Top 10 children's games for long car journeys

Long car journeys are often a mess for children, and the longer the journey, the more often the famous question is repeated at ever shorter intervals. Anyone who doesn't want to calm down their children with a tablet or mobile phone needs some creativity to keep the next generation happy. Or a good list of games that create hours of distraction.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.     <!--[endif]-->Rate car registration

This classic from your childhood days has become more difficult since more and more letter combinations have been re-registered for the place of origin: WOR, for example, stands for, well, do you know? You will find the resolution at the very end of this text. Around 800 regional abbreviations, as the technical term for, already exists. Since 2012, around 250 old abbreviations that had disappeared after territorial reforms have been reallocated - making the game even more interesting. It's easy: in turn, you select the license plate of a preceding or passing car, and if you know the location, you can select the next license plate. Of course, the game works - with a little local knowledge – also in Austria and other countries with a location code. France has unfortunately abolished the department numbers at the expense of travelling children with the introduction of the new white markings. 75 was always Paris …

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.     <!--[endif]-->License plate sets

With car registration can also play another game: the task is to form sentences from the letter combinations, such as from HH-IJ: Hans marries in the jewelry shop. This game is best suited for the number plate that you drive behind for longer, i.e. especially good for stop-and-go traffic or traffic jams, which you can carry much better with such funny sentences.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.     <!--[endif]-->Who am IRobert Lemke and his brothers no longer know your children, but their guessing game is certainly just as much fun for them.

It works like this: one player thinks of himself, prominently or from the family or friends, and the others have to take turns asking questions that can only be answered with yes or no. Anyone can ask questions as long as they are answered with Yes. If no, it's the next player's turn. Anyone who has found out who they are looking for may come up with the next one.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.     <!--[endif]-->The elaborate story

This game can be played forever, but it must be prepared before departure: on index cards, you write very different terms - nouns like verbs - that trigger as much association as possible, for example: Lottery gain, bank robbery, taking a test, jungle, falling, etc. The game begins best with a standard sentence, such as: „Once upon a time there was a little bear, and one day..." The players take turns drawing a card and continuing the story with the word drawn. You will be amazed at what incredible stories come about.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.     <!--[endif]-->Pack your suitcase Of course you packed your suitcases before your trip, but do you remember exactly what's inside?

Nothing does it, your children tell you. The game begins with the sentence "I pack in my suitcase ...”. Each player packs something new that you urgently need on this trip. But before the player can do this, they must repeat all the previously packed utensils in the correct order. The player with the best memory wins. Advanced staff can also unpack items in the meantime…

<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.     <!--[endif]-->Around the Holiday Question Answer GameOne of the children starts and quietly announces the alphabet until someone stops.

The letter where the stop call is made must start all the answers to the questions that are now asked about the holiday trip that has just begun, such as: What are we eating tonight? What will we do on the beach tomorrow? What can be viewed? The questions take turns, the answer is given by the next player. If the questions are passed, a new letter is chosen. And the questions about vacation start over again - until you don't actually have to go to your vacation destination anymore, because you already know everything. Even the best activities with X and Q ...

<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.     <!--[endif]-->Truly

As a parent, you will have a rest in this game for a while. Before departure, each child drives off a sheet of paper, which is divided into two columns and on which there are things underneath each other that they can encounter while driving. For example: red Porsche, car with horse trailer, knight's castle, factory, cyclist, cows on the pasture, etc. The list can also contain rare encounters, such as white trucks with purple lettering. The children receive the lists and should now keep their eyes open. Whenever you discover one of the things, a prophecy sign is fulfilled and a cross can be placed in the right column. There is one point for each discovery, rare predictions can also be scored at twice the score. The child who scores the most points is the true king.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.     <!--[endif]-->Inventing Stories

Each player takes turns saying only one word or one sentence at a time. The next step is to continue and supplement the story. For example: A farmer - ploughs - with his tractor - through the living room – and drinks - rainwater … You notice: Nonsens is desired here, the sentences only have to work correctly.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.     <!--[endif]-->Word on word The German language with its simple coupling of nouns is particularly suitable for this game.

It is about always finding new compositions, for example: Motorway – train station – yard workshop – workshop staircase – stairway – step-by-step plan – planning management… It works endlessly and you're there.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.  <!--[endif]-->Guessing fun when travelling This game from Ravensburger is a good investment for all occasions, and when parents want to breathe in.

Hampel, the helpful traffic light of this tapping game, asks the children lots of fun questions and tasks. Hampel speaks to the children, guides them through the entire game and sets the tasks. As soon as the players know an answer, tap on their game board with the pen. In a playful way, the children acquire expert knowledge on road traffic and road safety. The game works alone or together with up to three players. The children count the scored points independently on the tacho boards. Beginners start with the slightly lighter questions, connoisseurs increase the level of difficulty and will soon become professionals. A total of over 250 tasks need to be completed.

Resolution:
And here's the resolution from the first game: WOR stands for the Upper Bavarian city of Wolfratshausen, which once again has its old license plate number.

Sources & amp; Further information:
Mothers and fathers around the author as well as www.ravensburger.de

Text: Gerd Henghuber