The License Plate Game: Free Printable (All 50 States)

The license plate game is the road trip classic that somehow never gets old. Every passing car is a chance to spot a new state, and there's a genuine thrill when Hawaii or Alaska finally rolls by. Best of all, kids are learning the map of the country without noticing they're doing it.

How to play

1. Print a copy for each kid (or one shared sheet for the whole car).
2. Watch the plates on passing cars, trucks, and RVs as you drive.
3. When you spot a new state, color it in or check it off on the map.
4. See who can collect the most states — or race to a target number for a quicker round.

What's on the printable

Our version keeps it simple and satisfying for kids: a clean map of the United States with each state labeled, so coloring one in doubles as a mini geography lesson.

• A full US map with all 50 states outlined and named.
• A checklist version for kids who'd rather tick a box than color.
• Space to tally who spotted each state first (for the competitive crowd).
• A 'rare finds' corner for the far-away plates worth bonus points.

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Fun variations

• Points by distance: nearby states are worth 1 point, far-away ones (Hawaii, Alaska) worth 10.
• Cooperative: the whole family fills one map together and tries to beat last year's total.
• Plate stories: use the letters on a plate to make a silly sentence.
• Category spin: instead of states, hunt for plate colors, out-of-state plates, or specialty plates.
• Toddler version: just count how many different plates you see — no reading required.

Why it's a parent favorite

Beyond keeping kids busy, the license plate game quietly teaches geography — where states are, which ones border each other, how far you've come. Many families keep the same map going across a whole trip (or even a whole summer), which builds anticipation for the rare plates and gives a satisfying record of the journey.