Best Board Games & Card Games for Travel

Family vacations need entertainment and travel board games fit right in! So do many other card and dice games. So if you are wondering which board games to pick up for travelling for your next trip, read on.

This post covers some of the best light-weight board games that can be carried for family travel. Some travel board games are compact enough to be carried and played anywhere, on a plane or during a road trip. While some of the larger board games are best for check-in luggage and to be taken out at your destination. There are also many card and dice games covered that are great during flight delays, road trips, camping trips, and evenings spent around the table indoors.

Disclaimer: This helpful post contains some Affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of the links in this post (AND make a purchase) I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. As such I thank you in advance should you decide to click & buy.

15+ Best Travel Board Games

Travel Board Games are great to take on family trips. Not only can board games provide hours of entertainment, but they can also bring people closer together. Some board games are light and compact enough to carry on plane rides as well like Checkers, Pente, or Taboo. Others like Cribbage, Ticket To Ride, Trekking National Parks work better to carry for road trips.

You may ask, what about Top 3 Board Games for travel? Different sites have point system to rank the board games. The classic Monopoly is the most popular board game (not Travel Monopoly or Monopoly Cards), it holds the Guinness World Record for being played by the most people!

Azul

Azul makes for a great travel board game, be it for a couple or a family. In this game, each player gets a board that they take turns to decorate with coloured tiles. The patterns in which tiles have been placed affect the scores. Extra points are scored for specific patterns and completing sets. 

This tile placement strategy game has been inspired by he white and blue ceramic tiles introduced by the Moors to Spain. A Portuguese King visited Alhambra and ordered that his own palace in Portugal be decorated with similar wall tiles. And you get to be that tile-laying artist embellishing a Royal Palace in Azul!

Number of Players Required: This game can be played with 2-4 players.

Age Requirement: Suitable for individuals aged 8 years and older.

Buy the Game: Azul Board Game

We have taken Azul to countless road trips and weekend getaways. When you are at a mountain retreat and the sun goes down, it is great to bond over a board game or a card game to enjoy the evening. Plus it is one of our favourite games to be played at home with our daughter.

Recommended by Shweta of Zest In A Tote

Catan Dice Game

Catan’s Dice game is a great addition for any trip whether you’re entertaining your family, a small group of friends, or traveling solo. The creators made this version small, lightweight, and portable. It’s easy to throw into a purse, luggage, bag, or backpack. Whether you’re traveling by car or by plane, it’s a perfect travel game essential.

We camp often, and a lot of downtime is spent playing games with kiddos. This one is pretty popular, both indoors and out. It’s similar enough to appease Catan-fans, but unique enough to still have an easy learning curve. 

Players have two separate Island-board options to choose from on an included pad. You’re still building, but you’re rolling dice for resources and keeping tabs on your sheet. The winner is the first player to earn 10 victory points. 

Number of Players Required: Suitable for 1-4 players.

Age Requirement: Suitable for ages 7+.

Buy the Game: Catan Dice Game

It’s a quick, easy alternative to the large, original board game. It also works as a great introduction to the popular and classic game of Catan, for those that aren’t familiar with the original or are a little too young for it. 

In our opinion, its best feature is that you can play it with only a couple of people or completely by yourself. Kids love it. It’s a huge bonus that it can be easily taken almost anywhere.

Recommended by Rae Lynn of Naturally Oklahoma

Checkers

Checkers is a classic game that has been enjoyed for generations. It is known for its simple yet strategic gameplay. The travel version of Checkers with a soft board offers a fantastic solution for those looking for an easily portable game to take with them on their travels.

The soft board design of this checkers set makes it incredibly convenient for travel. Its flexibility allows it to be compacted into a small space, making it ideal for on-the-go entertainment. This feature is particularly beneficial for families with children, as the soft board is durable and resistant to bending and breaking, unlike traditional rigid boards. Additionally, the absence of a bulky box further enhances its portability. The game pieces and foldable soft board can easily be stored in a small bag, ready to be taken on any journey, whether by plane or RV, where space is often at a premium.

Number of Players Required: It is a two-player game

Age Requirement: Suitable for individuals aged 4 years and older.

Buy the Game: Checkers

This is a game we take with us on all of our travels. It is actually convenient that the game only allows for two players. Our kids always want us to play, but with Checkers they play against each other leaving us some time by ourselves.

Checkers with a soft board is an excellent travel board game that combines the timeless appeal with the practicality of a portable design, making it a must-have for any trip.

Recommended by Candice of Exploring the West Coast 

Clue / Cluedo

Clue / Cluedo has to be one of our all-time favourite board games, and we were excited to discover that there was a card version, too! The card version is based on the classic murder mystery board game of the same name and is much more than just a pack of cards.

Its compact design and simple gameplay make it a fantastic travel companion and an ideal option for those on the go. Whether you’re embarking on a road trip, taking a flight, or spending a weekend away, Clue easily slips into your bag or suitcase without taking up too much space.

Number of Players Required: All variants of the game require a minimum of 3 players and up to 6 depending on the version.

Age Requirement: Clue’s straightforward rules make it accessible to players of all ages. While the manufacturer recommends it for ages 8 and up, younger children can also enjoy the game with some assistance from older players, making it a versatile option for family vacations.

Buy the Game: Cluedo. For Harry Potter fans, there is even a HP Cluedo version available.

During a recent trek in the Nepalese Himalayas, we had limited evening entertainment options and plenty of downtime. Out came Clue! With no distractions, we immersed ourselves in the mystery of Boddy Manor, spending hours deducing, accusing, and strategizing. As the snow fell outside, tensions rose inside as accusations flew across the table. In the end, it wasn’t just Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Candlestick—it was us, bonding over shared laughter and suspense-filled moments. Clue transformed a potentially dull evening into one of family fun, proving its worth as the ultimate travel game.

Whether you’re travelling with kids or with friends, Clue’s friendly competition will keep you entertained for hours.

Recommended by Katie and Tom of Trekking the Dream!

Cockroach Poker

Make sure to pack your poker face on your next vacation, so you’re ready for a game of Cockroach Poker! This fun and easy game of deception is compact and portable, making it ideal for travel. 

Despite its name, Cockroach Poker has nothing to do with actual poker. Instead, it focuses solely on bluffing and is incredibly easy to get the hang of, making it ideal for kids and adults alike. The game comes with 64 ‘critter’ cards depicting 8 different creatures, such as rats, toads, spiders, and stink bugs. 

The object is to pass as many cards as possible to the other players, until someone collects 4 of the same critter, and loses the game. This is done by passing a card face down to one of the players and declaring what it is, whether truthfully or not. The player can either make a call on whether or not you’re bluffing, or choose to look at the card and pass it on, thereby becoming the deceiver. 

Number of Players Required: Cockroach Poker requires 2 to 6 players, making it a great game for families or groups of friends.

Age Requirement: Suitable for ages 8+.

Buy the Game: Cockroach Poker

This is not only a fun game for the players whose turn it is, but also for everyone else around the table, as they’re left guessing how the play is going to resolve. And although turns are usually fast, if you’re dealing with expert bluffers, the game can actually go on a while. I’ve found myself up late several times, playing a game full of suspense and laughter which just won’t end, creating some of my best memories I have from vacations with friends!

Recommended by Chanelle of Chasing Chanelle

Cribbage

Cribbage is an excellent board game for travel! This card game uses a board to count points that are made based on groups of cards that are played. Anyone who understands the rules of the game and can count the points can play Cribbage. The game uses a Cribbage board, a deck of cards, and pegs that track the points.

Cribbage boards fold and close, and the pegs are stored within the board. This makes the game very portable for travel. Cribbage can be taken with you to almost any vacation destination.

Number of Players Required: The game is traditionally played with 2 players. However, larger Cribbage boards can accommodate up to 4 players. The larger boards are still portable and not much larger than a traditional two-person board. 

Age Requirement: It is suitable for ages 8+.

Buy the Game: Cribbage

There always comes a time when we enjoy setting up our Cribbage board and playing a game. One of the perfect places to take a Cribbage board is on a cruise. Sea days on a cruise allow us to enjoy a restful day on board in between port days. Setting up our Cribbage board in either the library or outside on the deck is the perfect way to enjoy a few hours while we cruise at sea.  Another great vacation destination where we enjoy taking our Cribbage board is a tropical vacation. We love to play Cribbage while enjoying the ocean view from our deck. 

The best part about taking this game on our vacation is that all we add to our suitcase is a small folded cribbage board and a deck of cards.

Recommended by Rosby of Rosebee and Reya Adventures

Guess Who

Guess Who? was first released by Theora Design in 1979.  Since then, it has been a perfect travel companion. Its compactness allows you to fit it into your backpack or carry-on. So you can carry it around you on a trip and play on a commute or anywhere you need it to pass the time. Additionally, the setup and rules of the game are straightforward, making it easy for new players to learn and follow.

Number of Players Required: The game requires a minimum of 2 players who take turns asking yes or no questions to identify the opponent’s chosen character. Through clues and denominations, whoever guesses the opponent’s character first wins the game. Although the ideal game includes 2 players, families or friends can team up to guess each other’s character.

Age Requirement: The game is suitable for those aged 6 and older. It is good for keeping kids and adults guessing and entertained.

Buy the Game: Guess Who?

My family and I always played it on our holidays when I was younger. And I have since adopted this ritual into my relationship. When my girlfriend and I travel, we sometimes find little holes in our day where we must pass the time – this is where Guess Who comes in. Not long ago, we interrailed across Slovenia, we spent a day in Lake Bled and played this game in our accommodation. Let’s just say for morale, my girlfriend won 🙂

Recommended by Sam of Showcasing The Globe

Man, Don’t Get Angry / Ludo

Man, Don’t Get Angry, also known as Ludo, was the first game I ever learned to play. Back in the day, there was no internet, and TVs weren’t common in hotels or vacation houses. So card and board games were the only evening entertainment for kids while traveling.

It’s a great, simple game with just a few rules. Kids can start playing as soon as they learn to count. Now, 40 years later, with toddlers of my own, this game is what we play in hotels to keep the kids away from smartphones.

Number of Players Required: Only 2 players are needed for the game, but 3 or 4 people can play together. There are boards for 6 players as well, but these are just variations of the same game.

Age Requirement: 5 years and above.

Buy the Game: Ludo is super affordable.

This classic board game originated in India. Ludo is a generation game passed down to younger players for a century.

Recommended by Danielle from Theamazingtraveler

Mexican Train Game

The Mexican Train Game or Mexican Train Dominoes is a perfect game when on the go. It comes in a metal box that is easy to transport.

So how do you play this game? Each player has a pile of dominoes; the amount varies depending on how many people are playing. Additionally, there is a central pile that you will draw from if you cannot make a legal move. 

Play progresses clockwise. When it is their turn, the player begins to create their own chain of dominoes by matching the double domino in the center. If it has 6 dots, the player must start their chain with a domino with 6 dots. They draw from the joint pile if a player is unable to start their chain. If they still cannot play, they place their marker in its place to show that the train is open for others to play on. As play progresses, once they can make a legal move, they can remove their train/market and only they can play on their own train again.

Number of Players Required: It can be played with anywhere from 2 to 8 people. In my opinion, the game is most fun if you have at least 4 people playing. The more people, the more challenging!

Age Requirement: 8 years and above, as per the manufacturer. This game can be fun for all ages but to have the best chance of winning, strategy is involved. So, keep that in mind when deciding who to play against. 

Buy the Game: Mexican Train Dominoes

There is also a joint Mexican Train that everyone can play off. Sound easy? Well just wait until you find out about the rules surrounding doubles. Doubles can be great or throw a major wrench in your plans. Trust me on this!

Recommended by Morgan of Middletons on the Move 

Pente

Pente is a great travel game because of the simplicity of the materials and set-up. A board and 4 small bags of coloured stones, that’s it. And if you lose the stones while traveling, you can replace them with just about anything you can find on the road — bits of different colored corn chips, say, or M&Ms if it’s not too hot, pebbles, etc.

The classic version of Pente uses a soft roll-up board (like a mat) which is particularly well-suited for packing into a suitcase or daypack. The set-up requires merely placing the board onto a table or any other playing surface. Then players proceed placing a stone, one at a time, onto the board.

Number of Players Required: The game is for 2 to 4 players.

Age Requirement: 8 years and above, as per the manufacturer.

Buy the Game: Pente

You can learn it in a snap; there are just a few very straight-forward rules. Deceptively easy-looking, it’s a game of strategy. A “house rule” my husband and I came up with is, if you use M&Ms and you capture your opponent’s during the play of the game, then you get to eat the captives. While there are several ways to win the game, this rule of course tends to steer our strategies toward trying to win by captures.  

Recommended by Shara of SKJ Travel

Rummikub

Rummikub is a numbers-based game of strategy, based on the traditional card game of Rummy. The game is played with different colour and number tiles that make up the game’s pieces. It makes it a great option for a family game that can be enjoyed by all.

The game was first invented just after World War 2, demonstrating an impressive popularity that has endured for nearly 80 years! The game can be played as a single standalone round only to decide a winner, or multiple games can be combined with an ongoing score sheet to determine the grand champion.

Number of Players Required: Rummikub is played by 2-4 players.

Age Requirement: It is advertised as being suitable for children aged 7+. 

Buy the Game: Rummikub. It is also possible to buy a travel edition set, featuring smaller number tiles and folding number stands for easier transportation and use when on the move.

We recently enjoyed playing Rummikub as a family with our kids during a magical trip to Lapland in Finland. The game is easy to transport, set up and play, meaning it provided us with  perfect family entertainment for evenings spent keeping cosy in front of a roaring fire in our cabin.

Recommended by Rachel of Children of Wanderlust

Santorini

‘Santorini’, the board game, is a perfect travel board game to get you in the spirit for travel to any of the Greek islands. Inspired by the famous blue-domed churches in Santorini, this board game is a fun and cute strategy board game.

The board game incorporates Greek mythology, making it a fun way to get to know a little bit more about an important aspect of Greece’s history.

Number of Players Required: The game is best played with 2 players, but also works well with 3 or 4 players.

Age Requirement: It is best played with players ages 8 and up, as the strategy might be too complex for a younger child to understand.

Buy the Game: Santorini

While this game is a wonderful game to play at home, it’s even more special to bring this game along with you while you are on a trip to Santorini! The game does not have many pieces to it, so it would be easy to bring along in your suitcase and play on your patio while overlooking Santorini’s caldera.

This board game is actually what inspired me to want to visit Santorini, because I wanted to see the blue-domed churches in real life, after ‘building’ them many times while playing the board game. 

Recommended by Jess from Travel + Tannins

Taboo

Taboo is one of my favorite board games, and one of the best board games for travelers too! It is a word game, so best suited for language lovers, and I always have it with me when I travel to Korea. Taboo is an extremely space-efficient game to bring on holiday. The main thing you will need to carry with you is the pack of cards in the set. The other items, such as the notepad and timer, can be substitute for with your mobile phone.

The idea of Taboo is to have your team members guess the word you’re describing. In the process, you can not mention the other words that are written on the same card.

Number of Players Required: You will need a minimum of 4 players for Taboo (1 person to describe and 1 person to guess, per team). Conversely, there is no maximum number.

Age Requirement: The game is PG, but obviously it is more interesting if everyone’s vocabulary is around the same level. (So a 40 year old playing with a 4 year old may find it a little boring.)

Buy the Game: Taboo

Sometimes, when I don’t bring the set with me on holiday, my friends and I still manage to get a game going, by creating our own set of cards. Every player writes down a number of words on pieces of paper, the head words. Along with each word, the player also writes down 5 synonyms or related words. These are the words that can not be mentioned when describing the head word. The teams exchange the cards they came up with, and it’s game time!

Recommended by Zhen of A Love Letter to Asia

Ticket To Ride

Ticket to Ride is a great game for travel. Don’t let the game box fool you, it can seem like an overwhelming amount of game items, but all you need is the cards, board and just enough colored train pieces per person traveling!

The game itself inspires travel. You will be accumulating points by completing different train routes across North America and getting the longest route! Its travel theme is a perfect backdrop to your road trip, cottage weekend or cozy winter holiday. It is a large board game so not apt for plane rides, but totally worth taking on your next road trip.

Number of Players Required: Ticket to Ride can be played with 2-5 players. The game is best played with 4 people, however, if you are in a couple you can still thoroughly enjoy it and have a great game night!

Age Requirement: The minimum age requirement for this game is 8 years of age.

Buy the Game: Ticket to Ride. There is a Europe version as well.

Tip: Try and get the longest routes – Los Angeles to Miami and Vancouver to Montreal, this will get you one step closer to the extra 10 points with the longest route.

Ticket to Ride’s theme is all about travel. Let it be an inspiration for your next North American road trip; find different routes and undiscover unusual ways to get from Place A to B. 

Recommended by Joanna of Plan Before Land

Travel Monopoly

Travel Monopoly is a compact form of the classic Monopoly game. It has been a saviour for all my trips. It is mini and lightweight and hence it takes less space. This game is a perfect match for long bus or train journeys with loved ones. It’s quick and easy to play. If you need to kill time before your next trip, this is the perfect game for you.

It’s just as fun as the original game and doesn’t take as long. The game is easy to set up and carry because the components are small and the board is simple. Each game of Travel Monopoly reminds you of different European destinations.

Number of Players Required: It can be played with 2 to 4 people.

Age Requirement: Travel Monopoly is good for anyone aged 8 and up, so both kids and grown-ups can have fun with it.

Buy the Game: Travel Monopoly

I remember a rainy afternoon in a cosy cabin in the mountains, where Travel Monopoly turned a sad day into one full of fun and competition. Sitting at the little table, we were able to pass the time and learn a lot about real estate and money thanks to the game.

Just get the Travel Monopoly online and you will have no trouble bringing it with you on any of your trips away. It’s definitely one of the best things to fill your time with, be it on the bus, the plane, or a car. 

Recommended by Lavina of Continent Hop

Trekking the National Parks

One of the best travel games is Trekking the National Parks. If you love national parks and are looking for an easy strategic game, you will love this game! 

My family enjoys renting cabins and going to visit the national parks. This game is so fun to play on vacation or even at home. We like learning about all the national parks and it makes us excited to visit all of them. 

The game board is a map of the USA with all of the national parks listed. Each player will trek around visiting the national parks. The game has a few objectives and ways to win.  As you visit the national parks you will collect colorful stones and cards.  If you have the specific cards you can claim a national park. It takes about 40-60 minutes to play a complete round.

Number of Players Required: The game can accommodate 2-6 players. 

Age Requirement: This family game is designed for ages 10+. (Younger kids can play with the help of adults.)

Buy the Game: Trekking National Parks

You can also camp at major national parks such as Zion, Acadia, Grand Canyon, Everglades, Yellowstone, Denali, and other popular parks. When you camp at each of these parks you will be given special abilities to help you in the game. This game is easy and fun to play with the whole family. 

Recommended by Lisa of Planning Away

Wingspan

Wingspan is a strategic board game that is perfect for traveling. It features engaging gameplay and stunning artwork that makes it an excellent choice to play during a slow travel.

The game revolves around building your own bird empire. Over 4 rounds, you play bird cards, gather food, lay eggs, and use the birds’ abilities. Finally, you add up your points, and the person with the most victory points wins. What’s really cool about Wingspan is the variety of birds. This means every game is different, so it never gets boring. 

Number of Players Required: This game is designed to be played by 1 to 5 players.

Age Requirement: It is suitable for ages 10 and up. You can enjoy it with your family, friends, or even by yourself.

Buy the Game: Wingspan

The game offers many ways to win. I first found out about Wingspan on my trip to Vienna. My friends and I played it a lot, and I enjoyed trying out different strategies, such as focusing on quests, using bonus cards, collecting eggs, or selecting birds with high victory points. This diversity in strategies kept the game fresh and exciting, even after multiple rounds.

The artwork on the cards is also incredible. Each bird is drawn beautifully, which made the game even more enjoyable for us.

Recommended by Gladis of Happiness on the Way

10+ Best Card / Dice Games for Travel

Looking for options for entertainment during plane rides or long road trips? While board games for travel work well once you reach your vacation spot, card or dice games can be pulled put en route to the vacation spot. Here are some amazing card and dice games, perfect for travelling.

Bananagrams

Bananagrams is perfect for travelling as it is a fun and compact word game that requires minimal equipment. It brings all the fun of Scrabble into a compact size, with its banana-shaped storage bag and letter tiles.

The goal is to use up all your letters first, in a crossword-style format, once the draw pile has been exhausted. Each time a player has used all their tiles, they call out ‘peel’ and everyone picks up until there are less tiles left than players in the centre. The challenge is reworking your existing grid to fit your new letters and it really does gets you thinking!

Number of Players Required: Bananagrams is for 1 to 8 players.

Age Requirement: It is recommended for ages 7 and up since you do need to have a reasonable vocabulary and spelling skills to play.

Buy the Game: Bananagrams

I initially purchased the game for my parents who live full-time in a converted bus and have limited space. Mum loves playing solo, which is another great thing about this game, with multiple ways to play. We now have our own Bananagrams that comes with us whenever we go on a family road trip, but we play it just as often at home too. It has been a great way to challenge the kids with their spelling and critical thinking skills. 

Recommended by Holly from Four Around The World

Exploding Kittens

One travel game I always take on family vacations with me is Exploding Kittens. This great little card game is like a cute version of Russian Roulette but instead of guns, the aim of the game is to avoid the exploding kittens that are hiding in the deck.

This game is perfect for travel as it provides hours of entertainment and is super compact. It’ll fit easily in hand luggage and doesn’t require a board to play. Players receive 7 cards each at the start of the game. The idea is to help them avoid that exploding kitten card and outlast their competitors. Every play-through is different as you plan and plot to manipulate the cards to give your opponents an exploding kitten.

The game is loads of fun. You have to be cunning, plan your moves and have a bit of luck. The various cards give you multiple ways to stay in the game and the cute drawings will bring lots of laughter for their quirky and cartoony style.

Number of Players Required: The game can be played by 2 to 5 players.

Age Requirement: It is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Buy the Game: Exploding Kittens Card Game

We first brought Exploding Kittens on a family holiday to Valencia, and it quickly became part of our evening plans. Every evening after returning from a day of sightseeing, and someone would say ‘Anyone fancy a game of Exploding Kittens?’. By the end of the trip, it became part of our daily routine, and it is now an essential item to pack on our trips.

Recommended by Liam of Travels Around Spain

Farkle

One of our favorite family travel games is Farkle. It’s perfect for vacations because all you need is dice and either a scorecard or a pencil and paper (to make your own scorecard). I keep a set of six dice in my laptop bag, purse, and car so we are always ready to play.

Number of Players Required: Farkle can be played with as few as 2 people to up to 6 or 8, so it’s a terrific option no matter how large your group.

Age Requirement: The makers of the game suggest ages 8+ but with a little assistance, you might be able to stretch that to a 7-year old. 

Buy the Game: Farkle

Last summer, while on a weekend getaway to a nearby city, we played a few rounds of Farkle while sitting at a picnic table at a park listening to a live band. It made a relaxing evening even more fun!

In fact, whenever we find ourselves listening to music at a brewery or winery, sitting in a hotel room but not quite ready to go to bed, or even taking a break at a table by the pool, I’ll pull out the dice and our family will start to play. Through the years, we’ve had so much fun playing Farkle – both on the road and at home on family game night! 

Recommended by Pam Howard of Our Adventure Is Everywhere

Guess in 10

Guess in 10 is the perfect card game for travel. It packs easily (you only need the cards to be able to play), it does not require any small pieces that can get lost, and you play out loud! 

Each Guess in 10 game includes a theme (animals, food, sports, etc.) that all of the cards are centered around. Each card contains 2 ‘buzz words’ that one player will read out loud. The other players will then try to guess what it is by asking questions (10 or less). If you guess correctly within 10 questions, you get to keep the card. The first player to collect 7 cards wins the game.

Number of Players Required: It is recommended for 2-6 players.

Age Requirement: Guess in 10 is perfect for families with younger and older kids because they offer a regular version (ages 6 +) and a junior version (ages 3-6).

Buy the Game: Guess in 10

Our family loves the junior version for younger kids! Because it travels so easily and with so few pieces, this game is a good kids’ travel activity for car and plane travel. It is also great for camping because it requires no batteries or electricity to play. We highly recommend this game for families with kids of all ages and even adults traveling without kids.

Recommended by Brianna of Third Row Adventures

Kids Create Absurdity

Kids Create Absurdity is a laughter-packed card game. Though it comes in a box, you can easily slip the cards into a sealable or zippered bag and pop it into a purse or backpack pocket. It’s also a great family game night, so even when not traveling its allows for playing anytime! 

A player gets a card with a funny statement with a fill-in-blank in the sentence. Other players have cards with the fill-in answers, always absurd or funny. The player with the original statement picks the preferred answer and points are scored!

Number of Players Required: It is designed for a minimum of 3 players with no upper limit.

Age Requirement: This game welcomes participants of all ages, though it especially fun for children aged 7 and up, making it a great choice for families on the move. 

Buy the Game: Kids Create Absurdity

Its ease of portability ensures it travels around with you anywhere. Tedious waits or long flights, it’s a great way to spend time when waiting around. Kids Create Absurdity was one of our favorite games while we did a private tour of Poland in the summer, as car travel times were many hours long some days. It helped the time pass comically, and sometimes the kids preferred to keep playing when we would return to the hotel in the evening.

Recommended by Diana of Travels in Poland

Pass the Pigs

Our family loves playing games when we travel, but as a mom, I try to pack as light as possible.  Enter Pass the Pigs!  It’s tiny (it fits in the palm of my hand) so I can keep it in my carry-on bag or purse, it’s entertaining, it doesn’t take a lot of space to play, and my kids are always happy to play it.  

We recently broke it out at the airport on a long layover at the Doha airport and it kept all 3 of my boys (ages 3, 6, 9) busy for 30 minutes – a miracle in my traveling world!  At home, it lives in our game closet and it’s also easy to throw in my purse to take to restaurants so we have something to do while we’re waiting for our food to arrive.

Number of Players Required: The game requires 2 players, but you can even play with a larger group.  

Age Requirement: It’s simple enough that all ages can play or contribute. While Pass the Pigs requires some math skills, an older kid or adult can help with the addition, and toddlers can even ‘roll’ the pigs to play.

Buy the Game: Pass the Pigs

I’ve purchased many travel games for our family, and Pass the Pigs is one that’s stayed with us over the years – and hopefully for many more!

Recommended by Candice of The Tuscan Mom

Roll For It!

Roll For It is a great travel game due to its compact size. The box measures 6” x 4” (the size of a small book) and weighs less than five ounces, ideal for limited luggage space. 

The simple game is easy to learn. Players are required to roll coloured dice to match sets on cards. Each card won gives them points. The winner is declared once a player wins a certain number of points. Since you can roll the dice in the box lid, you can play on a train, plane, or airport.

Number of Players Required: The game can be played by 2 to 4 players.

Age Requirement: It is a game meant for all ages, from ages 8 and up.

Buy the Game: Roll For It

We like to cruise, and some itineraries, like repositioning cruises, come with many sea days. We like to play “Roll For It” while at sea by packing our go-to game.

You can purchase the game in a red or purple box. While the rules are the same, one box has opaque dice and the other translucent. By buying both sets, you can increase the number of players to eight, making the game much more challenging.

Recommended by Karen of Forever Karen

Set Card Game

“Set” is a card game that we love to pack when traveling. It’s lightweight, barely takes up any space, which makes it perfect to take along camping in our tiny Teardrop Trailer. Set is also a fantastic way to spend some downtime at the hotel, or while waiting for your flight at the airport.

In fact, we learned to play this game while traveling on a Polar Bear expedition up in Churchill, Manitoba. We had some downtime in the evenings, and given that we were on a Tundra Buggy in the middle of nowhere, this was the perfect way to pass the time. It was also a wonderful way to get to know our fellow travelers and make new friends.

Number of Players Required: The game is designed for 1 to 8 players. This also makes the game ideal for families.

Age Requirement: It is perfect for any group size and is suitable for anyone aged 6 and up.

Buy the Game: Set Card Game

The game starts with 12 cards laid face up on the table. The objective of “Set” is to identify patterns and sets from the cards dealt. Players look for sets of three cards where each feature (color, shape, and shading) is either all the same or all different. It sounds easy, but it is actually quite challenging. The winner of the game is the player who has the most cards when the deck runs dry.

You will need some room to play this game (on an airplane would not work), and it does take some time. But the game is a lot of fun and can get quite competitive!

Recommended by Marianne of Teardrop Travel Tales

Sibley Birder’s Trivia

Embark on a birding adventure like never before with Sibley Birder’s Trivia, a great travel game for families passionate about nature and birdwatching. Sibley Birder’s Trivia is an ideal choice for families seeking educational and entertaining activities during their outdoor travels. Its compact size makes it easy to pack for any journey, ensuring endless entertainment on the go.

What sets Sibley Birder’s Trivia apart is its dynamic range of questions, catering to varying levels of expertise. From beginner-friendly queries to challenges that stump even the most avid birdwatchers, every round promises fun for all. Delve into fascinating facts about local and migratory birds, enriching your understanding of the natural world. 

Number of Players Required: Perfect for 2 or more players.

Age Requirement: With 400 questions, this game offers an enriching experience for travelers of all ages, from beginner birdwatchers to seasoned birders. 

Buy the Game: Sibley Birder’s Trivia

When I discovered this game, I took it on a road trip during the summer. I am an experienced birder whereas my partner is a beginner. The questions challenged both of us and sparked discussions about birds. Each question became a window into the world of birds where we both continued to learn.Whether you’re igniting a passion for birdwatching or seeking to deepen your own knowledge, Sibley Birder’s Trivia promises hours of fun and discovery amidst the beauty of the great outdoors.

Recommended by Melanie of The World Travel Girl

Spot It!

I love Spot It! as my go-to travel game. It’s a speedy card game that comes in a small tin can, is easy to teach, and gets competitive. Think of it as a cross between Slapjack and I Spy.

There are a few different ways to play the game, but essentially you have a common card in the center of the table with a bunch of random images like a snowflake, a ladybug, or a baby bottle. You have to find a matching image on your card before you put it on top of the common card. The frustrating part is that every card has at least one match to every other card, but because the images are random and in different sizes on every card, it’s hard to “spot it” fast. Whoever finishes their stack of cards first wins.

Number of Players Required: Spot It! is a 2-8 player game.

Age Requirement: This is for ages 6+, but don’t think that because young kids can play that it’s not challenging for adults too! 

Buy the Game: Spot It!

Spot It! is a fast game where each round only takes a few minutes so it was the perfect game to play while on the ferry crossings as I was hunting the Northwest Trolls in Seattle.

Recommended by Tabitha of Travel Compositions

Sushi Go!

Sushi Go! is a fun, fast-paced card-passing game where players aim to score the most points by making the best combinations of dishes like sashimi, tempura, and nigiri. The art and theme are cute, light-hearted and appealing, making it an excellent family-friendly game. Both adults and children will find it enjoyable.

Overall, Sushi Go! is pretty easy to learn. The game is played over three rounds, and players must strategically select sushi-themed cards that combo well together to maximize their points. Each type of card has its scoring system or special ability, allowing players to tailor the gameplay experience by choosing different menus for each game.

Sushi Go! is also one of the best family games for travel. It comes in a small box that’s easy to pack and doesn’t require a lot of space to play. The quick gameplay makes the game ideal for playing on the go, such as during train journeys or in hotel rooms.

Number of Players Required: It is designed for 2-5 players (or up to 8 with the Sushi Go Party! version).

Age Requirement: It’s suitable for ages 8 and up.

Buy the Game: Sushi Go!. And there is a Sushi Go Party version as well.

We taught our niece and nephew how to play Sushi Go! while unwinding at a traditional ryokan in Hakone, Japan. They quickly grasped the rules and came up with their own strategy to outplay us. Ever since they learned to play, visiting Japanese restaurants has become an even more exciting experience for the kids. They now view each dish differently, comparing the real-life food to their favorite Sushi Go! cards.

Recommended by Sophie of Delightful Travel Notes

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

One of our family’s favourite travel board games is Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. Our kids are now teens and adults, and it’s the one game we play that never ends in bickering and almost always has us erupting in laughter. The game is classified as a “social card game,” but you do need a table to play.

Essentially, there are 8 different picture cards: taco, cat, goat, cheese, pizza AND narwhal, groundhog and gorilla. The entire deck is dealt out, and the goal is to be the first to get rid of your pile. Sounds easy, right? Well, here’s the twist! As you go around the table, each person placing a card on the pile on their turn, you say — IN ORDER — taco, cat, goat, cheese, pizza.

Player one flips a card and says taco. Player two flips their card and says cat. And so on. If the card played matches the word said, everyone races to slap their hand on the pile. The last player loses and gets the cards added to their stack. Then, to make it more confusing, the narwhal, gorilla and groundhog cards have special actions to take before you slap the pile when they’re flipped.

Number of Players Required: It is designed for 3 to 8 players.

Age Requirement: The game is recommended for ages 8 and up.

Buy the Game: Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

We played with our daughter over spring break, and she had a few issues distinguishing between a narwhal and a gorilla and all her cards flew. Trust us, it’s hilarious fun!

Recommended by Karen of Family Travels on a Budget

UNO

Who hasn’t heard of this card shedding game? UNO is the classic family card game that’s easy to learn and so much fun to play. It is so easy to take a pack (or 20 of UNO cards inn your carry-on bag for a flight, or a road trip, or just about anywhere. It’s a quick, fast and fun travel game to play.

To start a hand, 7 cards are dealt to each player, and the top card of the remaining deck is flipped over and set aside to begin the discard pile. In a race to deplete your hand, you must match one of your cards with the current card shown on top of the deck by either colour or number.

The deck contains cards of 4 colour suits (red, yellow, green, blue), action cards (Skip, Draw Two, and Reverse). The deck also contains special cards (Wild cards, Wild Draw Four, Wild Shuffle Hands and Wild Customizable).

Number of Players Required: It is designed for 2-10 players, so it’s perfect for a couple, a family or even a large group.

Age Requirement: The game is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Buy the Game: UNO Card Game

It is our favourite card game to carry on flights. We sometimes startle fellow passengers with our enthusiasm on shouting UNO when one of us is down to one card (and close to winning!)

Recommended by Shweta of Zest In A Tote

Here are some more Travel Tips for your upcoming family vacation:

Top Tips for flying with a baby

Travel activities for kids

Beat Jet Lag like a Pro

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Do you enjoy games during travel? Which is your favourite one?

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