fun trip activities

30 Best Road Trip Games That Are Super Fun

Road trip games can make any journey more enjoyable and fun whether you're going on a long drive across the country or spending a few hours in the car with the kids.

Our list of the 30 of the best road trip games will provide entertainment for children and adults alike, ranging from music-related games and foodie challenges to word contests and devious pranks.

You will never have to think of what to do on a long car ride again! The following is the ultimate list of games you can play on a road trip.

1. The Story Game

Entertaining for adults and kids alike, this is storytelling with a twist - you go round the car and each passenger adds just one word following on from the player before.

See how crazy you can make the story, and get someone to record it on their phone so you can listen back to the hilarious progression of the plot as you make way along your road trip. You could go from sunbathing in Spain to training alpacas in Chile in a matter of seconds.

Trust us, you're in for a laugh with this one and if your passengers are good, these stories can get seriously long!

2. I'm Going On A Road Trip

This road trip game requires a bit more brain power than some of the others, but is still really entertaining and great for all ages. To play, passengers take it in turns to state 'I'm going on a road trip and I'm bringing…' followed by an item of their choice.

The next person has to repeat the phrase, saying the last person's item and adding one of their own and so on - eventually you'll have a really long list of crazy items to try and remember, and it's always amusing watching people try and get it right a few rounds in.

Be sure to throw in a few weird and wonderful items to confuse the rest of the players!

3. The Quiet Game

This game is a bit of a joke for the adults who want a few minutes of peace and quiet from their squabbling kids. The rules are hilariously simple - just say 'who can stay quiet the longest?' and breathe as the competitive siblings fall instantly silent.

Just a word of warning though: don't expect it to last very long, so have another kid-friendly car game lined up for when they get bored.

4. The Banana Game

This game is all about the color yellow and is super simple - points are awarded whenever a passenger spots a yellow vehicle.

Come up with a scoring system for different types of vehicle (e.g. one point for a car, two for a van, and three for a lorry) and whether you saw it parked (one point) or in motion (two points). Add any extra rules you fancy, and prepare to get competitive about who saw it first.

5. Never Miss A Beat

This game may be more of a singalong than a game, but it's still awesome!

Never miss a beat offers another chance to show off your singing skills and unusually gets everyone playing together rather than against each other.

All you need to do is stick on your family's favorite song or a song everyone knows the words to and start singing. Someone then needs to turn it down for 10 seconds whilst everyone keeps singing, before turning it back up again to see if you've kept the beat and stayed in time.

This game is mainly just a bit of fun, but you could always turn it into a competition by splitting into teams!

Another classic you've probably played a thousand times before but never get bored of.

Passengers take it in turns to find an object either inside or outside the car and say "I spy with my little eye something beginning with…" the first letter of whatever the object is.

The other passengers must then try and guess the answer (clues can be given if it's really hard), with the winner taking the next turn. This is an easy car game to play with kids and always a great one to keep bored passengers entertained for a surprisingly long time.

7. 20 Questions

This classic road trip game probably doesn't need much of an introduction - simply choose one passenger to start by thinking of a random object, and the other passengers take turns asking 20 yes-or-no questions to guess the object.

Whoever finds the answer first gets to think of the random thing in the next round, but if the object has everyone stumped, they get to keep their role for the next round.

There are no rules on the object you can pick, but lying in your answers is strictly forbidden!

8. Car Bingo

This kid-friendly game takes a little prep before you set off, but it's well worth it if you need to keep the kids entertained on a long journey.

Make a list of things the children might see along the road trip route - e.g. cows, a tractor, a red car etc, to give to them when you get into the car.

As you drive they can cross things off as they see them, not only distracting them from boredom but also encouraging them to look around and learn about the places they're visiting.

Make the list as specific to the place you're going as you want. In Texas you might have anything mentioning the Lone Star and in Wyoming you might be on the lookout for elk!

You can tailor the difficulty and number of things to find depending on the age of your children.

9. Sweet Or Sour

The rules of this road trip game are super simple: passengers take turns waving at passing pedestrians or people in nearby cars. If they wave back they're sweet, if not they're sour. You win a point for every sweet passerby you get, so aim to find as many friendly people as possible along the way.

For obvious reasons, the driver should opt out of this one, but it can be extra fun if they divert the car through a busy area of town to rack up some extra waving opportunities!

Remember not to distract other drivers!

10. Secret Place Race

Make use of that old road map that sits in the car seat pocket to entertain the kids. All you need to do for the secret place race is pick a place they're unlikely to know such as a tiny village, river, or mountain, and see how long it takes them to find it on the map.

This can be incredibly entertaining in a Where's Waldo kind of way, except their mission in finding the village can be made critically important for the driver to be able to find the right way!

Have a reward on hand if they're able to find it in less than 5 minutes, and watch as they're completely engrossed in the task. A simple yet satisfyingly effective game.

11. Punch Buggy

First gaining popularity as part of one of Volkswagen's marketing campaigns in the 1960s, the aim of this game is to give your fellow passengers a playful punch whenever you see a VW Beetle drive past.

This is one of those road trip games that is universally loved by children (as long as you monitor the punching to avoid disaster), although we don't see why the adults wouldn't enjoy it too.

Granted - in some parts of the world, seeing a Beetle is incredibly rare, so if you're struggling to see many Beetles, you could always choose a specific color of car or another funny model as the target instead to make it a touch easier.

12. Regional Car Pantry

One for the foodies. Stretching across the full duration of your road trip, collect as many local snacks as you can at every stop along the way to build up your car pantry.

Make sure you take pictures of each snack (or buy duplicates if they'll keep) so you can see what you've managed to collect at the end of the trip, and be sure to take some weird and wonderful treats home for friends and family to try.

Do some research beforehand and make a list of all the foods you want to find, or just wing it and see what local delicacies you stumble across as you go.

13. The License Plate Game

You'll need pens and paper for this game so make sure you've packed some before you head off. The aim is to spot license plates from as many different countries or US states (depending on where your road trip is taking place) as possible.

Write a list of the places you've seen and compare it with the other passengers at the end of the drive. This is the ideal game for those long stretches of boring motorway where you'll probably rack up a surprisingly long list, and the person with the most countries gets to ride shotgun for the next leg of the journey.

The end of this road trip game can get very controversial - if you spot a real game winner, photographic evidence is a good idea so get your phone out and take photos in secret!

14. The Fortunately - Unfortunately road trip game

This is similar to the Story Game (see #1 above), however players get a little more control and creativity. You can say more than one word this time!

One player starts off with a 'fortunately' sentence, and the next has to follow with an 'unfortunately' sentence to build a story of luck and misfortune. For example, one player might start with 'fortunately, the sun was shining' with the second player adding 'unfortunately they had a long drive ahead of them' and so on.

This game can make it a little easier to remember the long string as everything has to be either fortunate or unfortunate! Get as creative as you can and you'll find yourself at your destination in what seems like no time at all.

15. The Complete Food Menu Game

This is the perfect road trip game to play if you're passing through a few towns on your way although roadside restaurants and chains will do just fine.

Print out a sheet with all the food types you can think of in a grid against the names of people in the car.

Every time you drive past a restaurant of some kind, the first person to spot it gets to collect the tick for the food type it serves. Steaks and pizzas should be easy to collect by everyone, but you might just win if you're the only one who spotted the seafood restaurant in the middle of Oklahoma!

16. The Name Game

This is another simple game that keeps your brain occupied during a long drive without being too strenuous. One person simply says any name they can think of and the next person must say another name that begins with the last letter of the name before, and so on.

For example if passenger one says Tom, passenger two might say Mary. If you've made any friends during your road trip, try and include their names to make it a tad more topical.

Obviously adding the rule of not repeating the same names once they have been mentioned makes this a whole lot more interesting as the game progresses although you're guaranteed to have a disagreement over whether a name has or has not been mentioned already!

17. Guess The Song

If you're comfortable in your musical knowledge you'll definitely want to suggest playing this one. The rules are simple: get the front passenger to play the first few seconds of a song and whoever can guess the artist and song title the quickest wins a point.

This is much easier if you can connect your phone to the car for the road trip and play songs from there so you can easily search and pause the music.

The person with the most points after half an hour gets control of the music for the rest of the journey, so there's a lot at stake...

18. Sing The Next Line

A variation on the Guess The Song game above, except this game relies on your vocal chords.

Instead of just guessing the song after a few seconds, players have to rack their brains and try and sing the next line, and the person who successfully remembers it first wins a point. Think of a reward for whoever wins, and if you attempt it but get it wrong you have to do a forfeit chosen by the driver.

19. Radio Roulette

This game's a little less hands-on but no less entertaining. Use your road trip driving time to discover all the local radio stations of the place you're visiting by re-tuning every ten minutes and choosing a new station at random.

You'll probably find some pretty wacky programs and get to know traditional and popular music in that country - a great way to appreciate culture even when you're between destinations.

If you a radio station that is really wacky, let us know!

20. Would You Rather

This road trip game can be be as PG or as outrageous as you like depending on the age of the passengers.

Take turns asking the car whether they would rather do one thing or another (e.g. 'would you rather go to France or Spain?') and see what they answer. Make it as difficult as possible to choose between the two options for maximum entertainment value, whether that's making them equally amazing or equally horrible, it's up to you…

You can see how this game can get as interesting in group of adults as with kids - answering the question is compulsory and providing reasons is where it gets fun!

21. Car Rules Road Trip Game

Everyone in the car gets to make up a silly rule, e.g. whenever we cross a bridge everyone has has to touch their nose, or whenever we stop at a red light everyone has to touch the roof of the car.

The last person to join in when an action is enforced gains a point, and the person with the most points at the end of the drive loses. Get as creative as you like with the rules and try and catch people out where possible so you can take the victory.

The loser has to go pay for parking or buy ice creams at the next stop!

22. Hot Seat

If you're that nosy friend that wants to find out all of your companions' deepest secrets then you'll like this one. Passengers take it in turns to be in the hot seat and are asked 5 questions, one of which they're allowed to veto and the other four must be answered honestly.

This is best played in an adult-only car (questions get notoriously cheeky) and is the ideal way to pass the time finding out some interesting new facts about your road trip friends.

You can use it as a warm up or a step up from the car version of Truth or Dare (see #27 below) depending on how close your friendships are!

23. People Watching

Someone picks a car full of people that everyone can see (this works best if you're stuck in traffic), and together you make up a story about the people - who they are, where they're going, what they do for a living. The funnier and more far-fetched the story, the better - just make sure you're not staring too obviously at your subjects or it might get a little awkward...

Use your imagination to make the stories controversial and see how far you can go with making things up!

You might just surprise yourself how the most innocuous of road trip games will make you spot things you would never otherwise see just by looking at the cars around you.

24. Kiss, Marry, Avoid

Another one for the older crowd. Take turns listing three famous people and the other passengers in the car have to choose which person they would kiss, which they would marry, and which they would avoid.

Make it really hard to decide so that everyone has a bit of a laugh, and try to predict each other's answers to add an extra twist to the game.

If you want to add a little spice to the game, use people you all know or move to people in the car!

25. While You Were Sleeping

There's nothing more tempting than pulling a prank on a passenger who falls asleep en route, and whilst we don't dispute the whole drawing-a-mustache classic, we've got something even craftier.

Whilst they're taking a nap on the road trip, have a brainstorm with the awake members of the party and come up with an epic story or scenario of something that they missed during their nap.

The aim of the game is to get them to believe the story, so make sure nobody laughs or breaks character (come up with a forfeit if they do), and keep the lie going for as long as possible. If you manage to pull it off this is far better than a DIY mustache... but by all means, draw one on for good measure.

This classic road trip game can really take a turn for the worse if you want it to. A simple horror story about a truck that followed the car for miles that you just managed to pull away from before getting a flat tyre can go a long way as you're parked on the side of the road. Peer into the rear view mirror in horror and watch their face when a random truck appears on the horizon!

26. Categories

Popular with kids and adults alike the world over, Categories can be an awesome game to play on road trips as well.

The premise is simple - somebody picks a category which can have multiple different answers. Fruit or Beatles' songs can both be great options.

Players have to then take turns to name one item from the category at a time. Players are eliminated when they can't name one until there's one winner. Either the winner or the next person in turn gets to choose the next category.

That brings our list of the best road trip games to an end. Do you have other games you enjoy? Get in touch to let us know and we'll add it to our list!

27. Truth Or Dare (The Car Edition)

The old classic can and should be played on road trips! Players take turns to either answer an embarassing question truthfully or perform a dare set by other players.

The dares obviously have to be contained to the realms of the car or the roadside so you'll have to get creative.

Needless to say, this game is very different when played with kids as a family or with adult friends and is equally great in both cases!

28. 6 Degrees of Separation

This is a road trip game that will require some imagination and provide plenty of topics for conversation.

Take turns and pick two people who you may know or make them up (e.g. a Shaolin monk). The more different the background and location of these people the better!

Then proceed to discuss how these two people are connected through 6 connections or less. You don't have to know the whole chain - that's actually where the fun is.

How is a gaucho from a remote farm in southern Argentina connected to Prince Charles? The gaucho must know his ranch's boss (1). The boss knows the boss of the company that buys beef from local producers (2). That company has a liaison manager in a UK-based Argentinian beef importing firm (3). This manager has a colleague who imports fine wines from around the world for the same company (4). The colleague personally provides the fine wines to the Royal sommelier (5) and the sommelier personally knows Prince Charles (6). Bingo!

29. The Stop Joker Card road trip game

If you're going on a long trip and you're going to be driving all day or even longer than that, this is a great way to give everyone in the car, kids included, a way to have a bit of control.

At any point during the trip, each person can enact their Stop Joker Card - this means the car has to stop wherever they are passing and spend some time there doing an activity or just relaxing.

Your kids might see something really fun halfway along and use their card to break up the journey and everyone gets to have their stop along the route!

30. Pick One Car road trip game

This one is a game of patience and opportunity. Every person in the car has one chance during the journey to pick a car that you can see on your way as their ultimate One Car. The objective is to pick the coolest/fastest/most amazing car possible.

Once you've chosen a car, you can't change it - you only have one go so you better make it count - if you're passing something that is decent but not stellar, you might have to make a tough choice.

The game is made even more difficult by the fact that the first person to call the car out gets to have it so you have to be alert and on the lookout if you haven't got one yet.

Join our email list!

By joining our email list, you give LazyTrips permission to use your email for sending you newsletters, emails and updates including for marketing purposes. Your email will not be provided to third parties.

Related posts

100+ Fun Road Trip Games for Everyone!

Posted on Last updated: February 12, 2024

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.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Summer Vacations

25 Best Summer Vacations Everyone Should Consider in 2024

From Monaco to Napa Valley, these summertime getaways have something for every type of traveler.

The term “summer vacation” conjures images of sunny afternoons at the beach and leisurely drives through the countryside. While plenty of travelers have their go-to spots, others view summer as the perfect time to embark on a new adventure, such as hiking to Machu Picchu, surfing in Nicaragua, or road-tripping through the American West.

No matter how many passport stamps you've collected or countries you've checked off your list, there's always a new corner of the globe to discover. Summertime getaways to places like Scotland and the U.S. Virgin Islands have recently been growing in popularity among travelers, joining the ranks of classic summer vacation destinations like Greece and Italy.

From river cruises to train adventures to African safaris, these are the best summer vacation ideas for 2024.

Enjoy la dolce vita in Italy.

When it comes to romance, few places rival the allure of Italy. You've got the history of Rome, the art of Venice, the fashion-forward vibe of Milan, the dreamy Mediterranean coastline, the wineries of Tuscany, the pizza of Naples, and more. During the summer, temperatures can soar to over 85 degrees, so consider visiting a destination by the sea or a lake, where you can escape the heat. For a true Italian villeggiatura (summer vacation), book a room at Passalacqua on Lake Como or Borgo Santandrea on the Amalfi Coast .

Take a road trip from Charleston to Savannah.

While it's mighty hot in the South during the summer (we’re talking temperatures in the 80s and 90s), there's plenty of sweet tea and lemonade available to cool you down. Begin your trip in the port city of Charleston, where you can wander picturesque cobblestone streets, walk the promenade along the ocean, photograph the colorful, historical homes of Rainbow Row, and eat your weight in crab cakes, hush puppies, and other Southern classics. Stay at The Loutrel , a luxury boutique hotel just steps away from some of the best things to do in Charleston .

Then, hop in the car and make your way to Savannah, about two hours south. While the coastal Georgia city has similar architecture and Spanish moss-draped oak trees, it also boasts dozens of world-class museums and art galleries where you can escape the heat. Check into The Alida , named one of the best hotels in Savannah by T+L readers.

Explore the cities of Colombia.

Colombia continues to climb the list of must-visit countries for curious travelers, and for good reason: Medellín offers immersion into art and culture, while Cartagena pairs history with seaside allure.

Often called the "City of Eternal Spring" due to its year-round warm weather, Medellín is especially pleasant in the summer when temperatures range from around 65 to 75 degrees. Days can be spent sipping gin cocktails on outdoor patios, hiking nearby mountains, exploring the surrounding rain forest, and getting a great calf workout (the town is built on hills).

While you're in the port city of Cartagena, you'll travel back in time to the 16th century through its iconic Old Town, which features colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. Plus, the nearby white-sand beaches are never too crowded. Temperatures reach the upper 80s all summer, so prepare for sweltering days. Find some relief in a room at the Casa San Agustín . 

Pretend you're 007 in Monaco.

If you haven't been to Paris, summer is a special time to visit. But, if you've had your fill of lazy sunset picnics along the Seine, consider Monaco instead. This tiny independent city-state on the Mediterranean coastline of France oozes international spy vibes. You'll feel like an extra in a James Bond film as you gamble at upscale casinos, sample local dishes at La Condamine market, or stroll along the boardwalk, admiring Monaco's hillside beauty in the pleasant summer weather, with highs of around 75 to 80 degrees. Complete your storybook vacation by checking into the iconic Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo . 

Get lost in the Medina of Marrakesh.

The North African country of Morocco is diverse, with a rich history and plenty of unique experiences to engage your senses. Whether you spend your time perusing the rows of local goods that line the winding lanes of the Medina of Marrakesh or riding a camel into the sunset and losing count of the stars in the Sahara Desert sky, a summertime trip is both invigorating and enticing. It's outside of the high season, so if you can take the nearly 100-degree heat, you'll benefit from fewer crowds and a calmer getaway — well, as calm as it can get while you bargain for tiles and dodge motorbikes. Book a stay at the Mandarin Oriental, Marrakech for private villas with lush gardens and open-air spa treatments. 

Laze around in Montego Bay.

A hop-and-a-skip from the East Coast, Montego Bay on Jamaica's north coast is an idyllic spot to disconnect for a hot second. And by hot, we do mean hot: Temperatures can reach the high 80s in the summer, creating the perfect conditions for lazy days spent reading, dipping into the calm waters, and sipping rum cocktails. Relax at a resort or venture out to explore some of Jamaica's best beaches , such as Doctor's Cave Beach or Walter Fletcher Beach. If you're into snorkeling or scuba-certified, the protected waves of Montego Bay Marine Park are a must, too. Stay at the Round Hill Hotel and Villas to get a feel for the island's barefoot luxury. 

Summit Machu Picchu.

The dry season (June, July, and August) is one of the most popular times of year to visit Machu Picchu due to the blue skies, lush green grass, and awe-inspiring views. Whether you're up for the challenge of hiking the Inca Trail or would prefer the Inca Rail , it's wise to spend a few days sightseeing and acclimatizing to the altitude in the nearby city of Cusco. The former capital of the Inca Empire is full of charm, with a hilltop that lights up at night, bustling local markets, and countless alpaca stores to splurge on a sweater for the chilly nights. For the best views of Machu Picchu, climb the mountain in front of it, Huayna Picchu. Then, return to the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco , where the hotel’s historic trappings and oxygen-enriched rooms are the perfect way to rebound after a day in the Andes.

Eat your way around Lima.

For foodies who prefer eating to sightseeing on vacation, Lima will feel like the holy grail of culinary destinations. There are countless restaurants with Michelin stars and affordable tasting menus. During June, July, and August, the Peruvian capital boasts sunshine-filled days and little rain, with balmy temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees. When you're not restaurant hopping, you can learn how to surf, snap photos of impressive graffiti art, and pet the countless cats who live in Parque Kennedy. Word to the wise: If you want to dine at top restaurants Central or Astrid & Gastón , you'll likely have to make reservations weeks or months in advance. Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel provides all the comforts of a five-star hotel alongside Peruvian cuisine, a rooftop pool with Pacific Ocean views, and a convenient location for exploring the area, including the hip Barranco neighborhood.  

Ride the swells in Nicaragua.

Nicaragua is one of the top places to put your surfing skills to the test, and the waves during the wet season lend themselves to beginners and experts alike. This Central American country, tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, features more than just no-filter-required sunsets — various regions mean you can experience everything from lakes to volcanoes. Before you leave, make sure you see the city of Granada, which is rich in Spanish colonial history. While there, book a room at Tribal Hotel for boho-chic interiors and icy poolside drinks to help you beat the upper-80-degree weather. 

Go wine tasting in Napa Valley.

Courtesy of Napa Valley Wine Train

For a whole season of long, tipsy summer days, the Napa Valley region outside of San Francisco offers sunshine and foodie-approved meals. If you can make it in July, sip your way through Festival Napa Valley , which highlights a range of wineries offering their best blends. For a more playful afternoon, consider booking a luxurious tasting journey on the Napa Valley Wine Train .

Wine country’s own Auberge du Soleil has residential-style accommodations and an on-site French restaurant with outdoor dining, so you can sip local pours while taking in sweeping views of the verdant countryside. 

Pretend you're not a tourist in New York City.

Ask any New Yorker and they'll agree: Summer isn't exactly the best time to visit the Big Apple. Between the unforgiving heat trapped by skyscrapers and an influx of tourists from around the world, most locals find any excuse to escape the concrete jungle in the summertime. However, there's an upside: New York City has plenty of free outdoor festivals this time of year, including Shakespeare in the Park and SummerStage . Plus, with less competition from in-the-know residents in late summer, you'll have a better chance of snagging reservations at trendy restaurants. Seek out rooftop bars, munch on artisan bites in Brooklyn, or make a break for the Hamptons if you have the time — and patience (the heading-out-of-town traffic is no joke).

There’s no shortage of world-class accommodations in the city that never sleeps. Whether you prefer classic stays at places like The Plaza or The Carlyle , or hip hotels like the Arlo Hotel , Soho Grand Hotel , and the Pendry Manhattan West .

Visit Mexico during the low season.

Outside of hurricane season, which peaks in September, summer is one of the best times to visit Mexico for fewer crowds and lower prices. If you can put up with the 90-degree heat of July and August, and occasional rainy days, you'll likely find some great deals on all-inclusive resorts and flights. Check into one of the sleek all-inclusive resorts in Los Cabos , explore the rich arts and culture scene in Puerto Vallarta, or go on a wellness retreat in the Caribbean beach town of Tulum.

Go on safari in South Africa.

Jess Macdonald/Travel + Leisure

For many seasoned travelers, South Africa holds a special place in their passports (and hearts). Each corner of this country presents a different climate and experience, and a getaway during the dry season can be particularly enchanting. There's plenty to see and do, from spotting animals in Kruger National Park and hiking Table Mountain in Cape Town to seeing the cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope and sipping your way through the wine region of Franschhoek.

If you can swing it, try timing your vacation in September when you're more likely to spot elephants, leopards, and many other species as they search for watering holes. June through August is technically winter in South Africa — you'll want to pack sweaters instead of swimsuits for this summer vacation — so expect mild days with chilly nights. There are several amazing safari lodges, but we recommend andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge inside Kruger National Park for an intimate, immersive Big Five wildlife experience.  

Hike the U.S. national parks.

Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure

The Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Haleakala in Hawaii — we could go on and on about the breathtaking landscapes and adventures that await in our nation's national parks, and summer is prime time for a visit. You're likely to enjoy sunny blue skies and starlit evenings, and you'll have plenty of time to disconnect from the digital realm and tune into the rhythms of nature. Some parks are free to visit, some are underwater, and all are unique. Camp out without sacrificing comfort at Under Canvas , which has locations with access to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, and Acadia national parks, among others.

Traverse Europe by train.

From college students to retirees, many travelers place a European trip at the top of their list — and for good reason. Eating a croissant beneath the Eiffel Tower in Paris, bicycling along the canals of Amsterdam, discovering historic castles in Ireland , and eating gelato while strolling past ancient Roman ruins in Italy are just a few of the incredible experiences that await in Europe. Grab a Eurail pass to hop between countries for a low price with minimal hassle.

See Florida from coast to coast.

The Sunshine State has it all — beaches, the Everglades , Key lime pie, the glamour and exclusivity of Palm Beach, the vibrant sizzle of Miami, and the tropical island vibe of the Florida Keys. Everyone should take time to explore Florida, from St. Augustine to Key West — home to the southernmost point in the continental U.S. — at least once in their lifetime. Of course, you'll want to hit the central city of Orlando for attractions like Walt Disney World, Epcot, and Universal Orlando. Plus, there are spectacular stays all across Florida, from seaside resorts to charming inns to all-inclusive idylls. 

Take a cruise.

It's hard not to have a good time on a cruise. Meals and drinks are typically included, your ship comes equipped with a wide range of activities, and you sail from port to port, hitting a multitude of new destinations while only having to unpack once. What more can you ask from a summer vacation? For an even more refined and intimate take on cruising, try a river cruise through Europe .

Travel through the Wild West.

Put on your pioneer pants and head out for an adventure in America's Wild West. With history, wide-open spaces, and cowboy lore from centuries past, you'll feel as free as it comes in places like Colorado or Nevada. And you can’t get more Western-chic than at Amangani in Wyoming near Grand Teton National Park .

Try driving an electric vehicle on the Nevada Electric Highway , which features EV charging stations, including Tesla Superchargers. The route's combination of Gold Rush ghost towns and tomorrow's technology makes it a road trip of the future and the past all at once.  

Drive the Pacific Coast Highway.

On the West Coast, State Route 1 — better known as the Pacific Coast Highway — runs along rugged cliffside terrain and expansive beaches, making it one of the most scenic drives in the country, if not the world. Plan your Pacific Coast Highway itinerary around the spectacular sunsets and plentiful photo ops. The summer weather will be beautiful, if toasty, with an average daily high in the upper 70s or 80s. Spend at least a couple nights in Big Sur at the Post Ranch Inn for classically California cool accommodations and sweeping Pacific views.

Not in the mood for a road trip? Tackle the Pacific Coast Highway by train on Amtrak's Coast Starlight route, which runs from Los Angeles to Seattle and hits spots like Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Portland along the way.

Backpack in Southeast Asia.

You've seen the photos — now it's time to explore Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia yourself. Take a cooking class, go temple hopping, visit an ethical elephant sanctuary , and live it up — even on a budget. Prices for food, hotels, activities, and excursions are often much lower than in many other parts of the world. Those looking for luxury can also find high-end accommodations such as Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Cambodia, the Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam, and Amanpuri in Thailand.  

Get Adventurous in New Zealand.

For those who prefer the snow to the shore, beat the heat and travel to New Zealand, which experiences winter from June to August. You’ll be happy for the 50- to 60-degree weather when the country’s epic hiking, climbing, and bungee jumping get your blood pumping. And make no mistake: You will be spending all of your time outside. New Zealand is renowned for its gorgeous landscapes, from beautiful beaches and the fjords of Milford Sound to the wonder of the  Waitomo Glowworm Caves and charming locations used in The Lord of the Rings . 

Sip rum swizzles in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Americans don’t need a passport to enjoy these three islands in the Caribbean. Whether you choose St. John, St. Croix, or St. Thomas (or hop between the three), you’ll find white sand, world-class snorkeling, and tropical surroundings in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Each has its own vibe. Go to St. John for a luxurious, private island-like atmosphere; St. Croix for the food ; and St. Thomas for the lively atmosphere of a tourist hot spot. Stay at a beachfront all-inclusive resort for a stress-free escape.

There are several rum distillers on the islands, so you can sip a locally sourced rum swizzle while you enjoy average summertime temperatures in the low 80s.

Golf in Scotland. 

David Alexander/Getty Images

The U.K.'s northernmost nation is known for its gorgeous lochs, beautiful castles, and the windswept Highlands. From whisky distillery tours to walking the magnificent  West Highland Way to exploring the cosmopolitan centers of Glasgow and Edinburgh, there’s no shortage of things to do in Scotland . Plus, the sun doesn't set until around 10 p.m. in the Highlands in June and early July, so you'll have even more daylight for exploration.

But the real reason to take a summer vacation in Scotland is found on the green. This country is a golfer’s dream with more than 550 courses and a long legacy of seaside links. There are plenty of coastal spots for the ultimate summer game, like the Fairmont St. Andrews , where you'll have two courses to play and a chic room to return to at the end of the day.

Snap your way through Japan. 

You might miss the spring cherry blossoms, but there are still plenty of beautiful places in Japan to photograph in the summertime. Pose in front of the country’s tallest peak in the Fuji Five Lakes area or capture Tokyo's frenetic energy at Shibuya Crossing. In Kyoto, you’ll get plenty of pictures of temples, shrines, and bamboo forests for your scrapbook. From enjoying white-sand beaches in Okinawa to seeing the wildflowers in Hokkaido's national parks, these are moments you'll want to remember.

Go island hopping in Greece.

Nothing says summer vacation like the Greek Islands. From sipping ouzo by the Aegean to snapping a few windmill pics for Instagram, this is the perfect Mediterranean getaway. Of course, you’ll have to deal with more crowds and hotter temperatures in July and August, but it’s a popular time to visit for a reason. More restaurants and bars are open and you’ll find more available ferry routes, opening up the entire archipelago for your summer vacation. Start in the Cyclades (where you'll find the famous islands of Mykonos and Santorini) before moving on to lesser-known Greek Islands like Antiparos, Symi, or Syros.

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. 

Fun Things to do on Vacation: Planning Activities

by Danielle Owen | Mar 26, 2023 | Travel | 0 comments

Once you’ve decided where you’re going and who you’re going with, and sorted out accommodations and flights, it’s time to start thinking about fun things to do on vacation.

Trip activities depend on plenty of different factors. Is everyone you’re traveling with athletic enough to handle an intensive 8-hour hike? Does everyone know how to swim and feel comfortable being near the water? Do all the youngsters in the group meet height/weight requirements for certain activities?

Fun things to do on vacation can primarily be broken down by type of trip , and within the type of trip, the destination will ultimately guide your activity choices. Here are a few suggestions for group trip activities based on where you’re going and who you’re going with. 

Fun things to do on vacation based on your trip type

Friends trip.

Friend trips are often the easiest to come up with an activity list as the group frequently shares similar interests. This is where voting can come in handy to get an honest idea of what everyone finds enticing. Research a handful of activities, excursions, or outings at your destination and use Troupe to allow group members to vote on their favorites.

Friend trips are actually one of our favorite types of vacations to plan in an activity-centric way. If everyone in the group skis (or is okay being a lounge bunny) mountain cabin vacations offer plenty of fun things to do on vacation with friends.

Otherwise, all-inclusive resorts – in places like Mexico and the Caribbean – take all the guesswork out of dealing with shared budgets on group trips . In addition, these resorts will often have activities like paddle boarding, beach volleyball, and more included in the price. Additional activities, like excursions, parasailing, or jet skiing, are also easily organized through the resorts for an additional fee.

Fun things to do on vacation with friends:

• Skiing/snowboarding
• All-inclusive resorts
• Wine-tasting or brewery tours

Discover our favorite girls weekend ideas

Multi-generational family trips 

Multi-generational family trips can pose some of the hardest situations to come up with ideas for fun things to do on vacation that grandparents will enjoy as much as the grandkids. Regardless of the destination, some of the best activities for multi-generational groups are good, old-fashioned games like charades. Especially if you’re renting a big house or cabin for everyone to stay together, it’s often worth bringing your favorite board games from home on multi-generational family trips. 

Beach vacations are great for trips with multiple generations since there are no age restrictions on enjoying some time lounging on the sand or swimming in the sea. 

More fun things to do on vacation for multi-generational family trips:

• Pool time 
• Easy hikes 
• Board games
• Cooking together

Families (with young kids)

Families with young kids naturally plan their destinations around the activities available to the specific ages of their little ones. Buy beyond Ski School or the Kiddie Pool at the resort, what are some lesser-thought of activities while you’re spending more time than usual together on vacation? 

Similarly to multi-generational family trips, it’s often worth bringing some of your family’s favorite board games or card games from home to play while on your time away. Part of the fun of planning a family vacation once your kids are a bit older can be to research activities at your destination as a family and let them help choose what you see and do while you’re there. Parents will often be surprised at some of the activities that interest their kids. 

More fun things to do on vacation for families with young kids:

• City walks (give your kids their own disposable cameras to capture their favorite things through their own lens) 
• Family sandcastle building competitions 
• Boardgames/card games

Traveling with coworkers is a unique situation. Not only is this frequently a group travel situation that spans multiple ages and personality types, but it’s also often focused on bonding activities, especially if coworkers are new or they don’t always share an office. Team building activities are often the focus of coworker trips.

Fun things to do on team building vacations:

• Escape Rooms 
• Bowling 
• Minigolf 
• Nights out or daytime drinking activities (beer bikes/brewery tours/wineries)
• Cooking classes

Couples’ Trips 

Couples’ trips (with multiple couples) offer a great opportunity to travel with your significant other and still make a “friends” trip out of it. These trips are the perfect way to spend quality time with the other friends in your life that are coupled up, without worrying about “third wheel” dynamics. 

When it comes to fun things to do on vacation for couples’ trips, it frequently depends on how close you already are to the other couples. For a group that knows each other well to begin with, most of the activities for friend trips are equally as enjoyable when done as a group of couples, like renting a cabin in the mountains and making a ski trip out of it. Otherwise, international destinations to places like Paris or London, give you plenty of opportunity for dining out and exploring the sites of a new place with new-ish friends. 

Some more activities to consider on couples’ trips include: 

• Museum visits
• International cooking classes 
• Wine tastings
• Trivia nights
• Dance classes

Ready to start planning your dream vacation? No matter who you’re traveling with, Troupe makes it easy to plan group travel. Suggest possible dates, destinations, and accommodations to the group, and then everyone can vote on their favorites. Then, share flight information, links to tour groups, notes on where to eat, and everything else!

Check out Troupe’s group trip planner app to learn more.

New York City   Travel Guide

34 Best Things to Do in NYC

There are countless reasons to be mesmerized by New York, from its skyscrapers and monuments to its vibrant art, food, fashion and nightlife. Across the city, fresh perspectives are yours to be found; go for a stroll in Central Park or along the High

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Central Park Central Park free

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( the Guggenheim , the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History , to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

National September 11 Memorial & Museum National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum serves as the primary tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as the six lost in the 1993 bombing. The memorial's twin reflecting pools and human-made waterfalls rest as eerie footprints where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood. The 1-acre pools are enclosed in bronze panels on which the names of every victim are inscribed. The museum spans across 110,000 square feet and relays the narrative of the attacks through a series of multimedia displays, real-time recordings, authentic artifacts and an interactive table.

Recent visitors cited the overall atmosphere of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum as sobering and moving. Many travelers say they were impressed with the site as a whole, noting its respectful and informational displays. Reviewers say you won't want to rush your time here, with some recommending that you budget three to four hours to see all of the exhibits.

Empire State Building Empire State Building

U.S. News Insider Tip: Watch out for "sunset peak" pricing, which adds an extra $10 per ticket for two hours around sunset each evening. But on a clear day, it just might be worth it. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

New York City Tourist 101 dictates that you must swing by this landmark structure in midtown Manhattan. And despite the hefty admission fees, the crowds and the long lines, recent visitors insist that you won't be sorry. In fact, taking a trip to the top of the Empire State Building is either the perfect way to begin or end your Big Apple excursion – on a clear day you'll be able to the see the city's major highlights some 1,250 feet beneath you. 

Popular Tours

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

(9250 reviews)

from $ 99.00

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket

(3104 reviews)

from $ 46.82

Empire State Building Ticket

(4964 reviews)

from $ 47.91

Metropolitan Museum of Art Metropolitan Museum of Art

U.S. News Insider Tip: Come for the art, stay for the rooftop cocktails. A seasonal rooftop garden bar offers views over Central Park, which is especially coveted at sunset. The roof garden stays open into the evening on Friday and Saturday. – Jessica Colley Clarke

No museum in the United States is as celebrated as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spilling over with masterpieces from all over the world, including notable collections from ancient Egypt and classical antiquity, "the Met" is an art experience unlike any other, and like much in New York, it's impossible to see all the museum has to offer in one day (or even two days, for that matter). 

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Statue of Liberty is at the top of many travelers’ must-see lists. A feat of 19th-century technical engineering and a beacon for immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, the statue can be admired from several different vantage points around Manhattan, including Battery Park and the High Line . But to truly appreciate its size and significance, you’ll want to visit the statue and Ellis Island while on your NYC vacation.

The only way to access the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is by using the official National Park Service ferry operator, Statue City Cruises. If you’re departing from the New York side, you’ll hop on a ferry at Battery Park in lower Manhattan. If you’re departing from the New Jersey side, you’ll depart from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The ferry ride takes approximately 15 minutes.

Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge free

One of many signature landmarks of New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge is also one of the oldest suspension bridges in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Its six lanes (and one pedestrian and bicycle walkway) span the East River, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn. Walking across the bridge remains a tourist pastime.

Some visitors decide to skip the bridge in favor of other attractions, but if you're short on money, this truly is one of the best ways to experience the city and to get a unique view of either borough at no cost. Several reviewers warn that since there is no shade along the bridge, it can get quite hot in the summertime (though there are vendors selling bottles of water). Many also warned that it can get quite crowded, and advised visiting in the morning before 9 a.m. if you don't want to maneuver around crowds.

The High Line The High Line free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid crowds. If you walk from north to south, add on a visit to The Standard Biergarten or the vibrant Chelsea Market for great people-watching, food and drink. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor

Set on an abandoned rail track on Manhattan's West Side, this sprawling, nearly 1½-mile-long landscaped park stretches over three of the city's most lively neighborhoods: the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen. Standing 30 feet above street level, the High Line offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and Manhattan's cityscape. But the vista isn't the only reason visitors and Manhattanites flock to this manicured green space. Here, you'll find continually changing public art installations, a handful of food vendors and a sprawling picnic and sunbathing area (known as the 23rd Street Lawn).

NYC Food Tours NYC Food Tours

Known for everything from cheap eats to authentic international fare to Michelin-starred restaurants, New York City is a culinary hot spot and undoubtedly one of the best foodie cities in America . However, chances are you won't have time to experience everything the city has to offer in just one trip. One way to get a taste of New York's excellent cuisine across a variety of neighborhoods is to take a food tour.

Whether you want to explore a particular borough or neighborhood, or even a specific cuisine or dish, you'll find a tour to appease your taste buds. Relying on traveler reviews and expert analysis, U.S. News rounded up the best food tours in New York City . Though tours vary in length and price, they all receive rave reviews from past travelers, who applauded the variety of food and the expert knowledge of the guides.

Edge Observation Deck at Hudson Yards Admission Ticket

(1611 reviews)

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options

(8911 reviews)

from $ 44.00

New York Helicopter Tour: City Lights Skyline Experience

(429 reviews)

from $ 284.00

Washington Square Park Washington Square Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Finding an empty bench in Washington Square Park after visiting one of the neighborhood's independent bookstores – from The Strand to Three Lives & Company to Left Bank Books – is a true lower Manhattan pleasure. – Jessica Colley Clarke

The central gathering place of Greenwich Village is Washington Square Park, an almost 10-acre green space known for its downtown buzz. Here, kids splash in the fountain, musicians perform to a crowd, artists sell sketches or photographs, and chess enthusiasts gather to challenge each other to a game. What was historically a cemetery and later a bohemian hot spot is now a neighborhood institution that draws locals and visitors alike with its kids' playground, sizable dog run and ample shady space for picnics. An arch dedicated to George Washington is the dominant architectural feature of the park. 

Broadway Broadway

U.S. News Insider Tip: Start your day with a stop at the TKTS booth in Times Square or at the Lincoln Center location to snag discounted same-day tickets for an array of Broadway and off-Broadway shows. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

Some out-of-towners spend their entire New York trip at one show or another on the Broadway circuit. And if you like plays and musicals, this is where you should be: "The Great White Way" represents the heart and soul of American theater. Considering that nearby Times Square is a dizzying maze of sights and sounds with no real starting point, some visitors suggest you can see all you need to of that neighborhood just by trundling back and forth between shows. 

One World Observatory One World Observatory

Formerly known as Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in lower Manhattan. This observatory sits atop the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the highest point in the city. You'll find it adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial . At more than 125,000 square feet, the three-level observatory is located on the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors of this office skyscraper. Travelers enjoy the panoramic, 360-degree views, up to 45 miles in every direction on clear days. 

Visitors reach the observatory by direct express elevators known as SkyPods. The trip upward includes a visual presentation showing how New York has changed over the decades, from open land to smaller buildings to skyscrapers. The trip takes less than a minute. Expect a multimedia presentation at the top before stunning views are revealed. A restaurant and bar on the 101st floor are open to guests who have purchased tickets to the observatory. 

Grand Central Terminal Grand Central Terminal free

At this beautiful train station, you can eat some lunch or shop till you drop, but recent travelers most enjoyed just taking in the scenery. Before you enter, be sure to snap a few shots of the exterior's ornate beaux-arts neoclassical architecture. Inside the celebrated main concourse, you're treated to glimmering marble floors, gold and nickel-plated chandeliers and a sky-themed ceiling. Other must-sees include the Information Booth clock, the Whispering Gallery and Grand Central Market, a European-style food market that sells produce, gourmet ingredients and treats. Food options range from the upscale (Cipriani Dolci and The Campbell Bar) to the legendary (the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant) to the fast and easy (Shake Shack). As mentioned, there are also plenty of shopping options, though most travelers suggest you leave most of Grand Central's pricey merchandise in the store. If you want a train-themed souvenir, visit The New York Transit Museum Store in the shuttle passage.

Travelers call the train station "iconic" and say it's a beautiful space to walk through or to grab a meal and people-watch.

Bryant Park Bryant Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: This Midtown park draws crowds for two seasonal events: summer movie nights under the stars and a holiday market complete with ice skating. For summer picnics or winter shopping sprees, Bryant Park delivers year-round. – Jessica Colley Clarke

Sprawling across nearly 10 acres, Bryant Park sits just south of Times Square – though it feels a world away. Though its lush green space has existed for more than 150 years, Bryant Park was a revitalization project of the 1990s that made it a sanctuary for locals and tourists alike. This is the preferred place for midtown Manhattan professionals to eat lunch, for fashionistas to strut during fashion week and for performers to showcase their talents during annual events like Broadway in Bryant Park and Piano in Bryant Park. If you're interested in learning more about the park's history, consider joining one of its free tours. Tours, which last 45 minutes, are free and offered every other Wednesday, year-round. 

New York Helicopter Tour: Ultimate Manhattan Sightseeing

(833 reviews)

from $ 329.00

New York City Statue of Liberty Super Express Cruise

(1687 reviews)

from $ 29.00

9 / 11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket

(5002 reviews)

from $ 33.00

Staten Island Ferry Staten Island Ferry free

Perhaps the most famous ferry service in the United States, the Staten Island Ferry runs daily between the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in lower Manhattan and St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island. The city has been operating the ferry service since 1905 and transports some 70,000 passengers across New York Harbor every day. It’s one of the last remaining vestiges of an entire ferry system that served New York City residents before the construction of any bridges.  

But the Staten Island Ferry is more than a transportation service; it’s an attraction, drawing tens of thousands of out-of-town visitors a year for a free ride across the harbor (that’s right, no charge; the service is provided by the City of New York). The 5-mile ride lasts about 25 minutes. Passengers must disembark and then reboard to make the return trip to Manhattan. Travelers remark about the views of the Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island, Manhattan skyscrapers and the bridges of lower Manhattan. 

Museum of Modern Art Museum of Modern Art

You don't have to be an art lover to appreciate the Museum of Modern Art; this airy midtown gallery also doubles as a shrine of pop culture and 20th century history. Some of the most significant contemporary pieces hang on its walls, including Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans," Van Gogh's "Starry Night," Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory," Monet's "Water Lilies," and the list goes on and on. In October 2019, the museum reopened after completing an expansion project that added more than 40,000 square feet of gallery space, as well as a performance studio that features live programming.

Recent travelers were impressed by the extensive art collection and loved being able to see the museum's famous paintings. The $30 entry fee for adults ($17 for students; $22 for seniors; free for kids 16 and younger) can be hard to stomach for some, but reviewers insist you won't regret the money spent. A few travelers express disappointment with the crowds (which are most common on rainy days), but suggest getting some fresh air at the museum's Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden.

New York Public Library New York Public Library free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  If you love all things book-related, consider visiting The Morgan Library & Museum nearby, which features J.P. Morgan's stunning 1906 library. The museum offers free admisson (and live jazz music) on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

This main branch, officially called the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, attracts plenty of book lovers, history junkies and architecture aficionados. Most people swing by the Bryant Park landmark to say hello to Patience and Fortitude (the famous marble lions guarding the entrance) and to admire the lovely beaux-arts design.

American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History

Visitors love the American Museum of Natural History off Central Park West. Whether you're exploring the interactive exhibits on the land, the sea or outer space; user reviews take on a common theme. This museum is incredible. Even the cafeteria and gift shop are worth your notice.

There are more than 34 million artifacts inside, spread across four city blocks, 26 buildings and through 45 exhibition halls, so don't plan on seeing everything in one day. The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a particular favorite, but you should also plan on visiting the dinosaurs, the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe and the Butterfly Conservatory (accessible November through May), which houses nearly 500 butterflies. Local experts say the institution is one of the city's can't-miss museums , especially for families.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Wander along Brooklyn's Washington Avenue, and you can't avoid stumbling upon this verdant 52-acre park. A main highlight here is the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, punctuated by wooden bridges and Japanese maples. And if you arrive at the end of April, you can't miss the Cherry Esplanade ( Sakura Matsuri ) when rosy cherry blossoms burst into bloom. Another standout: the Shakespeare Garden, which contains more than 80 plants described in the playwright's works.

Thanks to the garden's extensive collection, which includes 13 gardens and five conservatories, there's plenty of scenery to soak up here. Plus, you can take advantage of year-round exhibits and events, such as children's gardening workshops and Lightscape, the annual wintertime lights display. After you've taken respite in Brooklyn's cherished green space, recent visitors suggest moseying over to two staples located down the street: Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum.

New York City Helicopter Tour with Statue of Liberty views

(46 reviews)

from $ 224.00

Big Bus New York: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-top Bus

(3979 reviews)

from $ 58.00

The Manhattan Helicopter Tour of New York

(1657 reviews)

from $ 249.00

Brooklyn Bridge Park Brooklyn Bridge Park free

Located on the Brooklyn side of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre oasis at the foot of the famous bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. The park stretches 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s waterfront, connecting Columbia Heights and Dumbo, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, an eclectic neighborhood of boutiques, trendy cafes and restaurants. Travelers rave about the views of the lower Manhattan skyline, the New York Harbor and the bridge.

Among the city’s newest parks, Brooklyn Bridge Park was once an industrial district and home to a transportation terminal that served as an entry point for immigrants. Today, the park features rolling hills, promenades, playgrounds, basketball courts, sports fields, a roller skating rink, gardens, and more among six piers and the riverfront. What’s more, the park is home to more than 12,000 species of plants and wildlife. It also hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year, such as sunset yoga and stargazing.

The Guggenheim The Guggenheim

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, or simply, "The Guggenheim," is one of the most well-known art museums in the country, and it's just as renowned for its cutting-edge design as it is for its pieces. The coiled building (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) stands out on Fifth Avenue at 89th Street. Inside, the halls are chock full of works from the likes of Picasso, Cézanne, Degas, Manet and Van Gogh, among others.

Visitors loved the building's design and architecture, but offered more mixed reviews for the art on display. Some raved about the permanent collection and the special exhibitions, while others felt the cost of entrance tickets was overpriced for the amount of art displayed. Reviewers recommended the Museum of Modern Art over the Guggenheim if you're short on time. 

Off-Broadway Shows Off-Broadway Shows

Off-Broadway may not have the glitter of the Great White Way , but these smaller theaters and their productions are often innovative and are no less engaging. Unlike Broadway, these theaters are not centered around Times Square , but scattered all over Manhattan and generally seat fewer people (between 100 to 499 audience members). Smaller venues provide a more intimate experience for plays, musicals and revues. Many of New York’s most famous productions found their start off-Broadway, such as “Hair,” “Rent” and “In the Heights.”

Tickets also are more affordable, generally between $20 and $75 per person. Look for innovative productions at places like the Public Theater, Cherry Lane Theatre or Playwrights Horizons. The Signature Theatre showcases revivals and new plays.

Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck

This iconic plaza has it all – beautiful sculptures, an enormous skating rink, a fishbowl view of NBC Studios, plus a plethora of stores and restaurants. Though undoubtedly there will be intense crowds, this is an experience that's worth having at least once. During the wintertime holidays, the plaza sparkles with an illuminated Christmas tree and skaters gliding across the ice rink. But don't fret if your New York adventure doesn't take place during the cold months. There's plenty to do year-round. If you plan ahead, you can spend a morning watching a taping of the "Today" show, an afternoon admiring the city from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and an evening catching a performance at Radio City Music Hall .

Travelers say the Top of the Rock offers some of the best views of Manhattan and say the experience is worth every penny. Visitors recommend booking the Rock Pass ticket that includes a tour of the building and observation deck access.

Little Island Little Island free

New Yorkers have long needed to get creative to maximize space on the island of Manhattan, where space is limited. But with the opening of Little Island in 2021, that creativity stretched beyond the island's borders and into the water. Little Island is an artificial island located on the west side of Manhattan in the Hudson River. This public park, which is free to visit, offers a new space for locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in nature, art, free events like concerts and one of the most memorable locations in New York City to catch the sunset.

Most recent visitors praised Little Island for its peaceful atmosphere, splash of greenery and views of the Hudson River and beyond. Some recent visitors recommend planning a visit on a weekday rather than a weekend, when this attraction can be crowded with people picnicking, especially during the golden sunset hours. Regardless of what time of day visitors stop by, almost everyone is left with a positive impression of the park and note its sculptures, family-friendly vibe, impressive variety of plants and free concerts.

Washington DC Day Trip from New York City

(1955 reviews)

from $ 179.00

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour

(1092 reviews)

from $ 54.99

New York City One World Observatory Admission Ticket

(2325 reviews)

from $ 43.55

St. Patrick's Cathedral St. Patrick's Cathedral free

This sprawling cathedral sits amid the hustle and distinctively secular bustle of Rockefeller Center . But that doesn't take away from its otherworldly vibe. Whether you're religious or just making an architectural pilgrimage, you can't help but be impressed by St. Patrick's. Opened in 1879, the neo-Gothic cathedral spans the length of an entire city block and features 330-foot spires. Its interior is just as impressive thanks to its numerous altars, stained-glass windows, organs and imposing 9,000-pound bronze doors. The church welcomes more than 5 million visitors annually.  

Travelers love the historical church's beauty and stained-glass windows, but say you don't have to carve out too much time to see it. Previous vacationers also suggest visiting at Christmastime to really see the church in all its glory. 

Little Italy Little Italy free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Taste the best of Little Italy at C. Di Palo Wine Bar. With connections to the fine foods store serving this neighborhood for more than a century, this wine bar serves Italian cheeses, meats and wines in a comfortable, modern environment. – Jessica Colley Clarke

Once a thriving enclave of Italian immigrants, Little Italy is now a popular tourist destination (though remnants of the past remain). Restaurants serving classic Italian dishes on red-and-white checkered tablecloths can still be found in the neighborhood. Among the neighborhood staples is Lombardi’s, a restaurant that has been tossing pizzas since 1905 and claims to be the first pizzeria in the United States. Ferrara Bakery & Cafe, another famous Little Italy eatery best known for its cannolis and espresso, has been around since 1892. 

Times Square Times Square free

Some say that Times Square is like a five-block metaphor for New York City itself – it's exciting, colorful and always jumping. Others describe this area of midtown Manhattan as artless, overpriced and congested. Perhaps this commercial stretch from West 42nd to West 47th streets is a little of both, and though locals would advise you to avoid it, you should at least catch a glimpse of its neon lights. Most travelers recommend visiting the area after dark to see the marquee displays. Many add checking out Times Square before or after a Broadway show is the perfect time to fit it into your schedule. However, if you're not a fan of crowds, reviewers suggest you avoid this area altogether.

Times Square's biggest tourist draw is the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. Revelers crowd the area to see New York's famous Waterford crystal ball descend 77 feet from a pole on the One Times Square building. If you're feeling brave, take a trip to New York and Times Square at this time of year and watch the ball drop for free! Just plan on coming in the early morning and staying all day, and note that the area is super crowded, even by New York standards.

Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue free

It's fitting that St. Patrick's Cathedral would be on the same street as stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels. That's because for many people, shopping is a religious experience, and here between 34th and 59th streets you'll find the holy grail. 

Even if you're not planning to put your credit card to work at high-end stores, travelers say a stroll along Fifth Avenue is a must. It's one of the top places to shop in the city, according to local experts. Plus, during the winter holidays, the street is decked out in festive decor.

Bronx Zoo Bronx Zoo

According to travelers, these 265 acres sheltering more than 10,000 animals should be near the top of every young family's itinerary in New York. And if you're an older visitor, the Bronx Zoo could be a great way to escape the nonstop activity in Manhattan. This zoo's claim to fame is that it's one of the largest metropolitan animal parks in the country. It's also one of the best zoos in the U.S . Originally opened at 1899, the zoo also houses several famous landmarks, including the Rainey Memorial Gates, the Rockefeller Fountain and the historic Zoo Center, which was constructed to look like a palace.

Among the zoo's popular exhibits is JungleWorld, which aims to recreate the jungles of Asia with animals like white-cheeked gibbons, gharials, tapirs, fruit bats and more. There's also the Wild Asia Monorail, a seasonal outdoor monorail that allows visitors to observe animals like rhinos, tigers and red pandas roaming freely in the outdoor habitat. Other star attractions include the Congo Gorilla Forest, the seasonal butterfly garden, Tiger Mountain and the Children's Zoo. Along with the animals, there are also several rides and experiences, such as a carousel and sea lion feedings.

The Big Apple Helicopter Tour of New York City

(418 reviews)

from $ 279.00

Bateaux New York Dinner Cruise

(1209 reviews)

from $ 174.89

All-Access 9 / 11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory

(2924 reviews)

from $ 109.00

Apollo Theater Apollo Theater

U.S. News Insider Tip: Go to BLVD Bistro on 116th St. before or after your visit to the Apollo. They serve breakfast all day and literally have the best grits and pancakes I have ever had in my life. It is also Black-owned! – Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global

One of the most famous music halls in the United States, "the Apollo" started as a burlesque theater in 1914. By the 1930s, it transformed into a concert hall that helped launch the career of several black musicians. A then-unknown Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson (with the Jackson 5) and Stevie Wonder all performed on the Apollo stage during an Amateur Night competition. If you're in Harlem on a Wednesday you can still go to Amateur Night, an experience some previous travelers highly recommend.

Metropolitan Opera House Metropolitan Opera House

Stroll through the courtyard of the Metropolitan Opera House even if you're not going inside for a performance. Every element of this opulent building – from the limestone architecture, to the lobby's glittering chandelier, to the acoustics in the concert hall – is gorgeous. Travelers call this opera house a feast for the eyes and ears. Tickets are notoriously expensive (as much as several hundred dollars for the best seats), but the sticker shock evaporates quickly if you're into performing arts. You can try to score a same-day ticket at a discounted rate, plus there are discounts for senior citizens.

The Metropolitan Opera House features spring performances by the American Ballet Theatre and fall and winter performances by the Met Opera Company. Showtimes and ticket prices vary by performance and seating, so check the Met Opera's website for additional details. You'll find the opera house at Lincoln Center Plaza on Manhattan's Upper West Side – take the 1 train to 66th Street.

Radio City Music Hall Radio City Music Hall

It's where Ella Fitzgerald pined for the man she loved, the Rolling Stones couldn't get no satisfaction and Lady Gaga had a "Bad Romance." Among performers, there's no New York concert venue that's quite like Radio City Music Hall. Not only is it the largest indoor theater in the world, its marquee spans a full city block. Opened in 1932, the theater is a New York City Landmark. Today, the theater welcomes musical performers like Ben Platt and Lil Nas X, as well as comedians like Chris Rock.

If you're in town any dates between November and January, consider attending the famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which stars the Rockettes. According to recent visitors who attended a show, there's not a bad seat in the house. If you're not able to attend a performance, consider signing up for the hourlong Radio City Stage Door Tour. The guided tour includes stops at areas of the historic venue not typically seen by the public, such as Radio City’s secret apartment, The Roxy Suite. You'll also an enjoy an in-depth history lesson about the stage and its iconic art deco design. The tour concludes with a meet-and-greet with a Radio City Rockette. Tours are offered daily starting at 9:30 a.m.; tickets cost $42 per adult and $38 per kid 12 and younger.  

The Battery The Battery free

Also known as The Battery, this 25-ace park sits at the very southern tip of Manhattan Island, and offers a green respite from the steel and concrete of lower Manhattan. The park, named after artillery batteries that protected the settlement in the 17th century, is popular with visitors because of its views of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty . 

The park is home to perennial gardens, bike paths, grand lawns, an urban farm and a unique carousel, known as the SeaGlass Carousel. On the carousel, riders sit within iridescent fish and glide through a 360-degree aquatic adventure. The carousel’s bioluminescent design honors the waterfront site as well as another landmark, the Castle Clinton, one of the country’s earliest aquariums. 

Coney Island Coney Island

Known as the "the People's Playground," this famous amusement area in Brooklyn has witnessed an illustrious past. In the early 1900s, Coney Island enticed New Yorkers to visit with its bathing pavilions, seaside resorts and amusement park. The Great Depression took its toll on the fun-loving spot, causing many attractions to close. But after years of economic instability, Coney Island has reclaimed its place on the Brooklyn map, with a fresh roster of eateries and entertainment (including a July Fourth hot dog-eating contest and an annual Mermaid Parade ) found along the boardwalk. Coney Island now features several separate amusement parks, as well as a museum, which hosts a variety of exhibits and shows.

According to recent visitors, Coney Island is a worthwhile trip in the summer if you have the time and are traveling with young kids who would enjoy the rides. If you're not up for indulging your inner thrill-seeker, you can also walk along the beach, which spans nearly 3 miles and features several sports courts, as well as playgrounds. A walk along the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk is just as memorable, according to recent visitors.

Top of the Rock Observation Deck New York City

(3378 reviews)

New York, NY: The Central Park Helicopter Tour

(23 reviews)

from $ 274.00

Boroughs of NYC: Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn & Coney Island

(1523 reviews)

from $ 67.00

Chrysler Building Chrysler Building free

Technically, the Chrysler Building is an office building open Monday through Friday, but you don't need to go inside to appreciate its aesthetic appeal. Recent visitors praised the building's unique architectural style (though a few wished you could still go inside to admire its intricate lobby and elevators).

Built in 1930, the Chrysler had a short-lived run as the tallest building in the city, before it was usurped of its title by the Empire State Building . Nevertheless, this 1,046-foot-high skyscraper remains a favorite among New Yorkers for its classic art deco style. And unlike the Empire State, at this site you won't need an expensive entry ticket, a strong stomach to stand soaring heights or patience for long lines to see what all the fuss is about. You can behold the building's menacing gargoyles and triangular openings from many spots in Manhattan. Though the lobby is currently closed to visitors, there have been talks of building an observation deck, though none is available at this time.

Explore More of New York City

Best Hotels

When To Visit

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

Holly Johnson December 1, 2023

Beach Bucket List: 60 Fun Things to Do at the Beach

When you think of the beach, are you like me and imagine yourself relaxing on a chair with the cool ocean breeze brushing your skin with a drink at hand and the sun setting on the horizon? Of course, there are plenty more fun things to do at the beach than just that.

To make the most out of your experience, I have put together a bucket list of fun beach activities, from building sandcastles to kite surfing to skinny dipping and more! So put on your beachwear and sunscreen, and let’s dive into the beach fun adventures!

Beach Bucket List: Fun Activities, Adventures & Things to Do at the Beach

1. build a sandcastle.

Although making an epic sandcastle can be quite hard for beginners, but building a simple one is a great activity for all ages (especially kids).

For the more creative bucket lister you can learn How to Build the Perfect Sandcastle .

2. Bury Someone in the Sand

I don’t know where this tradition for beach-goers started, but getting buried in the sand from the neck down is popular. You can even make a small sandcastle on top of their stomach—double bucket list points for that!

* Of course, make sure to be cautious, try avoiding digging a deep hole or doing it where the water can reach you to avoid any accidents.

3. Camp on the Beach

There’s nothing quite like enjoying the beach at night (and eating s’mores!). From setting up the camp to telling stories around the fire, it all will be a great bonding experience. It can even become a yearly tradition!

TIP: For Best Camping Tent: Best Tent For Beach Camping

4. Celebrate a Special Occasion

From spring breaks to birthday celebrations to weddings and romantic honeymoons, you name it, the beach is one of those places where the vibe just perfectly fits any special occasion.

5. Collect Seashells or Rocks

As far as affordable activities on a trip go, you can’t get a much cheaper one than collecting seashells and rocks—it’s free on most beaches. Just make sure it’s acceptable before removing them from the beach!

6. Collect Driftwood

If you want to collect something other than seashells, why not try getting some driftwood by the beach instead? If you are good with your hands, you can even turn the driftwood into lovely home furniture like a chair, a table, and so much more!

But wait! Before you collect driftwood, be sure to check out the state regulations first regarding the collection of driftwood on the beach you are in, as it varies in each state.

7. Daydream

It’s almost too easy to daydream while at the beach, especially on a quiet day. Add to that the sound of the waves and the birds, and the clouds lazily floating by, and you’ll find your mind drifting with them as well.

8. Indulge in Fruity Drinks

A day at the beach is never complete without sipping on some fruity tropical goodness at a beach bar, whether it be fruit punches, coconuts, piña coladas, and more!

You can even prepare your fruity mix at home if you have a small cooler! This article will help: 30 Non-Alcoholic Summer Drinks That’ll Get Any Party Started

9. Eat Seafood

What better place to indulge in some fresh seafood than on the beach? Just imagine munching on some crabs or grilled shrimp, and depending on where you are, even exotic seafood like Mahi-mahi!

Add to that the beautiful ocean view and some drinks to go with your meal, it will absolutely be *chef’s kiss*

10. Enjoy a Big Scoop of Ice Cream

Nothing beats the heat on the beach, especially on a hot summer day, than a big scoop of some good old ice cream! It is certainly a favorite among beachgoers young and old, I mean, who couldn’t resist snacking on this cool delectable treat?

With different flavors to choose from, such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and so much more, you will surely scream for ice cream!

11. Fly A Kite

Another fun thing to do at the beach  is to fly a kite. Typically the local shops are filled with different kinds of kites for you to choose the one that’s most to your liking – or you can even make your own!

But, you can also buy one online. Check out these cool ones: 

• HENGDA Classical Dragon Kite
• aGreatLife Huge Rainbow Kite  
• Octopus Flyer Kite with Long Colorful Tail

12. Collect Glass

Mind you, this is not your usual type of glass! Bottles or broken glass (and the like) left by the shore and battered by the waves and sand for years turn into smooth, colorful ‘stones’ called beach or sea glass.

Below are some of the best places for finding sea glasses:

• Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California
• Kauai Sea Glass Beach In Eleele, Hawaii
• La Jolla Cove In San Diego, California

Since most sea glass beaches prohibit or highly discourage people from taking home sea glass, you can take a photo of them instead. If you are up for the challenge, look for rare colors like gray, pink, or black, to name a few!

13. Go Ocean Fishing

Unlike fishing on a lake or river, ocean fishing (also called deep-sea fishing) will require nerves of steel and some level of strength due to the size of fishes in the deep parts of the ocean.

Even though it is challenging, it can be a thrilling (and even scary) experience!

14. Take a Hike

Spending a day at the beach does not have to be in and around the water only. Depending on where you are, there is also the opportunity to go on a hike and see more of what nature has to offer. Don’t forget to take photos of your adventure!

15. Go Kite Surfing/Windsurfing

Kite surfing is a surfing-like water sport that will get your adrenaline pumping! You may not need just as badass skills to stay standing on your board as you would with surfing, but controlling that kite while flying through water and air is a game of its own to master.

To get the best of both surfing and sailing in one fell swoop, why not add windsurfing to your adventure bucket list? It’s fun and thrilling, but also easy and safe enough for even a beginner to try out. Since even kids can start learning windsurfing, this can be a fun activity for the whole family to do together! 

16. Stand Up Surfing

If you are a seasoned surfer, standing up on a surfboard is an easy beach activity to tackle. If not, then it may take lots of practice!

17. Have a Beach Barbecue

Good food, good company, cold beers and warm outdoor weather, what more could you ask for in this world? Having a beach BBQ is one of the best ways to while away an afternoon on the beach. 

Don’t have a BBQ? Here are the 8 Best Portable Grills of 2022 .

18. Have a Bonfire Party

A bonfire can add incredible ambiance to any party, especially on a warm Summer night on the beach. So, invite your friends, load up your cooler with beverages, bring lots of wood and a radio to play your favorite tunes.

19. Have a Beach Picnic

Pack a traditional wicker basket with your favorite picnic foods and enjoy the feast as well as the weather. Real Simple magazine can help you out with their Picnic Packing Checklist . If you want to set up an Instagrammable picnic, here’s a cute red checkered picnic basket .

20. Rent Beach Cabana

A cabana gives you the luxury of having your own private space near the beach for you to lie down and relax, have a drink, read a book, and so much more.

Most beach resorts have cabanas you can rent out for a day or two. So if you want to level up your beach experience, be sure to rent out a cabana!

21. Hit Up the Beach Bars

Having fun at the beach does not stop when the sun goes down. For some, the fun is just getting started! From drinking a glass of your favorite cocktail to socializing with family and friends to eating delicious snacks and food, a beach bar is a great place to hang out after a long day at the beach.

If you are looking for the best beach bars in America, you can check out Thrillist’s Best Beach Bars . 

22. Try Hula Hooping

Not only is hula hooping something that was incredibly fun to try out as a child, but it’s a great form of exercising for adults as well. By hula hooping, you can strengthen and tone your body, especially around the core, but also hips and thighs, in addition to which it can also lead to improved flexibility. As a fun tidbit: hula hooping has actually existed as a form of exercise since the times of ancient Greeks! 

23. Rent a Jet Ski

For those who love high-speed thrills and adventure, you will definitely love jet skiing! Whether you are coasting the waters of one of the best jet ski destinations in the US alone or with family or friends, riding one of these will make you feel like a star in your own movie.

It usually costs around $80 to $100+ per hour on average, along with other requirements before renting one, so be sure to check it out in advance.

24. Host a Limbo Dance Competition

How low can you go? If that doesn’t ring a bell, then you are definitely missing out! Limbo is one of the most popular dances/games in any party setting, including the beach.

Hosting your own limbo dance competition will surely bring out the friendly competitive spirit among players young and old, whether it be family, friends, co-workers, anyone! And while you are at it, why not join in on the fun as well? 

25. Look for Dolphins

Getting to see dolphins in their natural habitat is one experience you should not miss when at the beach. With over 16 dolphin species swimming around in North America, you might be able to spot one during a cruise (some of which are already included in a tour).

Here is a great list that you can check out for some of the best spots for dolphin watching . Be sure to bring some binoculars!

26. Find Tide Pool Creatures

Given the rich diversity of life found in our world’s waters, it’s no wonder you’ll find fascinating creatures at tide pools along the shoreline, especially during the low tide.

If you have kids with you, they will surely love looking at these tide pool creatures with you, from crabs to starfishes to sea anemones and so much more! Of course, we also need to respect their space so as not to disturb them or their habitat.

27. Meditate

Meditation is much more than sitting in a lotus position chanting “om” over and over again—it is a way of life. Clearing your mind through meditation has many benefits, like lowering blood pressure and anxiety levels. Plus, it can give you a brighter outlook on life! Having an “empty mind” for even a few seconds can seem like a challenge, but this 10-minute guided meditation will help you along the way.

28. Do Some Beach Yoga

Yoga may not be the most vigorous form of exercise you’ll commit while on the beach, but it’ll do wonders for your body and mind. It cares for and strengthens your body but also your mind and can even feel like meditative practice after a long day. Here are 5 beach yoga poses to try in the sand !

29. Meet New People

The beach is a place where people gather together to have fun and relax, making it a great place to meet new people.

One way to break the ice is by hosting or joining team games like beach volleyball or limbo dance. Of course, a beach bar is also a great place to hang out and meet someone new. 

30. Send a Message in a Bottle

There is always something mysterious and fascinating (even romantic) about messages in a bottle. And since we are here to make lasting memories, why not send one of your own?

Just imagine letting fate take its course until someone (hopefully) finds the bottle days, months, years, even centuries later. Who knows what they’ll find inside? 

You can check out this tutorial on how to make one (which is also environmentally-friendly). Or buy one online ( this one is cute !) Be sure to check out the state laws in your area as well.

31. Paint Rock and Shells

While combing the beach, you might come across empty seashells and small stones along the way. With some acrylic paint and a little bit of creativity, you can turn them into colorful pieces of art!

Not only are they pleasant to look at, but they can also serve as a remembrance of your trip to the beach.

To help preserve the beaches, some states prohibit or limit the number of shells and stones you can take with you, so you have to check it out first.

32. Play Beach Volleyball

With scenic ocean views, the sun sprinkling down some vitamin D in your skin, plus friendly company, it’s no wonder people love a game or two of beach volleyball.

Yes, it can be a bit hard (and tiring) to move on the sand if you are a beginner. But most of the time, you won’t even notice it, especially if you are having fun!

33. Play a Board Game

Some people may think board games are boring (I’m not one of them!), but they can actually be a lot of fun especially if you have the perfect game and partner/s to play with.

If you prefer a more chill day on the beach, having a board game marathon with your favorite games could be fun. You can make it even more fun by adding prizes for the winner.

Unsure of which games to play? Check out this list: Board Games Bucket List: 50 of the All Time Best Ones to Play

34. Throw a Frisbee

Playing frisbee is another sporty activity to commit to on the beach; whether that means putting together a group of people for a round or two of ultimate frisbee or just tossing it back and forth with a close friend while enjoying the sound of the waves.

35. Play I-Spy

A game of I Spy is a fun, tried-and-tested game usually played while on the road, especially during long trips. And with plenty of things to “spy with your little eye” on the beach, it can be a great addition to the games you can play with family and friends!

36. Walk the Boardwalk

Going on a walk on boardwalks is a great way to take a break from the beach while still getting to enjoy what the surrounding area has to offer.

There are over 60 boardwalks across the United States’ beaches and piers, with the most popular one (and the oldest) in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Most of them have establishments lined up along the path, such as restaurants, shops, amusement parks, and more, so you’ll have plenty of things to do, like grabbing a bite of their local cuisine or getting yourself a souvenir.

37. Compete in a Game of Tug of War

If you have a big group with you and a long rope, a friendly game of tug of war will surely fire up everyone’s competitive spirit on the beach. Not only is it a fantastic team-building game, but anyone can join in on the fun as well!

38. Play Tic-Tac-Toe in the Sand

A game of tic-tac-toe is easy enough for everyone (including kids) to enjoy and play while taking a break for the more challenging activities ahead.

Sounds a bit too simple? Since we are talking about the beach, we can spice it up more by doing different variations, such as a relay version of tic-tac-toe!

39. Play Truth or Dare

Whether you’re playing the game one-on-one or in a group, truth or dare will surely liven up a dull and slow day at the beach. Not only will everyone get to know each other more, but it also makes for some memorable memories.

You can also do other variations of the game, like Would You Rather or Never Have I Ever. 

40. Read a Book

If you are an avid reader, then those warm summer evenings on the beach make for some of the best times to just sit by your porch and read a New York Times Best Seller . This list is considered one of the most reliable when it comes to suggesting excellent books in the United States. Whether you are looking for fiction, non-fiction, auto-biographies or even a children’s book for those bedtime stories, you will find it here.

If you love the classics then check of the Classic Books Bucket List: 25 of the Best Must-Read Novels

41. Just Relax

This is one of the best things to do at the beach! Everybody deserves a break every now and then, and the beach is one of the perfect go-to places for having fun and just relaxing.

You can lie down on the sand or beach chair, close your eyes, and be present at the moment. Let your worries and distractions slowly melt away under the sun or go with the ebb and flow of the waves.

42. Try Rock Stacking

Rock stacking can be traced back to prehistoric times in the form of cairns, which often serve as landmarks for trails, burial sites, or even as part of one’s tradition.

Today, rock stacking can mean different things to people, with some doing it as a meditative practice or even something on a spiritual level. Still, it is an art form that you should definitely try at least once, especially while on the beach.

Here is a fantastic guide on how to get started in the art form, which also has ‘leave-no-trace’ tips. Don’t forget to take a picture of your stacked rocks to commemorate the moment!

43. Make Sand Art

The beach is not only a place where you can have fun in the water and under the sun, but it is also a place to get your creativity flowing.

With the sand serving as your canvas, you can draw portraits or intricate shapes, build elaborate sandcastles or sculptures, anything! Sure, your artwork may not last forever, but the memories and experiences do.

44. Go Skinny Dipping

Skinny dipping is not only an exhilarating activity to do on the beach, but it’s also one for your sexy bucket list . It’s also an awesome way to enjoy some intimacy with your partner. But, be sure no one else is around!

45. See Fish While Snorkeling

Snorkeling lets us have a glimpse of the waters’ different marine life, something which we don’t get to do very often, especially if you live far away from the coastal areas.

The cascade of colors from the fishes, coral reefs, and the sunlight beaming from above is just marvelous to look at and will make you feel that it is indeed a different world down there.

46. Explore a Cave

Could this beach bucket list item be next on your hobby bucket list too? Lots of beaches have hidden caves to be explored—find one!

47. Start a Race in the Sand

Running across the sands of the beach might sound simple enough, but it is an activity that is more challenging than it looks, given how soft sand is compared to a hard surface like concrete.

Whether it’s a game of Bring Me or tag, a part of a relay, or just a good, old race, getting to race against someone on the beach while the crowd cheers in the background is one of the most exciting things you will experience.

48. Have a Water Gun Fight

Nothing beats cooling down while having fun splashing water at your family and friends while in the water. For added fun, be sure to bring along some water guns with you and start a water gunfight!

You can even use the water guns to do variations of games like water gun tag and more.

Need a water gun? Check out the Stream Machine Soaker !

49. Sunbathe

With most of our time spent indoors, the most popular thing to do at the beach is getting some vitamin D lovin’ from the sun!

Not only does it work wonders for your mind and body, but the tan that comes with sunbathing is always a welcome bonus that you can show off once you return from the beach.

50. Take a Stroll

There are times when we have to slow down and breathe, and a quiet stroll alone or with someone along the beach is perfect for this. No rush. Just let your senses take in the ambiance and take in the moment.

51. Take Photographs

As bucket listers, we all want to make lasting memories by doing things we once dreamed of doing. And who wouldn’t want to capture the moment in the form of a photograph?

Not only will it serve as a gentle reminder of your fun beach activities, but it can also help you get back on track if you feel like you are getting lost in life.

52. Watch the Sunset or Sunrise

Are you Team Sunrise or Team Sunset? Or are you both? Whichever you are, getting to watch the sun rising or setting on the horizon in a place like a beach is simply breathtaking.

53. Write Messages in the Sand

If you want to do something a little bit easier than making sand art, you can write down messages in the sand instead.

It can be a single word that resonates with you, a simple phrase, a favorite quote, anything that comes to mind. You can even leave it there for anyone to see, and who knows, you might even make someone’s day!

54. Go Body Surfing

If this is your first time hearing it, bodysurfing involves riding a wave without using any surfboard or bodyboard. Though it is slightly ‘easier’ to learn compared to traditional surfing, it still requires a certain fitness level since you’ll be the one acting as the ‘board’ that rides with the wave.

Here is also a step-by-step guide on how to do this sport: How to Body Surf

55. Make Sand Angels

Making a snow angel on fresh snow is one of the most popular things to do in winter season . But at the beach, especially during the summer months, they also have their own version of this Christmas tradition: making sand angels!

Much like how you would make a snow angel, you just have to find a spot on the beach where you can smoothly move the sand around, lie down face up, and start swiping with your arms and legs!

56. Climb Sand Dunes

Sand dunes are a familiar spectacle on most beaches as they are naturally formed by the elements and mainly act as barriers against strong winds and waves.

If it is allowed in your state, check if there is a trail around the sand dunes that can take you to the top!

57. Look for Shapes in the Clouds

Let your imagination run wild and see what shapes you can make out of the clouds, especially during a bright sunny day with fair weather.

You can even play a game of I Spy with family or friends with this while relaxing on the sand!

58. Dig a Hole!

There’s just something about digging in the sand that makes it fun and satisfying, especially for kids. It can be building some sand art, looking for some buried ‘treasure,’ or even just building a trench for your sandcastle.

A good rule of thumb for digging holes in the sand is for it to be no more than knee-deep to avoid any accidents. And be sure to fill them up again afterward.

59. Toss a Beach Ball Around

Passing around a beach ball while in the water is a great way to break the ice in a group or as a warm-up for the more challenging activities you will be doing. Plus, it just screams fun and is quite irresistible not to bring it back up in the air.

It is also versatile enough that you can use it in one of your games, like say, a beach version of Hot Potato, or something even more creative!

60. Ride a Boogie Board

A boogie board (also known as a bodyboard) is a small rectangular piece of hydrodynamic foam that you can use to ride waves without standing up like in surfing.

Since it is smaller in size, it is easy to bring with you along the beach, plus it will also help you get surfing fundamentals down if you are just starting out, which can also carry into surfing with a surfboard.

61. Spot a Whale

Whales are one of the most fascinating and spectacular marine mammals you’ll come across in the water. With the largest species of whales (the blue whale) reaching up to 98 feet, you will be at a loss for words when you see one.

Ready to spot these giants of the deep? Be sure to check out this site: The Best Spots for Whale Watching in the U.S.

62. Go Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is simple enough for beginners to pick up while still opening you up for more challenging water sports in the future, like surfing or kayaking.

If you are still learning, try finding a spot where there are not many waves. Once you get the hang of it, you can slowly paddle yourself around the beach or even catch some small waves!

63. Jump Waves

It’s amazing how even the simplest activities can make us feel the fun and excitement of being on the beach, such as jumping waves!

It can also be a great bonding moment with the kids, letting them jump or even carrying them up just before the waves touch them. The laughter and the giggles that come with it? Priceless!

A day or two filled with beach activities  is one of the most memorable things that we get to experience in our lives. With a fun, relaxing atmosphere, picturesque views on land and under the sea, and plenty of things to do at the beach, it’s no wonder people will keep coming back for more.

So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself that much-needed dose of vitamin sea and start checking off items from your bucket list!

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure .

You might also like.

4th of July Bucket List: 41 Things to Do for Independence Day Backyard Bucket List: 45 Fun Activities, Games & Things to Do Camping Bucket List: 100 Fun Activities & Things to Do US National Parks Bucket List: 61 Beauties to Visit in America Adventure Bucket List: 50 Crazy Ideas & Things to Do Ultimate Travel Bucket List: 50 Best Experiences & Must See Destinations June Bucket List: 27 Things to Start off Summer Activities

21 thoughts on “Beach Bucket List: 60 Fun Things to Do at the Beach”

Well, I don’t know that there are a lot of interesting things to do in the beach until I read this post. In the next trip to the beach I’ll try some things new like climb sand dunes, camping, dig a hole and an activity can’t skip – send a message in a bottle…

Hi Annette,

It was a great share! The summer is here, and I am really looking forward to going to the beach. Going to the beach has always been my favorite activity, and I love to go there with my family and friends. Although my family is not here now. I am looking forward to going with my friends. All of these activities look super fun, and I will definitely be trying them out. Camping sounds super fun. I think I can convince a few friends to go with me. Thanks a lot for sharing these amazing ideas.

I think everyone’s looking forward for an exciting at the beach, hope you’ll have a fun filled summer.

Could you send me more fun activities you can do at the beach.

Thank you 😎

Your , Post is very useful. Thank you this useful information.

I am So Lucky OI Found Your Blog This Is The Best Content I Guess Looking Forward To Read Your More Content Like This Thanks For Sharing This

Wow great list! Saving this for when I go to the islands in Thailand next week. My partner is a bit hyperactive so I will be listing these off for him to do while a read my book in peace! Thanks for sharing!

Hope you’ll have a great visit!

Wow! I am not a natural “beach person,” but since I live in Michigan near Lake Michigan I find myself on the beach pretty regularly. You have some amazing suggestions here for great beach activities. I can’t wait to put some of these to good use! Thank you for the great post!

Glad to have added ideas for your beach activities.

hey, this is a nice article, thanks for sharing this.

you have given a good list to keep in mind, thanks for your work.

If only we were allowed to camp on the beach in the UK! I’d love to do that and listen to the sea all night as I slept. Great list, thank you.

Oh I didn’t know it’s not allowed in the UK but I hope other activities listed here will you enjoy your next visit in the beach.

I have always wanted to rent jet skis and take my family out but I’m nervous someone would get hurt! It looks like so much fun, I’ll just have to buck up and do it one of these days!

Love this list, especially the whale and dolphin ones! You’re missing my favourite activity which is scuba diving, you can do shore dives so I reckon it still counts as a beach activity!

Yes, it is really fun to do scuba diving. Will take note of this and add it on future edits. Thank You

Looks cool! Some of these I might just try!

Thank you for sharing a great idea!! I now have my own bucket list for the “must do” things on the beach!De

Your information is so good and fun to do!

I was amazed

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Hey Bucket Listers! I'm Annette .

I’m a goal obsessed mid-lifer, traveler, experience collector, fear crusher, digital marketer and author with big bucket list dreams. Let's Connect!

GET MY 2,000 free bucket list ideas

Jump right in and you will get your printable ideas by email:

Whatcha Looking for?

Home About Blog The Shop Partnerships Contact

Bucket list ideas travel facing fear & anxiety.

60+ Fun Road Trip Activities for Kids: How to Keep Kids Entertained on a Long Car Trip

Road trips are a time-honored part of the American family summer- from a few days to weeks on the road, they can make memories to last a lifetime. Wondering how to keep kids entertained on a long car ride or even a cross-country road trip? Here are more than 60 road trip activities for kids to keep them occupied and make your family road trip fun!

We’ve spent many hours road-tripping with our two girls- from long cross-country drives to two-week loops through several National Parks. We’ve learned which road trip activities keep the kids engaged for a long stretch of time, and which things make a big mess, and are not worth the clean up.

These road trip activities are traditional activities (no game consoles) geared for kids ages 3 and up, but many of these are fun for adults too!

We’ve divided these up by type of activity- group games, solo games on paper, etc. You can mix these up and modify them to fit the age of your kids. At the bottom of the post, you’ll find our top tips for keeping kids entertained.

This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. All our recommendations are independent and are in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

At the bottom of this post Download your free copy of the License Plate Game! Be sure to print out one copy for each kid before you hit the road!

Don’t miss our post on road trip essentials, we cover everything from safety checks to cleaning supplies.

Lodging: Booking.com Flight Deals: Skyscanner Rental Cars: Discover Cars Airport Transfers: Welcome Pickups

Digital SIM Cards: Airalo eSIM Travel Insurance: SafetyWing

Table of Contents

60+ Best Road Trip Activities for Kids

There are endless activities for kids on a long family road trip, including tablets and other electronics. There are lots of apps that are fun and educational, and we all need to take a movie break once in a while!

However, we do try to limit electronic time in the car (and our iPads only work with WiFi), so here are our suggestions for classic, unplugged activities for the whole family to enjoy on a long road trip.

Classic Road Trip Games

These classic road trip games involve seeing things outside the car as you are driving. There is no limit to how many people can play, you can play as a team or assign prizes to winners.

1. The Alphabet Game

There are two ways to play this, the first involves finding anything outside the car that starts with each letter of the alphabet, in order. You can work together as a team, or see who can complete the alphabet first.

For example, you could see an Airplane, a Bus, and then a Cat on a road sign… be prepared for arguments over what counts, and feel free to make your own family rules.

The second version of this game involves finding each letter printed on something that you pass, in order. It could be a street sign, billboard, store, or the side of a bus. The word must START with the letter. Feel free to make family exceptions for hard letters like X!

2. The License Plate Game

Keep track of how many license plates you can spot from different states! Work together or keep your own tally depending on the ages involved. See if you can spot them all!

Make your own family rules, like whether cars parked in rest stops count, or if they have to be moving.

(psst… there’s a free printable at the bottom of this post to play the License Plate Game!)

3. Road Trip Bingo

This is a game you’ll need to print out before you leave. Download a Road Trip Bingo card and have each kid circle things as they find them along the way! This can also be formatted as a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt and modified to different age groups if needed.

4. The Color Car Game

Each player chooses a color of car, and you agree on how many you must see to “win”. So for example, the number is 10, and child one picks “Red” and child two picks “Blue”, you then watch the road, shouting out the numbers for your color car, whoever sees 10 of their color first wins!

Need to rent a car for your road trip? Check out Discover Cars – their pricing is always clear upfront, no surprises!

5. Can You Spot…

This one takes a little creativity from the adult in the front seat. Look at what is coming up and say “Can you Spot…” The Capitol Building? The Railroad Tracks? The Mississippi River?

If you prefer, you can make it a competition to see who can spot things first. You can also come up with more obscure things like “A Car or Truck with Two Colors” and see how long they spend looking!

6. The Counting Game

Pick something to count for one minute, then everyone guesses how many you’ll see. Count those items, and see who was closest!

Favorite things to count include telephone poles, dogs in cars, and construction trucks. Feel free to modify to a longer time period or add your own rules!

7. Counting Cows

Counting Cows is a specific version of the counting game- you count cows continually until you pass a cemetery, then you “bury the cows” and start over!

This is a great game for when you are in more rural areas and there aren’t a lot of other vehicles or road signs to keep you occupied.

This one can be tricky while you are moving, but it is a current favorite in our family! The “I Spy with My Little Eye” must be something either inside the car, or that everyone can see outside the car for long enough to be fair. So, for example, “Something Blue” being “the sky” is fair, but “Something Red” which is a bus speeding by, is not.

9. Padiddle!

This classic car game used to involve hitting your sibling on the arm and yelling “PUNCH BUGGY”. These days, it means whoever spots a car with only one headlight first yells “PADIDDLE” and wins!

Word Games to Play Together in the Car

These games don’t involve anything around you or outside the car and can easily be modified to be challenging for older kids or to include the youngest travelers. These word games are classic boredom busters for long car rides.

10. Who Am I?

In the traditional version of this game, each person is trying to figure out who they are by asking yes or no questions. This can be played as a “headband” game, where they wear the answer so everyone else can see it.

In the car, this can get a bit complicated, so it’s best if each person picks a person and character, and the rest of the car guesses who they are. They can be anyone from cartoon characters to someone you all know.

11. 20 Questions

In 20 Questions, one person thinks of anything they like- a person, place, or object, and the rest of the car has only 20 questions to figure out what it is with yes or no questions.

12. Would You Rather

Would you Rather is a fun game of “this or that”- and everyone in the family can play! Print out a list of questions before you leave, or take turns making up your own!

Examples include: Would You Rather be a Dragon or a Unicorn? Would You Rather Eat Bugs or Worms?

Check out our post on bucket list family travel for a free Download of Would You Rather- World Edition!

13. The Questions Game

This is a game of questions to get to know each other better, where the answers are more nuanced and introspective. Table Topics make decks of cards with great questions or make up your own before you leave. Examples include: If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be and why? If you had a million dollars what is the first thing you would buy?

Buy Now: Table Topics Family Conversation Cards

For more emotionally introspective questions, check out the Best Self Little Talk Conversation Cards . These are specifically designed to get families communicating. Questions may include thinking of something you’re proud of accomplishing, or things you wish mom or dad would do more of.

Buy Now: Little Talk Conversation Cards

14. The Alphabet Game

This version of the alphabet game involves starting with “I’m going on a trip and I’m bringing…” the first person adds something that starts with A, the second person repeats item A, and adds B, and so on through the alphabet. You can make up other versions of this where you can only bring songs, animals, or foods.

15. G-H-O-S-T

GHOST is a game for older kids and adults since it involves spelling. The goal is to avoid finishing the spelling of a word. The first person says a letter, the second person adds a letter, and so on until a word is spelled.

You have to be able to prove that your letter actually makes a word. So if the first letter is “Z”, the second letter can’t be “K” unless that person can prove there is an existing word that starts with “ZK”.

Each time a word is spelled, that person gets a letter in the word GHOST. When you get all five letters, you lose!

Team Road Trip Games on Paper

These road trip games take more than one person and need to be played on paper, or on a dry-erase board.

16. Tic-Tac-Toe

Tic-Tac-Toe is a classic game my kids can plan for an hour. It teaches basic strategy (defense!!) and takes only a pencil and paper!

17. Mad Libs

We have so much fun doing mad libs together on family road trips. This is a classic game where you fill in the blanks with silly nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. then read the complete story back. The more ridiculous the better!

There are lots of free versions online, or you can pick up this book of road trip-themed mad libs . Plus they help the kids learn the parts of speech!

Buy Now: Road Trip Mad Libs

18. Snowman

This is the modern version of the game “hangman” that many of us played as kids. One person makes up a word or phrase and draws lines to represent the missing letters.

As players make guesses, correct letters are filled in. For each incorrect guess, a part of the snowman is drawn- three round balls, two arms, a top hat, two eyes, and finally, a frown means the guessers have lost!

19. Connect the Dots to Make Squares

This game starts with a page full of dots. The players take turns drawing a single line connecting two dots. Each time a player closes a box with their line, they put their initials in the box and it counts as one point. The player with the most points wins!

Road Trip Card Games

Card games can be a great way to pass the time on a long road trip, but you’ll need to stick to games that don’t need a lot of cards laid out flat. It can be frustrating when a pile of cards goes sliding to the floor!

Uno is a great road trip car game as it can easily be played with two people and only involves a draw and a discard pile. Use a box or a tin to keep the cards from sliding around.

21. Spot It

Spot it is lots of fun for all ages. You flip over two cards, and the first to “spot” which two items appear on both cards takes them and adds them to their pile. The player with the most card at the end wins. This game is great because even pre-readers can play along!

Buy Now: Spot it Card Game

Played with a traditional deck of cards, War is a simple game of flipping two cards, with the higher card winning the pile. The player with the most cards at the end wins! More luck than strategy, kids can play this endlessly!

A family-friendly version of Bull*hit! With a traditional deck of cards, take turns placing cards face down, calling out what you are placing “Two fours”, the next person must put down fives, and so on.

If you think someone is cheating, call “Cheat!”. If you are correct, the cheater takes the whole middle pile, if you are wrong, you take the pile! The first one to get rid of all their cards wins.

Solo Games on Paper for Road Trips

These are road trip activities and games that can be done quietly by one person, on paper. Kids of the same age can help each other, but two people are not necessary. A lot of these activities can be found in booklets at the dollar store, either combined or separately.

24. Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles come in a variety of skill levels and are a great way to pass the time! Kids can read out a clue and ask for help when needed. Great for building vocabulary.

25. Word Searches

Word searches are a great way to practice letters and spelling skills. These are a great road trip activity for kids as they also come in a variety of skill levels to keep everyone entertained.

Mazes are another fun road trip activity for kids! I’ve taught our kids to start from the beginning and the end and try to meet in the middle. That’s fair, right?

27. Find the Hidden Picture

These are drawings with little pictures hidden throughout the illustration. You find each hidden picture and then can color in the whole illustration.

We often get these in our Highlights magazine. both girls love searching for all the hidden items and coloring them in!

28. Connect the Dots

Connect the dots books can be simple or quite complex- draw a line that follows the numbers to create an illustration, then color it in!

Quiet Road Trip Activities on Paper

These quiet road trip activities involve drawing, coloring, or writing on paper. These will require supplies like pencils, colored pencils, crayons, and washable markers. Make sure not to leave crayons in a hot car or you will have a melty mess.

29. Coloring Books

Coloring books range from very simple pictures to complex adult versions that are great stress relievers! There are tons of options, from unicorns to favorite cartoon characters.

This Girl Power coloring book looks amazing, or you can get this one all about bugs with cool facts alongside the illustrations.

30. Sticker Books

Sticker books come in all sizes and shapes. There are reusable vinyl stickers that you can use to make endless scenes (which also stick to car windows), jumbo stickers books that provide a place for all the stickers to go, and everything in between. These Paint by Sticker books are really fun!

Buy Now: Paint by Sticker Activity Book

31. Rainbow Scratch Paper

Rainbow scratch paper has a bright rainbow or glittery base, then a layer of black on top that you scratch off with a stylus to reveal the color beneath. Kids love the surprise color, and the mess is minimal.

You can buy blank sheets for the kids to draw their own designs, a hidden pictures version where they reveal a picture beneath, or a guided activity journal scratchpad.

*Update, I do NOT recommend this activity for the car. We had two scratch booklets that the kids loved, but that left our black leather car seats coated in pink dust. The stuff they scratched off got caught under the car seats and is not easy to clean.

Maps are a great road trip activity for kids! Print out maps of your route or the states you will be passing through and let them follow along and color!

This is a great way to teach map reading skills, learn about cardinal directions, as well as state capitals and facts about each state. There are great free printable maps of the US here.

33. Water Wow or Imagine Ink Books

Water Wow books by Melissa and Doug use a water-filled paintbrush to color in reusable thick pages. These are great for ages 3-6, and provide a lot of entertainment for no mess.

Our kids got a Martha’s Vineyard-themed book and loved it. You will have to be prepared to refill the brush, and we found that the brush didn’t stay with the book very well, so bring a rubber band or plan another way to store it.

Buy Now: Water Wow Activity Book

Imagine Ink books use a special marker that only marks on its book, revealing the image or colors beneath. These are not reusable, but they are no mess, and there are enough pages in the book to keep kids occupied for a long time.

34. School Workbooks

Our girls will do their schooling mostly online, but they will also have paper workbooks to work on their handwriting and creative writing skills. Road trips are a great time to practice some of these skills.

For E, heading into PreK-4, we got this book to practice letters and numbers. For S, going into 2nd grade, we got this fun book of creative writing and drawing prompts to encourage her writing.

35. Blank Journals

Both girls also have journals to record what they do each day and how they are feeling about it. We will try to create some time each day specifically for journaling.

E will need our help to write things down, but she can also draw pictures. Some kids may also like to glue in ticket stubs or things they’ve saved from the day. I think journaling is a really healthy habit to build as the girls get older. There are many options out there, we chose this one and this one .

36. Activity Books 

There are so many fun activity books out there, from Road Trip Activity Books to books focused on unicorns (S would love this one ) or even space !

Most of these involve some reading and writing, they are generally geared toward ages 4-9.

Buy Now: Road Trip Activity Book

37. Junior Ranger Packets

If you are visiting National Parks, be sure to pick up Junior Ranger packets for the kids to work on! They have to complete a certain number of pages based on their age as well as a few other activities, and then can be sworn in as a Junior Ranger, complete with a wooden badge!

Some parks are offering downloads of their Junior Ranger packets online that you can print before you go, so look for them.

We loved taking advantage of these on our cross-country road trip and our American Northwest road trip . Don’t miss our full section on National Parks !

38. Postcards

Postcards are a great way to combine staying in touch with family and friends and practicing handwriting skills. Kids can work on writing their messages on the road in between stops. Grandparents and friends love getting these in the mail!

Arts & Crafts Road Trip Activities

Arts and crafts that are not messy make great road trip activities for kids. A mix of creativity and keeping hands occupied is a win for everyone during a long car ride.

39. Wikki Stix

Wikki Stix are bendable, twistable, waxy playthings that can do everything pipe cleaners can do and more. They’ll stick to most surfaces, and themselves, with no mess left behind. These are also sometimes called “wax craft sticks” or “monkey string”. These make a great road trip activity for creative kids- especially younger kids.

Buy Now: Wikki Stix

40. Play-Doh or Silly Putty

Some people prefer silly putty to Play-Doh, as it’s easier to clean (though don’t let it mix with hand sanitizer or it gets gooey). We are a Play-Doh family- we love the many bright colors and have lots of molds and stamps and cutters to make it exciting.

41. Gel Window Stickers

Gel window stickers are a fun, mess-free way to decorate (and redecorate) your car windows. You can find them in a variety of holiday or seasonal themes at the grocery store, Target, or dollar stores.

42. Window Markers

Window markers take decorating the car to a whole new level. You can draw, or write as much as you like, then wipe off with a wet wipe when you are ready to start fresh.

43. Dry Erase Board and Markers

A small dry-erase board and dry-erase markers can provide hours of entertainment on the road. Stray socks make great dry-erase markers. Play endless rounds of tic-tac-toe or snowman, or draw a family portrait!

44. Stamp Sets

A small stamp set and blank paper will keep little creative hands busy for hours! Make sure the stamp ink is washable.

45. Embroidery or Needlework

Road trips are a great time for kids to learn or practice new craft skills! Embroidery or needlework kits are great to take on the road, they tend to be very self-contained and keep hands busy while listening to music or a story. This embroidery kit is great for beginners!

Buy Now: Beginner Embroidery Kit

46. Knitting or Crocheting

Knitting and crocheting take very few supplies and can be very rewarding! Kids can start small with simple projects like a scarf, and move into more advanced skills like cable knits or a winter hat.

47. Friendship Bracelets

Pack up your embroidery thread, friendship bracelets are the perfect road trip activity for kids! Send the finished bracelets home to friends or make one for everyone in the car!

Not sure you remember all your bracelet knots? This easy kit from Klutz has you covered.

Buy Now: Easy Friendship Bracelet Kit

48. Origami

The Japanese art of paper folding, origami is a great quiet road trip activity for kids 6+.

This fun animal origami kit includes stickers to give your creations eyes and mouths, or try this neon kit with 60 pieces of paper!

Buy Now: Neon Origami Kit

Things to Read on a Road Trip

All ages can find something to read or look through on a family road trip! Be aware that some kids may experience motion sickness from looking down at a book, especially one with small type. (Psst… motion sickness bands are one of our top road trip supplies )

Smaller children can bring along picture books to look at, older children can spend time quietly reading to themselves. I Spy or Hidden Object books are a great way to pass the time.

50. Magazines

Kids love magazines! Highlights is a favorite for ages 6-7, Ranger Rick or National Geographic are great choices as well.

51. Catalogs

My kids can spend hours looking at catalogs and marking the things they want for their next birthday or Christmas. Favorites in our family include the Amazon holiday toy catalog, LEGO, and the latest American Girl catalog.

52. Read Alouds

We like to spend the morning reading out loud a bit about what we will be seeing or doing that day. This helps set the expectation for the day and means we start our activity with a little bit more background knowledge.

Plan to bring along some books to read aloud that are age-appropriate for the whole car. Reading a chapter or two of a book that you are all engaged in, is a great afternoon activity that keeps the kids engaged but calm.

Things to Listen To on Your Family Road Trip

Connect your device to the car radio and play a variety of things to keep everyone quiet and entertained! Make sure your kids have a good pair of kids headphones .

53. Playlists

Make a series of playlists for your trip- a quiet instrumental, songs the kids like, upbeat classic road trip songs, etc.

54. Audio Books

Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time! Play one chapter at a time- the kids can color or craft while they listen. Your library may have resources for audiobooks or try a subscription to Audible .

55. Podcasts

There are so many podcasts out there! Download a few to your device so you don’t have to worry about cell service. Our family favorites are Molly of Denali, and Grandpa’s Globe (by Purple Rocket). We are also going to try Stories Podcast, Earth Rangers, Live from Mount Olympus, and the Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian.

Or latest podcast favorites are: Eat Your Spanish (basic beginner Spanish phrases) and What Will She Do Next, about inspirational women from history.

56. Family Road Trip Sing-a-long

When in doubt, start a family sing-a-long! Depending on the age of your kids, this could range from some Raffi songs to 1980s classics. This might be a great time for the kids to learn the words to American Pie!

57. Road Trip Jokes

Your phone is your friend for this one- look up some jokes to keep the family laughing! Knock Knock jokes are big in our family right now, but you can tell all kinds of jokes!

Here’s a road trip joke to get you started: What did the Pacific Ocean say to the Atlantic Ocean? Answer: Nothing, it just waved.

You can also tell riddles: What travels around the world but stays in one corner? Answer: A Stamp!

58. Tell a Road Trip Story

Tell stories! They can be real or made up. Kids love hearing stories of when their parents were little or even how their parents met!

You can take turns each telling a real story, or start a longer fiction story where each person tells a line or two before passing it to the next person in the car.

“Three Words” Version: For adults or older kids, limit each person to three words before the story passes to the next person.

“Object/Problem” Version: One person names an object and problem, the storyteller then gets 2-3 minutes to make up a story around those. Then that person names the object and problem for the next storyteller.

Toys and Travel Games

A few toys and travel-sized games can help fend off boredom on long car trips.

59. Etch-a-Sketch

This classic toy comes in a travel size and is a great (quiet) road trip activity! We prefer this “magnetic drawing board” which uses a stylus, instead of the traditional “all in one line” technique.

Buy Now: Magnetic Drawing Board

60. Magnetic Play Sets

Magnetic playsets are nicely self-contained- this camping set will have kids dressing and playing for a while. You can also bring along sets of magnetic tiles for more three-dimensional play- you’ll need a sturdy tray or lap desk for these.

61. Travel Sized Games

Travel-sized, often magnetic, versions of classic board games are great for cross-country road trips. You can play Connect4 , or sink each other’s ships in Battleship . Purple Cow makes a magnetic version of checkers and 26 other travel games! The pieces are quite small and then, so these are recommended for ages 5+.

Buy Now: Magnetic Travel Games

62. Fidget Poppers or Fidget Spinners

Fidget Poppers come in all sorts of fun colorful shapes. Kids pop the bubbles back and forth on these- think of it like bubble wrap that never ends! Similar to the popular Fidget Spinners, it helps kids settle their minds by keeping their fingers busy.

This four-pack of rainbow poppers should have something for everyone. If your kids prefer the traditional spinners, this one is extra cool with LED lights!

63. Dolls or Stuffies

We let each girl choose one doll or stuffed animal to bring with them in the car. They can spend hours caring for and making conversations with their chosen travel buddy.

64. Glow Sticks or Bracelets

Driving at night? Glow sticks or bracelets make a fun surprise! You can usually pick up a pack at dollar stores. But don’t expect the kids to go to sleep until these wear out!

65. Quiet Time

Quiet time in our house is leftover from “nap time” when the kids were younger. We find that a bit of quiet time away from each other (or in the case of a small car, simply not touching or interacting with each other) means we all can reset mentally, and come back together in a more positive way.

Adults need this too! I need 30 minutes of not hearing “mamma, mamma” coming from the back seat! We like to announce “Quiet Time” just after lunch, but figure out what works best for your family.

Top Tips for Keeping Kids Entertained on a Long Family Road Trip

Worried about keeping the kids occupied, and entertained? We understand! Bored kids become whining, “poking their sibling” monsters, so you need a game plan! A good road trip plan includes a couple of key elements:

Create Variety

No one wants to do the same thing over and over for hours (or days!) so you’ll need a plan to mix it up. Vary solo activities with team games, switching between quiet activities and louder more boisterous ones to keep the kids entertained for hours.

Especially for younger kids with shorter attention spans, you may need to pull out new toys or activities at intervals. Don’t pull out all your best games and songs during the first few hours!

The Dollar Store and the $1 bin at Target are great for creating a bag of small surprises before you leave. Mini coloring packs, new crayons, window stickers, can all be part of this. Fun snacks count too! Bonus points for wrapping items individually- the toddler group especially loves to unwrap.

Set Expectations

Make sure you set expectations for the trip. The amount of entertainment I can provide (and surprises I can pull out) for a nine-hour road trip is very different than what I can maintain for a 60+ Day epic cross-country road trip . Make sure the kids understand how long they’ll be in the car overall, and what is happening that day.

We like to focus on the next stop- for example, “2 hours until our fun lunch stop with a carousel”, or “We won’t get to the hotel until after it’s dark”. These types of statements really help minimize the inevitable “Are We There Yet?” questions!

Maps are great for this- show them where you are going, and where you’ll be at the end of the day. Print out a map of the states you’ll be driving through for them to color.

Don’t Forget Snacks!

Snacks help keep everyone’s spirits up and break up the boredom. Plan for lots of snacks! Our full post includes over 40 of the best snacks fo road trips and includes ideas for easy breakfasts and lunches as well.

Plan to Take Breaks

Food breaks, bathroom breaks, and just “stretch your legs” breaks are important for everyone. Don’t forget to stop and get some exercise. It breaks up the mood in the car and you can start fresh when you head out again.

Need more tips about traveling with kids on a road trip? We compiled our best tips for travel with kids .

There You Have It: Best Road Trip Activities for Kids

Over 60 road trip activities for kids to keep them happy and entertained during a long family road trip. We’ve covered everything from classic road trip games to arts and crafts, to small toy sets. Did we miss something? We always love hearing your suggestions.

Cynthia Matthews von Berg is the founder of Sharing the Wander. She is a passionate traveler, mom, and travel coach specializing in long-term travel and family travel. She and her family embarked on a Family Gap Year in 2021, and haven't looked back.

Similar Posts

An epic cross-country road trip itinerary: 8 weeks coast to coast, kids road trip essentials: 70+ things to carry on a road trip in 2024, boston to portland, maine: the ultimate guide to road trip routes and scenic stops (2024), 40+ best road trip snacks for kids & toddlers, taking flight: visiting the wright brothers memorial with kids, review of the crayola experience, pa- is it worth it.

39 Fun Road Trip Games to Play

Sharing is caring!

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more

Fill long drives with joy by playing these fun road trip games , helping you say goodbye to boredom on the journey, no matter who you’re traveling with.

I’ve been on plenty of road trips across Europe and the U.S. in my time, and these games have helped me, friends, and fellow travelers pass the time with lots of laughs and intrigue.

Road Trip Games (Fun Games to Play in the Car)

1. Truth or Dare

This is a classic game, but it can be adapted to a road trip as well. Take turns picking whether you want to reveal a truth or take a dare.

In this case, you will need to pick a dare that can be done safely in the car or by stopping the car when you get the chance. Time to be creative!

Read more: 100+ Best Truth or Dare Questions

2. Never Have I Ever

Each player holds up five fingers, and in turn, they name something they have never done, for instance, “Never have I ever been to Italy.”

For each thing they have done, players need to fold a finger. The person who folds all five fingers first loses. This is a fun game, and if you pick the right questions, you may even learn some interesting or funny things about your friends.

Read more: 200+ ‘Never Have I Ever’ Questions

3. The Compliment Game

In this game, you go through the alphabet, and for every letter, you say a compliment about someone else in the car. For instance, “A is for how awesome Monica is,” “B is for Jack’s beautiful hair,” and so on, taking turns.

4. Most Likely to

Take turns and come up with “most likely to” scenarios about your friends. Everyone in the car must point to the person they believe reflects the title.

You could say things like “Most likely to become a celebrity” or “Most likely to win a Nobel prize.” If you’re out of ideas, you can find many examples online, or just try to be creative and invent fun scenarios.

Read more: 300+ “Who is Most Likely to” Questions

5. The Forbidden Word

Pick a forbidden word at the beginning of your trip. Try to aim for a word that you would normally use a lot. Keep count of how many times each person says the forbidden word.

At the end of the trip, whoever has said the word the most will have to take a pre-agreed forfeit, such as paying for a round of drinks.

6. Truth or Lie?

This is a storytelling game in which one person in the car tells a true or invented story from their past, ideally something elaborate and hard to believe.

The other people in the car take turns and get to ask one question about the story before deciding if it’s true or not. Reveal the right answer after everyone took their guess. Take turns telling stories and see who has the greatest number of correct guesses.

7. Smurfing

Pick one person in the car who will be the subject of the game. While the subject covers their ears, the other persons need to pick a verb. Then, the subject must ask questions replacing the verb with the word “smurf.”

For instance, “Do you smurf in the morning or evening” or “When did you last smurf?” They need to guess the right verb as quickly as possible. You may even decide how many questions they get to ask or set a time limit, like 2 minutes, to guess the right verb.

For Families and Kids

8. what color is it.

In this game, start naming a list of items of the same color until your kid, or one of your kids, guesses the right color. For instance, you could start by saying “Sky, sea, smurfs…” and keep going until someone guesses blue.

A classic road trip game for families and kids, “I spy” consists in choosing an object, preferably something in the car, and having other players guess by asking yes or no questions.

You can use colors or the first letter of the object. For instance, you could say “I spy with my little eye… something blue/something that starts with the letter B.” The first person to guess the object gains a point.

10. Spelling Bee

A fun and educational game, the spelling bee is easy to play in a car. You can pick random words or make it more fun by choosing a theme, possibly something kids would enjoy.

For instance, you could do a Harry Potter spelling bee with words from the book/movie. Make sure to have someone keep track of the points on a piece of paper or a note app.

11. Scavenger Hunt

This game may require a bit of preparation but it’s a great way to keep kids entertained on a long road trip.

Before the trip, prepare a list of things you would usually see on the road, like road signs, cars, animals, and so on. The person who checks the most items off the list before the end of the trip wins.

12. Car Color Search

This game also needs some preparation, but it can be very entertaining for small kids. You can draw several cars of different colors or find a ready-made sheet online and print it.

Every time they spot a car of a certain color, they cross it off the list. Whoever crosses the most cars off the list wins the game.

13. Going on a Picnic

This challenging memory game is great for adults, but you can also play it with older kids. The first person starts by saying “I’m going on a picnic, and I’ll bring…” and picks an item.

The next person repeats the sentence and adds another item, then the third adds a third item, and so on. The list will get longer and longer. The first person who can’t remember the correct list is out of the game and it resets until there is one winner.

14. Storytime

If you’re feeling creative, why not invent a fairy tale with the kids? Start with the classic fairy tale beginning “Once upon a time…” and come up with the start of a magical journey in a singular sentence.

Each player will add a sentence to the story until you either reach the end or until a set time limit elapses. You can also record the story so you can listen to it later.

15. The Quiet Game

If you’re traveling with kids and want some downtime, you can always try the quiet game. See how long your kids can go without saying a word. The first one to break the silence loses.

For Couples or Two People

16. 20 questions.

In this guessing game, one person will have to think about an object, animal, or person, and the other must ask yes or no questions to figure out what the other person is thinking.

They have a limit of 20 questions to guess the item or person. Ideally, you would start with more generic questions, like “Is it an animal” or “Is it an object?” and get more specific with questions about the size, color, and other features.

If the person guesses in less than 20 questions, they take the place of the answerer. Otherwise, the same person gets to think of a new thing.

17. The Human Jukebox

This can be a really fun song if you know song lyrics. One person starts singing a song, and the next has to connect it to another song using the last word of the lyrics, then another has to connect a new song, and so on.

For instance, “Take me down to the paradise city where the girls…. Just wanna have fun, oh girls… Who run the world? Girls. Who run…. Boy run. This world is not made for you…” And see how long you can keep going before someone is stumped.

18. 6 Degrees of Separation

A person has to name two people, objects, movies, or any other thing. You can mix them, for instance, a celebrity and a movie, that are apparently not connected. Another player has to connect the two in six statements, or less.

You could, for example, pick Uma Turman and the movie Mamma Mia. And then say “Uma Turman starred in “Kill Bill” with Lucy Liu. Lucy Liu starred in Charlie’s Angels with Cameron Diaz. Cameron Diaz had a relationship with Justin Timberlake. Justin Timberlake starred in “In Time” alongside Amanda Seyfried. Amanda Seyfried starred in Mamma Mia!”

19. Two Truths and a Lie 

This is a great game to learn more about your travel companion. Take turns and tell two truths and one line. The other person has to guess which is the lie.

You can just keep playing to discover curious facts about yourselves or make it a points game. Whoever gets to 10 correct answers first wins. Remember to choose a reward for the winner.

Read more: 2 Truths and a Lie: 200+ Lie Ideas

20. Holiday Memory Game

In this memory game, you pretend you are packing your suitcase for the holidays and need to take turns listing all the items you will pack. The first person will start by saying “I am going on a holiday and I’m taking…” and adds an item.

The next player has to repeat the sentence and add a new item then the next player will do the same. Keep adding items to the bag, repeating the entire list every time. The first person who messes up the order or forgets an item loses the game or is out. Ready to test your memory?

21. Kiss Mary Avoid

Pick three people, either someone you know or celebrities, both from past and present. You may even pick a fictional character.

The other person will need to choose which person they would kiss, marry, and avoid. Depending on your choice of people, this game can be really fun. Take turns and get creative!

22. Would You Rather

Time to get creative for this game where a person has to ask the other(s) what they would choose between two options.

The idea is to come up with impossible or weird choices, like “Would you rather never see again or never taste food?” If you’re out of ideas, this “would you rather” questions list can help you out. Tine to make some difficult choices.

Generally Fun Road Trip Games

23. categories.

While this is not necessarily a road trip game, it’s a really fun one to pass the time. Pick a category, anything from ice cream flavors to R&B songs. Every player takes turns naming an item in that category. See who runs out of ideas first.

24. The Humming Song Game

The game is pretty easy yet fun to play. One player must hum a famous song while the others need to guess the song. The person who guesses correctly gets to hum a new song. It may sound really easy, but it can get quite tricky.

25. Music Battle

To play this game you must be at least three passengers. One person is the judge while the others need to play songs on their phones.

Select different categories, and for each one, every player picks a song and plays it. The judge has to decide the winning song for every category.

26. Alphabet

This game consists in spotting items that start with each letter of the alphabet, in order. You can use objects in the car or on the road, like road signs, billboards, animals, or anything else you may spot.

Call out each letter and the item/word as you see it. The first person the get to Z wins. In a different version, you may pick a category, like animals, and take turns naming items in that category in alphabetic order.

One player starts by saying a word, then each passenger takes turns saying words that rhyme. Set a 15-second time limit per turn. If the person can’t come up with a word within the time limit, they are out.

The remaining person wins a point. See who gains the most point before you get to the destination or who gets to 10 points first.

28. Storyteller

The game is pretty simple but depending on how creative you get it can be very fun. One person starts a story with the first sentence. Then, everyone takes turns adding to the story.

Come up with interesting and fun plot twists to make the story more entertaining. Record it to have a memory of your road trip story.

29. Fortunately/Unfortunately

This game consists of telling a story where each sentence starts with the word “fortunately” or “unfortunately,” alternating between them.

For example: “Anna had to go to work. Unfortunately, her car broke down. Fortunately, she could take the train. Unfortunately, all trains were delayed.” Keep the story going, alternating between the two.

30. While You Were Sleeping

This is a funny game that you can play if any of the passengers falls asleep during the trip. With the other passengers, come up with an interesting and unbelievable story of something that happened while the other person was asleep.

When they wake up, tell them the story, starting with “While you were sleeping…”. Each passenger adds a little to the story to make it credible that you all witnessed it. Try not to break character and see if the other person believes your story.

31. Car Rule

To play this game, each person in the car gets to make up a random rule, and everyone has to follow it. Try to think of weird and fun rules, like “Whenever I change the radio station, everyone has to clap their hands”.

Assign points to everyone who enforces the rules except for the last person to do so. The person with the most points at the destination wins.

32. The License Plate Game

This classic road trip game can be played in different ways. You can try to spot a license plate from every US state or from different countries if you’re traveling in Europe.

Or you can try to spot a license plate starting with each letter of the alphabet, and the first one to get to Z wins. If you are playing with kids, you can even print a coloring map of the U.S. and have them color each state they spot on a license plate.

Trivia Road Trip Games

33. name that tune.

A great game for music lovers is “Name that tune”. You can simply turn on the radio or put on a Spotify playlist, making sure the song name is not visible on the display.

As soon as the song starts, the first person to shout the right song title wins a point. This is a great game to have fun, listen to music, and refresh your memory of song names.

34. Name the Artist

A different take on “Name that tune,” this game requires players to guess the artist. You can even prepare a playlist in advance and set different rules.

You can assign points based on who answers first, or you can take turns, play a song for 5 to 10 seconds, and let the player guess or pass. Whoever makes more points or reaches a set number of points first wins.

35. The Movie Game

If you know your movies and actors, you can play this potentially endless game during your road trip. To start, a person mentions an actor while another person must name a movie the actor has been in.

Another player must name a different actor in that movie, and the next player must then name another movie with that actor, and so on. See how long you can go!

36. Guess the Quote

One person in the car has to say a quote from a movie, TV show, or song, while the other passengers must guess where the quote is from.

The player who makes the right guess takes the next turn in saying a quote. Try to make it hard, and for extra fun, use the accent of the actor who said the quote.

37. “Sorry I am Late” Movie Guessing

This can be a really fun game for movie buffs. It essentially consists of saying a sentence that starts with “Sorry I am late” and continues with the main plot of a movie, told in a fun way.

For instance, “Sorry I am late, but I got a letter saying I am a wizard and I had to go to wizarding school only to find out this evil wizard has been trying to kill me since I was a newborn,” which would be Harry Potter. The person who guesses 10 movies first wins.

38. Bad Movie Plot

Another fun movie fame consists in picking a movie and explaining the plot in a really bad way, although factually correct. The other person has to guess the movie.

If they do, they win a point. Take turns and see who makes the most points or gets first to 10 correct guesses.

39. Celebrity

In this game, one person will play the character of a celebrity of their choice while the others take turns asking random questions.

The celebrity player answers the questions as if they were the famous person. The first person to guess the celebrity wins.

Long journeys in the car can often be difficult, for both you and the other passengers you are traveling with. Finding activities to pass the time can go a long way making the journey far more comfortable and enjoyable.

The beauty of these road trip games is that they require little, if any, equipment and preparation to play, yet can provide hours of fun.

Don’t let tiredness and boredom take control on a long car ride. Use these fun car games to create a fun and relaxing atmosphere, keeping your minds off the journey and giving you all an opportunity to interact and bond.

From word games to games involving famous people, there’s so much you can do in the car with minimal resources to entertain young kids, teenagers, and the whole family!

You Might Also Like to Read

• 40 Fun Things to Do on a Long Car Ride

Save and Pin for Later

Keep these super fun road trip games for safekeeping, ready for when you next travel by car, and save this article to one of your Pinterest boards.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

30+ Engaging Travel Activities for Kids

This page may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

When you’re traveling with kids, you want to make sure you’ve prepared some activities to keep them entertained on the trip. 

We are always on the search for awesome plane and road trip activities for kids. On our many, many trips with our kids, we’ve discovered through experience that some travel activities are better than others. 

Buuut it’s not so fun to discover that you have a dud once you’ve already left on your trip. We’re here to help you out by finding the very best travel activities for kids so you can relax and enjoy your trip!

Whether you’re going on a road trip or traveling by plane, these travel activities for kids are approved by both kids and parents!

Travel Activities for Kids

Water wow activity pads.

Water Wow Activity Pads are a truly mess-free travel activity for kids. Simply fill the pen with water and watch as colorful pictures appear as the brush goes across the page. The picture dries after about ten or fifteen minutes and can be used again!

There are a few different kinds of pads, ranging from simple pictures to number and alphabet activities to mazes and seek-and-find activities . 

This activity appeals to a broad age range, as kids get a huge kick out of seeing the picture magically appear on the page as they color. We as parents even have fun doodling on the pages when our kids are done!

Paint by stickers

These paint by sticker books are a great way to entertain kids on a trip. Each picture is completed by placing the little stickers on the correct number in the picture (think paint by numbers, but with stickers). It’s a great calming, focused activity for any kind of travel.

And when you’re finished, you have a gorgeous and vibrant picture! Our son likes to hang them up in his room when he’s done making them. 

These books have been a huge hit with my kids while traveling. And I love how focused they keep my kids and that they are mess-free!

Guess in 10 Game

Ages 6+ (or junior version for ages 3-6)

Guess in 10 is a game that requires two people to play (or up to 6), but is sure to keep your child wanting more! Each person can ask up to 10 questions to guess the animal on the other person’s card. The first person to collect 7 game cards wins.

One of the best things about this game is how simple it is. No complicated rules or setup, just grab a card and start playing! And it’s so fun to learn new interesting facts about the animals on the cards.

In addition to Guess in 10 Animal Planet , there are lots of other versions of the game depending on your child’s interests, such as Guess in 10 Junior (for kids ages 3-6), Countries of the World , Deadly Dinosaurs , Things that Go , and World of Sports .

Tip: When playing with younger children, it can be helpful to choose a small group of 10-15 cards and then review them before playing. This narrows the scope of guessing to a more reasonable level for young children, especially if they aren’t familiar with a wide range of obscure animals.

Magic clay , also called air dry clay or model magic, is a creative outlet for kids of all ages while traveling. Unlike playdough (which I wouldn’t bring on a plane or into my car in a million years), this light clay does not make a huge mess when used. Its foamlike texture holds together and doesn’t crumble apart or squish into carpets, seats, etc.

My kids have the best time with this activity when we travel and it’s always fun seeing the creative ideas they come up with.

We actually bought this big set of magic clay , which contains a 36 resealable little tubs of the clay, so it’s easy to just grab a couple of containers whenever we have a trip. And my kids can also make fun creations at home. If you want a smaller quantity, you can also buy a pack like this .

Mental Blox Go!

Mental Blox Go! is a set of over 30 games and puzzles in a compact travel case. This portable puzzle set includes ten different puzzle types with various levels of difficulty. Some games can be played individually, while others require multiple players.

Some of the games include memory match, shapes sudoku, and 4×4 chess, to name a few. The pieces are sturdy and chunky, making them difficult to lose.

I love that this game is small enough to be quite compact, without being so small that you lose the pieces, and my kids love the variety of games that you can play with just the one set!

Tangram Magnets

This Trangram Puzzle Book has a variety of different puzzles children can make with the shapes at increasing levels of difficulty. And because the wooden shape pieces are magnetic, they stay in place when kids are playing with them on the go!

Although it is marketed for children ages three and up, this one will probably work better for older children as most of the puzzles are quite challenging.

Hidden Pictures Book

Ages 3-6 yrs

Hidden picture books will keep your child engaged as they search for the images concealed in plain sight in each picture. 

This Things that Go Hidden Pictures Book has 96 pages with a variety of transportation-related scenes. On some of the images, there are matching stickers to put on the hidden picture once you find it, while on others you’re meant to circle the hidden picture.

Our preschooler loved the things that go theme and especially enjoyed the pages with stickers to put on the pictures. There are also other themes you can choose from, including Pet Hidden Puzzles , Adventure Sticker Puzzles , etc.  

Fidget popper

For some simple and compact travel activities for kids, fidget poppers are a great choice. They give your child something to do with their hands while on the go.

It’s surprising how entertaining popping those little buttons in and out can be, for kids and adults. They are also a great sensory activity if a child is feeling agitated or anxious.

If you’re traveling with a young jokester, consider bringing a joke book to keep them laughing. They will love learning new jokes to share and you might get a few laughs too. 

The Silly Kids Joke Book has over 500 jokes in large, easy-to-read font, perfect for young comedians on the go. The jokes are divided up into different categories, such as food jokes, knock-knock jokes, animal jokes, etc. so that your child can find the perfect joke for any occasion!

Puffy Sticker Activity Book

One of my favorite travel activities for kids, the Melissa and Doug Puffy Sticker Activity Books can keep a child busy for a long time on a trip. The sets come with background scenes and dozens of little stickers to decorate each picture to their own liking. 

And the best part is that they’re reusable! And they actually are, unlike some sets that say they are but have stickers that are hard to get off or lose their stick. The set we have has lasted us several years and countless trips. My son always checks to make sure I’m bringing his puffy sticker set when were packing for a trip.

There are many different puffy sticker set options, depending on your child’s interests. We have the farm, chipmunk house (by far our kids’ favorite), and safari set , but you can also find princess, dress-up, and mermaid, dinosaur, ocean, safari , etc.

Wikki Stixs

Wikki Stixs are a fun, mess-free activity that can grow with your child. Younger kids will enjoy squishing and twisting the bendable wax sticks, while older children can make more elaborate creations, such as shapes, words, people, animals, etc. The sky is the limit with this travel activity!

I love seeing the creative ideas my kids come up with when deciding what to make with their Wikki Stix. And since they are reusable, you can just unbend them when you’re done to make new projects!

Secret Decoder Activity Books

Let your kid become a detective with these Secret Decoder Activity Books by Melissa and Doug. This set comes with three activity books and spy tools to help them reveal clues. In each book they will find a mystery to uncover using different spy techniques such as code breaking, unscrambling messages, and completing mazes.

This is such a fun and engaging way for kids to pass the time while traveling! They will love solving mysteries as they build skills such as attention to detail, problem solving, and following directions.

Scratch art

Scratch art is a fun, creative activity that’s easy to do on the go. Kids will love creating their own colorful pictures simply by scratching off the top black coat with the wooden sticks provided. And this set comes with several stencils for kids who want a little help knowing what to draw.

Honestly, I got this on a whim before a trip, not knowing how incredibly entertaining my 5-year-old would find it. This kept him entertained for hours at the hotel, in the car, on the plane…. He had so much fun drawing pictures of all the places we were visiting for everyone he knows. 

It does create a little bit of black residue from scratching off the topcoat, but not enough to be too annoying. And the entertainment value far outweighs that minor inconvenience.

A tablet can be a lifesaver when you’re traveling. I’m all about bringing lots of hands-on activities for my kids to do while traveling, but sometimes screentime is the best way to keep a child occupied or distract them from a meltdown. 

The Kindle Fire comes with a tough, child-proof case and a two-year warranty. You can choose to stream content through wifi or download it onto the device.

Tip: Be sure to download some favorite movies, shows, or apps before getting on the plane. 

Learning Workbooks

Learning workbooks are a nice way to combine academic learning with entertaining travel activity. And although these workbooks do have educational value, they are also a lot of fun for kids to work on while traveling.

You can find all sorts of interesting workbooks with a variety of interesting activities based on your child’s age. For kids ages 3-6, the Little Get Ready! series has some really engaging activity books. Another favorite is Highlights , which also has a wide rage of learning workbooks for all different grade levels and topics.

Help your child learn a craft to keep them entertained while traveling. Our 5-year-old recently expressed a desire to learn to crochet, and that can keep him engaged for hours!

A craft like crocheting, knitting, weaving, or needlework is perfect for keeping a child occupied on trips, whether you’re traveling by car or plane. (And yes, you can bring knitting and sewing needles on a plane!)

This is usually one that you want to prep a bit beforehand though so that they can learn the basics and you can see if it’s really something that will keep their attention. You can get your child started with this beginner crochet set or a loom kit for making hats and infinity scarves .

And of course, there are a lot of other interesting crafts out there. See what appeals to your child and help them to develop that talent as they travel!

Drawing book

For your little budding artist, bring a book that teaches them to draw pictures. This is a another way for them to learn some new skills while they pass the time.

For younger children, consider a book like How to Draw Animals for learning to draw basic pictures. For older children up for a bit more of a challenge, How to Draw All the Things for Kids has detailed tutorials for 42 different projects. 

Pair it with a small sketch pad and a couple of colored pencils or mechanical pencils (so that you don’t have to worry about the tip breaking) and your child will be all set to draw to their heart’s content!

Look-and-find book

Look-and-find books are a fun way to keep children entertained while traveling. They will love exploring the detailed pictures as they search for various items on each page. 

We love the 1001 Things to Spot books by Usborne. The pages are so interesting and our kids have a great time looking for all the different objects in the pictures. Usborne has a lot of books in the 1001 Things to Spot series, including Animals , Bugs , Monsters , and so on.

Magnetic tin playset

A magnetic tin playset is a self-contained activity that provides lots of creative fun for kids. The inside of the tin contains a background onto which your child can stick the magnets to create a fun scene. Each set comes with dozens of small magnets that match the theme of the set you chose. 

These are a great entertainment option for traveling by car or plane, or for using as entertainment when you arrive at your destination. My kids love arranging and rearranging the magnets to create new scenes and stories!

Tip: Bring a small plastic bag to use for storing the magnets you aren’t currently using, otherwise the scene ends up getting a bit too crowded. 

Usborne Wipe-Clean book

These Wipe Clean books by Usbourne Books and More have been one of my go-to travel activities for kids for years. There are a lot of different options depending on what your child is ready for or interested in, including Wipe Clean Travel Activities , Wipe-Clean Space Activities , Wipe Clean First Math , Wipe Clean Travel Puzzles , and the list goes on and on.

One of the nice things about these books is that they incorporate all sorts of learning activities without making it feel like a workbook. I also love the fun and engaging pictures and that it’s endlessly reusable. Just wipe it off and start again!

Tip: Don’t forget to bring some extra dry erase pens for when your child inevitably misplaces theirs!

Would You Rather Book

For kids who love a good laugh, this Would You Rather Book for Kids is sure to keep them enteretained as they think through various “would you rather” scenarios.

This book contains 200 would you rather questions to get your child thinking and laughing. It’s a fun way to get conversation going and bond as a family as you talk through different outlandish situations.

The book is compact and easy to pack, but contains hours of entertainment for your trip!

Color by Numbers

Color by Numbers books are a fun way for kids to entertain themselves while traveling.

This set comes with numbered pens that correlate to the numbers on the pictures so kids know which color to use for each section of the picture. The numbers disappear after you color over them, leaving just the art behind!

Our son loved seeing the colorful picture appear as he used the numbered markers.

If you have a kid who enjoys puzzles, consider bringing a small puzzle or two to help them pass the time.

These small 20-piece puzzles are a great travel activity for younger kids. They have a frame and travel bag, so it’s easier to keep all the pieces contained and to pack up when it’s time to go.

For older kids, consider a larger puzzle as a hotel activity to keep them occupied if you have some downtime in your room. 

One great way to pass the time while traveling is listening to podcasts. There are some really fun and entertaining podcasts for children out there that are sure to keep kids entertained on a trip. Our son could listen to his favorite podcast (Little Bedtime Stories) for hours!

Just make sure to bring a good pair of headphones for an ideal listening experience. For our younger kids, we typically use toddler headphones , but when they get older we prefer a pair of wireless headphones .

Tip: Preview the podcasts before your trip so that you know that it’s something that your child will find entertaining and also something that is appropriate for your child. Also, be sure to download the podcasts in advance so that you have access to them when you don’t have internet access.

Riddles Travel Game

Get the gears turning by bringing along some riddles for your child. The 100 PICS Riddles Travel Game is a pocket-sized deck of 100 riddles, perfect for travel!

At the bottom of each card is the scrambled answer to the riddle, so you have an extra clue if you need help. Once you’ve guessed what it is, slide open the shutter to reveal the correct answer.

The small size and portable case make this a perfect travel activity for kids!

Sticker books

You can’t go wrong with sticker books for travel. And these days, there are so many different options that kids of all ages will love!

Our 3 and 5-year-old sons both loved the First 100 Trucks and Things That Go Sticker Book . It’s full of fun sticker activities, from color matching to creating your own construction site. This was one sticker book that our kids kept coming back to again and again throughout our trip!

Origami Craft Activty Set

For kids who love crafts, origami is a fun way to engage their creativity while traveling.

This On the Go Origami Kit from Melissa and Doug comes with all the materials you need to make 40 paper animals, along with detailed instructions. The papers have marks on them to show where to where to fold and include stickers to add eyes and embellishments to the completed animals.

There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced projects, so your child can challenge themselves with more difficult creations when ready.

Travel journal

Kids will love recording their travel memories and experiences in a travel journal! 

The Ultimate Travel Journal for Kids provides a creative forum for little travelers to think about and write about their travel experiences. This book includes guided travel writing prompts as well as games and activities for keeping kids entertained on the go. And there’s space to write about four trips, so your child can look forward to using it on their next trip too!

This is one of those perfect travel activities for kids that gets them really thinking and engaging in their trip. Plus it’s a great way for them to record memories to look back on for years to come!

I don’t know what it is about stencils, by my kids find them so fun to play with! Maybe it’s that they can get really fun and detailed pictures that would be challenging for them to draw on their own. 

And there are some really fun stencil sets out there. This set comes with 16 stencil sheets with a wide variety of subjects (planes, dinosaurs, letters and numbers, animals, princesses, flowers… the list goes on and on). It also has pencils, a sharpener, and a sturdy little carrying case for everything.

But if you’re looking for something more basic, just get a small set to give your child something to work with. The key is just to find a set that appeals to your child and set them loose to see what they create!

Travel Scavenger Hunt

This Travel Scavenger Hunt is a great way to pass the time on a long road trip! The cards are easy to read with big pictures, making it easy for kids of all ages to play.

And in addition to the typical cards of objects to look for, there are also special cards for things to hear (like a siren), feel (like the car going over a big bump), and smell (like a skunk or something stinky).

The one downside for this game is that it doesn’t work as well in more remote areas, as it’s a lot harder to find the items on the cards. But save it for when you’re driving through more urban areas and you’ll have a fun game that everyone will enjoy!

All ages (find age-appropriate books)

Reading is one of the best ways to pass the time while traveling, for children and adults! Find a topic or author that appeals to your child and bring along a book or two for them to read on the trip.

You can choose informative, non-fiction books or gripping fiction, depending on your child’s preference.

We love the Usborne Lift-the-Flap books on all different topics, such Look Inside Space , which has over 70 flaps with interesting facts about space, and Look Inside How Things Work , which teaches all about the inner workings of machines, vehicles, household items, and more. I love these books for travel because one book contains so much information to hold a child’s interest throughout the trip.

Or you can choose a fun fiction book like the Magic Treehouse series (our 6 year old’s favorite), the hilarious and wacky Wayside School series , or an adventure story like Fablehaven .

Whatever your child’s age or interests, you can find fun and interesting books that they will love for your trip! This is probably one of our favorite travel activities for kids because of how engaging a good story can be.

Final Thoughts

When taking a trip with kids, it’s important to bring some fun activities to keep your child entertained. Bringing a few fun items to engage your child during travel will help make for a smoother trip for them and you.

And if you’re looking for some great options, you can’t go wrong with any of these travel activities for kids.

Other posts you might be interested in:

21 Airplane Toys and Activities Your Toddler Will LOVE!

50+ Road Trip Food Ideas- Easy Meals On the Go!

Road Trip Activities for Toddlers (That They Will Really Love!)

Related Posts:

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Entertainment

Fun Summer Activities Checklist

Need inspiration for summer fun? Check out our ultimate summer list and see how many you can cross off before Labor Day hits.

Eat and Drink

The great outdoors, just because.

Even if you don't have any vacation plans yet, we've got the perfect list of summer activities that'll help you relax, refresh, and enjoy every single moment of the season. Whether you want to spend more time in the great outdoors , have a little throwback fun, or just savor every bit of summer flavor out there, you'll find something to cross off your summer bucket list.

Greg Pease /Getty Images

Everyone loves a throwback—and doing these summer activities that you may have loved as a kid will definitely bring some joy to your summer.

• See a movie at the drive-in.
• Walk on the boardwalk and listen to the boards creak under your feet.
• Blow bubbles.
• Play tag, hopscotch, or one of your favorite childhood games.
• Ride a roller coaster.
• Play miniature golf.
• Win a prize at the fair.
• Catch fireflies at night.
• Build a sandcastle at the beach .
• Cruise around town on a bike, roller skates, or a skateboard.
• Do a cannonball into the pool.
• Enjoy the view from the Ferris Wheel.
• Run through the sprinklers.
• Have a water balloon fight.
• Help your kids host a lemonade stand.
• Tie dye a t-shirt.
• Climb a tree.
• Build a fort (indoors or out!)
• Jump in puddles after a rainstorm.
• Wear cut-off jeans and flip-flops.

Compassionate Eye Foundation/Natasha Alipour Faridani/Getty Images

With all that gorgeous summer produce out there, there's plenty to enjoy and savor (and either grow your own or pick at the farm). But don't forget to indulge in a few more decadent summertime treats—like s'mores or frozen cocktails.

• Eat a whole lobster with your hands
• Pick berries and peaches at a farm.
• Make pesto.
• Buy a Creamsicle from the neighborhood ice cream truck.
• Roast marshmallows over a fire and make s'mores.
• Make lemonade from scratch.
• Eat corn on the cob.
• Sip a sweating glass of iced tea.
• Eat a slice of watermelon.
• Buy fresh produce at the farmers' market .
• Mix up a pitcher of sangria .
• Eat a soft-serve vanilla ice cream cone with rainbow sprinkles.
• Dig your own clams.
• Make your own iced coffee .
• Make homemade ice cream .
• Have a barbecue .
• Eat cucumber sandwiches.
• Plant a mini herb garden.
• Drink a frozen cocktail . (Add a fun umbrella to it, too!)
• Eat something fried at a carnival or fair.
• Make your own ice pops .
• Make a fruit pie.
• Go to a local food festival.
• Host an old-fashioned ice cream social.
• Grill everything (including dessert!).

Anastasiia Krivenok /Getty Images

Those warm summer days are custom made for taking time to chill. Add a few of these relaxing summer activities to your must-do list this summer.

• Nap in a hammock.
• Have a picnic in the park.
• Sit on a porch swing.
• Stargaze while lying in the grass.
• Watch the sunset from a beach.
• Dangle your feet off a dock.
• Bring a blanket and picnic at an outdoor concert.
• Watch the clouds go by.
• Go river tubing.
• Go to a Renaissance fair or a Shakespeare in the park performance.
• Paint rocks to decorate your garden.
• Lounge under a tree and read a book.

massimo colombo /Getty Images

Long days and plenty of sunshine make spending time outdoors even more enticing in the summer. Even if you're not exactly "outdoorsy," you'll probably find something on this list that'll get you out to enjoy some fresh air.

• Pick wildflowers.
• Swim in a lake.
• Rent a bike .
• Go fishing.
• Go camping.
• Play tennis.
• Go for a hike .
• Go kayaking or canoeing.
• Toss a Frisbee.
• Try bodyboarding or surfing.
• Seek out birds and butterflies.
• Plant wildflower seeds.
• Visit a national park or state park.
• Try out pickleball.
• Learn to skip stones.

Elina Manninen/Getty Images

These little mindful, joyful summer activities will definitely add a lot more fun to your life this season—so make sure you set aside time to enjoy them.

• Collect seashells at the beach.
• Take a last-minute road trip .
• See a summer blockbuster.
• Read a trashy novel .
• Walk barefoot in the grass.
• Get caught in a summer rainstorm.
• Sleep with the windows open.
• Make a summer playlist.
• Smell freshly-cut grass.
• Feel the sun on your back.
• Roll up your pant legs and go wading.
• Go to a baseball game.
• Give yourself a pedicure in the perfect summer shade.
• Buy a big sun hat.
• Put out a hummingbird feeder or a bee and butterfly water dish.
• Create sidewalk chalk art (or share a cheerful message with your neighbors).
• Wear a pretty sundress.
• Make a fairy house.
• Dye your hair a fun, summery shade.
• Hang wind chimes in the breeze.
• Look for treasure at a garage sale.
• Host a lawn game tournament .

Related Articles

40 Free Printable Road Trip Games & Activities

By: Author Jacquie Fisher

Posted on Published: May 19, 2023

Categories Travel Fun

Grab these free printable road trip games & activities for your next car trip and keep the kids busy!

We are gearing up for a HUGE family car trip this summer and I’m on the look-out for some road trip activities to keep the kids off their phones & busy en route 😉

40 Free Road Trip Activities & Games for Kids

Since we love to travel, I’ll be sharing a handful of posts over the next few months with lots of tips & ideas for family travel!  We’re also sharing many of our favorite travel items along with affiliate links to each so you can see if they’re a good fit for your family too. (Be sure to see our 40+ Road Trip Essentials & Car Organization Items too!)

Here are a few of the ways we get ready for a trip:

• Keep the car organized with these 27 Track Hacks & Road Trip Tips
• If your kids enjoy audio books, movies or educational apps, be sure to sign up for the Amazon FreeTime Unlimited FREE Trial before you go!!
• Have ad-free on-demand music for your trip: Try the Amazon Music Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial
• Grab this FREE Printable Road Trip Planner: 10 Things to do Before Your Next Road Trip
• And check out these NEW ideas — 15 Road Trip Printable Games & Travel Activities !!

The trip is going to be much longer than we thought — 10 days through 11 states covering 2600 miles!!

I know – crazy!  But we’re really looking forward to it — we believe that family travel is a great way for kids to learn all kinds of things.

It’s going to be a monster of a trip with lots of overnight stops and quite a few hours in the car.

Soooo …. time to start planning on how to keep everyone busy, happy and fed 😉

How Do You Entertain Kids on a Road Trip?

It’s the age-old question — how to keep kids busy and engaged on long car rides?!  The first thing I always tackle is putting together a binder for the trip that’s chocked full of fun (& free) printable activities.

I’m telling you — this little binder has been a huge help on our trips!

The fact that our kids have had something to look forward to each morning when we load up the car is incentive enough for them to not drag their feet when we have to pack up.  And it’s been wonderful to have a way to keep them writing and reading using fun activities on our trips.

I’ve included links below for each of the resources we’ve found including affiliate links for items that will help you put together your own road trip binder.

Tips for Making a Road Trip Binder

I have three goals when I create a car trip binder for kids, tweens or teens:

1.  Include surprise activities they can do both on their own & with others in the car

2.  Find fun things that will keep them off the tech for a while

3.  Get the kids interested in the places we’re visiting on our trip — because that’s one of the reasons we travel, right?!

First, print off a variety of travel games & activities!

I search for games they really enjoy (for example, Mad Libs are a big hit with us right now) and fun pages like coloring or design printables.

We also play the license plate game as a family every summer so that’s a big one for us too!

I look for maps & activities that highlight places on our travel route, worksheets that share fun facts about the states we visit and anything that gets them writing — like some fun travel journal pages.

Printable Road Trip Games for Kids, Tweens & Teens

Here’s a huge selection of printable road trip games & activities to make things easier for you!

Just choose the ones that fit your child’s age and ability! Or if your short on time, check out the 15 printable road trip games & travel activities in our Road Trip Pack!

• All for the Boys has some wonderful car activities — 12 pages of mini games & puzzles the kids will love!!
• Enjoy some fun family discussions with this free set of 20 Questions to play with your kids !
• I love this Travel Battleship game from Mothers Home!
• Play the License Plate Game with this free printable state map.
• Salt and Pepper Moms has a fun printable car game sheet and a travel journal page too.
• FreePuzzles.net has 6 printable car games including mazes, hangman and car bingo.
• Enjoy these 5 printable car games from In the Playroom (for US & UK travel).
• I Heart Organzing has some wonderfully colorful Road Trip BINGO and Alphabet I-Spy to keep the kids entertained.
• And you know how much we adore Scavenger Hunts!  Here are a few gems:
• Road Trip “Find It” for Tweens from Carla Schauer
• City, Suburb & Rural Scavenger Hunts from Mom’s Minivan
• Make & Takes has a fun coloring scavenger hunt too

If you need more ideas, browse all the Printable Road Trip Activities and Games on Etsy too!!

And if you happen to be heading to Disney World or Disneyland, check out this set of printable Disney Games & Activities for your trip!!

Road Trip Activities & Travel Printables to do in the Car

Try these Kids’ Travel Journal pages that are perfect for encouraging a little writing & recording the trip while on the road!

For some great state-by-state learning, visit Education.com and print out the State Puzzle Sheets for each state on your trip.

I like to include a Kids’ Road Atlas or map with the binder too.  We get ours free with our AAA membership and it’s a great for kids to learn map reading skills!

Activity Idea: Have your kids highlight the route you’re taking in the atlas and they can follow along as you drive.

Younger kids might enjoy driving a Hot Wheels car along the route as you travel.  Older kids will be intrigued to see what interesting places you might be passing en route.

More Kids Activities for a Road Trip

If your kids have a cell phone or camera, print this FREE Photo Scavenger Hunt for them to complete on the trip!

Enjoy this Hotel Scavenger Hunt from Moms & Munchkins if you’re spending the night on the road.

Picklebums has these cute and open-ended Road Trip Drawing Prompts.

Doodle Art Alley has a set of Summer Coloring pages that can be used individual or as a family coloring activity.

How to Organize Car Games & Activities in a Binder

Next, I organize all the printables into a Road Trip binder!

One thing that works well for us is to sort the pages by travel day. This way, I know that each morning of our trip there will be new activities for our kids to do!

I separate the printables using manila folders (which is great in case we want to pull out the items for one day).  Then I use a 3 Hole Punch with all the printables & manila folders and insert them into the binder.  Each set is labeled with the date so it’s easy to see.

In addition, I include a 3-Ring Pencil Pouch with the following items:

• a nice set of Colored Pencils ,
• a regular pencil & pencil sharpener,
• and an eraser.

We don’t bring markers in the car ( I learned why the hard way ).  And crayons tend to melt in the summer heat. So when we travel, we’ve found that a set of colored pencils is the way to go 😉

We also love to have these Storage Folding Lap Desks so the kids have an easy place to read/write during our trips!

I also put their summer reading logs (see all the FREE Summer Reading programs here!) in the back of the binder. We do a lot of reading & audio books in the car ( grab a copy of this free Summer Reading Log to use on the trip !).

Last, I created a fun cover for the binder along with an autograph page for the back of the binder. It’s fun to have when you’re visiting a lot of family so everyone can sign a fun note.

Here’s a front & back cover for the road trip binder you can download for FREE!

There you go — step 1 in preparing for the Ultimate Summer Road Trip!

More Road Trip Ideas:

15 Printable Road Trip Activities & Travel Journal for Kids & Tweens

The Ultimate Road Trip Guide: Why Getting There is Half the Fun

10 Things to do Before Your Next Road Trip {with free printable checklist!}

More Summer Ideas:

20 Amazing Summer Scavenger Hunts

105 Activities that Make Awesome Summer Memories

• Last Updated On
• April 29, 2024

This 625-Acre Florida State Park Is The Perfect Day Trip For Families

Looking for a splash of adventure without straying too far from home?

De Leon Springs State Park offers just that, nestled within the heart of Florida.

This hidden gem is bursting with activities that cater to every member of the family, from the youngest explorers to the wisest adventurers.

Ready to dive into a day of pure Floridian delight?

Let’s get going on a journey to this 625-acre wonderland, where fun and nature blend seamlessly!

Nestled comfortably in Volusia County, De Leon Springs State Park is a natural playground that promises a day trip brimming with excitement.

Forget the same old weekend plans—this is where the real fun begins.

Sun-soaked hiking trails, a refreshing spring to dip your toes into, and a history that spans centuries await your discovery.

Journey through time as you wander around the park, where the echoes of the past meet the giggles of present-day fun-seekers.

Native Americans once called this place home, and later, it became a site for 19th-century pioneers and entrepreneurs.

Today, it’s a sanctuary for families and friends to create their own history, one picnic, paddle, and pancake at a time.

Speaking of pancakes, did someone say breakfast?

At the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House, located right within the park, you’ll find a griddle at every table.

Yes, you read that right.

Guests are invited to mix and pour their own pancakes, flipping them to golden perfection.

It’s not just a meal but an interactive experience that will have the kids talking for days and the adults flipping with the finesse of seasoned chefs.

Swimming in the spring is a refreshing retreat from the Florida heat.

The constant 72-degree waters beckon you for a swim, snorkel, or dive.

It’s like your own natural water park, minus the lines and ticket prices.

The clear, inviting depths are a haven for underwater adventurers looking to spot a variety of fish and wildlife.

Navigating the park’s waterways by canoe or kayak is like entering a secret world where the trees are the skyscrapers and the otters are the locals, doing their playful daily commute.

These towering cypresses are nature’s grandest sentinels, keeping watch over a kingdom of tranquility that’s just begging to be explored with a paddle in hand.

Now, whether you’ve been doing this since you could tell a stern from a bow, or you’re more likely to fall in the water than paddle straight on your first try, fear not.

This place is a paddler’s paradise for experts and novices alike.

The waters here are as gentle as a grandmother’s advice, making it the perfect spot to dip your paddle without fear of taking an impromptu swim.

Related: This Florida State Park is a Hidden Gem Filled with Incredible Rock Formations

Related: Witness the Majestic Bison Roaming Free in One of Florida’s Most Underrated State Parks

Related: Find Your Serene Escape at Florida’s Hidden Gem State Park Away from the Hustle and Bustle

And if you’re traveling light or your canoe’s in the shop, rentals have got you covered.

It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, don’t worry about a thing, we’ve got your back!”

With a boat, life vest, and a paddle, you’re all set for an aquatic adventure.

Glide past the greenery, make friends with the local wildlife, and let the world’s worries slip away with each stroke.

It’s not just exercise—it’s a paddle-powered jaunt into bliss.

Visitors with a penchant for dry land will find the hiking trails to be just as enchanting.

Trails wind through lush hammocks and open up to reveal the park’s diverse ecosystem.

Keep your eyes peeled for birds flitting through the canopy and the occasional deer that may cross your path.

Each step is an opportunity to spot something new, so keep your camera at the ready.

Learn about the park’s history and environment at the Visitor Center.

It’s a treasure trove of information, with exhibits that reveal the park’s rich past and natural wonders.

Knowledgeable rangers are on hand to answer questions, making it a must-visit for curious minds of all ages.

Fishing enthusiasts, don’t forget your rods!

The park’s waters are teeming with fish, making it a prime spot for casting a line.

Whether you’re a catch-and-release kind of person or looking to grill up your catch later, the park’s fishing spots offer a tranquil escape for anglers.

Picnicking in De Leon Springs State Park is a delightful way to unwind after a morning of exploration.

Shaded tables are scattered throughout the park, perfect for laying out a spread of your favorite snacks.

It’s the little moments like these that will have you savoring the simple joys of family time.

Special events and programs often take place in the park, adding an extra layer of excitement to your visit.

From guided hikes and wildlife presentations to historical reenactments, there’s always something new to learn and experience.

Keep an eye on the calendar to join in on these enriching activities.

Accessibility at the park is commendable, with facilities and areas designed to accommodate visitors of all abilities.

Everyone deserves to enjoy the beauty of De Leon Springs, and the park’s commitment to inclusivity ensures that no one misses out on the fun.

As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky, wrapping up your day, take a moment to reflect on the memories made.

The laughter shared over flipped pancakes, the thrill of spotting a turtle while paddling, and the peace found under the shade of ancient trees.

These moments are the ones that stick, creating stories that will be told and retold.

For more information on De Leon Springs State Park, including hours of operation and event schedules, feel free to visit its website .

To plan your visit and navigate your way around this natural oasis, use this map and let your adventure begin.

Where: 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130

As you pack up your belongings and say goodbye to this slice of paradise, consider the impact of a day spent in nature.

How has De Leon Springs State Park enriched your family’s life today, and when will you return to create even more unforgettable moments?

THE 10 BEST Positano Rail Tours

Rail tours in positano.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Day Trip from Rome: Amalfi Coast with Boat Hopping & Limoncello

2. Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Rome by High-Speed Train

3. Amalfi Coast Small-Group Day Trip from Rome Including Positano

4. 4-Day Amalfi Coast, Pompeii & Positano - Small group Tour

5. Amalfi Coast & Positano - Full Day trip from Rome or Naples - Semi private

6. Pompeii, Positano & Amalfi Coast day trip from Rome or Naples

7. 8 days tour on the Amalfi Coast from Ischia departing from Rome

8. Positano And Pompeii Small-Group Minivan Day Trip from Rome

9. 8 days tour on the Amalfi Coast from Ischia departing from Rome

10. Gems of Amalfi Coast from Rome (Private)

11. Private Full Day Tour to Pompeii and Amalfi Coast from Rome in Fast Train

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Day Cruise to Capri Island from Sorrento

Guided Tour of Pompeii & Vesuvius with Lunch and Entrance Fees Included

Pompeii Express Tour by Train from Sorrento

Small Group Boat Tour to Sorrento Coast, Capri & Blue Grotto

Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii Tour by Bus from Sorrento

Guided Day Tour of Pompeii and Herculaneum with Light Lunch

Capri Boat and Land Tour from Sorrento with Limoncello Tasting

Small Group Ischia and Procida Boat Day Tour from Sorrento

Private Capri Tour (from Sorrento)

Pompeii & Herculaneum - Skip the line from Sorrento

Capri Private Boat Tour with Limoncello tasting

Capri Tour from Pompeii, Vico Equense & Castellammare di Stabia

From Castellammare di Stabia: Capri Blue Grotto Boat Tour

Gold Cruise Positano and Amalfi (From Sorrento, Seiano or C.Stabia)

Capri Boat Daily Tours

Vesuvius & Vineyard select from Sorrento

Capri Small Group Day Tour by Boat from Sorrento with Pick Up

Ischia and Procida boat tour: Small Group from Sorrento

Pompeii and Vesuvius Small Group Tour from Sorrento

What travelers are saying.

• Rome Day Trip: Guided Tour with Boat Hopping on the Amalfi Coast
• Amalfi Coast Day Trip from Rome by High-Speed Train
• Amalfi Coast Small-Group Day Trip from Rome Including Positano
• 4-Day Amalfi Coast, Pompeii & Positano - Small group Tour
• 8 days tour on the Amalfi Coast from Ischia departing from Rome