Family travel is a great way to make lasting memories — whether it’s shared laughter or the occasional backseat meltdown.
Road-tripping through Tennessee offers the perfect mix of adventure and connection, from the Smoky Mountains to music-filled cities like Nashville and Memphis. It’s a chance to unplug, share stories, and enjoy each other without screens.
And one of the best ways to keep kids engaged along the way? Classic, no-supplies-needed road trip games that spark imagination and fun.
I Spy
How to Play: One person chooses an object they see and gives a clue about it, such as “I spy with my little eye something blue.” The others try to guess what it is.
Try These Variations:
Counting: “Can you spy 4 green things?”
Shapes: “I spy something round.”
Textures: “I spy something smooth.”
Letters: “I spy something that starts with B.”
Why It Works: This game opens up a world of lesson opportunities and can be played at any location, inside or out.
Slugbug
How to Play: Spot Volkswagen Beetles and shout “Slugbug” to earn points.
Try These Variations:
States: Choose a state to look for on license plates to announce as the “slugbug” instead of Volkswagen Beetles
Colors: Choose a specific car color to announce as the slugbug
Why It Works: This game causes everyone to look outside of the car. You will all see new things and notice the world in a new way when attention is taken outside of the vehicle.
The Alphabet Game
How to Play: Find words on signs or billboards that start with each letter of the alphabet.
Try These Variations:
Shapes: Look for shapes on each billboard or sign
Letters: Try to find letters on signs, if your littles aren’t yet readers.
Why It Works: This game requires attention to detail and focus, which are great to develop in even the youngest learners.
20 Questions
How to Play: One person thinks of an object or animal, and the others ask yes or no questions to try to guess what it is. They have 20 questions to figure it out.
Try These Variations:
Numbers: Try to guess with less chances. Maybe 10 questions or 5?
Why It Works: This game uses reasoning and logic skills. This game is also helpful for verbal development as children learn to use descriptive words.
The License Plate Game:
How to Play: See how many different state plates you can spot.
Make a Connection:
After finding state names, discuss as a family what you would like to see in that state. Where would you want to visit? What’s it like in that state?
Why It Works: This game opens up a world of lesson opportunities and can be played at any location, inside or out.
Two Truths and a Lie:
How to Play: Share two true statements and one false one, and others guess which is the lie.
Make a Connection:
Parents, this is a great way to share fun facts about your own childhood that your little ones may never have heard before.
Why It Works: This game gives the chance for critical thinking and story sharing.
What’s Better?:
How to Play: Compare two things and decide which is better with a family vote. Which is better, chocolate or vanilla?
Make a Connection:
For added fun, let each person share their most persuading argument for why their choice is best.
Why It Works: This game will let you get to know preferences and find commonalities between family members. Maybe we aren’t so different after all.
Tell a Family Story:
How to Play: Take turns adding to a story, each contributing a sentence or two, then passing to the next person
Try These Variations:
For older kids, have the rule that the nect line has to start with the last letter of the previous line. For example, “There once was a blue caT.” “That cat lived in a big housE.” “Everyone loved the caT.“
Why It Works: This game gives opportunity for creativity, verbal skill development, and family unification. Creating something together is always fun.
Guess the Song:
How to Play: Play a few seconds of a song and see who can identify it first.
Try These Variations:
When you pause the song, see who can sing the next line.
Why It Works: Music will make the ride go faster and there are endless songs in your playlist! This is great for the whole family, as you can choose any level of song from “Happy Birthday” to Billboard Top 20s.
Who Am I?:
How to Play: Describe a famous person or character without revealing their name. Share details such as where the character lives, what the character does, who the character is friends with and then let everyone have a guess.
Try These Variations:
Consider using cartoon characters or family members for added fun. Take turns describing people in the car!
Why It Works: This can be used with children of all ages and can be as easy or difficult as you like.
Let’s make the most of every moment we get to share together!
