When we're in the car, one easy way to combat the "are we almost there" whines from Mr. Third Grader is to play the Alphabet Game.

My husband hates this game, but I love it, since I'm the competitive sort anyway, and this game requires good powers of observation.

In case it's been a while since you've driven with a kid, here are the rules of the Alphabet Game:

  • Each player has to complete the alphabet on his or her own.
  • Players can only use the FIRST letter of a word or in a license plate.  The "A" in "Chick-Fil-A" counts.  The "A" in license plate 743ANRR does not.
  • Only the first player to call a letter seen on a sign, car, license plate or building gets that letter.
  • Letters must be seen on something outside the car.  Holding your cell phone out the window and pointing to the little tiny keyboard does not count.
  • Players must complete the alphabet in order.  Yes, that means you're going to get stuck on "Q."  Possibly for miles.
  • Players must be able to see the letter they're calling out in order to call it.  Just because you know there's a Wendy's around the corner with the "Quality is our recipe" slogan on the sign doesn't mean you get to call it before it's in sight.

Contrary to popular opinion (held by Mr. Third Grader), shouting out your letter does not endear you to the other people in the vehicle.

I figure that Mr. Third Grader is going to whine in the car no matter how you slice it--so we could listen to him whine about how long it's taking to get where we're going, or we could listen to him whine because someone else found that elusive "Q."

Besides, it's better than Punchbuggy.  At least no one gets hit.

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