There’s nothing better than having a vast collection of fun games at your disposal while you’re on a road trip. Often, some of the best memories made on vacations are the ones filled with laughter and family games are an incredible source for that.
As well, they can immensely help pass the time on the road and be something trip members of all ages can do together.
We’ve compiled a list of the best indoor and outdoor games to bring with your on your next road or camping trip:
Outdoor Camping Games
A balance between classics and newbies, these games will be sure to get your family out of their chairs and away from their screens:
Cornhole
Considered a classic at a campsite or RV park, cornhole is similar horseshoes except it uses beanbags and wooden boards instead of sand and poles. This is a game you can make yourself or easily buy on Amazon.
Rules: The boards, each with circular holes cut out of one end and set at a slight slant, are placed about 20 yards apart and facing each other. Then, teams of two to four players take turns tossing beanbags onto the boards. Points are scored when a bean bag stays on the board or falls through a hole. It’s much more difficult than it sounds, which is what makes it entertaining!
Pro: Loads of fun for the whole family.
Con: Takes up some space in your RV.
Ladder Golf
Using plastic pipes to form a ladder with three levels and golf ball bolas (two golf balls attached to the ends of a nylon rope), this game can definitely spark the competitive spirit in your family.
Rules: Space the game ladders about 15 feet apart and start tossing your bolas. Each player tosses all three bolas at a time. The top rung is worth three points, the middle is worth two, and the bottom rung is one point. The first player to reach 21 without going over is the winner!
Pro: You can purchase a travel-sized version.
Con: It’s not made for many players at once.
Geocaching
Geocaching is an extremely inventive and unique game where all you need is a handheld GPS device to go on a fun scavenger hunt.
Rules: Hide a small container around your campsite and go to a website that allows you to keep track of cache locations. The website will provide you with GPS coordinates; plug those coordinates into the GPS and attempt to follow it to the cache. Quick tip: candy is the perfect item to hide in your cache!
Pro: It’s a game the whole family can enjoy.
Con: Wi-Fi connection or internet for the web and GPS is needed.
KanJam
A relatively new game, KanJam allows you to practice both your aim and frisbee throwing skills!
Rules: Take a large plastic cylinder and cut a slot on the front. Two teams of two players take turns throwing the Frisbee at the cylinder. The object is to send the Frisbee through the slot or at least hit the cylinder. The player’s partner can assist by deflecting the frisbee so that it hits the cylinder. Points are also scored if the frisbee, either on its own or via an assist, is dropped through the top of the cylinder.
Pro: KanJam is challenging, making it an entertaining game.
Con: This game requires some ability to throw a frisbee and is more suitable for older ages.
Indoor Camping Games
If the weather isn’t ideal or you need a break from the sun and the bugs, a collection of indoor camping and roadtrip games can come in super handy.
Cards
While this is an extremely obvious roadtrip game, make sure to print out different card game instructions or look them up online as you go. There seems to be an infinite number of card games out there — you can never run out!
Also, in case you didn’t know, Monopoly actually comes in a card pack version called Monopoly Deal! As for card games you don’t normally think of as traditional card games: Apples to Apples and Cards Against Humanity are also great options for more involved card games!
Pro: You’ll never run out of card game options.
Con: You’ll probably get tired of playing with cards.
Yahtzee
Another classic and must-have game for your roadtrip, Yahtzee is a family game that will never get old. You can even keep a running score of what family member has the most game wins!
Pro: Encourages thinking about probability and making calculations.
Con: Kids might find it boring.
LCR
A tiny game with a ton of fun, LCR is a game of complete chance!
Rules: LCR has three dice, each marked with three dots, plus an L for left, a C for center or an R for right, which is where the name comes from. Each player has a predetermined number of chips or coins. Players take turns rolling all three dice. If an L appears on one of the die, then that player must give one chip to the player to his or her left (or to the right if an R appears). A dot means the player can keep their chips that round. The last player still with chips is the winner.
Pro: It takes little to no room in storage.
Con: The dice can easily get lost.
It’s Time to Play
To be fully in the present during your trip, it’s important to try to stay away from screens as much as possible and fun family games is a great way to do that. Sometimes, you don’t even realize that two hours have gone by and it’s time for dinner.
You can enjoy being outside while promising to totally beat each other in your favorite game competitions.
