Free Printable License Plate Game
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Summer is finally here. And that means one thing in our family – summer road trip time.
Although we love to hit the road in the summer, keeping the kids entertained screen free can be another matter. We recently got stuck in Chicago and I learned quickly how important it is to travel prepared.
Enter our FREE Printable License Plate Game. It can turn miles on the highway into fun challenge that keeps all travelers entertained.
Do you remember this game from when you were a kid? It was one of my favorites. The game was tucked deep into our Road Trip Activity Book. But there was always only one copy, so once we played it once, that was it.
This is why I love this printable version. You can print copies for every traveler and make sure you have multiple copies for the trip there and back.
How to Play the License Plate Game
One of the best parts of the license plate game is that it’s easy to play. And it can keep kids (and adults) entertained for miles.
It’s also a great way to teach geography. When searching for the different license plates, players have to identify the names of our different states. They also start to notice patterns in license plate colors and symbols. Suddenly you understand that Colorado has a mountain range – the Rockies – on their license plate because it’s located in that state.
Playing the license plate game is pretty easy. Download the License Plate Game below.
Then, print as many copies of the game as you need. Be sure to have enough copies to give each player at the beginning of your trip.
Secret Tip – Be sure each traveler has their own clipboard (these storage versions are great for traveling) before heading on the road. This makes it easy to always have a hard surface to play games on and means that no one will have to search for something to write with. (affiliate)
Once you have started your trip, players start searching for different state’s license plates. When they spot a license plate, they cross it off or color it in.
How do you win? Although you don’t need to have a winner to make this game fun, if you choose to have one it’s the person who finds the most state’s license plates at the end of the trip, wins.
To Time or Not to Time?
Before play, decide whether or not you want to play the game timed. Instead of finding the most license plates during an entire trip, the winner is the person who finds the most in 30 minutes (or whatever designated time frame you choose).
The benefit of having timed rounds is that it makes the game more competitive and can be a bigger challenge to older kids.
Other Ways to Play
Although these are the traditional rules of play, as with most games there are fun twists that you can add. Once you become seasoned License Plate players, try adding one of the variations below.
Farthest State
After arriving at your destination, see who found the license plate from the farthest state. You can also measure the license plate that is furthest from home. Either way, the winner gets bonus points or a special prize.
First to Ten
If finding all 50 states seems daunting, give a prize to the player who finds the first ten states.
Coast to Coast Challenge
Challenge players to find a state from each region of the United States:
- Northeast
- Mid-Atlantic
- Southeast
- Midwest
- Southwest
- West
Play for Points
Instead of just checking off the license plates, assign points to each license plate based on its rarity. License plates that are nearby are worth one point. If the state is several hours away, players get three points. But if the state is very rare – Alaska and Hawaii for example – they receive 10 points.
At the end of play, players count up how many points they have based on the distance of the state.
State Facts Bonus
When someone finds a state, they get bonus points if they can name a fact about that state. Facts include its capital, a famous landmark, geographic feature, state bird or other fun fact.
Countdown to Lunch
Although your road trip might last all day, challenge players to find a certain number of states by lunchtime. Those that do can order dessert at lunch.
Take All Summer
Depending on the length of your next road trip and distance, it might be hard to spot all 50 states. Instead, make this license plate game an entire summer challenge. Keep the clipboard in the car and whenever someone spots a state’s license plate during the summer, they can color it in.
The goal? Find license plates from all 50 states before going back to school.
Mystery State
Each player chooses one state as a mystery state. If anyone finds that particular state, they get a bonus point.
A – Z Challenge
This version of play is like our Free Printable Alphabet Scavenger Hunt. Instead of trying to find all of the states, players try to find one state from each letter of the alphabet. Although some letters won’t be represented, but at least you would only find one state that begins with the letter “A”.
Download the License Plate Game
You can download the License Plate Game below.
Looking for more Road Trip Printables before you leave?
Check out some more fun FREE Road Trip Printables below.
Free Printable Road Trip Scavenger Hunt
Free Printable A – Z Scavenger Hunt
Love this printable design and want to pin it for later? Be sure to pin it below.
Happy Celebrating,
Natalie