10 Greatest Car Games to Play with Kids on the Long Road

We all have memories of long drives or road trips with our families. Whether you made the long journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town or went on self-drive safaris with your cousins, you’ll probably remember playing car games to pass the time.

Now, you’re all grown up, and you might be getting ready to take your own children on a road trip. It’s an exciting prospect, but you’re definitely going to need some help keeping them occupied for hours at a time. After all, it might mean the difference between a peaceful journey and one that’s memorable for all the wrong reasons. 

Here are ten fantastic car games, with a South African twist, that will keep your kids engaged, happy, and make the kilometres fly by. Read on to discover them all.

1. I Spy

This classic road trip game is perfect for kids of all ages. One player chooses an object within sight and gives a clue by saying, “I spy with my little eye, something that is [colour/size/shape].” The other players then take turns guessing what the object is. 

Not only is this a fun way to pass the time, but it helps kids improve their observation skills and keeps them alert. For a local touch, look for iconic South African items like a protea flower, a windmill, or a bakkie.

2. 20 Questions

Father and son taking pictures of the sea. Photo: Getty Images

In this game, one player thinks of an object, animal, or person, and the other players have up to 20 questions to guess what it is. The questions must be answerable with “yes” or “no.” This encourages critical thinking and creativity as kids try to narrow down the possibilities. 

Make it more interesting by focusing on South African themes such as animals from the Kruger National Park, famous landmarks like Table Mountain, or well-known personalities.

3. The Alphabet Game

Players find words that start with each letter of the alphabet, in order, from A to Z. They can look for letters on road signs, licence plates, billboards, or even on passing vehicles. The first person to complete the alphabet wins! 

This game helps kids practise their letters and improves their attention to detail. Use South African towns and cities for added fun – can you spot Bloemfontein, Durban, or Johannesburg? How long until we get there? You get the idea!

4. Licence Plate Game

A father and his children packing for a roadtrip. Photo: Getty Images

Players try to spot licence plates from as many different provinces as possible. You can print a map or a list of provinces for kids to check off as they see them. This game is educational, teaching kids about South African geography and helping them recognise different plates. Challenge them to find plates from Gauteng, Western Cape, and Limpopo.

5. Road Trip Bingo

This is a fun twist on traditional bingo. Create bingo cards with common South African road trip sights like windmills, ostriches, stop signs, bridges, and specific types of vehicles like tractors and minibus taxis. As players spot these items, they mark them off on their cards. The first player to complete a row, column, or diagonal shouts “Bingo!” and wins.

6. Would You Rather?

In this hilarious game, players take turns asking each other to choose between two silly or challenging scenarios – the sillier the better. For example, “Would you rather swim with sharks in the Indian Ocean or climb to the top of Table Mountain?” 

This game sparks imaginative discussions and is sure to bring lots of laughter – and it’s also a great way to get to know each other a little better.

7. Story Chain

A mother chatting with her children in the backseat. Photo: Getty Images

One player starts a story with a single sentence and each subsequent player adds another sentence to continue the story. The goal is to create a collaborative, often silly, story that can take unexpected turns. 

This game enhances kids’ storytelling skills and fosters creativity. Start with something like, “Once upon a time in the Drakensberg Mountains…”

8. Animal Guessing Game

One player thinks of an animal and gives clues about it. The other players try to guess the animal based on the clues. For instance, “I’m thinking of an animal that lives in the bushveld and has a long neck. What could it be?” 

This game helps kids learn about South African wildlife and sharpens their deductive reasoning. Hint: It’s a giraffe!

9. Name That Tune

Family taking in the view of the sea. Photo: Getty Images

Perfect for music-loving families, one player hums or sings a part of a song, and the others try to guess the song’s title. You can also play snippets of songs from your phone or car stereo. For many people, listening to your parents’ favourite music can play a formative role in developing their own taste in music.

This game is great for testing musical knowledge and singing along to favourite tunes. Make sure to keep things local sometimes, too! Your kids need to know about South African legends like Miriam Makeba, Brenda Fassie, and Johnny Clegg.

10. Counting Cows (or Other Objects)

This simple but fun game is especially great in rural areas. Players count cows on their side of the road, and the first to reach a predetermined number wins. You can also adapt this game to count other objects like windmills, antelope, or even kudu. It keeps kids engaged with their surroundings and adds a competitive element. Don’t be shy to let your kids win!

These ten car games are sure to keep your kids entertained and make your road trip more enjoyable – and a lot less chaotic. Not only do they help pass the time, but they also encourage learning and bonding. So, the next time you hit the road with your little ones, try these games and watch the kilometres fly by.

All that’s left to do is find the right vehicle for your adventure. At Drive South Africa, we have plenty of options for families of all sizes, whether you need a comfortable sedan or a spacious seven-seater SUV. Simply use the booking tool at the top of the page to rent a vehicle from us today!