Travelling on holiday? 3 fun language games for the car, campsite or breakfast table

We’re sitting in the car, on our way to the first destination of our road trip through southern Portugal. Our daughters in the back seat, my husband next to me, and the sun just starting to rise. We are really on holiday. And of course… we’re playing games.

I thought: I want to share these with you too, for your holiday with your children. Because how lovely is it when your child not only relaxes during summer, but also stays connected to the Dutch language in a fun and natural way?

No complicated lessons, no worksheets – just three playful activities. Or, as many parents call them: simple language games, speech and language games and language learning games that you can do anywhere. In the car, after breakfast or during a walk.

Whether you’re still doing online lessons or taking a short break: a little bit of language every day makes a big difference.

1. Language bingo: spotting Dutch words in real life

(one of our favourite Dutch language games for holidays)

Going for a walk in the mountains, to the beach or to a small village nearby? Turn it into a language walk!

Let your child look for or name Dutch words along the way, such as sand, tent, ice cream, flag, dog or rock.

Turn it into a bingo game: who finds five words first? You can draw five small pictures on a piece of paper that your child can cross off when they spot one.

Or add a little challenge to each word:

“We see an oak tree – can you make a sentence with that word?”
“Great, you spotted a cat – can you tell us three things about that cat in Dutch?”

This way, a simple walk becomes an exciting treasure hunt and one of those powerful language learning games where children practise without even noticing.

2. Rebus fun: draw and guess

(creative speech and language games for all ages)

This is my oldest daughter’s absolute favourite game! You’ll spend a few minutes drawing (don’t make it too difficult 😉), but on a campsite or during a quiet moment in the tent, that’s actually very nice.

Grab a pen and paper and draw yourself – or let your children create their own rebuses.

They draw pictures or symbols that together form a word or short sentence, for example:

🦷 + 🪥 = toothbrush

For children up to Grade 1 / Year 2, you draw the rebus and they guess.
From around Grade 3 and up, they can make their own rebuses for mum, dad, brothers or sisters.

Language, logic, creativity and fun in one – exactly why speech and language games are so valuable.

3. Audiobooks: stories for the car or the hammock

(relaxed language games without screens)

The moment we get into the car, my kids usually ask:
“When can we use the iPad?”

Of course, they sometimes watch a movie, but we try to limit screen time. So we often start with something else.

A golden tip for car rides or evenings in the tent: audiobooks.

There are so many beautiful Dutch stories to listen to – from classics to exciting children’s series (Dummie de Mummie, Superjuffie en Jip en Janneke).

Why are audiobooks so good for language development?

Your child hears:

• new vocabulary
• well-structured sentences
• clear pronunciation

Even while you’re resting on the beach or closing your eyes during the drive 😉. In a way, these are calm and effortless Dutch language games for the brain.

At last

Language is not something children have to practise.

Language is something you can enjoy together.

With a game.
With a walk.
With a beautiful story.

Just small moments in between.

And the wonderful thing is: children start to feel that Dutch is fun. Not because they must learn it, but because they are allowed to play with it. And because you, as a parent, show how valuable language can be.

Have a lovely holiday!

Would you like your child to stay connected to Dutch in a fun and relaxed way?
Sign up for a free trial lesson at Dutch for Kids or check out how we work at our online Dutch school.