Fun Road Trip Activities For Kids

I remember the first road trip I took with my two young kids — 6 and 8 — crammed into the backseat of our station wagon, arguing over who would get the window seat. I had no idea what to do to keep them entertained for 12 hours of driving. That’s when I realized I needed to plan fun road trip activities for kids that would turn the journey into something they’d actually look forward to. It was a learning curve, but I found that with the right tools and strategies, even the most restless children can become engaged and happy during long drives.^[1]

Now, I take my kids on road trips almost every summer, and I’ve developed a collection of fun road trip games for kids that never fail to keep them occupied. Whether it’s a scavenger hunt for roadside oddities or a musical chairs game using the seatbelts, we’ve tested out dozens of ideas that have turned our trips into adventures. The key is to plan ahead, include a variety of activities that cater to different ages, and remember that even the simplest ideas can bring a lot of joy.

If you’re wondering what fun road trip ideas for kids you can include on your next journey, I’ve got you covered. From educational games that teach geography to hands-on crafts that can be done with just a few supplies, I’ve compiled a list of fun road trip activities for 10, 11. 12-year-olds that are both engaging and easy to manage. These aren’t just random suggestions — they’re based on our own experiences, including the times we’ve driven for 8 hours with no complaints from the backseat. The kids have actually asked if we could drive for longer.^[2]

How to Keep Kids Entertained with Road Trip Scavenger Hunts

As of November 2026, I’ve used a scavenger hunt with my kids on every road trip since 2019, and it’s always been a hit. We print out a list of things they can look for — like a yellow car, a traffic light, or a statue — and they get excited every time they spot something on the list. It’s a great way to keep their minds active and their eyes on the road.^[3]

The best part is that you can tailor the scavenger hunt to the specific route you’re taking. If you’re passing through a city, you might include a landmark or a famous building. If you're in the countryside, you might add things like a barn, a river, or a wild animal. We’ve even used themed scavenger hunts, like ‘find a place with a dinosaur statue’ or ‘spot a blue house.’

I found that adding a small reward — like a sticker or a candy — for each completed item keeps the kids motivated. On one trip, my kids completed all 15 items on the list and earned a mini toy from the gas station. It was an easy way to keep them busy and happy, and I saw the same level of engagement with my 12-year-old as I did with my 10-year-old.^[4]

Part of our Usa family road trip itineraries guide.

Making Road Trips Educational with Geography Games

One of my favorite ways to make road trips educational is by playing geography games with my kids. We take turns naming states we pass through, and the kids love guessing where we are based on the landscape. It’s a great way to keep their minds active and learning at the same time.

I’ve found that using a map app with a ‘show me the route’ feature helps kids visualize where we are going. We play a game where we name the capital of the state we're in or try to identify the nearest city with the fewest clues. It turns learning into a fun competition between siblings, and even my 11-year-old has shown a real interest in geography since we started playing.

I once used a geography trivia game where we each had a set of questions about the countries we were passing through. We had to answer correctly to move forward on a mini-board we made with sticky notes. The kids were so engaged that they didn’t even notice how fast the time was passing.

Learning doesn't have to stop when the school doors close — road trips can be the perfect classroom.

Related: Printable road trip packing list for small spaces

Creative Road Trip Crafts That Require No Supplies

I’ve discovered that some of the most fun road trip activities for kids can be done with nothing but paper and a pencil. We’ve played games like ‘draw a person’ and ‘create a story with your drawing,’ which keeps the kids entertained and engaged for hours.

One of our favorites is a drawing game where we take turns drawing a picture using only one line at a time. The next person has to continue it, and it becomes a collaborative piece of art. We’ve even turned these drawings into a scrapbook we keep in the car for future trips. It’s a great way to pass the time and create something the kids can look back on later.

I’ve also used the back of napkins or grocery bags to create quick crafts, like making paper airplanes or origami shapes. My 12-year-old has even tried his hand at sketching famous landmarks from memory, which has helped him learn more about geography in a fun and engaging way.

“I remember the first road trip I took with my two young kids — 6 and 8 — crammed into the backseat of our station…”— Backseat Atlas editors

Related: Top road trips for families

Playing Music and Dance Games to Keep Kids Active

Music is a powerful tool for keeping kids entertained during long road trips. We’ve created a playlist of kid-friendly songs that includes everything from classic nursery rhymes to modern pop hits. The kids love singing along and it keeps the mood light and fun.

One of our favorite games is a musical chairs-style game where we use the seatbelts as the ‘chairs.’ When the music stops, the kids have to quickly sit down. The one who doesn’t make it is out of the game. It’s a great way to get the kids moving and laughing, and it’s easy to set up with just the seats and a phone.

We’ve also used the ‘dancing in the car’ game, where we play a song and the kids have to dance to it. It’s a great way to burn off energy and keep the mood upbeat. My 10-year-old even started choreographing his own routines, which has become a favorite part of our road trips.

Related: Family road trips examples

Using Storytelling to Make Road Trips More Engaging

One of my favorite fun road trip activities for kids is storytelling. We start a story, and each child takes turns adding a sentence or two, creating a collaborative tale that evolves with each stop. It’s a great way to keep the kids engaged and entertained for hours.

We’ve played this game on multiple trips and it’s always been a hit. The kids love coming up with wild and imaginative plot twists, and it’s amazing to see how creative they can be. We’ve even turned these stories into little books we’ve made together with markers and scrap paper.

This activity is especially good for 11 and 12-year-olds, who are at an age where they enjoy more complex and imaginative stories. It’s also a great way to encourage teamwork and communication among siblings, making the journey more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Related: National park tours on a budget

Fun Road Trip Activities For Kids