Are there any childhood memories more cherished than playing board games with family?
Whether it’s camping and playing cards by flashlight or enjoying games together at home, we treasure these moments. Whenever we travel, I always pack a deck of cards, ready to pull it out if things get slow. Our assortment of travel-friendly card and board games has helped us through countless flight delays, long road trips, and rainy days!
I’m sure many families share our love for game nights. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best board games for travel, so you can pick up a few before your next trip.
Our list features classic yet travel-friendly games, some with modern twists and others that are brand new. We’ve included educational games to teach kids valuable skills like strategic thinking, alongside some purely silly options, and at least one that’s a bit gross. However, they’re all family-friendly and great for playing with kids or friends on vacation. We hope you discover a few games that will keep your family entertained, help you disconnect from screens, and create wonderful vacation memories!
Best Small Travel Board Games
1. Quadro Magnetic Travel Chess
Let’s start with a classic! Chess is a fantastic game to start at a young age, teaching children patience and cognitive reasoning. What better time to learn than during vacation when there’s plenty of downtime?
This travel set is ideal for your journeys. It features a magnetic board, so you don’t have to worry about losing pieces while playing on the go. Plus, the board folds up compactly to keep everything secure. This mini travel game set also includes Checkers and Backgammon, making it a must-have for any child to learn.
2. Battleship
This iconic game of strategy and deduction is a classic for a reason! Carefully arrange your fleet and aim to sink your opponent’s ships before they sink yours.
The travel edition comes with two battleship stations, which close firmly to keep pieces safe and open up to create a privacy shield from prying eyes. The pegs and ships fit snugly into the board holes, allowing you to play without worrying about pieces getting knocked over or lost.
3. Forbidden Island
Contrary to many games on this list, this is a cooperative game where players must work together to win. Kids will learn about teamwork and make strategic decisions while having a blast on a treasure-hunting adventure!
The game includes various cards, tokens, and figurines and can be played on any flat surface instead of a traditional board. It comes in a tin case, which is slightly larger for travel, but for a more convenient option, consider a travel case available on Amazon.
4. Pop-o-Matic Trouble Grab and Go
This travel-sized version of the classic game includes the signature Pop-o-Matic dice roller, allowing kids to roll without losing the dice. After racing their tokens around the board, players simply snap the lid back on to store everything securely.
5. Connect Four
One of the simplest and most enjoyable board games for travel is Connect Four. It encourages children to plan ahead and consider their strategies as they attempt to outsmart you in this family favorite. The travel version features a lightweight, foldable board, with counters stored inside for safekeeping.
6. Where to?
What better vacation activity than a game about exploring the world? This game allows young adventurers to learn geography and discover 50 destinations as they try their luck and create memories to win. The board packs down into a thin box, making it easy to travel with you to your next stop.
Best Tile and Dice Games
7. Travel Scrabble
No games list would be complete without Scrabble! This compact version is perfect for travel, featuring secure tile clips and racks with privacy shields to help keep your spot while stopping mid-game. Ideal for word enthusiasts on the go.
8. Bananagrams
This fast-paced word game is perfect for travel since it requires no board or pen—just a flat surface! Players race to form words with their tiles with no waiting for turns, making it an engaging and educational experience. The game comes in a playful banana-shaped bag for easy transport and is available in several editions for various ages and group sizes.
9. Qwirkle
With its bright colors and strategic gameplay, Qwirkle challenges players to think logically as they place tiles of different shapes and colors next to each other. The travel edition comes in a soft bag and doesn’t require a board, just a piece of paper and a pen for scoring.
10. Hive Pocket
This award-winning strategy game features 22 tiles in two colors, each representing different insects with unique movement patterns. The goal is to surround your opponent’s Queen while protecting your own. Hive requires no board, just a flat surface for play, and the pocket version is highly portable.
11. Pass The Pigs
One of the easiest travel games for kids, this simple yet entertaining game involves rolling two pigs like dice. Points are scored based on how the pigs land, providing easy fun. The game includes a rolling cup and lid to keep everything organized, making it a compact option for game time.
12. Catan Dice Game
While the traditional Catan game is bulky for travel, the Catan dice game is lightweight and portable. It includes 6 colorful dice and a pad of maps to record scores. Ideal for solo players or strategic thinking, it’s great for discovering and exploring new worlds.
Best Small Card Games
13. Playing Cards
A staple for any trip is a regular deck of playing cards. With endless game possibilities that cater to all ages— from simple games like snap and rummy for younger kids, to poker and blackjack for teenagers, and solitaire for calmer afternoons. One of my best travel tips is always to pack a deck of cards; this waterproof deck is contained in a hard case to ensure longevity during your travels.
14. UNO
This classic family card game involves getting rid of all your cards while making others draw more. Who doesn’t remember the excitement of “picking up four”? Compact in size, this game is perfect for travel and comes in various editions, including customizable versions and themed decks for younger children.
15. Monopoly Deal
Monopoly Deal transforms the classic board game into a fast-paced card game where players aim to collect three full sets of properties. With games lasting as little as 15 minutes, it eliminates the hassle of paper money and lengthy game play, making it ideal for travel.
16. Clue
This version of Clue simplifies the classic murder mystery experience into a card game where players solve the mystery using clearly defined suspects, locations, and motives. All that’s required is the cards and a flat surface to play, making it easy and fun for kids to explore their detective skills!
17. Pictionary Cards
A travel-friendly version of Pictionary, this game combines charades and clue cards for lively family fun. Teams race to act out their clues, providing entertainment for everyone involved.
18. Dobble / Spot it!
This fast-paced card game is a household favorite, where players quickly match cards featuring various images. As everyone races to collect cards, the game turns competitive and exciting, making it great for vacations.
19. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Though simple, this fun game requires a surprising amount of skill. Players reveal cards and call out the names of unique animals, hoping for a match between the card and the word they just said. If a player slips up, they must pick up all the cards!
20. Taco vs Burrito
This delightfully quirky game invites players to create the craziest meal possible for points while dodging obstacles like tummy aches and health inspectors. The unpredictable nature keeps everyone engaged, making it a fun option for family game nights.
21. Poo Pocalypse
If your family appreciates toilet humor, this strategic card game involves players battling to become the “Poo King” while avoiding attacks from others. With clever card designs, it’s a humorous addition to any travel game collection.
22. Love Letter
If princesses are more your family’s style, try this game of deduction and luck where players race to deliver their love letters. It’s compact and includes cards and tokens, ideal for travel. The latest edition features a more diverse cast of characters.
23. Kids Against Maturity
This family-friendly version of the popular card game follows a question and answer format with players submitting their funniest responses. It includes age-appropriate humor and allows for expansion packs to enhance the fun!
24. Jungle Speed
This rapid-fire game of pattern recognition involves players flipping cards to match patterns, racing to grab the totem pole when they do. It’s perfect for family fun and can be easily packed away into a small bag.
We hope you’ve found a few games on this list that can keep your family engaged and entertained for hours—especially if the weather isn’t cooperating! Enjoy your travels and happy gaming!
Do you have any favorite travel games that we didn’t include?
