No matter where you’re going on your vacation, odds are at least one of the kids will get bored along the way. That’s why it’s important to have some kids travel games in mind before you even leave the house. That way when your kids start shouting “Are we there yet?” you can respond with something better than just “No.”

The License-Plate Game: This is probably one of the all-time favorite kids travel games. All you need is a piece of paper and a pencil. First, write down all the states (this is a good test to see if your children know all the states in alphabetical order). Whenever you see a license plate from that state, mark it off your list. See how many states you can spot.

Listing Games: There are all sorts of variations on the memory or listing type games, but they usually involve listing things in alphabetical order and trying to remember a long list of items in order. One idea is the “grocery store game,” which would start with one person saying something like “I’m going to the grocery store to buy apples.” The next person would say “I’m going to the grocery store to buy apples and bananas.” And so on through the alphabet, with each person listing all the previous items and adding their own for the next letter on the list. Cassidy, who is 12, is a whiz at this game. She can list them all long after everyone else has forgotten bits.

Another idea is to go through the alphabet listing objects you see out the car window or words you find on signs. In this case you wouldn’t have to remember all of them and the whole family can work together to find an item of the letter that is needed.

Counting: As you go down the road, decide to count something all day long. It could be horses, semi trucks, red convertibles, or anything else you want. This is a great one for little kids. Even Rachel, who is two, can point out a big truck, though she can’t count very high.

Tell Stories: Have one person in the family start a story. Let them talk for a couple of minutes, then pass the story on to the next person. Have the parents tell a story about traveling when they were kids, or let the kids tell a story about what’s going to happen when you get to your destination.

Scavenger Hunt: Make up a list of things to look for in advance. You might include things like purple flowers, flashing lights, a church, a billboard with a picture of a dog on it, a lake, or anything else general and relatively easy to spot.

Or, if you’re going on a trip to grandma’s house or somewhere else you have been a time or two before, you could make a specific list that includes items you will see as you’re traveling. You could even make a little quiz with questions like “What’s the name of the town where we stopped for lunch?”

Maps: Give each child a map and let them color in or trace the route you are taking. Or have them draw their own maps, complete with landmarks from the scavenger hunt. Jacob, my six-year-old, loves to make drawings of the things he sees out the car windows (which is a great way to avoid motion sickness, too).

Sing a Song: Every road trip is more fun when someone sings. Try to get the whole family involved.

Read out Loud: If someone in your family can read in the car without getting motion sickness, have them read a book out loud that everyone will enjoy. Poetry or short stories are especially good for car trips, because you can pick them up and put them down easily. Or get a book on tape to listen to. Kids of any age will be quiet for hours if you put on a Harry Potter book!