Thanksgiving Road Trip Games

Are you ready for something to make those long, unbearable car trips, a little more bearable? Games help pass the time, do they not? It helps to keep an idle mind busy, even if it’s not very engaging. Sometimes, a simple distraction is all it takes to keep back-seat drivers from driving the driver nuts. Ooh, that’s a good one – tongue twisters!

Tongue Twisters

You may have to download a list from the internet for this one, but an easy way to keep someone busy is to given them a tongue-twister, a full sentence if possible. The whole point behind a tongue-twister is to give a phrase that when said out loud, it’s hard to articulate properly. It can be a fun way to keep people busy, if only for a little bit. Here’s a short phrase: Irish Wristwatch.

Punch Buggy

Oh, here’s a classic, and it probably won’t happen as often as it used to. See a VW Beetle? Let’s say it’s yellow. Then you immediately say “Yellow punch buggy!” and LIGHTLY punch the person next to you in the shoulder. It keeps people distracted, looking for the next Beetle.

The License Plate Game

This is best for the long road trips where you’ll be on a highway, interstate, turnpike, whatever as you’re bound to see a better variety that way. The License Plate game is all about spotting license plates from different states. The goal is to be the first one to reach all 50 states. Of course, seeing a plate from Hawaii or Alaska would be difficult. But, who knows?!

I Spy and 20 Questions

Speaking of spotting something, I Spy is a two-player game. One person locates an object, and then describes it until the other person guesses. Say, “I spot something blue.” Is it the sky? The ocean? Is it your smartphone cover? Take a guess. 20 Questions is similar, but instead of locating an object, the first player thinks of a person, living or dead, real or fictional, and the second player asks questions to narrow it down. Say, “Are you a man or woman? Are you real or fictional? Are you famous? A superhero? Do you have super powers?” Etc.

Card Games

You could also bring a deck of cards for back seat passengers. Play War, B.S., Blackjack, Gin, Go Fish, Spit, Solitaire. The possibilities are endless.

Road Trip Bingo

Another one you may need to download from the internet. Just like regular Bingo!, players just need to get a complete row, column, or diagonal strike to win. Instead of numbers though, it’s items or objects you’ll see on the road. A church, a gas station, a bicyclist, a dog, there’s a lot out there.

Chrysler Pacifica

No, it’s not a game. It’s the minivan, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. With the rear entertainment system available in select trims, all these games become moot when the seatbacks of the front row have video screens and a plethora of apps and games on them. That’s one way to keep kids and other passengers busy for awhile.

What are some of your favorite ways to keep back-seat drivers occupied (not cough syrup)? Let us know on our social media.