play songs from a playlist, muting the vocals if possible. Passengers take turns singing, and performances can be rated by the audience for fun. Choose songs that everyone knows to encourage group participation.

Variations: Award points for accuracy, performance flair, or audience engagement to keep things interesting.

2. Name That Tune

How to Play: One player hums, whistles, or plays a short snippet of a song, and the others try to guess the song as quickly as possible. The player who guesses correctly first gets to choose and perform the next song.

Variations: Limit the song choices to specific decades, genres, or artists to tailor the game to your group’s musical tastes.

3. Finish the Lyric

How to Play: Play a line from a song, then pause it abruptly. The next player must sing or say the next line correctly. If they succeed, play continues; if not, it’s the next player’s turn. This game tests your memory and musical knowledge.

Variations: Make it more challenging by choosing songs with less well-known verses or by only reading the lyrics without the melody.

4. Create Your Own Song

How to Play: Collaborate to write a song about your road trip, including details about places you’ve seen, inside jokes, and memorable moments. Take turns contributing lines or verses, and then put it all together into a melody.

Variations: Assign different parts of the song (verse, chorus, bridge) to different players or create a song in a specific musical style (country, pop, rap).

5. Guess the Artist

How to Play: Play a few seconds of a song, and the other passengers have to guess the artist. This can be played with a streaming service or local music files. Keep score to see who has the broadest knowledge of music artists.

Variations: Focus on specific music periods, genres, or even movie soundtracks to narrow down the possibilities and challenge your group’s music knowledge.

6. Musical Storytelling

How to Play: One player starts by singing a line from a song that hints at a story or emotion. The next player must continue with another line from a different song that logically follows the narrative or emotional thread. This continues, weaving a story or conveying a mood through connected song lyrics.

Variations: Set a theme for the story, such as love, adventure, or overcoming challenges, to guide the song choices.

7. The Humming Game

How to Play: Similar to “Name That Tune,” but players hum the tune instead of playing a snippet. This tests both the hummer’s ability to convey the song without words and the guessers’ ability to recognize tunes from just the melody.

Variations: Use only television theme songs, commercial jingles, or songs from musicals to make guessing more focused and potentially easier or harder.

8. Song Association Game

How to Play: One player says a word, and the others have a short time to sing a snippet of a song that includes that word. Points are awarded for speed, accuracy, and sometimes creativity in song selection.

Variations: Play with themes related to your trip, such as cities, emotions, or landscapes, to make the song choices more meaningful.

9. Band on the Run

How to Play: Each passenger picks an imaginary instrument and “plays” it to a song playing over the speakers. The challenge is to keep in rhythm and put on a performance. After each “performance,” players rate each other on creativity, enthusiasm, and how well they “played” their instrument.

Variations: Switch instruments after every song, or introduce “solo performances” where one person takes the spotlight while others provide backup.

10. Music Video Director

How to Play: As a song plays, passengers collaboratively come up with a concept for a music video for that song. Discuss locations, scenes, and the storyline. After the song ends, vote on the best idea or combine elements from everyone’s suggestions to create a group concept.

Variations: Assign roles such as director, cinematographer, and actors, and plan out specific shots or scenes, adding depth to the creative process.

11. Lyrics Rewriting Workshop

How to Play: Choose a well-known song and rewrite the lyrics to fit the theme of your road trip or to recount a funny event that happened along the way. Each passenger contributes a line or verse, and together, you create a new version of the song.

Variations: Focus on specific parts of the song to rewrite, like the chorus, or challenge yourselves to maintain the original rhyme scheme and meter.

12. Musical Charades

How to Play: Like traditional charades, but with a musical twist. Players act out the title of a song, a band, or a musical act without speaking, while others guess. Use motions to represent words or actions associated with the song or artist.

Players: 3 or more.

Variations: Include categories or themes to narrow down the guessing, such as 80s hits, rock bands, or songs about traveling.

13. Song Shuffle Story

How to Play: Put your music library on shuffle. Each song that plays serves as inspiration for a short story, memory, or joke from one of the passengers, ideally relating to the song title, lyrics, or mood.

Variations: Make it a challenge to connect each story to the next, creating a coherent narrative thread or theme that runs through the entire game.

14. Echo Song Battle

How to Play: One player sings a line from a song, and the next player must sing a line from a different song that echoes a word or theme from the previous line. The game continues, with each player trying to link their song choice to the one before.

Variations: Set a timer to limit how long players have to think of their song line, adding pressure and spontaneity to the game.

15. Composer’s Challenge

How to Play: Take turns humming a melody you create on the spot. The next player has to add onto the melody, either by extending it, adding harmony, or creating a response melody. Continue around until you have a complete composition created by all passengers.

Variations: Record each addition on a phone or other device, and play back the entire composition at the end to hear your collaborative masterpiece.

Mindfulness and Relaxation Games

In the midst of the excitement and entertainment, it’s also important to incorporate moments of calm and mindfulness into your road trip.

Mindfulness and relaxation games offer a serene counterbalance to the high-energy activities, inviting passengers to connect with their senses, breathe deeply, and find peace on the road.

These games are designed to reduce stress, enhance awareness, and promote a sense of well-being among travelers.

Let’s explore games that turn the journey into a path toward tranquility and mindfulness.

1. The Gratitude Game

How to Play: Take turns sharing things you’re grateful for, focusing on the experiences of the trip, the beauty of the scenery, or personal reflections. This simple exercise can shift focus to the positive, uplifting everyone’s mood.

Variations: Set a theme for each round, such as nature, technology, or people, to guide the reflections.

2. Mindful Observation

How to Play: Choose an object outside the window and observe it quietly for a full minute. Then, share your observations, describing the object in detail and reflecting on any thoughts or feelings it evoked. This game encourages present-moment awareness and attention to detail.

Variations: Focus on observing different senses in turn—sight, sound, touch—to deepen the mindfulness experience.

3. Breathing Relay

How to Play: Start with deep, synchronized breathing as a group. One person leads a breathing exercise, guiding the others in inhaling, holding the breath, and exhaling slowly. Pass the role of leader around, allowing each passenger to contribute a breathing pattern or technique.

Variations: Incorporate visualization or meditation techniques with the breathing exercises for enhanced relaxation.

4. Soundscapes

How to Play: Close your eyes (except for the driver!) and listen to the sounds around you for a few minutes. Afterward, discuss what you heard and how it made you feel. This game helps tune into the environment and fosters a calming, mindful listening practice.

Variations: Create your own soundscape using apps or recordings of nature sounds, then reflect on the imagined environment.

5. Positive Affirmations Circle

How to Play: Each person takes a turn to say a positive affirmation about themselves and then one about another passenger. This activity boosts self-esteem and strengthens connections within the group.

Variations: Focus on affirmations related to travel, such as adaptability, curiosity, or joy in discovery.

6. Cloud Stories

How to Play: Look at the clouds and individually pick one that catches your eye. Spend a few moments in silence contemplating it, then share what you imagined or felt about your chosen cloud. This game encourages creativity and a connection to nature.

Variations: Instead of clouds, focus on landscapes or other natural features you pass by, interpreting their shapes or imagining their stories.

7. Sensory Countdown

How to Play: Engage in a “5-4-3-2-1” exercise to ground yourselves. Name five things you can see, four you can touch (describing the texture), three you can hear, two you can smell (if possible), and one you can taste (even if it’s just the memory of a taste). This exercise helps focus on the present and calms the mind.

Variations: Adapt the countdown to focus more on one sense, especially if you’re in an area with limited sensory input.

8. Intention Setting

How to Play: Share intentions for the day or for a particular destination. Discuss what you hope to experience, learn, or feel. Revisit these intentions at the end of the day or trip to reflect on how they were realized, fostering a sense of purpose and mindfulness about your journey.

Variations: Write down these intentions and share them with the group, creating a shared document of your collective journey’s aspirations.

9. Journey Journaling

How to Play: Allocate quiet time for each passenger to jot down thoughts, sketches, or observations in a journal. This can be about the scenery, how you’re feeling, or anything you’ve noticed or appreciated along the way. Afterward, if everyone is comfortable, share some of your reflections with the group.

Variations: Choose a specific theme for each journaling session, such as gratitude, nature, or personal growth, to guide the reflection.

10. Guided Imagery Relaxation

How to Play: One passenger leads a guided imagery session, describing a peaceful scene in detail (such as a serene beach, a quiet forest, or a cozy mountain cabin). Everyone else listens, visualizes the scene, and allows themselves to be mentally transported there, focusing on the calming effects.

Players: Any number, with one acting as the guide.

Variations: Record a guided imagery session before the trip, perhaps even one personalized to your journey, and play it back during the game.

11. Haiku Highway

How to Play: Inspired by the traditional Japanese form of poetry, passengers compose haikus (short poems of three lines, with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5) that capture moments or impressions from the trip. Share these poems aloud, enjoying the simplicity and depth of expression this form allows.

Variations: Set challenges for the haikus, such as focusing on a particular color, emotion, or element of the landscape.

12. Mindful Eating Experience

How to Play: Choose a snack or meal to eat mindfully. Before starting, everyone observes their food, noticing its color, texture, and smell. Eat slowly, savoring each bite and focusing on the flavors and sensations. Discuss the experience afterward, reflecting on any new insights or appreciations.

Variations: Blindfolded tasting, where each person tries to guess what they’re eating based on taste, smell, and texture alone, heightening the sensory experience.

13. The Silence Game

How to Play: Set a timer for a period of silence, during which passengers are invited to meditate, contemplate, or simply rest in the quiet. This game encourages internal reflection and a break from constant stimulation.

Variations: Include gentle background music or nature sounds to aid in relaxation, or practice silent observation, focusing on different senses in turn.

14. Emotional Check-In

How to Play: Pause for a group check-in, where each person shares how they’re feeling in the moment, what’s on their mind, or anything they’re processing. This game fosters emotional awareness and support within the group, creating a safe space for sharing.

Variations: Use prompts to guide the check-in, such as “What has been the highlight of the trip so far for you?” or “Is there anything you’re looking forward to?”

15. Nature Connection Ritual

How to Play: Whenever you stop for a break in a natural setting, take a few moments to connect with the environment. This could involve walking barefoot on the grass, hugging a tree, listening to the wind, or simply breathing in the fresh air deeply. Share your experiences and feelings afterward.

Educational Road Trip Games

Educational road trip games offer a fun and interactive way to learn new facts, explore topics of interest, and stimulate curiosity while on the move.

These games are perfect for families, students, and lifelong learners who want to turn their journey into an opportunity for growth and discovery.

From geography quizzes to science experiments you can perform in a moving vehicle, there’s no limit to the knowledge you can uncover.

Prepare to engage your brain, challenge your companions, and learn something new with each mile you travel.

1. Geography Guessing Game

How to Play: Use a map or a geography app to quiz each other on capitals, countries, landmarks, and natural features. You can ask questions like “What’s the capital of this state?” or “Which river are we crossing?” This game enriches your understanding of the world and the places you’re traveling through.

Variations: For a more advanced challenge, focus on historical geography, asking about ancient cities, historical events tied to specific locations, or changes in political boundaries.

2. Science on the Go

How to Play: Conduct simple, safe science experiments that don’t require stopping the car. For example, you can explore the concepts of motion by observing how objects behave in a moving vehicle. Discuss the science behind what you observe, such as inertia, gravity, and friction.

Variations: Prepare a list of phenomena to observe before the trip, such as the phase of the moon, weather patterns, or types of ecosystems you pass through, and discuss the science behind each.

3. Historical Timeline Challenge

How to Play: One player mentions a historical event, and the next player has to mention another event that happened either before or after, depending on the direction chosen at the start. This game tests and expands your knowledge of history in a fun, chronological context.

Variations: Focus on specific themes, such as inventions, wars, cultural movements, or the history of science and technology, to tailor the game to the players’ interests.

4. Vocabulary Builder

How to Play: Choose a word of the day, and everyone tries to use it correctly as many times as possible during the trip. Alternatively, challenge each other with unfamiliar words, and guess their meanings before looking them up to learn new vocabulary.

Variations: Pick words related to your trip’s destination or themes, such as geological terms for a national park visit, to make the learning relevant and engaging.

5. Math Road Rally

How to Play: Use the journey to solve math problems. Calculate the distance between points, average speed, fuel consumption, or even budgeting for the trip. It’s a practical way to apply math skills and make real-world connections.

Variations: Create challenges or competitions, such as who can calculate the estimated arrival time most accurately using current speed and distance remaining.

6. Language Learning Game

How to Play: If traveling in a multilingual region or to a destination where another language is spoken, practice key phrases and vocabulary together. Use language learning apps, phrasebooks, or audio courses to learn and quiz each other.

Variations: Turn it into a role-playing game where you simulate conversations in different travel-related scenarios, such as ordering food, asking for directions, or checking into a hotel.

7. Cultural Trivia Quiz

How to Play: Prepare trivia questions about the cultures, traditions, and customs of the places you’re visiting or passing through. This game is an excellent way to educate yourselves about the diversity of the world and foster respect and curiosity for different cultures.

Variations: Include questions about world religions, languages, culinary traditions, and significant holidays to broaden the scope of learning.

8. Environmental Awareness Challenge

How to Play: Discuss environmental issues related to the areas you’re traveling through, such as conservation, wildlife protection, or climate change impacts. Look for examples along the way, and talk about ways to address these challenges.

Variations: Focus on positive actions, highlighting conservation successes, renewable energy projects, or sustainable tourism practices observed during the trip.

9. Artifact Hunt

How to Play: Before the trip, research interesting historical or cultural sites along your route. As you travel, look for these “artifacts” — anything from a historical marker to a local museum. Take photos or notes about each find and discuss its significance. This turns the journey into a scavenger hunt through time and culture.

Variations: Include natural “artifacts” like geological formations or significant trees to expand the learning to environmental history.

10. “Did You Know?” Exchange

How to Play: Each passenger researches and shares fun facts or lesser-known information about the places you’re visiting or passing by. This can include folklore, unusual laws, famous residents, or unique local customs. It’s a great way to stimulate curiosity and appreciation for diversity.

Variations: Tailor the “Did You Know?” facts to themes, such as technological innovations from the area, literary figures, or pivotal moments in social justice related to the locations.

11. Economy Explorer

How to Play: Discuss the economic landscape of the areas you travel through, focusing on industries, agriculture, and services. Identify different businesses, farms, and factories along the route, and speculate on their roles in the local and broader economy. This game offers insights into the interconnectedness of communities and economies.

Variations: Make predictions about how the economy of an area might change in the future based on current observations and known trends, fostering critical thinking about economic development and sustainability.

12. Local Lore and Legends

How to Play: Research or ask locals about myths, legends, and stories from the areas you visit. Share these tales during the trip, diving into the rich tapestry of local folklore that gives each place its unique character. This game is a gateway to understanding cultural values and the power of storytelling.

Variations: Create your own story or legend inspired by the landscapes and communities you encounter, blending learned lore with imaginative creation.

13. Architecture Analysis

How to Play: Observe and discuss the architectural styles of buildings you see along the way. Try to identify the period, influences, and functional aspects of different structures. This encourages an appreciation for design and engineering and how they reflect cultural and historical contexts.

Variations: Focus on specific types of buildings, such as houses, public buildings, or religious structures, to deepen the analysis and understanding of architectural diversity.

14. Political Landscape Discussion

How to Play: Engage in discussions about the political history and current political climate of the regions you’re traveling through. Explore how geography, economy, and culture have shaped political developments and policies. It’s a respectful way to broaden understanding of governance and societal dynamics.

Players: Any number, with mindful respect for diverse opinions.

Variations: Compare and contrast the political landscapes of different areas visited, considering factors like governance models, civic engagement, and public policy issues.

15. Artistic Inspirations

How to Play: Use the scenery, towns, and experiences of your trip as inspiration for individual or collaborative art projects. Sketch, write poetry, compose music, or simply brainstorm ideas influenced by your journey. Share and discuss your creations, reflecting on how travel inspires creativity.

Variations: Choose a single theme that each person must interpret in their artwork, offering diverse perspectives on the same subject.

Boaters describe nightmare fishing trip after engine breaks, left stranded for hours in dark

MADISON COUNTY, Fla. ( WCTV /Gray News) - Three men are home safe after they experienced a nightmare fishing trip as they got stranded off the coast of Florida for hours over the weekend.

Scott Snow, Dillon McRae and Adam Simpson left for a fishing trip Friday morning.

However, that night, their boat broke down due to an electrical issue, leaving them stuck on the water without any cell service or radio signal to call for help.

The men said the wind started blowing around 40 mph with 10 to 12-foot waves crashing into the boat.

They tried to head back to land, but the waves and wind were so strong they worried their boat would capsize. So, they stayed overnight.

Snow and McRae said they both got violently sick from the crashing of the waves.

“I was throwing up,” Snow said. “All night, all day.”

The men survived the overnight hours and the next morning they tried to start the boat’s engine, but it wouldn’t start.

And that’s when they began to fear the worst.

“We were starting to ration water,” Snow said.

Frantic messages to friends and family went unanswered as they were still in an area without any service.

Miraculously, one of their messages ended up going through and hours later a helicopter and Coast Guard boat could be seen approaching.

“They passed us three times and didn’t see us,” Snow said. “We used all our flares.”

Finally, after shooting off their last flare, rescuers saw them.

“They started coming towards us and all of a sudden they started circling us,” McRae said.

The nightmare was over.

“Relieved,” Snow and McRae said when asked how they felt. “Relieved, to say the least. We were going home.”

Copyright 2024 WCTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Cyndi Lauper announces farewell tour

Cyndi Lauper  is retiring from the road. The “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” singer-songwriter announced a farewell tour Monday morning, setting one last national jaunt that will take her to arenas in 23 cities in North America this fall before she calls it a day as a touring artist.

Lauper did not release any statement explaining her reasons for deciding to do a farewell tour now, although she is expected to talk about it later this week as she promotes a new documentary about her career, “Let the Canary Sing,” that premieres on Paramount+ Tuesday.

The Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, which is being described as her first major road trip in a decade, will begin Oct. 18 in Montreal and end Dec. 5 at Chicago’s United Center.

Arena dates she’ll be playing along the way include shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Oct. 30, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Nov. 1, L.A.’s Intuit Dome Nov. 23, the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert Nov. 24, and San Francisco’s Chase Center Nov. 26. She will also be doing a non-arena show at Detroit’s Fox Theatre Oct. 24. (Scroll down for a complete list of tour dates.)

Tickets go on sale with an artist presale Tuesday, followed by other presales before the general on-sale begins Friday at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com.

Opening acts will be announced at a later date.

“Let the Canary Sing,” directed by Alison Ellwood, which had its premiere at Tribeca last year, will begin showing on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada on Tuesday. That same day, Lauper will participate in a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood before attending a private local premiere of the film at the theater complex, to be followed by a Q&A. On Wednesday, she’ll be discussing the documentary and the farewell tour on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

• Events Participants

Fall Flash of the Palouse

2052 w mountain view rd, moscow , id • 10k, 5k.

Don your most colorful running apparel and join us for a 10K (6.2 mile) race, 5K (3.1 mile) race, or 1K kids fun run through the beautiful fall Palouse countryside. The 10K course covers a loop on paved and gravel roads over rolling hills while the 5K is flat and fast on paved roads.

Date, Time, Place

November 4, 2023, at Mountain View Park, Moscow, ID Race Day Schedule: 10 a.m. - 5K &10K 11:15 a.m. - Kid's Race

10K/5K - $25 Kids 1k - FREE with adult registration Registration costs include a special PRR Fall Flash neck gaiter.

10K: Clockwise loop on paved and gravel roads over rolling hills, leaving from Mountain View Park, out Mountain View Road to West Twin – Herington – Moscow Mountain Road, then reconnecting with Mountain View Road to finish. Look out for the hills on Herington! 5K: Flat and fast — out and back on the 10K course; turn around is at West Twin Road. Kids 1k is an out and back on the park trail system.

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