When I'm traveling on a long journey with my young grandchildren, I always dread the commencement of relentlessly being asked "Are we there yet?", but I've found no less than ten games that you can play with your children or grandchildren that don't require any equipment or props, and that can be played anywhere! Read on to find out how you can keep them entertained for hours:
1. I Spy
Where you can play it: Airplane, car, train, waiting in line to board or embark, waiting for food at a stopover restaurant
This old-time favorite is really easy to play, and will have your children looking for the most obscure thing (or so they thought) that they can see. While children will love playing I Spy, it appeals to older generations too due to its sentimental value. Try and ensure that the answers used by all the participants don’t involve anything that was seen miles back on your journey – the choices that they make have to be present at all times.
2. Memory Game
Where you can play it: Airplane, car, train, waiting in line, waiting to board or embark, waiting for food at a stopover restaurant
This one starts along the lines of “I’m going out on a picnic and I’m bringing…”, or “I’m making spaghetti, and I need…”, or any other example of the sort. The idea is for every player to add something to the list of required items in turn. All the items added as you proceed through the game must be stated by each player during their turn. Whoever forgets an item loses and is out of the game. If you get on a roll, this game can last quite a while and guarantees lots of fun. If your children are particularly young, try and be lenient with them during their turns.
3. Would You Rather?
Where you can play it: Airplane, car, train, waiting in line, waiting to board or embark, waiting for food at a stopover restaurant
Participants are asked to choose between doing two very unpleasant things, such as putting their hands in a bowl of electric eels, or sitting in a bathtub and having critters poured over them. Neither option is appealing in any way, but participants must pick one. While this might appear like something that’s more tailored to adults, it can be adapted to young children too.
4. Theme Song Game
Where you can play it: Car, train, waiting in line, waiting to board or embark, waiting for food at a restaurant
Everyone has a favorite TV show or movie. The game starts off with the first player humming a theme tune. The other players have to try and guess what it is. The first player to guess it correctly hums the next tune.
5. Telephone
Where you can play it: Airplane, car, train, waiting in line, waiting to board or embark, waiting for food at a restaurant
The first player whispers a story to a second player. The second player whispers the story, as close to word-for-word as possible, to the third player, and so on. The last player then has to recount the story out loud. Seeing as it’s likely that some of the story is lost in translation, the mixed up will probably result in a good laugh.
6. The Alphabet Game
Where you can play it: Car
This game can only be played in the car, as it requires road signs and car license plates. Each player looks out of the side of the car closest to them, and then looks for letters of the alphabet that appear on signs and license plates. The first player to spot the entire alphabet, from A to Z, is the winner.
7. 20 Questions
Where you can play it: Airplane, car, train, waiting in line, waiting to board or embark, waiting for food at a restaurant
Take turns to pick an object, and then give the other participants just 20 questions they’re allowed to ask to determine what the object you’re thinking of is, and guess it correctly. Try not to make it too complicated though – otherwise, the dreaded “are we there yet?” might come up. If it does, count it as one of the 20 allocated questions used to guess the correct answer.
8. Restaurant Race
Where you can play it: Car
Each player chooses a particular chain restaurant, such as McDonald’s, Burger King or Kentucky Fried Chicken. As you drive along, players have to spot their chosen restaurant on billboards, exit markers, fuel stop signs, or off the road. The player who manages to spot his or her chosen restaurant most in the allocated time (for example 20 minutes) is the winner.
9. Yes or No Game
Where you can play it: Airplane, car, train, waiting in line, waiting to board or embark, waiting for food at a restaurant
Players take turns to think of a person, place, film, animal or object, and the other players have to try and guess what the player is thinking of. The catch is that the player who’s thinking of something can only answer the other players with a “yes” or a “no”, and cannot elaborate any further. The first player to guess the answer correctly wins.
10. Riddles
Where you can play it: Airplane, car, train, waiting in line, waiting to board or embark, waiting for food at a restaurant
Riddles are always good fun, and there are countless ones you can try. Here are a few ideas, along with a few more here and here. So you won't run out of them any time soon!
Written by: Jake Schembri
Content Sources: Parents.com, SkyScanner, The RAC
