Waiting Games

ANYTIME GAMES
Play these games in the car, at home -- any time of the day you want to keep kids' boredom at bay.

Group Trivia Game: Team Tic-tac-toe
Inspired by a "Hollywood Squares" game she organized for a YMCA summer camp, Kristen Pollard of New Britain, Connecticut, created a family twist on tic-tac-toe in which two teams take turns challenging each other with family trivia questions. "What's Chelsea's favorite color?" for example, or "Where did Mom and Dad go on their first date?" A correct guess wins an X or an O for your team, while a wrong one gives the move to your opponents. "My kids love this game," says Kristen. "It's a great way to bond."

Backseat Boredom Buster: Fortunately, Unfortunately
On long car rides, the Nortons of Morrison, Colorado (the creative family that came up with the "ert!" game on page 116), build a tall tale that bounces back and forth between good luck and woe. "A boy went to the store," one player might begin. "Fortunately, he brought three dollars in his pocket to buy bread and milk." The second player takes over: "Unfortunately, the money was soaking wet when he got there because it was raining." The third chimes in with another positive twist, and so on, with players alternating good and bad events. "It can get very silly and fun," says mom Alissa.

Pad and Pencil Game: Paper Route
When the Nortons of Morrison, Colorado, want to pass the time, they go for a drive on a sheet of paper. One person draws a winding road scattered with obstacles such as rocks, rivers, and bridges. Players study the map, then take turns negotiating the sketched course with their eyes closed, using a colored pen or pencil to mark their route. Should a player veer off course or hit an obstacle, spectators call "Ert!" (the sound of squealing tires). The player marks an X where he erred and ends his turn, picking up where he left off in the next round. "This game can be loud, but it's lots of fun," says mom Alissa, who invented it years ago with her high school drama buddies. "The kids never want to stop playing!"