Study reveals the top 10 most commonly played games on road trips
With half term holidays almost upon us, Aviva has pulled together the following list of the UK’s most popular games to play on road trips.
According to a survey of 4,000 UK adults, carried out by the motor insurer in January 2022, around four fifths of motorists and passengers enjoy the occasional game.
I-spy is – perhaps predictably – the most commonly played game, enjoyed by 54% of road-trippers. But there are a wealth of other entertainments, to keep passengers amused while on the move.
Here are some of the most popular picks, along with a quick rundown of the rules:
| Road trip game | Percentage of UK drivers and passengers who have played while on a road trip |
| I-spy | 54% |
| Yellow car | 29% |
| Number plates game | 28% |
| 20 questions | 16% |
| Name that tune | 14% |
| Silent game | 13% |
| I went to market and I bought… | 13% |
| Who am I? | 13% |
| Count the bridges | 10% |
| Pub cricket / sign cricket | 6% |
I-spy… with my little eye, something beginning with… The “spier” chooses something they see out of the car window and tells others the first letter of the item. Other players have to guess what they saw, beginning with that letter. The person who guesses correctly then becomes the spier.
The yellow car game: There are a few variations, but the gist of the game is that people look out for yellow cars as they travel, tallying up their totals as they go. The first person to see a yellow car gets a point. They can call out ‘yellow car’, ‘banana’ or even ‘cheese on wheels’ as they spot the vehicle. Some versions suggest the caller can punch another passenger as they shout out – but this is definitely not to be recommended!
The number plates game: Again, there are different versions. In one, people are encouraged to spell out short words using the letters from number plates. In another, players are asked to come up with funny phrases beginning with the letters from the number plates.
20 questions: A player thinks of an object and other people have to guess what it is, by asking up to 20 questions with yes/no answers. If someone guesses the item in 20 questions or fewer, they win.
Name that tune: One person sings or hums a tune and others have to guess what it is, in as few notes as possible. The person who guesses correctly then becomes the next music-maker.
The silent game: A perennial favourite with parents, the idea of the game is to see who can be quiet for longest. No speaking, no noise, no squabbling! The person to make a noise last is the winner.
I went to market: Someone begins a virtual shopping list by saying: “I went to market and I bought…” and then choosing an item. The next person says the same, but adds to the list with another item… and the next person adds another… and so on. People must remember the full shopping list each time – and if they forget an item, they’re out of the game.
Who am I? Similar to 20 questions, but participants are asked to think of a famous person, while others have to guess who it is, using questions with yes / no answers. Players can put a limit on the number of questions, to make the game more challenging.
Count the bridges: The clue is in the name! People are encouraged to count the bridges they go over or under on a car journey. A good one if you’re trying to space out road-trip treats. People may be only allowed another treat if they’ve spotted 10 bridges.
Pub cricket / sign cricket: Players look out for pub signs and win points or “runs” based on the number of legs belonging to animals and people mentioned in the pub’s name (up to a maximum of six). So “The Horse and Jockey” would be worth six points, while “The Swan” would pick up two.
Please note that games should not be played if they would compromise the driver’s concentration.
To find out more about Aviva’s latest motoring campaign, visit: https://www.aviva.co.uk/aviva-edit/campaigns/unexpected/