DIY travel games: Fun road trip activities
You gotta love a good road trip: friends and family piled in the car, eating food that has no calories (because road snacks just don’t, right?), stopping at intriguing roadside attractions, and figuring out fun travel games to keep your brains busy for hours on end.
Designer Hannah C. is happiest in the driver’s seat (“Because the driver gets to pick the music. Always.”), so it makes sense that she’d come up with these fun travel games.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.
“I love road trips and driving,” Hannah said. “Our country is enormous and so much of it is driveable. And the car is this great space to get to know people. I want people to remember the moments they have with each other while they’re on the road.
“I’m the youngest child in my family by four years—a lot of my one-on-one time with Mom was in the car.
“Now I have two nieces and two nephews. They’re young enough that they don’t fly places. So in the car, they’re glued to a portable DVD player or digital games. I wanted to come up with something more interesting for them.”
What you'll need to make Hannah's Travel Kit
- Free travel games download printed on card stock (bingo cards) and text weight paper (photo prompts)
- Dot stickers
- Printer
- Scissors or craft knife
- Glue stick
- Washi tape
- Empty notebook for a travel journal
- Crayola pencils, pens, markers or crayons
- Photo buddy: itty bittys® or a small stuffed animal
- Instant camera and film
- Tote bag, backpack or zipper pouch
How to play Landmark Bingo
“The license plate game—looking for and keeping track of all 50 states—was always one of my favorites…and the alphabet game, where you look for letters on license plates or billboards. It seems simple until you get to J and K, then it gets real dicey. This is another way.”
Print out the bingo cards and keep an eye out for each item; when you see one, add a sticker. The first player to mark off a column wins and shouts “BINGO!” Whoever’s riding shotgun can make the rules and call new patterns: diagonals, blocks, corners, etc. In case of a dispute, driver calls it—after all, they should be paying the closest attention to the road, right?
How to make a travel journal
“I include a travel journal with prompts to take photos in the car or at landmarks,” Hannah said. “You can do it on a trip to Grandma’s—it doesn’t have to be this big epic thing.”
Just slap the label on the front of your notebook and start making memories.
“I created instant photo prompts because I wanted a keepsake, but I wanted to keep it simple: You can’t edit or overthink instant camera photos. They feel a little more real and in the moment.”
Cut them out, take pictures and use washi tape and glue sticks to put them on the pages.
Pro tip: Turn journals into travel games by treating the list of prompts like a scavenger hunt and seeing who captures the most.
How to pick a photo buddy
“I included little stuffed animal ‘avatars,'” Hannah said. “You pick your animal for the trip: That’s your mascot, and you take photos with your mascot. It’s kind of like ‘Flat Stanley.'”
There are so. Many. Options. To keep things portable, we like something small. Kiddos could take a favorite Hallmark itty bitty, stuffed animal, doll or action figure—or make their own travel companion.
Are you road-tripping anywhere this summer? We’d love to hear your favorite travel games. Share stuff with us on Instagram @HallmarkStores.
Shop Home Decor
See allYou may also like
See more-
Baby Gifts for new parents: Thoughtful things to give and do
We know what to get for babies: onesies and blankies and binkies. But what about the newly overwhelmed moms and dads?...
-
Easter Easter basket ideas for all ages: DIY decorations, gifts and more
Excited to get hopping on those Easter baskets? We love to see it. And we love to inspire it, too! So we’ve put toget...
-
Arts, Crafts & DIY Free printable classroom posters to brighten the school day
Are you a teacher, or do you know a great teacher? (Um, who doesn’t?) Here’s a simple way to encourage kindness and c...
-
Care & Concern Planning together: End-of-life memory-making and memory-keeping
In 2019, I lost my father to cancer. When his tumor was discovered, we were bombarded by hospitals, tests and then, u...
-
Valentine's Day Ways to find comfort and hope when you’re grieving on Valentine’s Day (or support someone who is)
Grief is always hard, but especially on Valentine’s Day. From social media to stores to kids’ classrooms, it can feel...
-
Valentine's Day How to survive Valentine’s Day after a divorce or breakup
We know that ending a relationship can be extremely heartbreaking. It’s a very significant loss, and when Valentine’s...
-
Valentine's Day DIY Valentine's Day treat bags for kids
One of the best things about kids valentine treat bags is the surprise element—there could be anything in there! But ...
-
Christmas Christmas wishes: What to write in a Christmas card
Get sample messages, tips and watch our new video guide to write the perfect Christmas card.
-
Gift Wrapping 4 cute and creative ways to wrap gifts for kids
There’s something extra fun about wrapping gifts for kids. Maybe it’s the look on their faces when they’re handed a r...
-
Christmas DIY cookie decorating ideas: How to make your own sweet family and friends
Delicious, versatile and fit for nearly any dessert occasion, it’s no secret that cookies are pretty awesome. And whe...
-
Kids DIY Activity Spinners for Kids
Help kids come up with little ways to change the world.
-
Kids Encouraging words for kids: Celebrating courage, kindness, confidence and teamwork
Though they be but little, kids have the power to change the world around them in big ways. They can do it by bein...
-
Kids Download Free Inspirational Posters to Encourage Kids
Remind kids they have the power to change the world.
-
Kids Beyond texting: Teaching kids the art of letter writing
So often, it’s the littlest hearts and hands that have the biggest ideas, the hugest hopes, the greatest love. And...
-
Mother's Day What to write in a Mother's Day card
Chances are you know at least a few moms who deserve a shout-out on Mother’s Day. If you’d like some creative ideas f...
-
Valentine's Day Valentine messages: What to write in a Valentine's Day card
Back in the day, when you had to come up with a valentine for everyone in your class, it was enough just to sign your...
-
Father's Day Father's Day messages: What to write in a Father's Day card
Find just the right Father's Day message to tell Dad just how much you appreciate him.
-
Drinks Spiced appletini
Mix, shake and sip your way to spiced-apple goodness. Our Spiced Appletini recipe uses star anise cloves and vanil...
-
Arts, Crafts & DIY Día de Muertos crafts to celebrate with family
The sweet smell of pan de muerto baking, colorful decorations and pictures selected with care, special memories being...
-
Arts, Crafts & DIY Punch needle embroidery: Cute, cozy projects for cold nights
There’s something satisfying and deeply therapeutic about needle punch crafts: They’re easy, repetitive and immediate...