Road Trip Activities for Kids: 20 Fun Ideas to Keep Everyone Happy

Are you planning a road trip with kids and already dreading the “Are we there yet?” questions?

I’ve learned that having a few activities ready can make a long drive much easier. Whether you’re travelling for two hours or ten, these ideas can help keep kids busy without relying on screens.

Looking for even more screen-free ideas? You might also like my 50+ Screen Free Activities for Kids, 30+ Backyard Activities for Kids, and Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Kids.

Need More Screen-Free Road Trip Activities?

• Road Trip Maze
• Scavenger Hunts for Kids
• Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
• Road Trip Word Search (coming soon)
• License Plate Game (coming soon)

Looking for even more screen-free fun?

Explore my printable Road Trip Activity Pack, filled with games, puzzles, and travel activities that are ready to print before your next adventure or the Travel Cryptogram which can be a bit more challenging.

Road Trip Activities for Kids

1. I Spy Game

Age Group: 3-12 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: Just your eyes and imagination!

This classic game never gets old because it’s simple and anyone can play. If you’re looking for a free printable version, check out my free printables vault. 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Pick something you can see outside the window
2. Say “I spy with my little eye something that is…” and give a clue (color, shape, or description)
3. Let others take turns guessing
4. The person who guesses correctly gets to be the next “spy”
5. Keep it interesting by mixing up your clues – use colors, shapes, or even sounds

Pro tip: For younger kids, stick to obvious things like “something red” or “something big.”

Looking for more screen-free ideas? Check out 50+ Screen Free Activities for Kids or try these 13 Educational Games for Kids That Actually Make Learning Fun. 

2. 20 Questions

Age Group: 6-16 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: None

This game gets everyone thinking and is works well for developing logical reasoning skills.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. One person thinks of something (animal, person, object, place)
2. Others ask yes or no questions to figure out what it is
3. They have 20 questions maximum to guess correctly
4. Start with broad questions like “Is it alive?” or “Is it bigger than a car?”
5. Get more specific as you narrow down the possibilities
6. If they guess correctly within 20 questions, they win and get to think of the next thing

3. Road Trip Bingo

Age Group: 4-12 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: Printable bingo cards, pencils or markers

This one requires a bit of preparation but keeps kids busy for hours.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Print road trip bingo cards before you leave
2. Give each child a card and something to mark with
3. As you drive, kids look for items on their cards
4. When they spot something, they mark it off
5. First person to get five in a row (or fill their entire card) wins
6. Create prizes like choosing the next song or picking the snack stop

If your kids enjoy printable activities, they may also like my Road Trip Scavenger Hunt Printable, Road Trip Maze, and Kids Packing List for Beach Vacations.

4. Audiobooks & Podcasts

Age Group: 2-16 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: Phone or tablet, downloaded content, car speakers or headphones

Works well for quiet time when everyone needs to relax.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Download age-appropriate audiobooks or podcasts before your trip
2. Test the audio quality in your car beforehand
3. Choose stories that match your longest driving segments
4. Let kids vote on what to listen to next
5. Pause occasionally to discuss what’s happening in the story

Great options: Harry Potter series, educational podcasts like “Brains On!” (my son loves to listen on Spotify) or classic fairy tales.

If your child likes listening to stories, audiobooks can be a good way to pass time during longer stretches of driving. 

Pro tip: I highly recommend Audible for your audiobook needs! They have an large selection of kids’ books and family-friendly content. You can download everything before your trip so you don’t need internet connection on the road. Plus, they often have great deals for new members.

5. Sing-Alongs

Age Group: 2-16 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: Music playlist, car speakers

Turn your car into a concert hall and let everyone be the star!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Create a family road trip playlist before leaving
2. Include everyone’s favorite songs
3. Take turns being the “lead singer”
4. Make up actions or dance moves (safely while seated)
5. Try singing in different voices or accents for extra fun

📌 Related article: Free Printable Kids Packing List for Beach Vacations

6. Drawing & Coloring

Age Group: 3-12 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: Coloring books, crayons, paper, or tablets with drawing apps

Great for creative kids who need a quiet activity.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Pack a small container with crayons and coloring books
2. Choose books with thick pages that won’t tear easily
3. For older kids, bring blank paper for free drawing
4. If using tablets, download offline drawing apps
5. Challenge kids to draw what they see outside the window

Kids who enjoy drawing may also like these Toddler Activity Sheets, Rainbow Paper Craft, or Tree Template Printable. 

7. Sticker Books

Age Group: 3-8 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: Reusable sticker books, scene stickers

These are lifesavers for younger kids who love hands-on activities. 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose sticker books with scenes (farm, city, underwater)
2. Let kids create their own stories with the stickers
3. Reusable stickers work best for multiple uses
4. Pack extra sticker sheets for longer trips
5. Take photos of their creations before they change them

📌 Related article: 12 Amazing Tips for Baby’s First Flight

8. Snack Time Puzzle

Age Group: 5-12 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: Small puzzle sets, travel-sized LEGO kits, or brain teasers

Works well for kids who need something to keep their hands busy.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose puzzles with larger pieces that won’t get lost
2. Use a lap tray or clipboard as a work surface
3. Start with easier puzzles and work up to harder ones
4. Pack pieces in small containers to prevent loss
5. Celebrate completed puzzles with a special snack

If your child likes puzzles and problem-solving activities, take a look at Puzzles: Why Are They So Good for Toddlers, Dinosaur Word Search, and Valentine Math Worksheets.

9. Travel Journal

Age Group: 6-16 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: Notebook, pens, colored pencils

Help kids document their trip and create something kids can look back on. If your child enjoys writing and drawing, keeping a travel journal can become a fun family tradition.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Give each child their own special travel notebook
2. Encourage them to write about what they see and feel
3. Include drawings of interesting sights
4. Add pressed flowers, ticket stubs, or maps
5. Set aside time each day for journal writing
6. Let them share their entries with the family

10. Magnetic Games

Age Group: 6-16 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: Travel-sized magnetic games (chess, checkers, tic-tac-toe)

These won’t slide around the car and pieces won’t get lost. This game set is a good option – comes with 12 games, works well for any road trip.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose games appropriate for your child’s age
2. Start with simple games like tic-tac-toe
3. Play tournaments with family members
4. Keep score on paper for extra competition
5. Pack games in easy-to-reach spots

11. Counting & Math Games

Age Group: 4-12 years
Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
Materials Needed: Paper and pencil (optional)

Turn the scenery into a math lesson without them realizing it!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose things to count (red cars, cows, billboards)
2. Set time limits for counting challenges
3. Add simple math with the numbers they find
4. Create competitions between siblings
5. Reward correct answers with small prizes

Examples: Count license plates from different states, add up numbers on road signs, or count animals in fields.

Looking for more learning activities? You might also enjoy 13 Educational Games for Kids, Valentine Math Worksheets, and How to Teach Vocabulary to Toddlers.

12. Storytelling Circle

Age Group: 4-16 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: Just imagination!

This gets everyone involved and creates hilarious family stories.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. One person starts with “Once upon a time…”
2. Each person adds one sentence to continue the story
3. Go around the car multiple times
4. Try to build on what the previous person said
5. End the story when everyone has had several turns
6. Record funny stories to remember later

13. License Plate Game

Age Group: 6-16 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: Paper and pencil, printed list of states/provinces

A classic road trip game that teaches geography.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Print a list of all states or provinces before leaving
2. Check off states as you spot their license plates
3. Keep a running total for each family member
4. Look up interesting facts about states you find
5. Take photos of unusual or personalized plates
6. Set a goal for how many you want to find

Want more travel ideas? Visit Road Trip Activities for Kids, Road Trip Scavenger Hunt Printable, or Screen Free Activities for Kids.

14. Memory Game

Age Group: 5-12 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: None

Great for developing memory skills while having fun.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Start with “I went on a trip and I packed…”
2. First person adds one item
3. Next person repeats the list and adds a new item
4. Continue until someone forgets the sequence
5. Start over with a new category like “animals I saw”
6. Make it easier for younger kids by using categories they know well

15. Quiet Reading Time

Age Group: 4-16 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: Books, e-readers, or tablets

Works well when everyone needs to recharge. 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Pack books appropriate for each child’s reading level
2. Include a mix of favorites and new books
3. Set specific quiet reading times during the trip
4. Use bookmarks to save places easily
5. Let kids share interesting parts they’ve read

Kids who love books might also enjoy these Printable Bookmarks for Kids, Dinosaur Facts for Kids, or Dinosaur Word Search Printable.

16. Travel Scavenger Hunt

Age Group: 5-12 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: Pre-made scavenger hunt list, pencils

More challenging than bingo and keeps kids engaged longer. If you don’t want to make your own list, I’ve already created a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt Printable for Kids with things like barns, motorcycles, tractors, water towers and animals to spot along the way.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Create a list of things to find before your trip
2. Include both common and unusual items
3. Give points for different difficulty levels
4. Set time limits for finding items
5. Offer rewards for completing the hunt
6. Take photos of items they find

Example items: Yellow car, horse, water tower, barn, motorcycle, billboard with animals.

📌 Related article: What to pack in a Mommy & Toddler Carry-On + Checklist

17. Origami or Paper Crafts

Age Group: 5 -14 years
Difficulty Level: Medium
Materials Needed: Origami paper, instruction books or apps

Keeps hands busy and teaches patience and following directions. Here’s a nice origami kit for kids which comes with lots of papers, patterns and a guiding book. 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Start with simple designs like paper airplanes or flowers
2. Bring instruction books with clear pictures
3. Use apps with step-by-step video tutorials
4. Practice easier designs before trying complex ones
5. Display finished creations in the car
6. Have contests for best designs

Looking for more creative ideas? Try our Open-Ended Play Activities, DIY Toys for Toddlers, or Toddler Painting Activities.

18. Play with Travel-Friendly Toys

Age Group: 2-10 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: Small action figures, dolls, cars, or fidget toys

Sometimes kids just need familiar toys to feel comfortable.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose toys that won’t roll away or get lost
2. Pack them in small containers or bags
3. Rotate toys every few hours to keep interest
4. Create imaginary adventures with the toys
5. Use the car environment as part of the play

19. Educational Games on a Tablet

Age Group: 4-16 years
Difficulty Level: Easy to Hard
Materials Needed: Tablets or phones, downloaded apps

Great backup plan when other activities aren’t working.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Download apps before your trip (no internet needed)
2. Choose educational games that match your child’s interests
3. Set time limits for screen use
4. Include variety – puzzles, word games, math games
5. Let kids teach each other how to play new games

Good options: Khan Academy Kids, Prodigy Math, word puzzle games, or drawing apps.

20. Chat & Plan

Age Group: 3-16 years
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials Needed: None

Don’t underestimate the power of good conversation!

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Talk about upcoming stops and what to expect
2. Let kids help plan activities at your destination
3. Share stories about your own childhood trips
4. Ask about their favorite parts of the trip so far
5. Discuss what they’re most excited about
6. Plan future family adventures together

Ready for Your Next Road Trip?

If you’re looking for even more screen-free entertainment, here are my most popular road trip resources:

Free

• Road Trip Maze
• Scavenger Hunts for Kids

Best Value

• Mega Road Trip Activity Book (70+ activities)

Challenge Lovers

• Travel Cryptogram

More Screen-Free Travel Ideas

Still need more ideas?

• Road Trip Scavenger Hunt Printable
• Road Trip Maze for Kids
• Kids Packing List for Beach Vacations
• 50+ Screen Free Activities for Kids
• 30+ Backyard Activities for Kids
• Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Kids
• 13 Educational Games for Kids
• 57+ Lunchbox Ideas for Picky Eaters

FAQs about Road Trip Activities for Kids

Conclusion

Road trips with kids can be some of the best family memories you’ll ever make. The key is being prepared with plenty of activities and staying flexible when things don’t go as planned. Remember, the trip is just as important as the destination!

From my experience, the activities that work best are the ones that get the whole family involved. Whether you’re singing silly songs, creating wild stories together, or just chatting about life, these moments in the car can bring your family closer together.

Don’t feel like you need to use every single activity on this list. Pick the ones that match your kids’ interests and personalities. Some kids love creative activities, while others prefer games or listening to stories. The beauty of road trips is that you have time to try different things and see what works best for your family.

Make Your Next Road Trip Easier

If you’d rather not plan activities yourself, I’ve put together a Road Trip Games Bundle with scavenger hunts, bingo cards, travel journals, activity sheets, and other screen-free ideas that you can print at home and pack before your trip.

Happy travelling, 

Xx Kinga 

Pin it for later!