How to Kill Time on a Long Family Car Ride

So you're getting bored on a long drive. Your spouse is cranky and the kids are fighting in the back seat. Several games can be played to relieve the boredom and provide a fun time for all. Time will just fly by as you bond with your family.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Look for a landmark and guess how far away it is.

   Point out a landmark ahead in the distance. It can be a billboard, bridge, barn or anything else that stands out. Have each passenger guess how man tenths of a mile away the landmark is. The closest guesser wins the game.

2. Play "Indications." Have one passenger think of a person. The other passengers must guess who that person is with a series of questions such as "What color would that person be?"; "What kind of day would that person be?"; "What kind of food would that person be?"; "What kind of house would that person be?" The passengers must guess the subject based on the answers to those questions.

3. 
   Keep playing those games and time will just fly by!

   Play alphabet games. Take turns coming up with names of famous athletes or actors or cities or even products that begin with the letter "A" then continue through the alphabet.

4. Come up with funny phrases based on the first three letters of the license plates of passing cars. If a license plate has the letters "FGB" someone might scream out "Funky Green Banana" or "Filthy Gross Breadbox." Have everyone contribute, then vote on the funniest one.

5. 
   "Three Thirds of a Ghost" can be a lot of fun.

   Try a word game called "Three Thirds of a Ghost." The first player picks a letter to start, then the second player adds a letter to it. Each player takes a turn, but the player who completes a word loses the game. Any player who loses three games is eliminated. Continue playing until only one player remains who has not completed three words.

6. Play "Twenty Questions." One player thinks of a person, place or thing. Each passenger takes turns asking a "yes" or "no" question in an attempt to identify that person, place or thing. Find out if it can be identified before 20 questions have been asked.

7. 
   Hey! A Hawaii license plate! How about that!

   Give "Name That Tune" a shot. A passenger volunteers to hum an obscure tune. Whoever can guess the name of the song is the winner. Continue playing until boredom sets in.

8. Look for the most rare out-of-state license plates. See who can spot an Alaska or Hawaii plate.

Tips & Warnings

• Urge your family members to create new games to be played on long car rides. They might be just as entertaining and time-consuming as more established games.
• Don't play games in bad weather if you're driving the car. Concentrate on safety if it's raining or snowing or particularly windy. Allow your passengers to have all the fun.

Resources

• Games for the car.