Super Simple Travel Games for Kids: Silly Guided Tour!

Fun and Easy Travel Game for Kids © Katrena

Traveling with children can be quite a challenge when they are bored and you are far from your destination. Actually, any amount of remaining miles can be challenging when backseat whining begins. This can be a great time to start a guided tour. The game requires nothing other than an imagination.

How to Keep the Kids Happy on a Road Trip - Photo by Sten Porse at Wikimedia Commons

I love to start the silly guided tour as the kids are getting in the car, but you can always pick up midstream if necessary. As everyone is buckling up, you might start with "Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the world famous Cavalier Couch guided tour. My name is Rainbow Ruth and I will be your guide today. Please ensure that your seat belts are fastened securely. In case of emergency, exits are located to your right and left. Smoking, whining, and sudden screaming because you just saw a bug in the window are strictly prohibited. Once again, welcome, and we hope you enjoy your tour and please ensure that the car comes to a full and complete stop before unbuckling your seat belt." Now you'll have their attention.

Silly Guided Tour Travel Game - Photo by pdimages.com at Wikimedia Commons

You really don't have to know the area, but if you do, throw in some real life facts for the sake of education. Be creative! You might be traveling through Skunk Valley, Buzzard Boulevard, Moonshine Meadow, or Possum Crossing. Have the kids look in lots of different directions as you point out these amazing places. Maybe you will decide to pass a world-famous pothole, created by a falling asteroid that looked like a huge purple pumpkin or perhaps you'll see a chocolate factory that has been visited by tons of actors and royal families.

Simple and Fun Travel Game © Katrena

Make it wild, wacky, silly, and funny. Accents work well for getting farther into character while going more miles down the road. If you begin to run out of ideas, you can always mention that it is now time for intermission where the patrons can try their vocal cords on their favorite song. Try handing the tour over to one of the kids and let them have at it if you need to focus more closely on directions in unfamiliar areas. They will likely have some very creative ideas to share.

How to Make Vacation Travel Time More Fun © Katrena

My kids tend to be laughing before we get out of the driveway when I start a silly guided tour. This game has endless possibilities and can work for any length of trip. Everybody who smiles, giggles, or laughs wins!

I hope you have great results with this simple game. Find more creative travel games and articles about traveling with kids at the Love 2 Travel With Kids site map.

Super Simple Travel Games for Kids: Punchbug!

Games to Play in the Car - Photo by Entheta at Wikimedia Commons

I rarely ever go anywhere without at least one child in the back seat. Usually I have three little girls behind me as we head for the hills, ride to the coast, or simply run errands. Traveling with kids can create many great memories, but it helps to have some game ideas as you go. Cranky kids aren't much fun when traveling, but simple games can often help the miles go by much quicker!

Punchbug! is one of the simplest travel games ever invented. I remember playing this game with my grandmother while riding around the southwestern corner of Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains. I also played with my siblings. Every once in a while, I actually won because I would watch for those Volkswagen Bugs like a hawk.

Find VW Bug on Road Trips - photo by Adrian Pingstone at Wikimedia Commons

How to Play Punchbug!

1. Make sure the kids can recognize a Volkswagen Beetle (also known as a VW Bug).
2. The first person to see a VW Beetle calls out "Punchbug!" (10 points each, 50 points for red).
3. Other players cannot receive points for the same vehicle on that trip.
4. The player with the most points wins.

Of course, you can create many variations on this game. On St. Patrick's Day we decided that green Beetles would be worth 100 points. Orange or black ones might be worth more on Halloween. You might even pick a different 50-point color each trip.

Travel Game for Kids - Photo by Sven Storbeck at Wikimedia Commons

You might want to give extra points for convertibles, ones with dogs in them, other colors, etc. Points can start over with each trip, or you might want to keep adding points for a certain number of days. Make the game however simple or elaborate you wish – the kids may come up with some great ideas for added bonus points with this game.

VW Beetle Game - Photo by bukk at Wikimedia Commons

When I first taught my daughters this game, it took them a while to be able to recognize a VW Beetle, but now even the 4-year-old is getting pretty good at recognizing them too. She especially loves to find the bright yellow one that a friend drives to the Y.

I'll give you fair warning – once you start playing this game, you might just have a continuous game going every time you travel in the car!

Fun and Easy Travel Game - photo by Lars-Göran Lindgren at Wikimedia Commons

I hope you enjoy this super simple travel game that is kid-friendly. Find more of my articles at the Love 2 Travel With Kids site map.