Data-driven License Plate Game on Your Fun Trip

Collecting data while traveling with family

Allow your child to discover what state you are in while collecting and analyzing state plates’ symbols, colors, or slogans.

How to Play

This is a game to play as you travel with your family. Let your child to make a conclusion what state you are currently are. Allow your child write down each car's plates symbols, colors, or slogans. Afterward, he/she will be able to make the conclusions.

Step 1: Road trip time!

Vacation is an enjoyable and fun time with your family. If you have a road trip, it is even more enjoyable, unforgettable, and fun.

Let’s assume you are planning to travel from one state to another. For example, from Oregon to Illinois. Ask your child specifically, what state you are in currently even before starting to drive.

Step 2: Identifying States!

Make sure your child know how to read or recognize each state plates’ color, symbols and slogans.

For example, traveling from Oregon to Illinois, he/she should be familiar with states, including Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois.

Make some practice while you are in the current state. For example, if you are in Idaho, ask if he/she sees any plates’ color, symbol, or slogans and what states are they belonging.

In particular, if your child doesn’t know how to read, you should focus more on explaining colors and symbols. Be patient!

Step 3: Time to start the game

Provide your child a piece of paper and pen/pencil to take notes while traveling. Tell your child that he/she will take notes while seeing plates’ color, symbol, and slogan.

At least 35 cars, long vehicles, or buses. More data is better since more cars and long vehicle plates will be more accurate to predict where you are. Let your child collect data while you are driving.

Don’t interrupt him/her. Let him/her focus on collecting data. Write or draw him/her some informant to look before traveling, including each state color, symbol, and slogan.

Step 4: Predicting time

When you stop at the rest area, it is time to debrief. Based on collecting data, after 2 or 3 hours, ask your child what states are around Oregon he/she thinks.

What is the most frequent plates he/she has and why? Look at numbers and encourage him/her to interpret the numbers. Additionally, you would ask some leading questions such as why each state has specific color, symbol, or slogans.