Road trips with family can be an amazing adventure, creating lasting memories as you explore new places. However, let’s be honest, those long hours in the car can sometimes lead to boredom, especially for the kids. If you’re looking for a way to keep everyone entertained and engaged, you need to know about the car game that’s a guaranteed hit: Skittles!
What is the Skittles Car Game?
Skittles is a simple yet incredibly fun game that transforms any car journey into an exciting hunt. It’s easy to learn, requires no equipment, and can be enjoyed by kids of various ages – even teenagers and adults get caught up in the thrill! The premise is straightforward: you’re on the lookout for bright yellow vehicles.
How to Play Skittles
The rules of Skittles are delightfully uncomplicated:
- Spot Yellow: Keep your eyes peeled for any vehicle with a bright yellow body. This includes cars, trucks (like Penske trucks), and even larger vehicles like 18-wheelers if they sport a yellow cab. School buses, however, are usually excluded because they are too common and can make the game less challenging.
- Shout “Skittles!”: The moment you spot a yellow vehicle, be the first to shout “Skittles!”
- Earn Points: Each time you successfully call out “Skittles!” you earn a point.
- The “Busted!” Twist: Here’s where the game gets really interesting. You also need to be on the lookout for police cars. The first person to spot a police car and yell “Busted!” makes everyone else lose all their accumulated points! For a variation, you can also call “Undercover!” if you spot an undercover police car with its siren visible (either inside the window or on top), which also results in others losing their points.
- Game End: The game continues until you reach your destination, or simply when everyone feels like stopping. The person with the most points at the end (or after strategically avoiding being “Busted!”) is the winner.
Why Play Car Games Like Skittles?
In our increasingly digital world, car games like Skittles offer a refreshing and engaging way to connect as a family during travel. Here’s why it’s a fantastic addition to your road trip repertoire:
Family Fun and Connection
Skittles encourages interaction and friendly competition among family members. It gets everyone looking out the window and participating together, turning passive travel time into active fun. The playful rivalry, especially between kids and parents, adds to the enjoyment and creates memorable moments.
Time Flies on Long Trips
Long drives can feel monotonous, especially for children. Skittles is a fantastic boredom buster. It keeps everyone occupied and focused on something other than the duration of the journey, making the miles melt away much faster.
Ditch the Devices (Sometimes!)
While tablets and smartphones can be useful for entertainment on long trips, it’s also important to encourage breaks from screens. Skittles provides a screen-free alternative that still keeps minds engaged and entertained. It’s a great way to balance screen time with real-world interaction and observation.
A Personal Story with Skittles
Even as kids grow older, the simple joy of Skittles remains. Recently, during a drive with my 15-year-old, we were playing Skittles, a game we’ve enjoyed for years. The score was tight, tied at 2-2, when suddenly, my son spotted a police car and gleefully shouted “Busted!” Despite my mock frustration at losing my points, it was a moment filled with laughter and connection. It’s these silly, shared experiences that make family time special, no matter the age.
Safety First – A Driver’s Warning
While Skittles is a fantastic game, it’s crucial to prioritize safety, especially for the driver. It’s easy to get caught up in scanning for yellow cars, but the driver’s primary responsibility is to focus on the road. As the driver, you might need to rely on the passengers’ honesty when they call “Skittles!” and avoid getting too intensely competitive, particularly while behind the wheel. Perhaps the driver can participate in rounds where someone else takes over driving, or simply abstain from scoring while driving to maintain full attention on the road.
Skittles is more than just a car game; it’s a way to create fun, engaging, and memorable moments during family travels. So, next time you’re hitting the road, give Skittles a try and transform your journey into an exciting adventure!
What are some of your favorite car games to play with family? Share your go-to road trip entertainment in the comments below!
