What to Do in a Long Trip When You're Locked in a Car with Your Kids

 

Turn "Are we there yet?" into "Can we go on another road trip?"

Every parent knows the feeling: you're two hours into a five-hour drive, and the backseat chorus of "I'm bored!" and "Are we there yet?" has already begun. Long car trips with kids can feel like an endurance test, but they don't have to be.

Here's why this matters: Road trips are prime opportunities for family bonding, creating lasting memories, and having meaningful conversations away from the distractions of daily life. Studies show that families who engage in regular quality time together—even in the car—have stronger relationships and better communication. The key is keeping everyone entertained and engaged without turning every trip into a screen time marathon.

Whether you're heading to grandma's house, embarking on a vacation, or just making the daily commute more interesting, having a repertoire of car activities can transform travel time from tedious to treasured. Let's explore some tried-and-true games and a modern solution that brings them all together.

Classic Car Games That Have Stood the Test of Time

Before we dive into modern solutions, let's look at the classics. These games have entertained generations of travelers, and for good reason—they work!

1. I Spy

How to play: One person spots something visible to everyone in the car and says "I spy with my little eye, something that is..." followed by a color or description. Others take turns guessing.

Why kids love it: It's simple, engaging, and gives them a sense of control.

The challenge: Can get repetitive quickly, especially on highways with limited scenery. Requires constant supervision to keep it going.

2. 20 Questions

How to play: One person thinks of something (animal, place, person, or thing), and others ask yes-or-no questions to guess what it is within 20 questions.

Why it works: Encourages critical thinking and keeps minds active.

The challenge: Younger kids might struggle with forming strategic questions. Can be difficult for parents to facilitate while driving safely.

3. The License Plate Game

How to play: Try to spot license plates from all 50 states (or as many as possible). Keep a running tally.

Why families enjoy it: It's collaborative and can span multiple trips.

The challenge: Requires preparation (printing tracking sheets), only works in certain regions, and can be frustrating on routes with limited traffic.

4. Would You Rather

How to play: Pose "Would you rather..." questions with two options, and everyone shares their choice and reasoning.

Why it sparks conversation: Reveals personality traits and values, leading to deeper discussions.

The challenge: Running out of good questions quickly. Parents need to constantly think up new scenarios, which is tough while driving.

5. The Alphabet Game

How to play: Find words on signs, billboards, or license plates that start with each letter of the alphabet, in order from A to Z.

Why it's educational: Reinforces letter recognition and observation skills.

The challenge: Letters like Q, X, and Z can take forever to find. Not suitable for night driving or routes with few signs.

6. Story Building

How to play: One person starts a story with a sentence, and each person adds a sentence to continue it.

Why creativity flourishes: No wrong answers, and stories often become hilariously unpredictable.

The challenge: Younger children might lose the thread of the story. Requires a facilitator to keep it on track.

7. Car Karaoke

How to play: Create a playlist of family favorites and sing along together.

Why it's instant fun: Music boosts mood and creates shared joy.

The challenge: Requires pre-planning playlists, uses data/battery, and not everyone may be in the mood. Can be distracting for the driver.

The Reality Check: Why Even Great Games Fall Short

These games are wonderful in theory, but parents quickly discover some common challenges:

• Preparation time: Many games require planning, printing materials, or remembering rules
• Limited variety: Kids get bored with the same games repeatedly
• Age gap issues: Games suitable for a 6-year-old might bore a teenager
• Driver distraction: Coming up with questions or facilitating games while driving isn't safe
• Energy drain: After a long day, parents might not have the mental energy to moderate games
• Question quality: It's hard to think of engaging, age-appropriate questions on the spot

This is where modern technology can actually enhance—not replace—traditional family connection.

All of It with No Effort: The MileSmile Solution

What if you could have hundreds of engaging questions, multiple game modes, and content tailored to your family's interests—all without any preparation or distraction from driving?

MileSmile is designed specifically for families on the go. It's not just another screen time app—it's a tool that facilitates real conversations and genuine connection. Here's what makes it different:

Four Engaging Game Modes

• "What Would I Say" - Players guess what each family member would answer to fun questions
• Retrospective - Reflect together on shared experiences and memories
• Quick Quiz - Test knowledge with fun trivia questions
• Fact or Fiction - Guess which of two similar facts is actually true

Why Families Love MileSmile

• Zero preparation: Open the app and start playing immediately
• Endless variety: Hundreds of questions across customizable topics
• Age-inclusive: Content that engages everyone from young children to grandparents
• Driver-friendly: One person reads questions aloud—no driver distraction
• Works offline: No WiFi or data needed once downloaded
• 9 languages: Perfect for multilingual families or language learning
• Actually fun: Questions are designed to spark laughter, not just pass time

How Do Traditional Games Stack Up?

Here's an honest comparison of popular car activities versus the MileSmile approach:

Feature	I Spy	20 Questions	License Plate Game	Would You Rather	Story Building	MileSmile App
Easy to prepare	✓	✓	✗	~	✓	✓
Variety of questions	✗	~	✗	~	✓	✓
Doesn't distract from driving	✓	~	✗	~	✓	✓
All ages involved	~	~	~	✓	~	✓
Good for family bonding	~	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Good for pairs/small groups	✗	✓	✗	✓	~	✓
Works at night/bad weather	✗	✓	✗	✓	✓	✓
Works offline/no WiFi	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
No parent energy needed	~	✗	✓	✗	✗	✓

Legend: ✓ = Yes, ✗ = No, ~ = Sometimes/Depends

The truth is, you don't have to choose between traditional games and modern convenience. Many families use MileSmile to supplement classic games, pulling it out when energy runs low or when they need fresh conversation starters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep kids entertained on a long car ride without screens?

The best approach combines observation games (like I Spy), conversation-based activities (like Would You Rather or 20 Questions), and creative games (like Story Building). Having a facilitator or tool like MileSmile that provides prompts can make these games easier to sustain without defaulting to screens.

What are the best car games for mixed-age kids?

Games that allow for flexible participation work best: Would You Rather questions, Story Building, and guessing games where older kids can help younger ones. MileSmile's "What Would I Say" game is specifically designed to be engaging across age groups because everyone's answers are valued equally.

How can I prevent "Are we there yet?" syndrome?

Set expectations before departure, break up the trip with planned stops, and keep kids engaged with varied activities. Rotating between active games, quiet activities, and snack breaks helps. Most importantly, make the journey part of the adventure rather than just the obstacle before the destination.

What car games don't require any materials or preparation?

I Spy, 20 Questions, Would You Rather, Story Building, and singing games require zero materials. For even more variety without preparation, apps like MileSmile offer hundreds of ready-to-go questions at your fingertips.

Are car games suitable for the driver to participate in?

Safety first! Drivers should avoid games requiring visual focus (like License Plate Game) or complex facilitation. Listening-based games where others read questions aloud are safest. MileSmile is designed with this in mind—one passenger reads, and everyone (including the driver) can participate verbally without taking eyes off the road.

How often should we switch activities during a long drive?

Most children benefit from changing activities every 30-45 minutes. Watch for signs of restlessness or disengagement as your cue to switch things up. Having variety available makes transitions smooth.

Making Miles Memorable

Long car trips don't have to be endurance tests of patience. Whether you're sticking with time-tested classics like I Spy and 20 Questions, or embracing modern solutions like MileSmile, the goal is the same: turning travel time into quality time.

The best family memories often happen in the unexpected moments—like the hilarious answer your teenager gives during a game, or discovering something new about your spouse after 15 years of marriage. Road trips provide uninterrupted time together, away from the distractions of daily life. The key is having the right tools to facilitate those connections.

Ready to transform your next road trip from "Are we there yet?" to "Can we keep playing?"

Try MileSmile free today and discover why thousands of families have made it their go-to travel companion. With hundreds of questions, multiple game modes, and zero prep time, you'll wonder how you ever managed long trips without it.

Download MileSmile Now

Because the best part of the destination is the conversation you have getting there.