On the Road Again

Simple games can make short or long-distance travel a more pleasant experience.

Try these games:

ABC Hunt: Before you leave home, have younger family members write each letter of the alphabet on paper. Have them take along the paper with a pencil or crayon. As you travel, have them hunt for the letters of the alphabet in order, crossing them off the list as they spot each letter on a sign or license plate.
Sound Hunt: Before leaving home choose a letter/sound for the trip, such as the sound of the letter c - /k/ as in the beginning of the word car. As you travel, hunt for things whose names begin with that lettter sound.
WOW! A cab, a cat, a cap, a Cadillac!
Name Game: Have children look on license plates for the letters that spell their name. As each letter is found “in order” it can be written on paper. Once someone has spelled his name, then that person can help another family member or look for letters that spell the driver’s name.
State Search: This can be an ongoing activity or one for a long road trip. Take along a small map of the United States and some self-stick notes. Hunt for the names of the various states on license plates. As each different name is seen , place a self-stick note on the map. See how many can be found on one or more trips. Your goal is to cover the map!