If your idea of road trip games consists of trying to guess how many times you will hear the words “Are we there yet?” then it’s time for a treat this travel season. Here to help you survive the summer road trip—with a smile on your face— is a quick guide to fun car games the entire family will enjoy.

1. I-Spy: Stop the boredom, bickering and fighting while encouraging your children to see the sights along the way with the classic I-Spy game. If it’s been awhile since you’ve played I-Spy, don’t worry – it’s easy. Simply begin with “I spy with my little eye….” Then use color or some other attribute as a hint. The first one to correctly identify the object wins and goes next.

2. License Plate ID: A classic highway game where you try to identify a license plate from all 48 continuous states. For an added challenge use an alphabetical listing.

3. Name that Tune: For all the aspiring singers in your family, name that tune is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Share a few special songs and memories from your past with the children then prove how hip you can be when you surprise them with your pop music prowess. Don’t be surprised if you learn a few new things from the kids along the way!

4. Scavenger Hunt Road Trips: Create a special age-appropriate treasure hunt for each child before the trip begins. Encourage children to interact with their environment and learn more about the area by creating an exciting list that uses their critical thinking skills. Children can check off or collect items depending upon the duration and destination of the trip.

5. Splat!: Although adults might find it a little gross, kids love Splat! Simply try to guess what kind of bug hit the windshield from the size, color and character of the resulting “goo”.  

6. Spelling Bee: It’s educational but the kids will have so much fun they won’t even care! Create your very own traveling spelling bee using words describing out-of-the-ordinary sights, cities and souvenirs from the trip.

7. Counting Cows: This classic can be quickly adapted to whatever is abundant in the area – cows, horses, red mailboxes or just about anything will do in a pinch. Simply assign each child a side of the car and final destination (the next rest area is a good place) and begin counting how many of the object they see on their side. The one who sees the most wins.

8. Alphabet Game: Pick a topic then name three things that begin with the letter A in that topic. Move through the alphabet until you reach Z then start a new topic. For example, the topic of animals might include “aardvark, ape, and armadillo” followed by the letter B.

9. Geography Game: Begin with the city or state you are in, then the next person has to name a place that begins with the last letter of the first place. It’s against the rules to use the same place twice and the last person to name a new spot in the game wins.

10. Quarter Collection: Teach children about the states and start a new hobby as they try to collect state quarters to fill a collection album.

11. Bubble Blowing Contest: Best for the brave at heart or those with slightly older children, sponsor a bubble blowing contest using bubble gum or soap bubbles. See who can make the biggest bubbles, double bubbles, the longest lasting bubbles, smallest bubbles and other bubble fun.

12. Favorites: Reconnect with your kids by playing the favorite game. Simply suggest any topic then take turns sharing personal favorites. Food, movies, books, friends, games and more all make great conversation starters.

13. Green Game: Teach children how to care for the environment by assigning points for each “green” invention they spot. Points are deducted from other players for each pollutant or environmentally-unfriendly item reported. Players can earn back points if they come up with a green solution. The person with the most points wins!

14. Guess Who: Give hints about someone or something you know until another player guesses correctly. The winner of each round goes next.

15. Twenty Questions: If you have tried out some of the fun favorites listed above, then hopefully by now the questions will consist of more than “Are we there yet?” and “How much longer?”. To play Twenty Questions simply think of a common noun. Players can then ask if it is “Animal, vegetable or mineral” or “Person, place or thing.” After determining the proper classification, players can ask any question to be answered by yes or no until they guess the object. If they guess in twenty questions or less then they win!

Whatever your destination, these kid-friendly road trip games will make the journey a delight. Take time to talk, share stories and just have fun this summer; after all, they are only young once. Before you know it, they will be grown with children of their own wanting to know “How much longer?”