Road Trip Bingo for Kids: Keep Everyone Entertained in the Car
Why Road Trip Bingo Actually Works
The usual solution to "are we there yet" is a tablet loaded with movies. Road trip bingo does something different: it makes kids look out the window on purpose. Instead of passive screen time, they're scanning the landscape for a red barn, a water tower, or a horse in a field.
The best road trip bingo cards use things kids might spot anywhere in the country — not things specific to one route. Browse our road trip bingo cards or build your own with clues from this guide.
40+ Road Trip Bingo Clue Ideas
Things to Spot on the Highway
- Red barn
- Water tower (any kind)
- Windmill (wind turbine)
- Rest stop sign
- Speed limit sign with the number 70+
- Mile marker (any number ending in 0)
- Billboard with a person's face on it
- Cop car on the shoulder of the road
- Emergency vehicle (firetruck, ambulance)
- Construction zone
- Bridge over water
- Tunnel
- State line sign or welcome sign
Animals
- Horse in a field
- Cow (any kind)
- Sheep or goats
- Dog with head out a car window
- Bird of prey (hawk or eagle) perched or flying
- Dead skunk smell (that counts!)
- Deer near the road
Other Cars & Trucks
- Semi truck with a recognizable company logo
- Out-of-state license plate
- Car the same color as yours
- Car with a trailer or boat
- RV or motorhome
- Bus (school bus, charter, or city bus)
- Motorcycle group (3 or more bikes)
Roadside Stops
- McDonald's golden arches
- Gas station with a price sign
- Motel (old-school roadside kind)
- Diner
- Outlet mall or shopping center
- A drive-through with a long line
- Truck stop (the big kind)
Nature
- River or creek
- Lake or pond
- Mountains in the distance
- Rainbow
- Storm clouds building
- Flat farmland as far as you can see
- Fog
How to Set Up Road Trip Bingo
Digital Version (Best for Connected Tablets)
- Before leaving, go to BingWow's road trip cards or create a custom card with your chosen clues.
- Set up a multiplayer game and share the invite link to each child's device.
- Reset cards every hour or so to keep the game going on a long trip.
Printed Version (Works Offline)
- Before the trip, print bingo cards from any BingWow card (click "Print Cards — Free").
- Laminate them or put in a clear sleeve — use dry-erase markers that wipe clean.
- Each child gets a unique printed card so everyone spots different things first.
- Re-use the same cards by wiping them at each rest stop for a fresh round.
Road Trip Bingo Prize Ideas
- Gets to pick the next playlist or podcast
- Picks the next gas station snack
- Chooses where the family stops for food
- Extra screen time at the next rest stop
- Front seat privilege (age appropriate)
- A small surprise from the road trip prize bag (stickers, mini toys)
Get started: browse road trip bingo cards or build a custom card for your specific route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good road trip bingo clues for kids?
Great road trip bingo clues make kids look out the window: red barn, water tower, horse in a field, out-of-state license plate, rest stop, semi truck with a logo, billboard with a face, cop car on the shoulder, cows, windmills, rest stop sign, river or lake, and state line sign. Use specific clues that require actually spotting something — "something blue" is too broad.
Does road trip bingo work on tablets with no internet?
BingWow requires an internet connection to play multiplayer. For offline use, print the cards before leaving — any card can be printed for free. Laminated printouts work great for car trips since kids can use a dry-erase marker.
How do I play road trip bingo with multiple kids in the car?
Set up a multiplayer game before leaving. Each child joins on their own tablet or phone. When someone spots a clue, they tap their card — but other players must also verify they see it before marking it. First to bingo wins a small prize or gets to pick the next playlist.