One of the best all around games for road trips, whether you're driving across the country or running errands across town, is the 20 Questions Game by Radica.
What is the 20Q?
20Q is colorful, sphere shaped, hand-held computer with artificial intelligence that is so unbelievable you may wonder just how artificial it is.
Here's How 20Q Works:
You think of a thing. Anything. Seriously. Let's say you picked "backpack."
The first of the 20 questions will be "Is it an animal, vegetable, mineral or other?"
After that the questions are all answered by "yes," "no" or "sometimes," such as:
Is it heavier than a duck?
Would you wash it regularly?
Would it fit in an envelope?
Would police use it?
Would it be in a church?
Is it bigger than a microwave?
And on and on up to 20 questions and with very few exceptions, this little gadget will tell you what you were thinking. We've had this little electronic game guess answers like river, bathtub, blender, sunglasses and mug correctly. Interestingly we once choose "brief case" and the 20Q guessed it was a backpack but that is still pretty incredible.
Why 20Q is a Great Game for the Car?
Kids have to read and think. 20Q can be played alone of interactively. It takes up hardly any room for storage and is so easy to stash on the go.
This game works for any age as long as they are readers.
20 Q is great not just for road trip entertainment but also for passing the time in doctor's and dentist's office waiting rooms. It's also just a fun way for siblings to pass the time or one child to enjoy a few minutes of one on one time with Mom or Dad. Of course I am coming at this from a parent traveling with kids point of view but truthfully adults enjoy this fun little gadget too.
Magnetic Travel Bingo by Smethport Specialty Company
What are Magnetic Travel Bingo games?
The boards for the Magnetic Travel Bingo games are heavy laminated cardboard that folds in half to be about 9 x 6 inches. Inside there is a magnetic sheet holding 46 magnetic bingo chips. Chips can be removed and placed on the bottom of the opened board in the chip storage area. There are actually two bingo game cards posted inside of each magnetic travel bingo boards.
Here's How Magnetic Bingo Works:
Instead of having a Bingo caller, players are expected to look for the required signs or objects along the road and mark them off. As with traditional Bingo, 5 in a row can achieve Bingo vertically, horizontally or diagonally or you could play whole card Bingo for longer trips.
There are two versions of Magnetic Travel Bingo games, "Signs" and "Objects."
Not surprisingly, "Signs" featured road signs such as Speed Limit 55, H for hospital, RR crossing, Do Not Enter and so on. "Objects" featured motorcycles, bikes, cows, dogs, horses, fences and train tracks.
Parents like the educational value of "Signs" but kids seem to prefer playing "Objects." I suppose it is just more exciting to discover the horses grazing in Kentucky than the common Speed Limit 55 signs.
Why Is Magnetic Bingo a Great Game for the Car?
Magnetic Bingo works for all ages, even non-readers. It can be played individually or as a family. Depending on where you are on your road trip, Magnetic Bingo can pass from 20 minutes to an hour.
Brain Quest for the Car All About America
What is Brain Quest for the Car?
Brain Quest For The Car All About America includes two decks of cards that are connected at the corner to stay together and fan out easily. Each card has five questions about the fifty states and the District of Columbia.
Brain Quest For The Car All About America covers:
People
Geography & Nature
History
Culture & Customs
Odds & Ends
The box is made of sturdy of cardboard and clear plastic and measures about 8x3x2 inches. Brain Quest For The Car also comes with a score pad, pencil, a United States map and a list of easy travel games.
Brain Quest also offers about a dozen other versions for ages 2-13. Each set is currently $10.95 and can be found wherever children's book or games are sold or at brainquest.com. Brain Quest For The Car is a Dr. Toy Best Classic Toy winner.
Here's How Brain Quest for the Car Works:
The game is recommended for ages 7-12. I was pleasantly surprised that the balance of answers known and unknown was just right for our family.
Here are some sample questions:
Q: Utah - Butch Cassidy was one of my legendary outlaws. Who was my sidekick?
A: the Sundance Kid
Q: Florida - Which of my shore birds is often seen standing on one leg?
A: the flamingo
Q: Rhode Island - My state bird is the Rhode Island Red. Is it a cardinal, a cockatoo or a chicken?
A: a chicken
Why Brain Quest for the Car is a Great Road Trip Game:
The hand held size and sturdy container make Brain Quest games easy to pack and go. The whole family can play and you only need one reader. Brain Quest games are very educational and entertaining as well. Brain Quest games would make fun stocking stuffers or Easter basket gifts too.
If you're going to be "on the road again" anytime soon, this list of fun games will help entertain the whole family and before you know it you can answer "yes" to "are we there yet?"