Printable Travel Games and Games to Play While Travelling

Take along some printable travel games when travelling to your destination, whether by plane, bus, car or train as there will inevitably be times when time seems to stand still for your children.

To make the time pass more quickly for them, here are some game ideas that you and your family can try for your next vacation. Keep your printable travel games in a binder so you have them handy for your next trip. For more Printable travel games and games to play while travelling be sure to check out our Printable Travel Games Pinterest Board

Twenty Questions

Object of the game: One person thinks of a person, place or thing and each person in the family has 20 questions to figure out who, where or what it is. Remember that only “yes” or “no” answers are acceptable.

How to play:

Dad: Thinks of a person, place, or thing

Sandy: Is it a person?

Dad: Yes

Mom: Is the person still alive?

Dad: No

Matt: Was this person a former President?

This continues up to 20 questions until someone guesses the correct answer, if no one does, the person who thought up the question is with winner!

Geography

Geography is a great way to get your family into the travelling spirit.

Object of the game: The first person thinks of a place (city, state, country, etc.) then the next person has to think of a place that starts with the last letter of previous place. Remember that you can’t use the same place twice and the place has to be real.

How to play:

Dad starts with: New York

Sandy: Kansas

Mom: Sicily

Matt: Yukon

Travel Bingo

This version is a little different from what your family might be used to, but it’s a lot of fun. Prepare equal size grids for several colors of cars, peoples clothing, or anything you might see while travelling etc and X out a square every time one is spotted. The first one that Xs out all the squares wins! Remember to make each grid different so your kids can compete against each other.

Abbreviations

Play this funny word game with children of all ages.

Object of the game: Make up funny abbreviations for different letter combinations

How to Play: Alternate being “It.” Name two letters, such as “FM,” when you’re It. The letters can be an abbreviation that’s commonly used or can have no meaning. Take turns making up what the letters could be an abbreviation for. There’s no right answer. The point is to be creative. In our example, FM could stand for Fairly Muddy, Fried Meat or Fat Munchkin. Play until there are no more ideas or until a time limit you choose has passed (3 minutes is good). Avoid repeating words for the same abbreviation. Think of two new letters that haven’t been used for each turn.

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunts is a great activity for the car. Before you leave the house, prepare a list of things that you might see easily from the car. Remember to bring a couple of lists with you so your family members can play against each other. Also, remind your family that the first one to spot all the items on the list gets a surprise!

Here are some ideas to get you started on your list:

Stop sign
Flag
Motor home
swimming pool
welcoming sign
California license plate
McDonald’s restaurant
Mountain
bridge
boat
convertible car with the top down (weather permitting)

You can also do one while travelling by plane. Here are some ideas to get you started on that list:

Captain
Airplane with blue on it
Souvenir shop
Person with a cane
Red luggage
Bookstore
Newspaper
Baby
Bottle of water

Alphabet Words

This is a great game for children beginning to read.

Object of the game: Find words on the road beginning with each letter of the alphabet in order.

How to play:

Matt: A- sees Alaska Airlines on airplane

Dad: B- spots a Bathroom sign

I Spy

I Spy is a classic family favourite travel game.

Object of the Game: Player tries to guess the object selected by the player.

How to play: Look around and silently select an object that can be seen by all the players. Say, “I spy with my little eye,” and then give some description of the object, such as “something red,” “something square” or “something small.” Tell the other players to take turns trying to guess what the object is. Let the player who correctly guesses the selected item pick the next object, or have all players take turns in a set order (this may be best if you are playing with younger children who may not be so good at guessingOffer extra clues if the players are completely stumped.

Find more ideas on how to keep the kids amused while travelling.

Check out our PINTEREST BOARD for more printable travel games:

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Travelon Jo

Travelon Jo is a mom and travel blogger who believes that taking your kids travelling is one of the best things you can do for them. As a former travel agent, she knows all about the ins and outs of planning a trip, and loves nothing more than sharing her knowledge with others.