| Cost | Free activity |
|---|---|
| Location | Anywhere in Australia – road trip game |
| Pet Friendly | N/A – Travel game |
| Campfires | N/A – Travel game |
| Facilities | No facilities required – just pen and paper |
| Vehicle Access | Played while travelling in vehicle |
| In Camps App | Download the Camps App for camping destinations |
We’ve been playing this for years in our family……following the grand tradition of car trips with the Aulds. Four siblings would be vying for the first “spotting” of cat/dog/cow/kangaroo (sign OK) etc…all for a few cents a find! A car trip full of peace and quiet was well worth the price of some scrap paper and a few coins.
Here are a few to get you started.
- surfboard on a car
- police car
- boat
- brumbies (extra if live)
- fire station
- windmill
- campervan
- Friesian cow
- playground
- person on a tractor
- train
- Aussie flag
- star
- 100 speed sign (this will frustrate them!)
- caravan
- digger
- P plate driver
- camera
- horseshoe
- HiWay 1 sign (or similar)
- strawberry
- motorbike
- aeroplane
- bicycle (double coin if person on it)
- red truck
- purple car
- ute with a big sticker
- chicken
- for sale sign
- kangaroo
You can spot any version: live/drawings/signs/images of the item. Adults may like to team up with the youngest in the car for fairer odds. Never mind if no one spots the item, just leave it on the table. It is great for memory retention and visual acuity, but most of all it is fun. Not good if you have some sleeping (can be noisy!) and if you have seriously competitive children you can divide the list up so only each of them can spot certain allotted ones.
I read out each item on my list, and have the kids write out their own words – ready to tick off. I needed to have new ones ready to add – 5 at a time, as the spotting is done.
You can even consider a collaborative approach – spotting them all as a team. But I would wager, there will still be bickering. On a positive note, it does while away the time.
You can adjust your lists depending on your location for the day – for instance, an anthill at Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory. Golf courses in The Nullarbor, and “Big Things” like Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana or the Big Merino in Goulburn, New South Wales.
You’ll be ready for a break (or have arrived at your destination) after these are done. Let us know how it went for you – or if you can recommend additions for future lists. Happy spotting!
Check out a couple more tips and our Spotto for adults!
If you would like order your own CAMPS Pendium, here is a special coupon code for you:
…and you’ll receive $20 off! Add the code into the checkout!
Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAMPS Spotto and how do you play it?
CAMPS Spotto is a car travel game where players compete to spot items from a list – including surfboards on cars, campervans, windmills, animals, and road signs. Each player writes their own list and ticks off items as they spot them. You can spot live versions, drawings, signs or images of each item. The first to spot something wins a few cents per find!
Is this game suitable for young children?
Yes, the game works well for families with children of various ages. Adults can team up with the youngest children for fairer odds. The game helps with memory retention and visual acuity while keeping kids entertained on long drives. Just be aware it can get noisy, so it’s not ideal when others are trying to sleep.
Can we customise the spotting list for different regions?
Absolutely! You can adjust your lists depending on your location – for instance, anthills at Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory, golf courses on the Nullarbor, or ‘Big Things’ like Coffs Harbour’s Big Banana or the Big Merino in Goulburn, New South Wales.
What if we have competitive children?
For seriously competitive children, you can divide the list so only each child can spot certain allotted items. Alternatively, consider a collaborative team approach where everyone works together to spot all items, though there will likely still be some bickering!
How many items should we have on the list at once?
Start with about 5 items at a time and add new ones as spotting is completed. This keeps the game manageable and maintains interest throughout the journey without overwhelming younger players.
What are some of the hardest items to spot?
The 100 speed sign will frustrate players! Belted Galloways (a specific breed of cow) are also rare finds. Extra points can be awarded for spotting live brumbies, a dog and cat on the same sign, or a person actually riding a bicycle rather than just the bike itself.
Do I need the Camps App to play this game?
No, you don’t need the app to play CAMPS Spotto – just pen and paper. However, the Camps App is perfect for finding your camping destinations along the way. You can also order a CAMPS Pendium with the code PENDIUM20 for $20 off.
What if no one spots an item on the list?
That’s perfectly fine – just leave it on the table. Not every item will be spotted on every journey, and that’s part of the fun. The game helps while away travel time whether items are found or not.
