Family Road Trip Survival Guide: Games, Snacks, and Smart Tips for 2025

Some people think the best part of a trip is the destination. When you skip the plane and choose to drive, it can get a little draining.

Some of my favorite memories are from long drives with the family. To make your next trip more enjoyable, I’m sharing the best travel games and simple tips we use to make long road trips less boring in 2025.

The Best Travel Games

Everyone knows the License Plate Game, I Spy, and of course Road Trip Bingo. But have you tried Headbands (aka “Who Am I?”) or the Alphabet Game? For more ideas, check out this classic book: The Penny Whistle Traveling with Kids Book: Whether by Boat, Train, Car, or Plane — How to Take the Best Trip Ever with Kids of All Ages.

Quick game ideas you can play without supplies:

• 20 Questions
• Would You Rather
• Categories (pick a topic and go around naming items)
• Story Builders (each person adds one sentence)
• Guess That Song (hum a tune; no phones)

Small Toys

The dollar store is great, and smaller is often better. My kids’ surprise favorite was a squishable toy. It was cheap, quiet, and kept little hands busy.

Look for fidgets, reusable sticker books, magnetic puzzles, and mini building kits. They don’t have to cost much to work.

The Road Trip Activity Binder

Keep all the best travel games in one spot with a Road Trip Activity Binder. I make one before each trip.

Use a three-ring binder, a pencil case, and printouts to create a custom book for each kid. Adjust by age. Ideas to include:

• Favorite coloring pages
• Mazes
• Word finds
• Hidden pictures
• Origami
• Travel-size board games
• Travel Bingo boards
• Reading prompts
• Word games
• Game ideas to play with a sibling

The goal is to have variety in one place. If interest dips, that’s normal. They usually circle back to it later in the day.

Listen to a Book

Family-friendly audiobooks can be tricky. You want something the driver enjoys and the kids can overhear.

Skip intense horror unless you have teens. Try humorous memoirs, adventure series, or middle-grade hits. Kids often listen more than you think, even when they look zoned out.

Bring Real Travel Maps

Paper maps give everyone the big picture. You can often get them for free. They’re great for teaching kids how to navigate.

Start with following along. As they get older, let them help plan the route and mark stops.

Navigation Apps

Download the Waze app or use Google Maps. Waze still shines for crowdsourced alerts like hazards, traffic, and speed traps.

Spot a hazard? Mark it in the app. Other drivers confirm or clear it. It turns into a fun travel game for older kids and keeps the driver aware. Google Maps now supports limited incident reporting too.

Celebrate the Milestones

Crossing state lines? Celebrate! Hand out a cookie or a favorite treat at each border. It breaks up long stretches and gives everyone something to look forward to.

Wiggles

Stop at rest stops every few hours to stretch. Kids need wiggle time. Many state rest areas have picnic spots, short trails, or playgrounds.

Follow signs to local attractions or plan a 30-minute landmark stop along your route. Those breaks make the ride easier for everyone.

Take the Byways

Highways are efficient but dull. Byways offer views and roadside surprises. On one trip we found Oklahoma’s 259 Scenic Byway and discovered mountains we didn’t expect. We even circled spots to return to.

Snacks on Hand

Snacks make road trips better. Pack a balance of fun treats and healthy options. It helps the driver stay alert and keeps kids from getting cranky.

Pack two snack kits: one for the way there and one for the return. Keep a small stash within reach of each seat.

I like to throw a bundle of healthy snacks in the back of the car for the drive home. Fill it with non-perishables everyone loves.

Traveling on Holidays

If you’re driving on a holiday, be prepared. Some areas have limited services. Don’t assume every gas station is open late.

We learned this on Christmas Day when many stations in Missouri were closed outside big cities. Fill up before long rural stretches and keep simple meals in a cooler.

Know your car’s range and start looking for fuel with 100–75 miles left. Plan restroom stops with a rest area app and check hours if you’re aiming for a specific stop.

When You Get Tired

Fatigue sneaks up on drivers. The ETA on your GPS can make you push too hard. Safety first.

Professional drivers have strict duty limits for a reason. If you’re tired, pull over and rest or stop for the night. You’ll arrive safer and happier.

Use hotel apps to book a quick stop when it gets late. I often use Holiday Inn Express or similar along the route.

How Will You Make Your Next Trip Less Boring?

People have done road trips for decades without screens. But if you hand over a Kindle Fire or another tablet, no judgment.

I like the Kindle Fire for expandable storage and easy offline downloads. Mix in games, music, audiobooks, and frequent stretch breaks for a smooth ride.

On your next long drive, plan a few of these travel games and tips. Little changes make a big difference.

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