Yahoo LifestyleAre We There Yet? 10 Car Games to Keep Kids Happy and Busy
- 1/11
Are We There Yet? 10 Car Games to Keep Kids Happy and Busy
Growing up, half of the fun of road tripping with my family was all the car games we used to play. From simple Punch Buggy (sorry, Mom) to Tamagotchi (which was mind-blowing technology for its time), the car games for kids were nothing short of excellent. Nowadays, you'd be hard-pressed to find kids familiar with the simple joy of searching for Volkswagen Beetles, knowing what comes next.
The Best Car Games for Kids
Today, it's all tablets and iPhones, and I, like so many other parents, would love to see my kids engage with something other than a screen for at least a little while. Heck, I’ll even spring for a McDonald’s meal if it means they’re off their phones for a hot second.
And with that goal in mind, I spent some time researching car games for kids to determine which ones will actually keep your children entertained. Some of my finds are brand-new, but a few of them are absolute classics you’ll likely want to get your hands on yourself. Whether your kids like to kick it old-school or are suckers for the hottest new toy trends, these are the best car games for kids.
LatchKits - 2/11
1) Waterfuls — The Original Handheld Game
LatchKits
amazon.com
$24.95
I am sincerely convinced that no one actually wins Waterfuls. Even all these years later, trying to tackle this classic game is still impossible — it's also still really fun to try.
Getting all the balls in the little spaces is one of those lofty goals like reading War and Peace. Sure, it may never happen, but you're going to try over and over again.
amazon.com - 3/11
2) Simon Micro Series Game
Hasbro Gaming
amazon.com
$11.99
Potentially one of the world's most vexing games, your child should experience the utter irritation of getting to 10 moves and then completely blowing it. It builds character, or whatever.
This battery-operated car game for kids flashes lights in a pattern, and you have to replicate the light pattern. It's really hard but really fun. And who knows, maybe our kids will be way better at this game than we were.
amazon.com - 4/11
3) Auto and Interstate Travel Bingo
Regal Games
amazon.com
$9.99
I love travel bingo because it's great for kids with car sickness — it keeps them looking out the front window so that they can spot what's on their card first. The cards are reusable because they're tabs that close and not paper bingo cards that you mark. Four cards are included in this set.
Not included: The prizes you'll need for your vehicle's big winners.amazon.com - 5/11
4) Travel Lap Desk with Storage
Crayola
amazon.com
$23.49
Your budding artist can draw the hours away with this adorable, soft puppy desk from Crayola. There's plenty of storage space for all of your kids' paper and crayons, and they also provide six markers.
And it isn't just great as a car game. It's also wonderful to have on hand at home for your little ones to use on the sofa or in their bed. (Sick days will never be more creative.)
amazon.com - 6/11
5) Travel Tangram Puzzle
Coogam
amazon.com
$13.99
Subtle geometry and engineering make this car game for kids so fun. Tangrams is the classic problem game, encouraging children to use their artistic and logical minds to complete each puzzle.
This is a really nice set with a magnetic design that helps keep all the tans on the board ... and out from between the car seats.
amazon.com - 7/11
6) Would You Rather Travel Edition
Archie Brain
walmart.com
$6.89
“Would You Rather” is one of the best games you can play in a group. Would you rather eat a can of cockroaches or sleep in a bed of cicadas? Would you rather forget all your lines while performing on Broadway, or make an error in the last inning of the World Series?
Questions like these fill the pages of this book, and it will have your kids howling with laughter.
walmart.com - 8/11
7) IQ Fit
SmartGames
walmart.com
$9.95
A lot of car games for kids are designed to achieve some level of puzzly frustration in the player, and this game is no different. It keeps kids interested and keeps them playing. This happens to be a game that is equally fun for adults, so you might want to pick up a few extra for you and any other adult who may be traveling with you.
The idea is to get all the 3D pieces on the board, fitting together. It's no easy task, but it is doable.
walmart.com - 9/11
8) Educational Brain Games
Skillmatics
amazon.com
$12.97
Like so many brain games, this set gives your kids a fun way to think about problems in new and unique ways. Best of all, the cards are designed to be used over and over again with a dry-erase marker, keeping them entertained for countless road trips to come.
There are STEM-type problems, word problems, and puzzles, and none of them feel like extra homework.
amazon.com - 10/11
9) Poo Pocalypse Card Game
Poo Pocalypse
amazon.com
$19.99
Poop is the great equalizer of humanity, and now it’s a hilarious game. Somewhere between Old Maid and Exploding Kittens is Poo Pocalypse.
Comedians created it, so it’s as funny as it is strategic, and you’ll be doubled over with giggles playing this game.
amazon.com - 11/11
10) LCD Writing Tablet
Bravokids
amazon.com
$22.99
Do you remember those lame gray doodle boards with the lift-off sheet we all had for car trips? This is like that, only infinitely cooler. Kids use the stylus to write on this light-up LED drawing pad. It’s clean, it’s easy to use, and best of all, it’s terrifically quiet.
amazon.com
