When the kids have tired of movies and music, you can keep them occupied by planning some games that can be played while traveling. Encourage these activities as they help foster creativity.

Travel journal: Older children might enjoy keeping a journal that documents their travels. This is a great activity while driving, and it gives you something that you may treasure long afterward.

License plate game: Print a list of all fifty states (and the Canadian provinces if you like) or bring a copy of a U.S. map, and let the kids put a check for each state when they see a car with that license plate. Promise a small reward for the child who spots the most states or provinces.

I spy: Pick out an object that everyone can see from where they are seated. Give everyone a clue by saying, “I spy something that is…” (tell the object's shape, color, or size). The other players ask questions about what you see, and you are only allowed to answer with “yes” or “no.” The first player who guesses right becomes the new spy.

A to Z game: Find objects or animals beginning with A on signs around you. Have the players take turns, after A, go to B, and so on. An easy example for A would be “automobile.” Try to get through the whole alphabet; if you want, you can skip letters that may take too long to find.

Hangman: With just a piece of paper and a pencil, you can play hangman. One person thinks of a word or phrase and then draws a series of dashes, one for each letter in the answer (leaving spaces between words). The other person guesses individual letters; when a guess is correct, the first person writes the letter above each dash where it is found. For each letter that is guessed that isn't in the word or phrase, another line in a gallows and stick figure is drawn. The first player is the winner if the “man” is hung before the second player can guess the word or phrase.

Board games: Look at local toy and discount stores for travel versions of favorite board games like Battleship, checkers, and bingo. Many of these miniaturized games have metal boards with magnetic pieces to keep them from falling off with each bump in the road.