I Spy A Quiet Car Ride: Scavenger Hunts on Long Trips

Are you headed over the river and through the woods to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday? Here’s a road trip trick for geek kids that makes the time pass by faster and doesn’t require any batteries or headphones.

Go to the library a few days before your trip and check out two copies of the same book. This game works best with scavenger hunt type books, like any from the I-Spy or the Lookalikes series.

Ignore the confused look that the person at the circulation desk gives you when they see that you’re checking out two of the same book. Assure them that you are not crazy, just strategic.

Then once you’re underway on your journey, pull out your duplicate books and give one to each child. It works best if one is in the front seat and one is in the back seat. They take turns asking the scavenger hunt questions.

It should sound something like this, “On page 3, can you find two blue trucks?” Then a long silence. Then an excited, “Yes! One on the top left corner, one in the middle, next to the rooster!”

This makes the art of hunting through detailed pictures so much more interactive and takes care of those little people who are not old enough to read the list of items that are hidden in the picture. I’ve found my kids have loved this game, stumping their siblings, from the time they were young until even their early teens.

If you’re lucky, maybe having kids who got along on the drive to grandma’s house can be the thing you’re thankful for when sentiments are shared around the Thanksgiving table.