Traveling with children isn't always easy. They cry, scream, yell, hit each other and constantly ask "Are we there yet?". Traveling around New England, you will probably be stuff in a car for a few hours. Not all of us are lucky enough to have on e of those mini-vans with a built-in VCR (or DVD player) and TV. So, why not try some of these games and make the trip a little more enjoyable?

Alphabet Game
Complete the entire alphabet by finding letters on signs and license plates. You have to find the letters in order. You can't 'save' a letter you found for later use. Good luck finding the Q and Z!

Animal Game
My aunt taught me this game (or made it up) when we were on a long trip. Each child takes the side of the road they are sitting on. If there is a child sitting in the middle of the back seat let them use both sides of the road. Each animal has a point value.

Cat - 10 points

Cat in a window - 50 points

Squirrels, chipmunks, birds - 0 points

Any other animal - 1 point

Graveyard - lose all your points

Who ever ends up with the most points wins.

Graveyard Game
Try to hold your breath while you pass a graveyard or cemetery.

License Plate Game
How many different license plates can you find? The object is to collect as many different states as you can. Need a list of states?

Punch Buggy
OK. They are going to yell and hit each other anyway, so they might as well play a game that involves hitting and yelling, right? Punch Buggy is a good one for this. Every time someone see a Volkswagon Beatle you yell "Punchbuggy!" and the color then punch the nearest sibling. The first one who spots the VW Beatle is the one who gets to yell and hit. Sounds like fun, huh? I wouldn't recommend this game if you have a headache or if your children are the sensitive type. If you have a carful of boys - this might be the game for them. There is a new version of this game for PT Cruisers. The rules are the same except you yell "Cruiser Bruiser!".

Something that I do with my girls is keep a stash of washable markers or colored pencils, coloring books, and activity books in the car for things to do. I used to keep crayons in my car, but they melt and make a huge mess. I made bags that tie onto the front seats to store everything in. You can even purchase little packs that strap onto the back of the front seats that fold out to a little table and have lots of pockets to store things.

Want some other ideas? Look at my list of Travel Games. Know of some other games that can be played in a car? Talk about it here.