Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a great way to keep the family occupied and observant. This is something that needs to be prepared ahead of time. Each person is given a list of things to look for. Keep everyone's list different, so there is an opportunity for everyone to join in.

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If you look at a map of your travels ahead of time, you will know of landmarks or historic sites that everyone can look for. Even if you don't know what to expect to see on a trip, you can write a list of some general things to look for, such as:

• Farms
• Grocery stores
• Railroad tracks
• Post offices
• Movie theaters
• Playground
• Gas station

License Plate Lookout

Looking out for license plates from different states is another fun game to play when traveling. You can play this together as a family and have one person write down the states you see license plates from. Or you can play this individually, seeing at the end who found the most license plates from different states.

Other Travel Ideas

Of course you can always play the ever popular "I Spy" game, sing songs or tell stories. Ahead of time, you can come up with a list of questions that everyone takes turns answering. Questions can range from "what is your favorite color?" to "what is your best memory in the last year?" This is a great way to get to know one another better.