Five more classic Kiwi road trip car games
Tuesday, 28 December 2021
Once again, it is the time of year for the classic Kiwi summer road trip (being summer and all), so yesterday we brought you five classic Kiwi road-trip car games to keep the little (and not-so-little) people in the back seat entertained during a long drive.
One of which, we have to admit, may actually make things worse for the people up front. That was violence-based Swift Game, in case you couldn’t guess…
We freely admit that a game based around punching may not be the ideal way to keep the peace in a car, no matter how much fun it is.
So to make up for that, today we bring you five more – all with less punching – including one that may even bring a harmonious silence to the car. For a few minutes, at least…
**READ MORE:
* Five classic Kiwi road-trip car games
* Driving home after the holidays? Here's how to make it fun
* Tips for roadtripping with a baby
**
Road Trip Bingo
This one can be as elaborate and pre-planned as the printing of prepared bingo cards, or as simple as a few pens and some paper. But the basic premise is the same - each player gets a bingo card (or hastily scribbled scrap of paper) with a range of common roadside sights on it. The first player to check off all the items on their card wins.
This can also be played with vehicle body shapes, styles or for a car load of real car nerds, specific models.
I Packed My Bag
I Packed My Bag starts with the first player saying: 'I packed my bag and in it I put…', followed by any object they like. The next person then repeats 'I packed my bag and in it I put…', followed by the original suggestion, then adding their own item.
A player is disqualified if they forget one of the previously occurring items or cannot think of a new item to add to the bag. The game continues until all but the winner has been disqualified. Or someone cries.
The Alphabet Game
Almost infinitely configurable to suit player ages, skill or even the length of the journey, the basic rules of the Alphabet Game are: each player must find the letters of the alphabet, in order, on road signs they pass.
The word must begin with the letter and a sign can only be used once (so Burger King can count for either B or K, not both) and whoever spots the sign first is the only one allowed to use a letter from it. Variables include allowing signs on trucks, number plates or any letter on a sign to make it easier for younger players.
The real trick to the Alphabet Game are the letters J and Q, which are very much equalisers - if a player streaks ahead, then the relative scarcity of J and Q often allow slower players to catch up. Then there's X and Z…
Find the Car
Similar to the car colour game, but more quick-fire, Find the Car requires each player to pick a specific make and model of car and the first one to spot theirs wins.
A particularly nasty variation requires players to pick cars for each other, but this version can quickly be ruined by the disagreeable car nerd who picks Hispano-Suiza for another player.
A set of ground rules agreed upon by all at the start is strongly recommended for this very reason.
The Quiet Game
The beloved last resort of any parent or authority figure on a long car trip, the Quiet Game generally works best on very young children who don't see through the ruse.
Yelling out: 'Hey! Let's play a new game and see who can stay quiet the longest!' only works on the young and gullible. Later in life some form of sugary bribery prize for the winner may be necessary.
Still after hours of giggling and silliness, plus bouts of uncontrolled Suzuki Swift-instigated punching, you'll probably be willing to try anything for a few brief moments of welcome quiet.