This past Easter weekend my boyfriend and I headed to Florida to spend time with his family and enjoy some warmer weather. Although not the longest road trip I’ve ever taken, 7 1/2 hours in the car was not something I was looking forward to. However, time flies when you’re having fun (& in love). Here are some of our favorite road trip car games and activities that you can try with your special someone next time you hit the road.
1) Share Songs
Blasting good music with the windows rolled down is the best way to kick off a road trip. And if you sing along, you can show off your beautiful vocals too. For road trips, my boyfriend and I like to alternate who has the aux, either song to song or every couple of songs. Sharing songs that each of you really love and enjoy is a great way to get to know each other. Share why you like that particular song and/or what it means to you. For example, I shared “All Night Longer” by Sammy Adams and told stories of countless birthdays with my best friends where we played it at midnight and welcomed a new year at the top of our lungs. He learned I have terrible taste in music but love my friends and our traditions with all my heart.
2) The Story Game
When your vocal cords have tired, turn down the music and try the story game. It’s easy. One person says a word at random and the other has to tell a story relating to that word. Switch and repeat. It’s a great way to get to know things about your partner that might not come up in normal conversation. For example, one of the words I gave my boyfriend was, “motorcycle”. In his story that followed, I learned his Dad actually owns a motorcycle (not something I would have guessed) and he has thought about getting his own motorcycle license.
3) Make a Unique Pit Stop
Everyone has to get out of the car to stretch their legs, use the restroom and eat on a road trip – usually more than once. Why not make it interesting? Skip the rest stops and opt for a hole-in-the-wall mom and pop store, a local park in the town off the highway or a drink from a rooftop lounge (non-alcoholic of course for the driver). It takes a little more planning on the front end, but the stop doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Just take a quick look at your route for towns along the way that seem interesting. A simple Google search for points of interest in that town can yield a whole new mini vacation. Even if you don’t always pick winners, trying new things and experiencing new places together is sure to make for better stories and memories than the typical drive-through lunch stop.
We broke up our trip back from Florida with a stop in Savannah, Georgia. We had lunch in the park, checked out a rooftop view and stumbled upon a Sunday market! The stop took three hours in total. Add or subtract attractions for however long you want to spend at a location.
4) Recount the Details of Your First Date or Meeting
This is always a fun way to reconnect and remember how far you’ve come in your relationship. Whether you’ve been dating for a couple months or a couple years, you and your partner may remember different details or moments the other has forgotten. You can share memories that you perhaps didn’t tell them at the time or insights you have now looking back. For example, I learned my boyfriend was really tired the night we met and was actually just about to leave our mutual friend’s house when he saw me come in and decided he had to stay to talk to me (awww).
5) Roses & Thorns
This is especially good for your drive home. Share the highlight (rose) and low point/thing you would change (thorn) of the trip for each of you. You can learn more about what your partner values and how they enjoy spending their time. It’s also fun to reminiscence and appreciate the adventures you just tackled together.
Emily Claire Smith 