As I mentioned in a previous post, we have a most excellent diversion for long road trips. It is creatively called, “The Car Game.” We are nothing if not on the forefront of marketing trends with snazzy catchphrases that draw one in. At any rate, Noah came up with the initial car game about 4 or 5 years ago when we lived in Baton Rouge and he was about 9 years old. It has evolved into a much bigger and complicated animal, but we all enjoy it, as do any passengers who get stuck with us in a car for any length of time. Or they lie about it. Either way…they play. The rules are quite complicated initially, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty easy. Feel free to print this post for easy reference on your long summer car trips.
The premise of The Car Game is that you look for unusual or very recognizable vehicle types. When you see one you shout out the appropriate word and you get one point. (Additional points can be learned and will be explained later). The game has to be officially started. You can just start shouting out car names and expect everyone to join in because this has given you an unfair advantage. You have to announce “We are going to start The Car Game” so everyone can get ready and get their game face on. You can write down points or tally in your head if you are with trustworthy people. The game ends at a predetermined time or number of points.
1. Honda Element or any Jeep: This was the original Car Game. When you see an Element (distinctive shape) or Jeep (distinctive front grill) you shout “LA-la-LA-la-LA-laL-A” with the emphasis on the appropriate syllable. I have no idea why we say this. Keep in mind that Noah was 9 when he created this game.
2. Mini Cooper: You shout, “Dang! That’s a small car.”
3. Scion (standard boxy one): “Biscotti!” (something about the sc in scion and biscotti–I don’t know. We’re weird.)
4. Any Saturn: “Uranus!” (Again, 9 year old boy. Note: In our family no one can ever recognize a Saturn except Noah and we think he lies about it half the time. This is one of the more difficult calls to make.)
5. Any church van or bus with obvious identification by painting on the side: “Kum Bah Ya!”
6. Motorcycle/Chopper (not scooter or moped): “Hi-Ya!” (like a karate chop…again, no idea why)
7. PT Cruiser: “BUM-bah-DEE-dum” in a sing-songy voice (The Chevrolet HHR looks similar so be careful before you shout out)
8. VW Bug: “Da Buggy!”
9: Any yellow vehicle, except for school buses or taxis: “Banana car!”
10. A single-unit RV (not a pop-up, fifth wheel, or anything than can be separated from the vehicle): “RRRRRRRR-Vee!”
11. Hummers: “Hummmmm” (You can also feel free to scowl at Hummer owners for conspicuous consumption and ruining the environment.)
12. Mustangs: “Mus-DANG!”
Additional rules:
- You are on the honor system, but car consensus in your vehicle makes the final decision. If two people “claim” the same car at the same time no one gets the point.
- Only cars that have keys in the ignition and are actively engaged count. Cars on the roads, moving in parking lots, stopped at lights and signs count. Cars parked in parking lots, getting fuel, being towed, etc. do not.
- If you incorrectly call a car you lose one point. For example if you yell out “Hi-Ya!” to a scooter, then minus one point for you. No soup. Come back two weeks.
- You can earn extra points. If you call two cars that are one behind the other (e.g., LA-la-LA-la-LA-la-LA for Jeep and Biscotti for Scion) then you get 5 points. You can also get 5 points for Banana+ a specific type of car (e.g., Banana Da Buggy or Banana Hi-Ya). If you see a motorcycle gang, which we are likely to in our area in August because of people coming north to Sturgis, you can rack up a ridiculous amount of points quickly.
[...] kate gave pam a journal that details the rules of our family car game (pam explains the car game here). what a great gift. the photos above are of the gift that kayleigh gave me. it is a journal that [...]