You and your family are on the road. That summer vacation you’ve all be dreaming of and preparing for is finally here. You’ve made all the necessary reservations, plotted out key stopping points and packed some snacks and an emergency kit for the long drive. You’ve even pulled out your car insurance policy to make sure everything is at the right level for a trip away from home base.
Everybody is excited, but once the reality of possibly long stretches in a car settles in, the radio fiddling and back seat fighting may commence. This list of games to play in the car will help take some of the sting out of your next family road trip. Travel games can definitely make things go by faster, so buckle up and surprise your family with your knowledge of road trip games.
Ah, the Pacific Northwest. Home to misty mountains, deep forests, and stretches of road that make you question whether time is real on your next mini-vacation in the Washington summer. If you’re gearing up for a family road trip across Washington or Oregon, chances are someone in the backseat will ask, “Are we there yet?” within the first 15 minutes. But fear not! With these fun road trip games, you’ll be so entertained that you might even forget to check the GPS.
This family road trip game is as timeless as the towering pines of the Pacific Northwest. One person picks an object they can see (inside or outside the car) and says, “I spy with my little eye, something that is…” followed by a descriptive word. The other players take turns guessing what it is.
Pro Tip: If you’re driving through Oregon, beware of using “green” as your descriptor unless you want the game to last until Idaho.
Perfect for long stretches of highway, the license plate game challenges players to spot plates from as many different states as possible. Keep track on a notepad or your phone, and see if you can get all 50!
Pacific Northwest Bonus: Extra points if you spot a plate from Alaska or Hawaii. Double points if it’s a Canadian plate and you pronounce “Saskatchewan” correctly.
All you need is a good playlist and some competitive spirit. One person plays a few seconds of a song, and the rest of the car races to guess the title and artist.
PNW Twist: Only play songs by artists from the region — think Nirvana, Macklemore, Brandi Carlile, and The Decemberists!
The classic alphabet game gets an upgrade while you’re on the way to a stress-free road trip! Players must find words on road signs, billboards, or even passing trucks that start with each letter of the alphabet in order. The catch? You can’t use the same sign twice!
Warning: If you’re driving through rural Oregon, the letters Q and X might take an hour to find.
Think of a person, place, or thing, and let the other players ask yes-or-no questions until they guess it. This is among the best road trip games for kids, since they get to put their natural curiosity to good use.
Family-Friendly Hack: Keep it themed! If you’re on your way to the Space Needle, only allow famous landmarks or Seattle celebrities. (Yes, that includes Bigfoot.)
Before your trip, print out Backseat Bingo cards filled with common sights like “rest stop,” “cow,” or “driver singing at the top of their lungs.” The first to complete a row wins!
PNW Edition: Add squares like “rain,” “moss-covered tree,” and “person wearing flannel drinking coffee.”
The Punch Buggy game is simple: When you spot a Volkswagen Beetle, you yell “Punch Buggy!” and lightly tap (or aggressively whack) the person next to you.
Safety First: Maybe tone it down if your backseat passengers are under 10 or if your driver values peace over friendly aggression.
Nothing passes the time like a good story. One person starts with a single sentence, and each player adds to the tale, one sentence at a time.
Example: “Once upon a time, a Sasquatch in Portland opened a food truck…” The possibilities are endless!
Whether you’re road-tripping to Mount Rainier, hitting the Oregon coast, or heading to a Seattle Seahawks game, make sure your car insurance is up to date before you hit the road. Accidents, deer crossings, and unexpected detours happen. Vern Fonk Insurance has you covered, so you can focus on the fun. Give us a call at (800) 455-8276, visit a location in person, or request a quote online!
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