Road trip games
A car is a specific problem. One phone between everybody, a driver who cannot look at it, and children who will notice within ten minutes if a game is padding.
These are the ones that work in that situation: mostly talking, one person holding the phone, nothing that needs anybody to watch the screen closely. Several can be played entirely out loud once somebody has read the prompt.
They also work on a train, in a waiting room, or anywhere else you are stuck together with time to fill.
- 1. 20 Questions1+ playersIt thinks of something and you ask yes-or-no questions. You can ask out loud with your voice and it answers back, so the driver can play too.
- 2. Word Chain1-6 playersEach word starts with the last letter of the one before. No screen watching at all.
- 3. Would You RatherAny groupReads out impossible choices. Reliably starts an argument that lasts twenty miles.
- 4. Categories2-8 playersName things in a category before the timer goes. Everybody can join in without touching the phone.
- 5. Story Builder1+ playersOne line each, round the car. Gets sillier the longer the journey.
- 6. Riddles1+ playersRead one out and let the back seat work on it.
- 7. MASH1+ playersThe old playground fortune-telling game. Children love it and it takes one person to run.
- 8. Ask the OracleAny groupAsk it anything and get a straight-faced answer. Good for the last hour when everybody has run out of patience.
Questions
Do these need a signal?
You need a connection to load the page. Once a game is open the word and talking games keep going even if the signal drops.
Can the driver play?
Yes, for the talking games. Twenty Questions can be played entirely with your voice - it reads the answers out.
Do we need one phone each?
No. All of these work with a single phone that somebody holds and reads from.
What ages are they for?
Word Chain, Categories, MASH and Story Builder work from about six. Riddles and Twenty Questions suit older children and adults.
Is there any cost?
No account, no advertising, nothing to buy.