Games that can be played with cards

Almost everyone has a cell phone these days but when you’re driving a few thousand (or even just a few hundred miles) you’re going to burn through your data if everyone is on their phone. Not to mention there are still places that have poor cell service. For example if you’re passing a sign that says “Wall Drug – Free Ice Water” you may not have great service. So here are 5 easy to pack games that can be played in the car while on your road trip to save you from fighting over the phone charger. These games are small, pack well, they don’t have any pieces, and no flat surface is required.

The Classic for Kids: Rubberneckers – Chronicle Books ~

An older game but definitely a classic road trip game, Rubberneckers has you use the changing scenery around – whether it be locating objects or vehicles or interacting with passengers in another car. You win by collecting 100 points and doing things, like spotting a picnic table, will get you 5. “Super” card items get you 10 points and getting a person in another vehicle to acknowledge your thumbs up gets you 5 points. It’s the perfect game for when you are on the road.

Rubberneckers Stats:

~ Amazon (Other editions: Junior, Airport and Plane)
2 or more
play as long as you’d like
Ages 5+

Light Fun for Families: Read My List – Educational Insights ~-15

There are 400 challenges in this box in two levels. There are a few different challenges. In one you’re read a list of 10 things and you have to remember what’s on the list and give 3 more things in the category. In the “Lightning Round” players have to go in a circle listing things in the category without repeating. “Name the Category” gives players a list of 10 things and you have to guess the category. There’s some simple scoring you can do, but otherwise it’s a good way to keep the kids busy. And kids below 8 can play this but the cards do have a lot of reading.

Stats:

~$10-15 Amazon and some toy and game stores
3 or more
play as long as you’d like
Ages 8+

Rhyming Fun: – Educational Insights ~$10

Each card has three clues — one for each word in the answer. Players race to find the three words that rhyme. There is a hint on each card if you get stumped. And then there’s a bit of card stealing that allows the winners of certain rounds to steal cards from other players. The game includes 600 questions in 2 levels so you can play for quite a while, or until one player has earned 10 cards (or points if you don’t want to pass out cards to round winners).

Rhyme Out! Stats:

~$8 Amazon and some local game stores
2 or more
play as long as you’d like
Ages 10+

Guesstimate Fun: – Gamewright ~$12

This game comes in a travel-friendly small box and it has 600 questions to keep you busy for a while. A player reads a question that has a number answer. The other players decide on a number they think best answers the question and then it’s up the the initial player to guess if their answer was over or under the correct answer. If they guess over or under correctly they get a point. If they guess “spot on” and were amazingly correct, they get to keep the card and their turn continues.

Over Under Stats:

• How to Play 21 with cards?
• Good games to play with cards
• How to win playing cards?