Family car trips can be enjoyable with young children. Even though the car seat time can be frustrating for both child and driver, there are a few games that can help the time pass more quickly on a long road trip. Plenty of snacks, drinks, a favorite blanket, toys, and books also help pass the time.

With the addition of verbal games children will stay interested, take turns, and learn while the driver does not need to take eyes off the road no matter how long the trip. The idea is to wear out the children not the driver.

Language games

One game is called “What Do You Know?” The adult makes up simple questions and children take turns giving their answers. Questions are based on the age/interest/vocabulary and experience level of each player. For example: Driver (for the younger child): “How many colors do you know?” or “What are the names of the people in our family?” or “What are the names of the seasons?” or “What foods are orange?” or “What do we call a person who takes care of us when we get sick?” or “Who grows food for our grocery stores?”

Knowledge games

For the older child, the questions could be related to geography, history, etc. Example: “How many states can you name that begin with the word New?” or “How many bird names can you remember?” or “Name a holiday for each season”, or “What is 9 X9?” Once you get started, you will think of many, many possible questions.

Another car game is called, “I’m Thinking of Something” (pick a color). Children can watch out the window to find something this color.

Reading signs is a great way to encourage signal and word awareness. “Can you find a sign with a number or an arrow or the name of a store?” “Can you find a sign that starts with the letter “S“, etc.?”

Car games can help develop curiosity and improve thinking and speaking abilities, in addition to making the ride more fun and enjoyable for everyone. Recalling facts, comparing, putting things in categories, reading signs, counting items, listening and taking turns, are important skills that will help prepare children for school

Families can also sing favorite songs, make up your own words, look for cows, horses, and trucks of a certain color. Retell a favorite storybook or movie. Discuss favorite foods or places to visit. Think about how two things are the same or different. Example: “How are a bird and an airplane the same / different?” Name two animals. One is fast and the other slow. One is tall and the other is short. You can go on and on with opposites.

For more fun games see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/ Learning Through the Seasons live and podcasts.

begin with the word New?” or “How many bird names can you remember?” or “Name a holiday for each season“, or “What is 9 X9?” Once you get started, you will think of many, many possible questions.

Another car game is called, “I’m Thinking of Something” (pick a color). Children can watch out the window to find something this color.

Reading signs is a great way to encourage signal and word awareness. “Can you find a sign with a number or an arrow or the name of a store?” “Can you find a sign that starts with the letter “S“, etc.?”

Car games can help develop curiosity and improve thinking and speaking abilities, in addition to making the ride more fun and enjoyable for everyone. Recalling facts, comparing, putting things in categories, reading signs, counting items, listening and taking turns, are important skills that will help prepare children for school

Families can also sing favorite songs, make up your own words, look for cows, horses, and trucks of a certain color. Retell a favorite storybook or movie. Discuss favorite foods or places to visit. Think about how two things are the same or different. Example: “How are a bird and an airplane the same / different?” Name two animals. One is fast and the other slow. One is tall and the other is short. You can go on and on with opposites.

For more fun games see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com and wnmufm.org/ Learning Through the Seasons live and podcasts.

Editor’s note: Grandparents Teach, Too is a non-profit organization of elementary and preschool teachers from Marquette, Michigan. The writers include: Jan Sabin, Mary Davis, Jean Hetrick, Cheryl Anderegg, Esther Macalady, Colleen Walker, Fran Darling, and Iris Katers. Their mission since 2009 is to help parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of young children provide fun activities to help prepare young children for school and a life long love of learning. They are supported by Great Start, Parent Awareness of Michigan, the U.P. Association for the Education of Young Children, Northern Michigan School of Education, the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum and the Northern Michigan University Center for Economic Education.