Easy, Calm, Creative Car Games for Quieter Car Rides

My kids are loud. All day long, no matter where we are, if they are awake, they are loud.

SO loud.

My boys adore each other. They have this crazy bond that I can’t even begin to understand. I am mostly thankful for their bond, but it just adds to the loudness. They are either having the best time or are annoying each other. It’s always loud.

But, they have this wonderful little sister that is often forced to have naps on the go, so you can imagine that with the loudness, her naps are few and far between. So what’s a mom to do?

I have taken to playing games in the car — QUIET car games. Some are tried and true; others I make up on the fly. Here are the fan favorites! I hope they bring some calm to the chaos of your car rides.

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5 Quiet Car Games to Play with Kids

1. I Spy ::  The classic that never gets old. Just remind them of your limitations as the driver. We always say, “I can only see things in the front seat for my turn.”

2. The Thinking Game :: We were not the most original in naming this game, but they love it. We say, “I am thinking of a word that starts with ___ and it is a(n) ___.”

For example: I am thinking of a word that starts with “A,” and it is an animal. Answer: Alligator. The answer is usually animals or food. Sometimes we give hints.

3. Math Game :: Again, with the originality. This one requires basic math as we are four and under right now, but I just ask questions such as:

• Which number is bigger: 12 or 75?
• Which number is smallest: 82, 17, or 44?
• If I have three apples and I pick one more, how many do I have now?

4. Singing :: We have the classics, and then we make up silly versions of songs. Some fan faves are “Mr. Golden Sun,” “Hey Fighting Tigers” (duh, Geaux Tigers for life and we have zero shame in starting ’em young), “Three Green Jelly Beans” (and three green hulks, three silly minions, etc.), “Tiny Tim The Turtle,” “ABC Song,” and “Five Little Pumpkins.”

5. Rhyming Body Parts :: I cannot for the life of me think of the official name, but it is that tune that goes: Bippity boppity bo an elephant sat on my _____ (toe). We take turns, and it is always hilarious. Just prepare yourself for the inappropriate comments from the peanut gallery.

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What ways do you entertain your kids in the car? I wish mine did those cute, little busy books or used lap desks, but I am convinced they are tiny energizer bunnies pretending to be little, cute humans.

Happy travels, mamas! I hope these five activities give you a little less of the crazy loudness and a little more calm entertainment in the car.