travel games kid

15 Best Travel Games for Kids and Families to Play in Cars, Planes and Hotels

From toddlers to teenagers, these games will make time fly on your next road trip or plane ride.

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For the younger kids, you'll want to opt for a self-contained game to prevent pieces from getting lost. For older kids, we suggest more complex games to hold their attention for hours — just look for ones that can be played on a flat but compact surface, like plane tray-tables or even the RV floor. But no matter where you're going or how you plan on getting there, there are plenty of choices to keep your family (or even just yourself!) playing and laughing for hours. So before you pack up your suitcase and head out, check out all of our favorite travel games below. Looking for more family fun? Don't miss our roundups of the best beach games , the best board games for families and the best video games , too.

MONOPOLY Monopoly Deal Card Game

You can't bring the full-size board game on the road, so bring this fast-paced playing card version of Monopoly instead. Players collect properties as they use action cards to earn money throughout the game — no houses, die or game pieces necessary! Ages 8+

Bananagrams

Bananagrams comes in a cute, banana-shaped pouch that's easy to pack in your purse — the perfect game to play in case you're left with time to kill before you can check into your hotel room! Race your family to be the first one to build a crossword using all your tiles. Ages 7+

Hasbro Gaming Yahtzee Handheld Digital Game

Take the electronic version of the classic game on the go without worrying about losing dice . It's perfect for passing across the plane row to see who can get the best score. Ages 8+

SmartGames IQ Fit

This compact logic game is fun for one or many brains. The goal is to fit all the 3D pieces in the correct formation according to one of 100 different challenges. Ages 6+

Mattel Games Apples to Apples Mod Card Game

This version of the family favorite comes in convenient packaging that makes it easy to bring the fun wherever you go. Throw the pack in with your picnic for a day of playing games at the park. Ages 12+

Think Fun Fifteen Puzzle

While you run errands, your kid can stay busy by solving this old-school puzzle over and over again — and yes, that's the same design from your childhood. Ages 8+

PlayMonster Pop-a-Tops Match-a-Martian

Pop-a-Tops' cute UFO shaped game has a domed top that keep the dice contained and the cards fit into the body of the spacecraft. Give the container a "pop" (get it?) to roll the dice without worrying about losing them under the table. Ages 6+

Hasbro Gaming Clue Card Game

Enjoy the classic mystery game without all the small pieces (where did the candlestick go, anyway?) Now everyone in the family can play detective everywhere you go! Ages 8+

Farkel Pocket Dice Game

This travel dice game is small enough to stash just about anywhere, even in just your pocket . Since it's easy to put away too, you can take it out when you're sitting around waiting on food or on play it on tray tables without worrying about rushing to clean up. Ages 4+

Crayola Wonder Mess Free Coloring Activity Set

This coloring activity set comes with a hard shell case to store the coloring sheets, markers, stamps and ink pads all in one place. Since the Color Wonder markers can only draw on Color Wonder coloring pages, you don't have to worry about cleaning up stray marks . Age 3+

Tamagotchi Star Wars: R2-D2 Classic White

Take care of this pocket-sized friend by teaching them all kinds of tricks and playing one of the seven mini-games you can unlock. Ages 8+

This word guessing game is great to pull out when you're waiting around in the airport when your plane is inevitably delayed. Try and come up with as many words as you can before the timer runs out. Ages 8+

Hasbro Gaming Guess Who? Card Game

Like the other card games on this list, this playing card version of Guess Who? allows you to bring the classic guessing game along for the ride . Ages 4+

Frequent Flyer Game

While this board game isn't exactly travel friendly, it is a great way to teach your child the ins and outs of traveling before embarking on your family adventure together. Choose your home city and race to be the first to visit all 20 airports including JFK, BOS and DFW. Ages 8+

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo's newest console can easily convert from a home system to a portable system by detaching from the dock. So you can bring games like Mario Kart 8 , Super Mario Odyssey , and The Legend of Zelda basically anywhere. Ages 6+

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab provides expert reviews and advice on everything parents and children love. Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman has been testing games and toys for nearly 15 years and has served on several ASTM committees that help guide industry product testing standards. She has three toddlers who actively support her in her testing pursuits, too.

As the assistant to the Good Housekeeping Institute Director, Abigail Bailey regularly tests all manner of products and toys — and she has two younger siblings who graciously support her through game testing.

Abigail (she/her) is product reviews writer who has covered everything from kitchen gear to mattresses and smart blinds. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. in creative writing and earned her M.S. in publishing digital and print media from New York University. She currently works at Wirecutter, but has also spent time on staff at Good Housekeeping and The Southern Review literary magazine. In her free time you can find her quilting, cross-stitching or trying to figure out how to squeeze one more bookshelf in her tiny apartment. 

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25 Travel Games That Make Time Fly for Kids and Families

So fun, they’ll forget to ask “Are we there yet?”

Getting ready to pack your suitcases and hit the road? Don’t forget the travel games! Whether you’re taking a road trip and need a little quiet in the backseat, or want to have some entertainment on hand in case of rainy days at the beach, these travel games for kids and families are worth including in your luggage. Bon voyage!

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)

1. Shotgun!

The two hundred cards in this road trip game are full of fun discussion prompts, challenges, and activities. Reviewers note that teens, as well as younger kids, are sure to enjoy this one.

2. Scavenger Hunt for Kids Travel Card Game

Scavenger hunts are some of our favorite travel games for kids! The goal here is to be the first to find the objects listed on 10 cards. This game has endless replayability, no matter where you go.

3. Auto Bingo

Here’s a cool twist on the scavenger hunt—bingo! Each reusable card has lots of items to look for. The first one to get five in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonally) wins!

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4. Train of Thought

This discussion game is really more about interacting as a family rather than a competition, although the goal is to collect and answer three cards in each category. There are hilarious activity cards mixed in to keep you on your toes.

5. Guess in 10

The Guess in 10 series is a little like 20 Questions. Each card contains something for the other team to guess (like cities around the world), but they only get to ask 10 questions. Clue cards offer a bit of help as teams try to be the first to guess 7 cards correctly. Other options in the series include dinosaurs, sports, and animals.

6. Battleship Grab & Go

This classic is one of the best travel games for kids! The game boards are compact and hold everything you need to be able to say, “You sunk my battleship!”

7. Flip to Win Memory Game

Memory (also called Concentration) usually involves a pack of cards laid out in rows. This travel version is ideal for car trips since it uses flip tabs instead of individual cards. It comes with seven double-sided game cards for lots of backseat fun!

8. Bananagrams

Think of this like Scrabble on the go. No need for a game board; just take turns spelling words with the letter tiles. This one is perfect for rainy afternoons in a hotel or playing on a plane.

9. Simon Micro

We’ll admit the beeps of this little gadget might get on your nerves after a while, but kids really do love it. Watch the flashing sequence of lights and repeat it. You can play on your own or use Pass It mode to compete.

Here’s another classic that’s also perfect as a travel game! Shake up the board, then see how many words you can make from connecting letters.

11. Rush Hour Jr.

Logic games are fantastic travel games for kids, especially when you need them to play quietly on their own for a bit. Set up the car pieces according to the puzzle card. Then figure out how to slide them out of the way so each car can leave the lot through the exit. Adults will be challenged by this one too.

12. Melissa & Doug License Plate Game

Sure, you can play the license plate game without a board or special equipment, but this does make it a lot more fun! Flip the tiles as you spot a representative from each state, and see if you can get them all before your journey ends.

13. Anywhere Travel Guide

Planning a staycation this year, or need a way to make another visit to Grandma’s small town interesting? Try these cards, which present a series of challenges that turn any kind of trip into an adventure.

14. Mastermind

Mastermind is a classic that’s all about using logic to crack your partner’s code. The concept is simple, but endless combinations mean this game is different every single time.

15. Clue Card Game

Classic board games in card form make awesome travel games for kids. Solve the mystery without the board in this version of the whodunnit favorite, Clue.

16. IQ XOXO

This is another logic puzzle game, sized small so you can take it anywhere. Solve the puzzle by determining how to fit all the pieces onto the game board. The included booklet has 120 puzzles of increasing difficulty.

17. Cat’s Cradle

All you really need for Cat’s Cradle is a piece of string, but these days, most kids don’t actually know how to play anymore! This book teaches you how to make lots of fun figures with just some string and your fingers.

18. Monopoly Deal Card Game

Another classic board game turned card game; Monopoly Deal is best when you have some space to lay out the cards. That’s why we love it for play in a hotel room or lake cabin when everyone needs a break from more active fun.

19. Apple Twist

One more logic game, this time with twisty caterpillars and an apple playing board. The board itself turns in sections to create a wide array of puzzle challenges.

20. Disney Eye Found It

I spy with my little eye… a fun travel game! Kids comb each picture card to find specified items. If you’re headed to Disney, this one is especially fun for building excitement.

21. Travel Ping Pong Set

You can’t play this one in the car or on a plane, but it’s fun to set up on a table in your Airbnb rental. You get everything you need for an epic ping pong tournament.

22. Collapsible Cornhole

Packable cornhole? Count us in! Play this one at the beach, in the park, or anywhere you can find some empty space.

23. 12 Retro Magnetic Games

This collection of magnetic travel games for kids will ensure there’s always something new to keep them occupied. Each board folds up to hold the necessary game pieces inside.

24. The 100 Best Brainteasers for Kids

Brainteasers can occupy one child on their own or get the whole family working together to work out the answers. This book has plenty of puzzles for elementary-aged kids to tackle.

25. On-The-Go Mini Game Pad

Sometimes all you need is something simple to provide a few minutes of fun. This little pad gives you sheets for tic-tac-toe, connect five, and the alphabet game of categories. Add some pencils, and you’re ready to go!

Vacations are the perfect time for scavenger hunts! Get 25 Free Scavenger Hunts for Kids here.

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15 Best Travel Games for Kids

Heading out on a trip with children can be an exciting adventure, but long hours on the road or in the air can sometimes lead to boredom and restlessness. Keeping little ones entertained during travel is a common challenge that many parents face.

Enter the magical solution: travel games for kids!

I’m here to share all my favorite travel games for kids to help you peacefully navigate long travel days!

Some games require materials such as a doodle board or gameboard, while others don’t. None of the games on this list need a table to be played, so they can be enjoyed in the car or on an airplane!

• An audiobook player like a Yoto player can be another great way to pass the hours.

It can be helpful to sit down with your kids and make a list of games before heading out on a trip. This list becomes a life-saving reference sheet when the trip feels long.

Whether you’re navigating the highways or flying high in the sky, these travel games will transform your journey into an enjoyable and memorable experience for the whole family.

• Looking for other travel essentials for kids? Check out my favorite airport car seat rollers and ride-on carry-on bags !

We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best Travel Games for Kids

It is a classic game where one player describes an object they see, and others guess what it is. It’s simple and can be played by kids of all ages.

• Materials: none
• Where it can be played: anywhere
• Age: all ages

2. License Plate Game

Players try to spot license plates from as many different states or countries as possible. This game is excellent for longer trips and surprisingly engaging for kids.

I find that this game works best when played with a printable that allows kids to check off or tally the license plates they see. Add a clipboard and pen, and you’re all set!

• Materials: license plate printable , clipboard , marker
• Where it can be played: in the car
• Ages: 7+ (works best with kids who know how to read)

3. Storytelling Game

Someone starts a story with a sentence, and each person takes turns adding to it. This game fosters creativity and can lead to some hilarious stories.

• Ages: all ages

4. Tic-Tac-Toe

This easy-to-play classic game is a fast kid favorite that can help the travel time fly by. Kids love to play again and again.

I have found it easiest for kids to play on the go using a magnetic tic-tac-toe set or a doodle board.

• Materials: tic tac toe set or doodle board

5. 20 Questions

One person thinks of an object, and the others ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. This activity is good for developing reasoning and questioning skills.

6. Melissa and Doug Memory Game

This Melissa and Doug memory game is a kid favorite and super easy to use when traveling! It has 7 double-sided cards that can be switched out for lots of variation.

• Materials: Melissa and Doug Memory Game
• Ages: 4 to 7

7. Travel Bingo/Scavenger Hunt

Create or buy bingo cards with items to spot on the road, like different types of vehicles, animals, or road signs. The first to spot a row of items wins.

The same bingo cards can also be used for a scavenger hunt if kids want to play solo or extend the game.

These are my favorite road trip bingo cards for kids! They are easy to use and offer lots of variety.

• Materials: bingo cards

8. Would You Rather…?

Players ask each other “Would you rather…?” questions, choosing between two scenarios. It can be silly or serious and helps kids articulate preferences and reasoning.

Kids can come up with their own questions in the moment, or you can use a list of questions to get the game going.

Here’s a fun book of “Would you rather… ” questions for kids ages 8+.

• Materials: none (you can use prewritten questions if you would like)

9. The Picnic Game

This memory-based alphabet game starts with someone saying, “I’m going to a picnic, and I’m bringing…” followed by an item that begins with the letter A. The following person repeats the previous items and adds something that starts with B, and so on.

Kids can add a motion to each item to help give clues to others as they go along.

10. Map Tracking

Give the kids a map and have them track the journey. They can mark off landmarks, cities, or towns as they pass them, teaching them to read a map and understand geography.

Kids love having a map that’s all their own, and looking back on the route after the trip is fun.

This is my favorite road atlas.

• Materials: paper map

11. Animal Name Game

One person names an animal, and the next person has to name another animal that starts with the last letter of the previous animal—for example, horse, eel, lion, newt, turtle, etc.

• Ages: 6+ (younger ages can play with some help from older kids)

12. Hangman

Hangman is an ideal travel game for kids. One player thinks of a word, and the others guess it letter by letter, drawing a figure for each incorrect guess.

It’s simple, requires nothing more than a magnetic hangman set or doodle board, and can be endlessly entertaining on long journeys.

• Materials: magnetic hangman game or doodle board

13. Magnetic Checkers

Magnetic checkers combine the traditional game with magnets, ensuring pieces stay in place during travel or movement.

I love that the Purple Cow magnetic checkers game is played right in the tin, making it easy to keep track of the pieces.

• Materials: magnetic checkers set

14. Puzzle Books

Sudoku, crosswords, word searches, or maze puzzles can keep kids engaged for hours. Choose age-appropriate puzzle books to challenge and engage them.

This can be the perfect quiet activity when kids would like to do something on their own. Kids often enjoy getting to pick their own activity book before the trip starts.

For ages 5-7

For ages 7-10

For ages 8-12

• Materials: puzzle book
• Ages: depends on the book

15. Rubix Cube

The Rubik’s Cube is a neat little game for trips. It keeps both kids and grown-ups hooked on twisting and turning to match the colors. It’s a great way to make time fly by in the car or plane as kids tackle each side of the puzzle.

It works best as a travel game for kids who have not yet learned how to solve it quickly.

• Materials: Rubix cube

Final Thoughts

Travel games for kids are a lifesaver for anyone hitting the road with little ones. They’re not just about killing time but about making those long hours part of the adventure.

From laughing over silly guesses in “I Spy” to getting competitive with license plate bingo, there’s a game out there for every kid (and adult, let’s be honest).

So, before you head out on your next family trip, throw a few of these game ideas into your travel bag. They’ll keep the groans at bay and turn “Are we there yet?” into “Let’s go again!”

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20 and more of the Best Travel Games for kids

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Last Updated on November 24, 2022 by Celeste .

We much enjoy playing games. It is a great way of spending quality time with the kids. Memory, UNO Mastermind, these are just a few in which my kids beat me regularly! We also enjoy crafts and arts during our vacation. When we travel, we always make sure we carry a couple of our best travel games for kids with us no matter what trip we’re on.

Best Travel Games for Kids

Because travel isn’t all about beautiful beaches and exciting adventures. Sometimes we need a bit of downtime and relaxation. Other times we want to meet new kids to play with or pass the time in a restaurant. And believe it or not, there are plenty of situations where we even get pretty bored (think waiting at the airport).

Travel games are the perfect way to pass away a few hours in an airport, entertain ourselves after a long day of exploring, and even make new friends. If you’re wondering which ones should make it into your backpack, we’ve put together a list of the best travel games on the market right now.

How We Chose the Games that kids will Love

How did we choose the games for this list? We simply selected our kids’ favorite games. Tried and tested by our kids (Natassa’s boy and girl and my two girls) aged between 9 and 13 years old.

We also watched them play these games with their friends at home, or on the beach over many summers. And I see what they pack when we head out to meet friends in Athens.

This list sums up the games that they add to their hand luggage for flights and boat trips, press trips, or blogger familiarization trips. Our travel friends come from all over the world, so the list is a pretty good international representation.

In fact, the inspiration for this post came during a recent trip to Amsterdam. Meeting up with another family that we had not seen for a long time, my kids were a bit anxious about meeting the kids. But their worries proved unnecessary because as soon as UNO came out of their bag, the ice was broken. The kids spent a wonderful afternoon together playing games, while the adults had time to talk and catch up. lunch.

So, whether you’re planning a spring outing to the nearest park, a beach vacation to the Greek islands, or a lazy day at the beach, read on for my top picks for the best travel games to add to your family game night repertoire, at home, and on vacation.

You’ll be a winner even if you lose. In this post, we have selected our kids’ favorite games, that come in convenient, travel-size packages.

Important considerations for a Travel Game

The main considerations we have for choosing a game to take on the road are the game’s size, weight, and portability. All of these mini-travel games tick those boxes. Moreover, to be considered one of the best travel games, they have to be awesome fun to play. By choosing only tried and tested ones, we’ve covered that too!

This list is broken down into helpful categories depending on what you’re looking for. It covers the best travel games for kids according to age, the best travel crafts, the best Greek Mythology travel games, and the best game for adults .

I have also included some of our favorite craft items. Because with two tiny ‘artists’ in the family, a simple travel drawing pad or notepad has always proven to be a success where ever we go. Even if it is just for a simple game of hangman or tic-tac-toe. Scroll down for the sum-up of our favorite games!

Here are the Travel Games that Kids will Love

1. uno card game.

A must-have bestselling game for everyone’s travel bag! UNO has been around for almost 50 years, but it never gets tired. The basic idea is to get rid of your cards before anyone else, as players take it, in turn, to put down or pick up cards that correspond with the color or number that’s on top of the game pile.

What I especially like about UNO is the fact that language does not play a role. Kids from different nationalities can still play without sharing the same language. Children all around the world are familiar with the game. But even if they are not, they can understand the game quickly.

Ages: from 7 years and up , Number of Players: 2-10

For more information and prices of the games in this post, please click on the green highlighted names.

2. Magnetic Travel Tic Tac Toe and 4 in a Row

A classic game, known in most parts of the world and easy to understand for even the youngest traveler. Language plays no role during this Purple Cow game of Tic Tac Toe. Although it is a game for only 2 players, I recommend you to have one ready for your next adventure.

The Travel Tic-Tac-Toe Game includes magnetic game pieces, a tin case that opens to become the game board, and the rules and instructions on the back of the case. It also contains a four-in-a-row option!

Ages: from 3 and up, Number of Players: 2

3. Magnetic Hangman

If your kids like word games, they will enjoy playing Magnetic Hangman . Although Hangman can also be played on a piece of paper with a pen, this magnetic travel game is ideal for the airplane, the car (think bumpy roads), or the outdoors. The Purple Cow brand created a lovely series of magnetic travel games.

Do check them out via this link because there are many games that we enjoyed as a child such as checkers, backgammon, chess, snakes & ladders, battleship, bingo, and more. The games come in a small, slim tin case, the perfect size to slip into your purse or backpack. 

Ages: 6-99, Number of Players: 2

4. Travel-Friendly Bounce Four in a row

This travel-friendly Bounce Four in a Row comes in a handy travel suitcase and is fun for the whole family. It combines aiming practice and strategic thinking and can be used indoors and outdoors. It almost looks like an arcade action game (teens love that) It is made from sturdy materials, providing a durable set of a fun board game for children to play with.

Ages: from 6 and up, Number of Players: 2

5. Connect 4 Grab and Go

Hasbro Connect 4 Grab and Go is the classic 4-in-a-row in the travel edition. The game includes a playing grid with trays, 21 yellow checkers, 21 red checkers, and instructions. A classic that is a great gift too!

Ages: 6+, Number of Players: 2

Travel Games for Kids

6. Dobble Card Game

This cute card game comes in a round tin box and has proven to be a success in our family, especially on the beach. It was introduced to us many years ago, and it is still fun because Dobble (Note that the bb is written backward!) is easy to play with many. It is a game of speed, observation, and reflexes.

Players must find one matching image between one card and another. Images may be different sizes and placed on any part of the card, making them difficult to spot. Every card is different and has only one picture in common with every other card in the deck. There are standard versions, but we use the Harry Potter Dobble . Young kids may enjoy Paw Control Dobble .

Ages 4+, 2-8 Players

7. Monopoly Deal Card Game

Another universally known game that has been around forever. Monopoly is a big hit at home. But it is not an easy game to bring along. That is why the Monopoly company invented Monopoly Deal Card Game .

This travel version of the classic Monopoly plays up to five players, which takes approx. 45 min to play with 5 people. But 2 players can play in 15 minutes. Fun, fast dealing…every card counts!

Ages: 8+, Number of Players: 2-6

8. Cluedo Grab & Go

The Cluedo Grab & Go game is a compact mobile version of the famous and much loved Cluedo game. This all-in-one game unit makes storage easy. In this version, you keep track of the elements of the case with the detective notebook. Included are Guest, Room, and Weapon cards to tell you who did it!

Ages: 6+, Number of Players: 3 to 6

9. Mind Trap Show Mysteries

Following earlier mentioned Cluedo, my pre-teen loves any kind of mystery game. In fact, the darker, the better. There are several mystery travel card games on the market. Mind Trap Shadow Mysteries is one of the many card boxes available with riddles, puzzles, and crimes. This box features 52 cards.

10. Top Trumps Wonders of the World

I discovered the Top Trumps Cards when I was looking to compile a list of the Best Greek Mythology Games . Top Trump Cards are sets of cards for many subjects and for different ages. In the game, you need to outsmart your opponents and discover new and exciting facts about a certain subject.

In the Trop Trumps Wonders of the World, you learn about the world we live in with the three most adventurous games: Countries of the World Top Trumps, Wonders of the World Top Trumps, and Countries and Flags Top Trumps Quiz. PS. For Harry Potter Fans , I recommend, the Harry Potter Trump Specials !

11. Magnetic Travel Chess

My daughter loves to play chess. She started learning the game at the age of 8. Wherever we go, we always find someone to play a game of chess with. This Magnetic Travel Chess game is ideal for trips.

The game is made of durable HIPS plastic while lightweight and portable. The well-crafted chess pieces have a light magnetic attraction to the playing field; light magnetism makes it stable to play while not hard to move the piece. It is always part of our travel bag.

Ages: 7+ Number of Players: 2

12. Quartet Game

When I asked my children which game to include in our favorite travel game list, they both replied: Quartet ! We simply love a game of quartet. It is a game that everyone of every age can play, and there are countless themes to play with.

My youngest loves her Baby Animals quartet, whereas my oldest daughter prefers the Art and books themes. You will pick a theme according to your family’s interests. The relatively simple game requires brain, bluff, and strategic thinking, making it a great game for hours of fun and laughter. A favorite to play with the grandparents too!

Ages: 4+ Number of Players : 2- 5

13 Pass the pigs

The fascination of my children (and their friends) with this Pass the pigs game has surprised me. Apparently, there is something about pigs and kids..! Although I have not yet played this game myself, I know that it is part of their toy bag on every trip. Judging from the laughter and competitive vibes during each game, I had to include it in this list. This dice game involves throwing the pigs, and is easy to learn and quick to play for 2 or more players.

Ages: 7+, Number of Players: 2 or more

14. Catan Travel Edition

CATAN – Traveler  is based on the same rules as the CATAN base game, its “big brother.” Catan is a strategy game: Trade, build and settle the Island of CATAN in this addictively fun strategy game previously called Settlers of CATAN. Players control their own civilization and look to spread across a modular hex board in a competition for victory points.

15. Hasbro Gaming Road Trip Series Scrabble

This Scrabble Road Trip Edition is beautiful. The most popular word game, is even more well-suited for taking on the go, since it features 24 letter-printed dice instead of the traditional version’s 144 tiles. Players race to build their own word grids and learn to spell at the same time!

16. Brain paint

Brain paint comes in a cute tin bucket box and is about colors, patterns, and your brain. I like to play this game because it seems that the younger the child, the better they are at not confusing their heads. This brain-teasing game comes with 100 cards that can be used for 3 different games.

Ages: 3+, Number of players: 2-10

All products featured in this story are handpicked and tested by our kids. In this post are affiliate links for each game to Amazon. If you decide to buy items through these links, you will be helping us to fund this site and perhaps the next adventure. More importantly, it doesn’t cost you anything extra!

Greek Mythology Travel Games

1. Greek Mythology Top Trump Card Game

Educational  Card Game  Top  Trumps  takes you to an exciting, ancient world of heroes, gods and monsters in the brand new Greek  Mythology  deck. Will you play with foul creatures like the snake-haired Medusa and the one-eyed Cyclops or have brave heroes like Perseus and Odysseus in your hand of  cards ? Great for your vacation to Greece!

Best for ages: 6 and up

2. Zeus on the Loose

Catch Zeus if you can! The great Greek god has bolted from Mount Olympus and it’s up to you to nab this dashing deity. Play cards strategically, adding numbers as you climb up the mythic mountain.

Grab Zeus when the total reaches a multiple of 10. Better yet, summon the strength of Apollo, Poseidon, or all-powerful Hera to bring Zeus within your grasp. Reach the top of Mount Olympus with Zeus in hand and you’re a mortal among the gods. To play is human. To win, divine!

Best for ages: 8 and up

Craft Items for Travel

As I mentioned before, sometimes a drawing pad and some colors are all my girls need to have fun or pass the time at the airport, in the car, or at the beach. That is why I also listed here our favorite basic travel kits with paper pads, pencils, colors, and other travel-friendly arts & crafts items.

1. Coloring Magic Markers

An absolute favorite for kids is the BIC Kids Visacolor XL coloring magic markers . They have large blocked tips, they are washable, and they are very easy to hold for little hands. My kids have been using them since they were 3 years old. They are a bit pricer than other brands, but they will not dry out even if the cap is off for a couple of months.

2. Carrvas LCD Writing Tablet

This Carrvas LCD Writing Tablet substitutes your classic drawing pad. It can be very handy for minimal-style travel and uses an erasable reusable electronic doodle board. 

Not too fond of electronics, please note that the eye-protection colorful screen of the doodle board provides a better painting experience, no blue light, and glare, avoiding injury to the child’s eyes from long-term use.

3. Pipity Travel Art Kit for Kids

If you are like me, and you prefer screen-free entertainment, you can choose this very cute Pipity Travel Art Kit for Kids . It is an activity set with coloring and drawing options and stationery sets.

This kit is great for traveling and also makes a great and affordable gift for little artists. For more colors and options, choose the EZDesk laptop-style Travel Activity Kit with 64 pieces.

Ages: 6,7,8,9+

4. ARTISTRO Watercolor Paint set

Last year, our friends from the USA brought to the beach an ARTISTRO Watercolor paint travel set . My artist daughters were immediately in love, especially with the pen that is filled with water. We ordered our own set, and they bring it everywhere, even to school. Definitely good value for money and a great present for hobbyists and painting enthusiasts.

5. ARTISTO Acrylic Paint Marker Pens

The ARTISTO pens are great for a beach holiday because they transform any pebble into a piece of art! Do your kids like to collect rocks? Mine do, and now they can really take their hobby to the next level.

These 28 colors Acrylic Paint Marker Pens are for Rock Painting, Stone, Ceramic, Glass, Wood, Mugs, Metal, Fabric, Canvas, and more!

Travel Games for Adults: Backgammon

Let me add one travel game for adults too. Backgammon is a classic and this one is ideal for camping and travel. Its hardcover carrying case doubles as the playing board, which means it can go straight from under the umbrella to the dinner table. This magnetic game is extra convenient during bumpy travels!

What is your favorite travel game, or which craft item do your children bring along every trip? What engages your child for endless hours? I would say that drawing is our favorite activity. I would love to hear your experiences and add your suggestions to this list. Thank you for leaving your favorite one in the comments!

Related posts for games and books

Click here for more choices and bestseller Travel Games for Kids . For games and activities at home, have a look at

• Fun Games for Kids at Home
• The Best Greek Mythology Toys and Games for Kids
• The Best Books about Greek Mythology
• The Most Magical Harry Potter Gifts for Teens
• The best Travel Games

Celeste is a Dutch Italian mom of two daughters. She was born & raised in The Netherlands, but lives in Athens, Greece for 25+ years. Celeste studied Culture and holds a Tourism degree. Whether you and your family live in Greece or are visiting, this blog will show you the very best ways in which to celebrate family life here.

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20+ Of The Best Travel Games For Kids 2023

One of our top tips to make travel with kids easier is to be prepared. Whilst you don’t need to go overboard and pack everything but the kitchen sink, it is definitely worth packing some travel games for kids to keep them entertained.

Whether you are travelling long term, taking a family holiday or even just taking a staycation or a day trip , it is helpful to give the kids some form of entertainment during the journey.

If you have a long plane ride or a long road trip coming up, these family travel games really help to pass the time.

Of course, the main benefit of family travel is getting out and exploring new places and meeting new people.

But between these travel highs, there are going to be downtimes and this is where mini travel games for kids come in so handy.

Travel games for children don’t have to be expensive. We’ve also included some ideas for free travel games for kids at the end of the post.

They also happen to be some of our favourite kids travel games, particularly on road trips because everyone can take part, even the driver.

Read more tips on family travel : Holiday packing tips | Flying with a baby | Best kids backpacks for travel | Benefits of Family Travel | Top tips for campervanning with kids

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through one of them, we may earn a small commission but this is at no extra cost to you.

For us, the emphasis is on travel size games because space is always an issue in our VW Campervan .

Mini travel games are on our campervan essentials packing list and come in really handy when we go campervanning with kids .

We also encourage the kids to carry their own games in their travel backpacks . This really helps to limit the amount of stuff they take with them!

Camping with young children for the first time? Make sure to check out our guide on camping with toddlers !

These are the best travel games for kids…

Travel card games.

UNO is a classic game that has been around for years. I remember playing it as a kid. These days there are different themed UNO games, but the classic is our preferred one.

The kids even have Minecraft UNO and despite being massive Minecraft fans, they’re surprisingly not so into that version.

Dobble (also know as Spot it!)

Dobble is a fun and easy and without too many rules to learn. It’s one of our all time favorite travel card games for kids as it just involves pictures. The skill is spotting the matching pair as quickly as possible.

As with UNO, you can get various versions of Dobble like Harry Potter for Harry Potter fans , and LOL Surprise .

We absolutely love Top Trumps because the kids don’t realise how much they are learning because they enjoy the game so much. We’d say that they started getting into it around 5 years old.

We worked through dinosaurs , top predators and Marvel characters and are currently on Greek Myths, Tudor Tyrants and Roman Emperors (coinciding nicely with their history topics at school).

I have no idea exactly how many different versions there are (best to check on Top Trumps ) but there is certain to be something your kids will enjoy.

Playing cards

You can’t beat a traditional pack of playing cards because it is so versatile. If we want the kids to have some quiet time, they will sit and play Solitaire (also known as Patience).

After being used to so many kids card games, they felt really grown up using a proper pack of playing cards for the first time. Some of our favourite playing card games for kids are:

Travel board games

We have our favourite family board games at home and simply buy the equivalent portable travel games.

We don’t class them as essential kids travel games though because some of them contain really tiny pieces which are easily lost, but we’ll usually take one and mix it up with the other games suggested.

If your family is massively into board games, these are the best travel games for famlies.

Note – these are not ideal to play on a plane or train! Maybe save them for a road trip or the hotel room.

Connect 4 |  Monopoly |  Cluedo |  Battleships | Guess Who | 5 Second Rule | Pass the Pigs | Scrabble

You can also buy a family travel board games bundle.

If you don’t mind taking games with small pieces then you could also consider magnetic travel board games .  For older kids there is also travel chess.

Boggle is a really compact travel game for kids and adults. You can adapt the rules to suit the ages of your kids and allow them to find 2 and 3 letter words.

It’s one of the best educational travel games for kids and surprisingly fun.

You just need a pen and paper (or see the end of the post for our top tip that allows you to do without paper and pens).

Free travel games for kids

Printable travel games for kids.

With all the expense you might have incurred booking your holiday, you may not want to buy new games. As promised, here are some ideas for free travel games for kids.

There are lots of free printable travel games on Pinterest . Check out some of these links for inspiration, including hundreds of road trip games . Just type in printable travel games for kids.

Car travel games for kids

Some of the best games we play while on long journeys are free. We did an epic 1800km Vancouver to Calgary road trip and these road trip activities really helped to pass the time on the longer stretches.

These are our favourite fun travel games for kids to play in the car.

Would you rather?

You need at least 2 players. Player 1 thinks up 2 scenarios. Would you rather X or Y? This is not so much about winning or losing – it’s more for amusement and the idea is to get kids thinking.

Here are some would you rather questions for kids to get you started:

• would you rather dance or sing ?
• would you rather eat broccoli or cabbage ?
• would you rather live on the Moon or live on Mars ?
• would you rather know everything or be invisible ?

I went on holiday…

You need at least 2 players (although technically it could be played by 1!). First person starts by saying “I went on holiday and I packed a X (e.g. toothbrush)”.

The next person says “I went on holiday and I packed a X and a Y” (e.g toothbrush and a teddy). Each person has to remember what the person in front says and then add their own item.

The aim is to continue for as long as possible remembering all items in the right order until someone makes a mistake. It is a great memory game. The kids seem to be far better at it than the adults.

20 Questions

You need at least 2 players. The aim of the game is for people to ask (up to) 20 questions to try to figure out who you are thinking of. Questions can only be answered with a yes or a no.

They can ask questions like

• am I on tv?
• do I play a sport?

This is probably best played with a paper and pen so that you can write down the name of the person that everyone has to guess.

This ensures that the more competitive members of the family don’t change their choice of person half way through!

And the one that probably doesn’t need any explanation: I Spy

LCD kids writing tablet

This is not a game as such but we absolutely love our LCD writing tablet for kids which can be used to play games. It is super lightweight, slim and is pretty hard wearing having been with us on many trips.

It’s kind of like a modern day etch a sketch and means no need for paper and pens if you are really short on space.

At the touch of a button, the screen wipes ready for the next game. Our kids like to play hangman or draw treasure maps.

Other tips for travel with kids

We also take a couple of small puzzle books like Sudoku as well as the travel games and a few pens and usually a mindfulness colouring book .

None of these take up much room and they are great when people don’t feel like playing games.

Where to buy travel games for kids

We have bought most of these games on Amazon because it has been convenient but if you have local stores stocking any of these, we recommend going there first, using Amazon or somewhere similar as a backup.

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21 Travel Games for Kids to Keep the Whole Family Sane

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A family trip to the beach sounds idyllic. Getting there? Not so much. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train or automobile, having the whole gang cooped up in an enclosed space for hours on end will make even the happiest of families go a little crazy. Here, 21 great travel games for kids to keep the peace (and the “are we there yet?” questions to a minimum).

20 Kid-Friendly Airbnbs to Rent for Your Next Family Vacation

1. Rory’s Story Cubes

Check out these fun cubes for a game that’s different every time you play and will bring out your family’s creative side. Simply give them a roll and then tell a story based on whatever images are facing upward. The best part? There are no wrong answers. Kids ages 3 and up will love this imagination-boosting activity.

2. Travel Chess Set

Worried about losing pieces? Don’t fret—this nifty board is magnetized. So if you decide to take it with you to the countryside, you can rest assured that everything will make it back home. (Your kid’s rain boots, on the other hand, are another story.) This game of strategy is recommended for kids ages 5 and up.

3. Mad Libs

It was hilarious to play this fill-in-the-blank game when you were a kid, and yep, it’s just as funny now. Just make sure you pick the right pack for each age group. (Psst: The Junior version is great for the under-8 set.)

Buy It ($6)

4. Pass The Pigs

Kids ages 7 and up will love rolling these pigs (instead of dice) and keeping score depending on how they land. Silly? Yep. But that’s exactly why it’ll keep them entertained for hours. Made for two to four players, this one will make sure the back seat of the car is full of laughs.

5. Connect 4 Grab & Go

Try to get four colored checkers in a row without your opponent blocking you. It’s simple yet surprisingly fun. (And this travel version folds up for easy storage.) A great game of strategy that also gives kids (recommended age is 6 and up) the opportunity to work on those fine motor skills.

6. Scavenger Hunt

How can you go on a scavenger hunt when trapped in your car? Easy. These imaginative cards are designed with road trips in mind and ask kids ages 7 and up to keep their eyes peeled for tow trucks, yellow houses, motorcycles and more. You’ll love that your kids are honing their observation skills and they’ll love the friendly competition (not to mention the card for bad smells, which is guaranteed to be a smash hit.)

7. Bananagrams

Race against your family members to see who can complete their very own crossword grid first using all their tiles. Kids ages 10 and up can work on their vocabulary and spelling—just make sure to keep a dictionary handy for any potential squabbles. The banana-shaped pouch makes for easy transportation (and is also pretty darn cute).

8. Iq Puzzler Pro

The best games aren’t just fun but also sneak in some education too. This cognitive learning pick comes in a compact size but features a staggering 120 challenges in three different playing modes (including 3-D brainteasers). Best for ages 6 and up.

9. Apples To Apples

Here’s how to play: Deal the deck and then select the card from your hand that you think best describes the card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card, then you win that round. Easy entertainment for four to eight players ages 9 and up and a great way to work on communication skills.

10. Hangman

Go old-school with just a pen and paper or check out this travel-friendly version featuring wooden tiles, an erasable whiteboard, a self-storing dry-erase marker and an eraser. Kids ages ages 6 to 9 can work on their spelling (and drawing) with this updated classic.

11. Brain Games

Marketed to kids from age 6 to 99, this one is educational fun for everyone (even Grandma). Here are just a few of the skills your family will pick up with this fun pick: strategy, problem solving, communication, observation, mental maths, trial and error, decoding patterns and more. And the reusable activity mats mean you can play again and again.

12. Flip-to-win Memory Game

Want to work on your kid’s memory skills? Featuring seven double-sided themed game cards, this one should keep the whole crew going until you arrive at your destination (particularly those ages 5 to 7). And with no loose pieces and easy storage, it’s ideal for travel.

13. Travel Scrabble

This one’s a firm family favorite (and the easiest way we know to work on your kid’s vocabulary), but the regular version isn’t exactly ideal on the go. This handy travel board recommended for ages 8 and up comes in an easy-to-transport case and has a raised grid so that tiles stay put. How many points for “genius”?

14. Tic-tac-toe

Another classic game where all you really need is a pen and paper. But how cute is this wooden board? Let kids ages 7 and up take turns to see who can get three knots or crosses in a row. And remember—in this game of strategy, the first move is everything .

15. Monopoly Deal

A plane ride is no place for the original Monopoly (how would the banker keep track of all those notes?), but this card version can easily fit into your carry-on and is readily played on tray tables. Consider this your kid’s first lesson in the value of a dollar. Can be played by two to five people, ages 8 and up.

16. Rummikub Travel

Rummy meets mah-jongg in this strategic game where the goal is to get rid of all your tiles using runs (like 7, 8 and 9) and groups (like a red 4, a blue 4 and a black 4). A miniature version of the original, this strategic pick is great for ages 8 and up and can be played with two to four players.

17. The License Plate Game

Road-tripping across the country? Here’s a game that will keep everyone (driver included) occupied. See how many license plates from different states you can spot and keep track on this wooden board. Yes, it’s a pretty bulky item to pack, but it will keep the kids (recommended for ages 8 and up) occupied and they’ll also learn some geography while they’re at it. Bonus points if they know the state’s capital.

18. 45 Games... Travel!

Puzzles and observation games and mazes, oh my! With 45 different activities for kids to choose from (plus an erasable pen so that they can start over again and again), this just might keep your munchkin occupied until you arrive at your destination (maybe). Best for kids ages 5 and up.

Buy It ($7)

19. Charades For Kids Travel Version

With three different levels of clues, this one is great for kids ages 4 to 8 (each card has a picture so there’s no reading required). Your mini will love acting out a toothbrush or pretending to be a bumblebee. But can she guess Mom’s spaghetti-eating impression or Dad’s air guitar moves? The kit includes 150 charade cards, a sand timer and a game die. Who knows? This fun activity might just give your mini the acting bug. (Just maybe save this one for the hotel and not the airplane.)

20. Air Deck Travel Playing Cards

Regular paper playing cards tear, stain and bend easily, but this deck can handle even the bumpiest of journeys. Its slim shape means it’ll easily fit in your pocket, and it’s also 100 percent waterproof (hello, beach). Here are 1 5 awesome card games for kids that will entertain them and teach them some great skills like mathematics, strategy and quick thinking.

21. Take ’n’ Play Anywhere Bingo

It’s the classic game but in a magnetic, travel-size form. Kids ages 4 and up will love trying to get five animals in a row. Just don’t forget to shout “Bingo!” when you do. A fun way to teach kids about numbers and animal recognition.

The Best Board Games for Every Age

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Best Travel Games and Activities for Kids

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“Mom, are we there yet? I’m bored!”

As the saying goes, if I had a dollar for every time I heard that on a trip with kids we wouldn’t need to take car trips anymore since we could probably afford a private jet!

If you’ve traveled with children before, you know that especially on long trips, it is difficult for kids (and adults!) to sit still without getting bored . On our most recent road trip, for the sake of my sanity, I decided to be proactive and find some travel games and activities that they would enjoy and that might keep their attention during the long drive.

To be fair, we did also let them watch one movie during our 9+ hour drive, but they happily entertained themselves the rest of the time, and they probably wouldn’t have even minded if we hadn’t turned on the movie.

Instead of just books and movies, which is what we usually packed in the past, I created and packed some creative and engaging travel activities for each child and I rolled out a new travel game of activity every hour or so during the drive.

The kids also spent time reading, and a few took a nap, but for the most part, they happily played their travel games for the whole trip.

Planning Travel Games and Activities

As I learned very much the hard way on an 18+ hour cross-country drive we took several years ago, failure to plan is planning to fail when it comes to family road trips. Boredom and hunger are the nemesis of a fun family road trip, so it is important to proactively ward off both of them with entertaining travel games and healthy snacks.

On that trip, we ended up letting the kids watch many more movies that we’d like and they were still bored and grumpy when we arrived. This time, with proper planning, they were more engaged and were doing creative activities so they were less stir crazy and grumpy when we finally arrived at our destination.

To plan the activities, I made a list for each child of activities they enjoyed and that were appropriate for their age levels. Some games I bought, and others I made for each child and put them in reusable grocery bags for each hour of the trip.

I also put a couple of storage caddies on the floor below the children so they could store activities when they weren’t in use (this cut down on the post-drive mess disasters that drive my husband crazy!). Healthy snacks got their own reusable bags and I dished them out in paper sandwich bags during the drive.

While we’re no Von Trapp Family (though the three year old did belt out “Do Re Mi” quite a few times), this drive was by far the calmest, quietist, and happiest we’ve had as a family of six kids.

These are some of the travel games and activities that my kids loved:

Travel Games for Older Kids (Reading Age and Up)

The older kids are sometimes tougher to entertain than the younger ones since they need more mental stimulation and more involved activities that can be tough to facilitate in the car. These were the activities that were the biggest hits with our older kids (6+):

• Legos on Lego Trays with a Mesh Bag – If you have a child who loves legos, they are a great way to keep hands and minds busy in the car, but they can be messy. These lego trays solved that problem for us since they children could use them in their laps without losing pieces. They each got a tray and a mesh bag full of their favorite legos and this kept them building for hours. I typically buy big bags of bulk Legos and a new set for each older kid for trips.
• A Map of the Drive – This was a favorite with my oldest who likes to follow along with the trip. It is also an idea I got from my own mom who used to get “Trip Tic” books from AAA for my brother and I to use when we traveled. She would highlight our route and let us follow along. For my own children, I just used Google Maps and printed out the map of our drive. I highlighted the route and gave them a notebook and pen to follow along with.
• An Atlas – My older kids also loved this for the drive. I got them several types of atlases and learning books that they could read along the way. Their favorites were: The National Geographic Ultimate Kids Roadtrip Atlas  as well as the Rand McNalley Kids Atlas . They also really liked the National Geographic US Parks Guide and have a list of places they want to visit after reading it. My oldest son also liked this book of Wacky Roadside Attractions .
• R2D2 Bop It – The only electronic toy they got on the trip and it was a huge hit. Similar to the regular Bop It game, this one is small and looks like R2D2 (from Star Wars) and the older kids loved it (but my husband wasn’t a fan since it does make noise)!
• Travel Bingo – Another flashback to my own childhood. We had these exact travel bingo cards when I was little and these kept my older kids busy for a couple of hours. The cards have common sights that would be seen on a trip and the kids can mark them off to get “BINGO.”
• Travel Activity Books – This travel book of activities is a great one for older kids and it has hours and hours of activities.
• Mystery Decoder Sets – One of our kids is a big Hardy Boys fan and loves mysteries. He liked this mystery travel pad .
• Would You Rather/ You Gotta Be Kidding – Two card games that led to some hilarious discussions with the kids.
• Similar to the above, but a little more on the serious side is this conversation starter with kids . It has some really thought provoking questions that will not only pass the time, but can lead into some great conversations!

Travel Games for Younger Kids

The younger kids loved all of the activities for the drive and there are many excellent travel games available for non-readers. Our favorites are:

• Tape Activity Set – Do your kids always try to get into your tape? Mine do and I can never find tape when I need it. This tape activity book was their favorite for this reason! They got to make shapes and art with tape and loved every second!
• Scratch Art Activity Set – This simple and small notepad uses a small wooden stick to scratch off ink instead of markers or crayons that can melt.
• Felt Sticker Notebook – My daughter loved this small notebook with felt stickers .
• Fashion Designer Notebook – A small notebook that lets kids design outfits for tiny dolls . A favorite with our four-year-old.
• Origami Kit – A fun activity set that teaches kids basic origami .
• Magic Ink Notebook – A colorless ink set that our little ones loved . Ink only showed up on their special paper and not on my seats!
• Water Wow Ink – My three-year-old’s favorite activity . It uses a small pen that you fill with water and it makes color appear on the pages. When the pages dry, the color disappears again, so this one kept her happy for hours at a time.
• Scratch Art Doodle Pad – Another way for kids to draw without ink . They can scratch off a top layer of ink to reveal colors and glitter underneath.
• Reusable Sticker Pads – My little ones like stickers almost as much as tape and this reusable sticker pad was great because the stickers only stick on the pages on not on the windows or the rest of the car. Since they are reusable, they all got to take turns with this. Their favorite was the faces sticker pad .
• Color by Numbers – I didn’t give color by numbers to my littlest ones because it uses real markers but our 4-6 year olds loved these simple color by numbers pads .
• Magna Doodle – Another flashback to my own childhood. A magnadoodle is another no-mess way for kids to draw in the car.

Travel Games & Activities for Babies

Thankfully, our littlest slept quite a bit of the trip but when she was awake, she wanted some activities too. I kept her toys in a seat back organizer so the older kids could hand them to her when she wanted them. These were her favorites that worked in her car seat:

• Wooden Animalz – These eco-friendly wooden animals were her favorite for playing and teething on.
• Wooden Teethers – She (and I) love these Montessori inspired wooden teethers .
• Flash Card Notebook – She liked to look at the mirror on this and chew on it more than actually play with it but it entertained her for a while.
• Car Sear Mirror – This simple mirror let her see me when I was in the front seat. She also would smile at herself in the mirror and it gave her more to look at than just the back of the seat.
• Silicone Teether – She just hit the teething stage and this silicone teether had enough texture to soothe her gums and she could hold on to it herself.

Travel Snack Suggestions

Nothing ends a child’s good mood faster than hunger. I’m not a fan of stopping for food on trips as it is healthier and less expensive to make and bring our own snacks. I usually pre-make and pack our food for the whole trip whenever possible (post on that soon), but I especially make sure to bring pre-made healthy snacks in the car. I always pack:

• Water bottles for each child
• Carrot sticks
• Celery sticks
• Cheese cubes
• Homemade trail mix
• Homemade energy bars
• Pre-made meatballs and beef jerky
• Boiled Eggs
• Baked snacks

While these travel games worked for our family on a recent trip, I’m constantly research and refining the games and activities as each child’s age, personality, and interests change over time.

Does your family take road trips? What are your best tips for keeping kids busy?

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells , CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of  Wellnesse , has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books  The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

10 responses to “Best Travel Games and Activities for Kids”

Actually for road trips, one of THE best games (it takes HOURS because you never really find them all but can hunt the entire time as you pass cars, trucks, etc) is the license plate game. If you want to do it cheap, just write down the states of the license plates you see. You only write each state down once–the goal being to get all 50. You can also write down if you see unusual ones (Canadian plates, or DC plates). Everyone in the car can play–and you usually play as a team together, not individually. Kids start recognizing the way certain states plates look (there are variations, but usually only one or 2, most are standard for a particular state). Kids generally get excited as the list grows. Only rule really, your car has to be moving–so if you see one you’re really looking for in a rest area say….as long as you are coming or going it counts. There is a version (that we have since purchased) from Melissa and Doug that has every plate attached by little rubber bands that you can just flip it over. Game ends when the trip does. We usually do round trip, but you could restart on the ride home.

Dear Wellnessmama/Katie, I need your help. I am planning to travel from US to my home country sometime in November this year so we can celebrate our daughter’s 1st christmas with family. My daughter will be ~1.5 yrs old when we travel. We have a loooong flight journey. ~16 hours at a stretch. I want to know what kind of food I can carry for my child so I dont have to rely on the plane food or whatever processed junk is avl at the airport.

My personal favorite are these beef sticks .

This was really helpful because my whole family is going on an 18 hour trip from Texas to Illinois and we’re going to need this!

Any more suggestions for the 16month old age? We just took a trip, and all my toy/game ideas were a flop, primarily because they were too “old” for her.

We took a long road trip with my grands and daughter and son in law. Daughter Renee wrapped a variety of entertainment as gifts for showing good behavior (no whining, fighting, complaining) Some were needed items like socks, others were books, games, 1 video, They were great and loved unwrapping the ‘gifts’. They travel quite a bit and they eat their breakfast and lunch/ in the car and use their stop time to play games, go to an event, do a hike, or tour a museum getting the wiggles out, rather than to sit and eat.

I’ve been considering this for a while now. My husband and I are in the process of adopting two little girls from Uganda (ages 3 and 5). We will be going to pick them up in a few months. I have no idea their personalities, their desires, what they like… And they’ve never experienced American consumerism either (I’m kind of ok with that!). This post gave me ideas of what we can do on the 30+ hours of travel to get home. Any other suggestions, send em my way! Thanks!

My son is 3. We keep a shoebox size or largest Ziploc container with hot wheel sized cars for him to drive around the car or even on the map or Atlas pages. When we stop, the lid goes on to contain them and carry them to the hotel room or tent. We love the Melissa and Doug Water Wow for travel. We have taken color wonder markers with their special paper or regular coloring book and paper with color pencils or the Crayola twist crayons (we haven’t had any melt like regular crayons). We carry them in an old office clip board with a built in box under, so he just clips the paper on for a surface. The clip board also works well with the Melissa and Doug ‘craft’ notebooks. Looking forward to getting the tape book-we have done that kind of tape on just paper before at home and traveling.

When we had little ones in tow for a long trip, each day we had little activity bags for each child. Because they had something new each day, the days were not so monotonous. Each bag had activity ideas of things in it, not just new toys/coloring-books/etc. The children liked almost everything in each bag, but, perhaps more to the point, they enjoyed being able to call an idea here or there a silly idea. Looking back, I wish I’d included some really goofy ideas just to give them more memories of running into bad ideas, declaring them so, and knowing how right they were….. — I particularly thrilled whenever my husband was willing to stop every so often to let the children run and goof off at the rest stops. For any trip that needed such stops, we packed balls and collapsible frisbees, etc. — But I think a friend of mine did even better: Her large family of various aged children would change up what they were doing every fifteen minutes…. which might be overkill for a super long trip, but for portions of the long days on the road, I wish we had done this (the older children and the younger children learned to play together under her close, but playful guidance). e.g. – exercise for 15 minutes…. like, 20 repetitions of a finger exercise, 20 reps of a toe exercise, etc. – w/each little child making up an exercise for everyone else to do; sing songs for 15 minutes (mom can sing a favorite song or spiritual or whatever at the end, and dad too if he likes to sing); listen to a book for 15 minutes (taking turns who reads and what age level the book is targeting), etc. — I’d still want ‘quiet hour’ at some point.

Very timely as we are taking a road trip from TX to Ohio with my 2 year old! I haven’t tried these yet–but I have heard good things about the no-mess crayola markers and special paper!

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Free Printable Travel Games for Kids

Staring down the barrel of a long car ride or plane trip with kids? These free printable travel games will help keep everyone busy and having fun. Find scavenger hunts, bingo, license plate game, hangman, word searches, connect the dots, and more.

US License Plate Game

Suzanne Rowan Kelleher

Make a goal of spotting the license plates of all 50 states and Washington DC. When you spot a plate, simply cross off the state on the map and on the alphabetized list.

Download Your Free Printable: US License Plate Game

Road Sign Scavenger Hunt

Want to keep your family busy during a road trip? See how many of these common road signs you can spot along your route. 

Download Your Free Printable: Road Sign Scavenger Hunt

Spot the Car

Going to be spending a lot of time in the car en route to your vacation? See how many of these popular car models you can spy along the way. 

Download Your Free Printable: Spot the Car Scavenger Hunt

This classic guessing game will never go out of style. Print out multiple sheets of this free Hangman game and keep the guessing going. Play with categories or with anything goes.

Download Your Free Printable: Hangman

Tic Tac Toe

The granddaddy of all pen-and-paper games is easy to learn. Kids of all ages love this classic game of Xs and Os.

Download Your Free Printable: Tic Tac Toe

Connect the Dots

This is a great strategy game for all ages. As you take turns connecting dots, the goal is to complete as many squares as you can and claim them with your initial.

Download Your Free Printable: Dot to Dot

Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

Keep your kids happy and engaged during your trip. See how many of these items you can spot along your route. 

Download Your Free Printable:  Road Trip Scavenger Hunt

Road Trip Word Search

Love word searches? Use your eagle eye to find these words seen on a road trip.

Download Your Free Printable: Road Trip Word Search

U.S. Road Trip Crossword Challenge

How well do you know top U.S. road trip terms? Feel free to ask Mom and Dad for help if you get stuck.

Download Your Free Printable: U.S. Road Trip Crossword Challenge

Road Trip I Spy

Taking a road trip? Print out this free I Spy game and start hunting for common logos you'll see along the way.

Download Your Free Printable:  Road Trip I Spy

Big Kid Highway Quest

Here's something more challenging for big kids. Print out this free highway quest and start hunting for these harder-to-find things you'll see on the road.

Download Your Free Printable: Big Kid Highway Quest

License Plate Coloring Game

Color your way to all 50 states. When you spot a license plate, color in the state on the map and cross it off the alphabetized list.

Download Your Free Printable: License Plate Coloring Game

Play this time-tested strategy game where the goal is to sink your enemy's war ships. 

Brush up on Battleship rules.

Download Your Free Printable: Battleship

Bottlecap Checkers

Clip this sheet to a clipboard and you can play checkers on the road. Don't have bottlecaps? Try playing this old-school favorite with coins, buttons, or different colored Post-It notes.

Download Your Free Printable: Bottlecap Checkers

Cootie Catcher

Generations of kids have had fun with these fun fortune tellers. Kids can ask Mom or Dad to help folding them.

Download Your Free Printable: Cootie Catcher

Alphabet Game

Find an item that begins with every letter of the alphabet. First person to complete the list wins.

Download Your Free Printable: Alphabet Game

I Spy Car Checklist

Try to spy every car logo on the list and mark each find with a checkmark.

Download Your Free Printable: I Spy Car Checklist

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The Best Kid-Approved Travel Games (That Are Also Fun for Adults)

When you’re getting ready for a trip , you typically have bags to pack , automatic pet feeders to fill, those annoying light-timer things to set, and all the other whatnot that comes with going away. But there’s one more important thing to consider: What do you bring to keep the kids entertained ? As a dad who travels with the fam a fair amount, I have tried dozens of products over the years, all of which have promised in some way or another to alleviate boredom and maybe even bring us closer together. Out of everything we’ve tested, here are the best. We genuinely own, play, and enjoy all of the games on this list. Most are appropriate for kids as young as 5 or 6 (and a few even younger ), but just as important, all of them are legitimate fun for adults — because we’re people too, and we deserve to enjoy life. Plus, they’re all travel friendly: With one exception, you could fit them all into a pocket.

We have played dozens of rounds of this fast-paced picture-matching card game with the kids, currently ages 3 and 7 . Even our youngest can hold her own. In fact, a few years back, when my son and I started camping , we always brought this game along — and he often won. It requires no reading or math, just spotting a shape and being the first to play a card with the same shape. Up to eight people can play, and it comes in a waterproof version, which is always useful with kids.

Although they aren’t wildly challenging for adults, these inexpensive little 36-piece puzzles aren’t baby toys . They take a decent chunk of time for the kids to work out, and they’re just difficult enough that, as a parent, you won’t have to pretend to be trying. If you’re short on space — which we always seem to be, even when we’re heading out just for the afternoon — you can put the pieces in a plastic baggie and leave the bigger box at home.

This game is intended for kids 13 and up, but we’ve had a lot of success (and fun) playing with our younger children. All it requires is understanding what the three icons — panda, bamboo, and water — mean and then knowing whom you want to screw over. Every player starts with the same number of dice. On your turn, you roll the dice. Any that come up water are removed from the game, any that are bamboo are used to challenge the player next to you, and any that are pandas are gleefully passed on to another player. The first person to get rid of all of their dice wins. Since all you need to play is the dice, this is another one that can easily be downsized to a plastic bag for packing.

Note: While this game is currently out of stock, Amazon expects it to be in soon. You can order now for delivery as soon as it’s available.

Settlers of Catan, though amazing to play, isn’t exactly something you can easily pack in your bag . This little, dice-based version, however, is. Plus, it’s easier to learn; it’s fast-paced, making it great for children; and it will more than scratch the itch for adult fans. As you use the resources rolled on the dice to build cities on your game card, the amount of reasoning involved makes it tough for kids under 10, but if you have older kids (or the kids are finally asleep), this game will entertain you for hours. It can even be played solo if you’re a unicorn parent who has somehow discovered a way to have some alone time.

Jumpin’ is a logic-and-reasoning game that, depending on which challenge you choose, can be easy enough for a 6-year-old or hard enough to frustrate this dad in his late 30s. Every challenge involves moving rabbits and foxes over and around one another on the board. Some are simple enough that I can solve them in my head and offer some (subtle) help as my son tries to solve them — though often he doesn’t need a bit of assistance. Others are so hard we both need multiple attempts before we can finally solve them. But they’re all fun.

Full disclosure: My wife and I play this game at night with a glass of wine or plate of snacks ten times more often than we play it with the kids. Why? Because it’s genuinely fun (and they tend to slow us down). You start each game with four lines showing numerals two through 12, each corresponding to one of the colored dice. With each roll, you mark off one or more numbers on your list. But if you pick the wrong one (and roll a better number the next time) — or your opponent is able to complete and close off a line before you do — you miss out on a lot of points. It’s a mix of probability, luck, and being able to read your opponents. With the kids, it’s a great learning opportunity; without them, things get heated.

We didn’t say this is a list of the best unknown travel games, just the best ones. Bananagrams is our constant companion for one big reason: It’s a lot of fun to play with kids, but it’s also a lot of fun to play without them. We have found this Scrabble -style tile game — in which each person must form words as quickly as possible with the tiles they are dealt — a useful learning tool for vocabulary and spelling.

I already had many fond memories of playing this classic card game with my own family on trips in the ’90s, matching colors and numbers and gleefully playing Draw-4 cards on my brother. Now that I’m a dad myself, I have so many more great memories playing with my kids and wife. When our kids were first learning, we played with our cards face up on the table so everyone could follow along and get help when they needed it. Soon enough, though, their cards were back in their hands, and it was every player for themselves.

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Fun Travel Games for Kids

Posted on Published: 12/03/2023

When you are on vacation, you likely want to explore the local area, visiting attractions, and eating out. But sometimes, you may want to play games – whether it’s to waste time on the way to your destination or to play at night when you are settled into your vacation home or hotel room for the night. It’s always a good idea to pack some travel games for kids in your suitcase or car for these times.

We’ve reviewed some of our favorite board games for teens, and these are perfect for long trips when you are driving and have plenty of room in your car to pack them. But for plane or train trips, you’ll want to have some more compact games to tuck into your carry-on bag .

Here are some of our favorite travel games for kids – including links for where you can purchase them. Some are better for older kids, while others are better for little kids.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (I am an Amazon associate). A purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

UNO has always been one of my favorite, easy to play, card games, and it’s a great option for travel. Several years ago, on our Adventures by Disney Greece trip , one of our adventure guides pulled out a deck of UNO cards while we waited for our flight to Santorini. The kids all loved playing, and it became one of the more popular games for our kids when we are on vacation.

Like a lot of classic favorites, UNO has several different variations available including themed cards and games with different rules. However, the original version is still our favorite. While there are versions with a smaller deck of cards, the standard size is still very portable and it’s very easy to pack in your carry-on bags.

To play this fun card game, you have to match the upright card from your deck with either color or number (or special card). It can take a while to play, but it’s too much of a time commitment. You could definitely play on a flight as long as you are seated together.

You can find UNO in most stores with a toy section, as well as on Amazon.com .

Road Trip Games

If you are hitting the road for your next vacation, there are lots of fun car games that you can get to keep everyone occupied. Family road trips can be lots of fun, but you’ll often be looking for ways to spent the time.

Driving for a long-distance? The license plate game can be lots of fun. You can find free printables online, but if you’d prefer a more reusable option, the Melissa and Doug flip to win game is a great choice. It can be purchased on Amazon .

Kids also love a travel scavenger hunt on long road trips. We have travel bingo cards that are fun to play. They don’t work well in traffic, because you won’t see as much, but they are great for rides at a steady pace. You can also find road trip scavenger hunt cards that are better for young children on road trips.

Of course, you’ll want to make sure that the road trip play doesn’t interfere with the driver. If for some reason the road is more hazardous, you may want to pause the games for a little while.

Monopoly Deal

We love playing Monopoly, but everyone knows that the board game can take up a whole day. Monopoly Deal is the travel version of traditional Monopoly. But it’s easier to play and doesn’t involve individual game pieces or a game board.

Monopoly Deal can be played in much less time. While the package states that it can take about 15 minutes, we’ve found that it typically takes us a little longer than that. It includes all of the fun features of Monopoly, like action cards, property sets, and money.

Like UNO, it’s packaged as a set of cards, so it’s easy to pack in your suitcase . You can purchase an exclusive version on Amazon.com .

The Catan travel game is another one that eliminates the board to make the whole game more compact. In this dice-based game, you’ll roll these customized dice to collect various resources. As you gather the resources, you can build different elements for points.

Rolling the dice is a major element of this game, so it’s probably best to play on a flat surface. Because of this, you probably won’t want to play in the back of a car or on a plane trip.

Another option is to download a dice app on your phone. It’s still very portable to bring with you and play on the go, and it’s a fun game for the whole family.

You’ll use a scorepad to keep track of your points and building. Once you run out of sheets, a free download is available to print out. You can purchase the Catan travel game on Amazon.com .

Clue Card Game

I love the board game Clue, but admittedly, the board is a bit annoying and unnecessary. In the Clue card game, you’ll still need to know whodunit, where they did it, and what they used, but you won’t have to worry about the game board.

This game is made for kids aged 8 plus and is for 3-4 players. I find that Clue is best played with four players, but you can also have three. It’s small enough to pack in a carry-on bag and can be played on the go. It can be purchased on Amazon.com .

iPad Play and Pass Games

I know that most families try to limit screen time and electronic devices, especially on vacation. However, some of the best travel games can conveniently be played on an iPad. Play and Pass games on the iPad are reasonably priced (with a few in-game purchase upgrades that are completely optional.

The Game of Life on the iPad lets you spin the wheel, move your car, and choose various paths. Once you finish your turn, you can pass your iPad over to the next player for their turn. We’ve loved playing this game on road trips because it’s very easy to play and while there is some strategy involved, it isn’t too complicated.

Monopoly and Clue are also available as Play and Pass games. They are very similar to their corresponding board games and have similar rules. All of these games can be purchased on the app store.

Magnetic Games

When I think of travel games, I typically think of those old-school magnetic games. These games are simple to play, and the magnets are a great way to prevent the pieces from falling or moving when you are playing on the go. Missing pieces are always a risk when you play a game on the go.

You can find these magnetic travel games on Amazon.com .

Exploding Kittens

Exploding Kittens has quickly become a classic card game. There are several different versions, including one featuring the Minions.

It’s a fast-paced game in which users taking turns turning over the Exploding Kittens cards. Once you turn over an exploding kitten card, you are out of the game and lose. There are various other components to the game too, including special cards that can change your turns.

Once you get used to the game, you can purchase expansion packs with new cards to add to the gameplay, making it feel like a new game. It’s a portable game and is easy to pack and play.

You can find Exploding Kittens and the various expansion packs on their website and on Amazon.com .

Sushi Go! is another one of our favorite games – both at home and on the go. The cards featuring the sushi are so adorable, and the game is fun to play.

It’s a fast-paced game where you try to collect points as you make various sets of sushi. You’ll need to pay close attention because gameplay moves quickly.

You really do need to sit in a circle for this game to be more effective, so it’s not something you can play on a plane or in a car. You’ll probably prefer to play it once you are at your destination.

Sushi Go! can be purchased on Amazon.com . It’s recommended for kids aged 8+.

What is your favorite travel game for kids?

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Toddler Approved

Simple hands on activities for busy parents.

Travel Games for Kids

Traveling soon? Inside this post we're sharing 15+ awesome travel games for kids! These games are compact and easy to carry along on any adventure! Stick one in your bag if you're traveling soon or just need something to pull out while you're waiting at a restaurant!

What are the best travel games for kids? You'll love this list of 15+ games for kids ages 5 and up!

Games are great for traveling, what makes a game great for travel, 15+ awesome travel games for kids, more game ideas.

I have so many great memories sitting around playing games while we're on vacation together or waiting for a flight. They help everyone have a little more fun traveling!

Why are games great for traveling?

• They're a fun way to connect with family and friends when you're traveling
• Games are a fun way to pass time while you're waiting or sitting at the airport.
• They are excellent for when you want to sit down at the end of a long day on vacation, but still want to interact in some way.
• Games are awesome to bring to the beach or to pull out at a restaurant when you're sitting around with friends.
• They are a good screen free way to have fun!

Need more activities for when you're traveling?

Check out these simple airplane activities for kids..

Here is some of the criteria I look at when I picked games to bring along when we travel. Sometimes not all of these fit (*not every game works on the airplane or in a car), but several of them usually do!

• Compact and easy to carry.
• Work for a range of ages of kids.
• Great for family game time.
• Fun to play on the airplane or in the car.*

The best travel games are compact and easy to carry along with you! This list of 15+ travel games will help kids stay busy and having fun on the go.

Toddler Approved is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my  Disclosure Policy .

This card game works for 2-8 players! Kids try and find the images that match on each card. The game says it's for kids 6+, but I've played it with kids younger than that. You can also grab Spot It Junior which is an animal version for preschoolers.

Pizza Party

In this game, you roll the die to build your pizza pie! This game is for 2 players, but you can purchase another set to play with four. Kids think this game is so much fun!

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is super fun! Your goal is to have no cards by the end. It's fast moving and involves slapping, which my kids love. This game is quick to learn! You can play with 3-8 players.

Sleeping Queens

This my 7-year old's current favorite game. It is so creative! I'm not a huge game fan and this is one that I love too! Our whole family (adults and kids ages 7-15) likes playing this one together. It says it's for kids ages 8 and up, but we've played it with 5+.

UNO (and UNO Flip )

UNO is one of our family's favorite games. Kids 4 and under usually play on a team with an adult. Uno Flip is a cool variation on the classic UNO game. The best part about UNO is that you can play with 2-10 players, so it's great for a larger group or just 2 people.

UNO Go (this version is SO small)

My 10 year old thinks this version of UNO is hysterical because it's so tiny. It's perfect to slip in your pocket. The rules are a tiny bit different because it's so small, but it's mostly the same as the traditional UNO. This one is perfect for when you're really trying to save space.

This is a super fast 2 player card game and it's easy to learn. The goal is to get rid of your cards!

Exploding Kittens

I recently started playing this with my kids. They've loved it for years. It's pretty funny and super simple to understand. I loved that it had an instructional video linked so I could watch a simple video and learn all the rules fast.

This classic game is so fun! Kids learn about numbers, pairs, counting, and more. The pictures in this version are cute and the numbers are easy to read.

This game is always a hit! The goal is to ask your friends for different cards that they might be holding in order to get yourself a match. You practice taking turns and making matches until someone runs out of cards and has all their cards matched. If your friend doesn't have a card you need, they say, "go fish" and you draw a card from the deck. The game is simple, which is why this classic game has been a favorite for decades.

Eye Found It

We got this game a few months ago and it is great for kids ages 3+! The Disney characters in the game make it extra fun. It's a hidden picture card game that kids will enjoy!

Have you introduced your kids to Old Maid yet? The goal of this classic game is to avoid getting the Old Maid card as you take turns pulling cards from each other's hands and making matches. The cards say ages 5+ but younger kids could always give it a try, or work on a team with a grown up.

RELATED: Need more easy travel activities?

Check out these awesome road trip activities for kids..

Spoons is easy to learn, which means it's great for younger kids. It's also fast paced, which means older kids and adults like it too. The best part is when everyone is trying to grab the spoons.

We played this game over the holidays with lots of kids and adults. You roll the dice that you're given and do different challenges. It's pretty easy to learn but is listed for ages 7+ because it requires quick thinking and strong number recognition skills. Some younger kids can still enjoy it. The best part? There are a dozen different ways to play the game. Several versions are listed in the instructions.

We love scavenger hunts! This is a great one to take with you on the go when you're outdoors. The cards list prompts to encourage kids to start hunting around. Once you've found the item, you yell "FOUND IT" and you earn the card. The first person to win 7 cards, wins the game.

Avocado Smash

The goal of this game is to get rid of all of your cards. You can play with 2+ players. The box says that the game is best for kids ages 6+. The fun part of this game is all the slapping!

Cookie Swap

The goal of this game is to collect four cards with the same character on them. Kids love seeing their favorite Disney characters. This game is fun at holiday time, but can also be played all year long.

Bananagrams

This classic word game is fun for kids 7+ (or for those who love to spell at any age).

Five Crowns

This is a rummy style card game for kids ages 8+. It works for up to 7 players and is great for kids and adults to play together.

Do you have any other favorite travel games that we missed? Tell us about them in the comments.

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Best Travel Games for long journeys with kids

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Table of Contents

Best Travel Games for Kids

Travel Games are an essential item if you’re travelling with kids on a long journey. You need games to keep kids occupied and busy so you can keep your eyes on the road or even relax on your long journey! When it comes to keeping kids entertained on road trips, on ferries, planes or even during the evening in hotel rooms, you need travel games for kids to be engaging but not overly complicated, easy to pack and versatile to play on a variety of surfaces. But travel games don’t just have to be for kids – the best travel games are also fun for adults. There are plenty of amazing travel games for kids that adults will love just as much. These are the best kind of travel games that can be whipped out in a delay at the departure gate or on even at a restaurant on holiday. You can see our other screen free ways to entertain kids on a long journey here and if you’re travelling with babies, the ultimate checklist for flying is a must read!

 And there’s lots of Free Fun Printables for kids to do in the car on this page.

Here’s our round up of the Best Travel Games for Long Journeys.

Best Travel Games for Long Journeys Ages 4+

Dino dump (age 5+).

OK Play (age 5+)

OK Play is a travel game which is a little like Connect 4 but played flat. There are two things that make  OK Play stand out from the crowd. One is its ultra-portability. There is no box and the pieces are carried with a carabiner at the top, so you can easily hang them up. The pieces are hard plastic, meaning that they can be played indoor or out and are washable so be played in any weather. The second is, as it’s small, it can fit in any bag easily! You’ll love this printable passport for kids to keep them occupied on a long journey!

Dobble (age 5+)

Dobble is a card game, easily stored in a tin and on each card are 8 different symbols.  All you have to do is be the first to spot and name out loud your matching symbol but it’s sometimes harder than it sounds! There are 5 different suggested games that you can play and it’s designed for kids of all ages which makes it a perfect family game for travel. It’s an observational game where kids can beat adults too which makes them feel super special!

Voxblock Screen Free Audiobook Player

A must-have for kids on long journeys is an audiobook, we love our Voxblock audio player which enables kids to pause or change your audiobook at any time, and return to where you left off the next time you listen. What I loved was that the Voxblock is that it’s screen free and ready to play right out of the box, with no wifi or setup required – there are hundreds of titles and series from Alex Rider to Horrible Histories to classics such as Oliver Twist or Peter Pan. It’s designed for kids, and made to last all the rough and tumble kids can throw at it as it has a sturdy, colourful case to protect it. The voxblock is small enough to carry with you wherever you go, whether that be in the car, on a plane, or a train. Plus, the battery lasts for days with just a single charge. Just pick a audiobook, place it in your player and play. Even the youngest of kids can operate it by themselves which makes it perfect for travel because you don’t have to rely on a grown up to change the audio book. Find out more about the Voxblock here.

The JBuddies Studio headphones from JLAB are volume limiting, wired and wireless headphones that are ideal for keeping the kids entertained on long car journeys or flights without having to worry about damaging their ears. Both wireless (and wired – Jbuddies for easy movement) are great for travel, whether kids are watching films, listening to music or gaming, they are comfortable, great quality and also are volume limited for kids hearing protection. What I love about these headphones are how compact they fold up and the protective cases they come in which make them perfect for travel!

Spades (5+) Spades, a classic card game ideal for travel, centers on players forming teams to bid and win tricks by strategically playing cards, with spades as the trump suit. It’s an excellent game for kids to develop skills in strategy, teamwork, and arithmetic. The popular platform Spades.co provides a dynamic and interactive way for kids to play and enjoy this game remotely, making it perfect for travel or at-home entertainment.

Sinco Keychain Games

A perfect travel companion to keep kids entertained on a train, plane or even in the car, these keychain games are family favourites in our house!  Sinco Creations have created these Keychain games which clip to any bag or keyrings, making them accessible to play on the go, wherever you are! They feature all the classic favourite family friendly games in a mini hard case to protect the game .  If you have a trip planned for ages 6+, these keychain games are the best things we’ve found to keep kids entertained and busy in a long journey.

Sneak Peek (age 4+)

Sneak Peek operates very similarly to ‘Snap’ but you find cards that match by colour, symbol or both. You find a match to keep the cards and the winner is the player who has the most cards. There are two fun and fast ways to play! This is one of the Best Travel games for kids, particularly young kids.

Pointz (age 4+)

Pointz can be played by young children as well as older kids too. You have to race against the spinner and complete game challenges that make you move, speak, act, think, look and react to win the point! This a great game to play in a restaurant or at an airport. You do need a variety of things around you to have the most fun so it doesn’t always work to play in a car. It’s one of the best travel games for kids to play at an airport on on a ferry!

The player with the most Pointz cards wins!

Othello Travel Edition (age 5+)

This is one of our kids favourite travel games and they love the full size version too! Othello On The Move is a foldable, travel version of the internationally acclaimed two-player strategy game that you can now enjoy on the move. Othello’s catchphrase ‘it takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master!’ Trap and capture your opponent by placing your disks on the board.  This is one of my kids favourite games, they love beating each other! It’s a good travel game for the plane as it’s nice and small and packs up quickly. It works well for mixed age groups playing as well. Buy Travel Othello here.

Rummikub (age 7+)

Rummikub needs very little space to play so it’s a great travel game that can be played almost anywhere! It’s like a more immediate, fast paced, Scrabble. It’s an educational word game – so perfect for keeping kids learning in the holidays. I love how it packs away into it’s retro red case neatly, perfect for travelling! This is our kids favourite game to play on a long summer’s evening on holiday. Buy Rummikub here.

UNO (age 5+)

Best screen free creative activities for kids on a journey, busy bots (age 18 months+).

I really love these travel busy bags for kids aged 2-6. They are small, neat and easy to carry around. They have some really inventive ideas to keep little ones busy for ages. We tried Puzzled Shapes for my 5 year old and Bugs in Numbers for my 2 year old – kept them both busy for around 40-60 minutes and they regularly asked for it both at home and during the journey. Busy Bots are educational, small to pack and perfect for occupying kids. l will be definitely be investing in some of these for our next road trip! They have unique ideas that I haven’t seen anywhere else such as ‘Ellie’s Equals’ or ‘Fox Sat on the Mat’.

My Little World (age 4+)

My Little World   brings together beautifully drawn characters and scenes to create an exciting new role play world that will spark a child’s creativity and imagination. This is a small, easily packed envelope which opens up into a whole world to cut and stick and create. My daughter particularly loved the Space Station Characters and creating a whole world for them to live in. This was started by my kids on a car journey and then finished off over the holiday until they had a whole Space World. What I love about this set is there are also realistic worlds to create – including Edinburgh Castle and Loch Ness as well as Fairy Villages and worlds focusing on the emergency services!

The Dinosaur Creativity Book and The Princess Creativity Book (age 3+)

Journey play prompts (age 2+).

These are super useful cards for a variety of travel situations. They helped us wile away an hour in a ferry queue!

Each journey playPROMPTS contains 100 fun ideas on how to keep your child entertained on any journey – be it a plane, train, boat or car ride – simply pick out a card at random and see what it suggests… It could be a game, a song, or something to look out for – all designed to keep little minds distracted. These are entertaining for kids of all age – our 10 year old and 2 year old had fun playing these!

Yahtzee (age 5+)

This popular board game is a fun and entertaining way to spend those long hours traveling. 

Yahtzee is a classic dice game where players roll five dice to create combinations and earn points. The objective is to score the highest possible total by strategically choosing which combinations to go for and which dice to reroll, making it a thrilling game of luck and decision-making. 

The online version of Yahtzee is a perfect alternative to the board game as its playable in car rides and tight spaces. The kids and family will all love it!

Solitaire Bliss (age 7+)

Solitaire Bliss offers a wide range of solitaire games to play online for free. Their collection includes popular variations like Klondike, Spider, FreeCell, Pyramid, and many more, providing a diverse selection to suit different preferences and skill levels. Each game comes with a detailed rulebook making it the perfect choice for kids new to card games, and as they develop their skills, they can try out harder difficulty levels.

Cribbage (age 7+)The fast-paced card game is an excellent choice while traveling. Card games can be messy, so this digital version of the game is perfect for the whole family. The objective of Cribbage is for players to score points through a variety of card combinations, the player who scores 121 points first wins. The online version of Cribbage can be played in single player mode, and is available in easy, standard, and pro modes.

More ideas for kids to do on long journeys

Here’s more great ideas for travel games and toys to keep kids busy when travelling.

*This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase through the links, I get a little commission at no extra cost to you.*

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Home » Blog » Travel » 25 Fun Road Trip Games for Kids (Printables, DIY & More!)

25 Fun Road Trip Games for Kids (Printables, DIY & More!)

With spring and summer right around the corner, there’s a good chance you’ll soon be spending a lot of time traveling around visiting families, going to summer camps, and taking summer vacations with the kids.

As a result, you’ll probably be spending loads of time in the car, and if you have kiddos, you’re going to want to prepare some ways to keep them entertained!

Introducing: The Best Road Trip Games for Kids!

My kids would be 100 percent content if I let them just watch movies during road trips, but why not utilize that time to let them learn, communicate, and make fun memories? With the fun road trip games and activities below, with a bit of preparation, you can keep your kids entertained for hours in a way that’s interactive and educational. 

Yes, it will take a little bit of preparation, but with most of these, you prepare one time and then you have everything done for upcoming trips!

1. Road Sign Scavenger Hunt

Thanks, TripSavvy!

This was my favorite road trip scavenger hunt printable that I found, but there are hundreds more if this isn’t what you are looking for. This will keep the kids paying attention, talking, and will for sure strike good friendly competition up in the car!

Plus, this is one that all ages can do. You do not have to be able to read to be able to do this! Just match!

2. “Find That Thing” Scavenger Hunt

Thanks, Carla!

Here is another road trip scavenger hunt game that I found, but this one is only for readers. It is a little more advanced, but the objects are a little harder to find! I would suggest this one for your 4th – middle school-aged kids! They will love this.

3. Make Face Magnets

This is one of the best road trip games for toddlers! They will LOVE this game!

Just find pictures of faces online or even use pictures of your own family member’s facial features and allow your child to build whatever face they want! All you need to do is put a little magnet on the back of each paper and you are good to go!

Thanks, TheIowaFarmersWife.com !

4. Cookie Sheet Chalkboard

This one is so fun! All you need to do is go out and buy some chalkboard paint , paint your cookie sheet, and hand your child some chalk ! They will be entertained for hours on end just drawing away.

This is a super inexpensive way to entertain your kids and you won’t be wasting paper on coloring books! You can just erase and draw over and over again!

Thanks, SunnyWithAChanceOfSprinkles.com

5. Alphabet Pictionary

This one is awesome for any little kid just learning their ABCs but can honestly be used with kids of all ages. All you have to do is print out these printables , put them in a binder , and hand them out to each kid! Let them bring along crayons , pencils or markers and draw away!

Hours will have passed by the time they draw something for each letter . Once everyone finishes, Mom or Dad could judge the drawing and give out a winner for each letter!

Thanks, Lalymom!

6. Travel Memory Game

All you need to make this awesome road trip game is some felt , scissors , glue , and cardboard ! After a little prep, your child will be able to play either with siblings or by themselves, all day long.

This is SUPER easy to make and will last a long time . Not to mention how cheap these supplies will be! Your kids will adore this handmade memory game set.

Thanks, Kids Activities Blog!

7. Truck Spotting/Car Spotting

This is a huge hit in my house for little boys! All you need to do is print this out, hand them a pencil, and see who can spot the most trucks first. Your boys will love this!

Some of these trucks are a little dated and you won’t see too often (like the TV van with the satellite on top) so I would suggest just having a timer and seeing who can get the most in the specific amount of time!

Thanks National Post! 

iSpy is one of my favorite go-to car games but sometimes it is hard to think of things to SPY! I found 2 lists that were perfect for car rides! They are suited well so that you will be able to find everything right from the window of the car.

This will take up a good 30-60 minutes and can be played over and over again!

Thanks, A Pretty Life in the Suburbs & Live Laugh Rowe !

9. License Plate Game

All growing up I played this will my siblings and my kids still play it today!! This awesome printable will help your kids keep track of all the license plates they’ve seen throughout the trip.

I would suggest this one for the longer road trips that go across multiple states . If you’re stuck in one state the entire time, you might not see too much diversity!

Thanks, TheSuburbanMom!

10. ABC Spelling Game

I love this idea! It’s a road trip game that’s fun and educational . And we all know how it goes when a little one is learning to read and write. They are all so eager to learn and this is such a fun way to help them improve their spelling.

All you need is a metal lunch box , magnetic tape , and alphabet letters ! Give your child the lunch box and tell them which words to spell!

You could be sitting in the front seat saying, “dog” “meow” “purple” “truck” and they could be in the backseat spelling away! Or, you could give their sibling little flashcards with words to help quiz them along the way!

Thanks, As the Bunny Hops!

11. Roadtrip Bingo

Bingo is an awesome option when you have a car full of kids! What I love to do is simply give them a book or a notepad, let them set their board up, and simply use fruit snacks or goldfish as markers!

The first one to get a bingo gets to call out the objects the next time. My kids could go on and on for hours with this! I’m sure yours will too!

Thanks, Everyday Reading!

12. Travel Journal

A travel journal is a great way for your kids to pass the time, practice their writing, and write down all the fun memories they make while on family vacations . You can find many different options of printables for a travel journal but I like the one above because it is good for all ages.

Maybe attach a blank piece of paper to the other side and have them draw their favorite part of the day and write a paragraph about what they loved the most about today! Your kids will love to look back on this once the trip is over.

Thanks, Voluntown Housewife!

13. Word Search

Word Searches are fantastic ways to pass the time while in the car. What I love to do is put them in sheet protectors , hand them a dry erase pen , and let all your kids have a try!

This way you will only have to print out one puzzle and they will all get to use it. All they need to do is wipe off their writings once they are done!

Thanks, iHeartNapTime!

14. Would You Rather?

This game looks amazing! I haven’t tried this one yet, but I am going to totally make this for our next road trip. All you have to do is print out the questions and make the book! You will then have dozens of questions for your kids.

This will entertain them for such a long time and they will love it! And if you’re planning a Disney vacation , this is even more perfect.

Thanks, GetAwayToday!

15. Racetrack Binder

I love this idea. You could fill up a little 3 ring binder with word searches, puzzles, games, and maybe even their journal and then add this little race track to the end . You’d then have an entire binder full of road trip games.

With this one, your little kids will love pretending to drive their race car all around as you are on your road trip. Just head here and print out the printable! All you have to do is put it in the sheet protectors and you are good to go!

Thanks, Design Dizzle!

16. Ticket Time

If you have kids that love to ask, “Are we there yet?” This is the game for you!! All you need to do is determine how long your trip will be. If it will be 6 hours, give each kid a baggie with 12 tickets in it (one ticket for every 30 minutes).

After 30 minutes go by, they can hand you a ticket. If they ask, “are we there yet?” they don’t get to turn in a ticket. Once the trip has ended all the kids who have given back all the tickets can get a treat!

I love this simple idea! It helps the kids know how much longer they have left without even having to ask!

Thanks, Crafting Chicks!

17. Car Ride Presents

This idea takes a little prep, but I love the concept of this. This sweet mother decided that she would make a hand-made gift for her kids each time they went on a road trip. Whether it was a journal, a doll, a bracelet, etc… she wrapped it up and took it on the trip with them.

I think this would be an awesome motivator to help your kids be on their best behavior. Tell them that if they behave, they can open their present in the last hour of the trip!

Note: This doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive.. just give them a handmade treat that they would love! Check out these Homemade Gift Ideas Perfect for Any Occasion for ideas.

Thanks, Grey Luster Girl! 

18. Brain Quest

My kids love these games! Their cards are awesome and will get your kids thinking. There are different decks for different ages and they will keep your kids entertained forever .

The deck is full of questions that your child will quickly need to answer. This can be played with siblings or with you leading it! Whatever works! If you’ve never tried this game, you need to! It’s the greatest.

Check it out here!

19. Geography Quiz

Make it a competition and your kids will love it even more. I even have a little prize sometimes for the winner.

20. Dry Erase Activity Book

This is one that can be 100% customizable . All you need to do is gather a bunch of printables that your child can use over and over again. I found word searches, essay prompts, coloring pages, and crosswords.

All you need to do after is laminate them! You can either go to a store to get this done or do it yourself! Afterward, punch holes in the paper and let your kids draw away. This book will last forever because all you’ll have to do is erase the markings and start over after every road trip.

Thanks Simply Kierste!

21. Hangman

This is the perfect game for road trips. It is a wooden slab that has letters that you can flip over and a dry erase marker. All you need to do is throw this in the car and it is there ready for them to play. My kids love this and it keeps them occupied for hours and hours. 

22. Road Trip Grab Book

I decided to put this as the last homemade game because it is the perfect way to combine all of the other road trip activities and games I have mentioned above. All you need is a 3 ring binder and some pencil cases .

Once you have those, all you need to do is fill each pencil case with different activities. You can put coloring pages, legos, treats, cards, etc. Honestly, anything you want! All you have to do is fill it up and hand it to each child.

You can customize each binder and fill it with things specific to them OR give everyone the same thing . I like to put all the same things in each binder just to avoid the fighting!

Thanks, MamaPapaBubba!

23. Premium Scratch and Sketch Art Notes 2 Pack

This is the perfect item for any of your children that love to doodle. This pad will eliminate crayons, markers, and pens because all the colors are already there under the paper! Once they draw, the colors will appear. Your kids will love these.

24. Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game

This game is perfect to play in the car. All you need to do is put it in the pocket of your car and let it sit there. Whenever your kids are bored, they can pull it out and use it! They will love having it around to keep them entertained on long rides.

25. Games on the Go

If you’re looking for a bunch of simple road trip games in a compact format, this Games On the Go product is perfect. It has 50 games and can fit right in your pocket!

Final Thoughts

I hope that you found some car games that struck your attention on this list! Give a few of them a try on your next road trip and let me know how it goes.

I know that sometimes as moms we just DREAD long trips in the car, but with the right preparation, you can have the best road trip ever!

What road trip activities do your kids love doing in the car? Comment below! I can’t wait to find out.

Essential Road Trip Item:

This would be awesome on the back seat of your car to keep snacks and supplies off the ground! There is nothing I love more than squished fruit snacks or crackers ALL OVER THE CAR 😉 and this will prevent that from happening!

Plus it will keep your kids energized while they play all the road trip games above. Check it out on Amazon here .

This post was insanely helpful. Thanks for all your hard work putting this together.

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16 of the Best Travel Board Games for Kids 2024

If your family loves travelling, then having some of the best travel board games for adults and kids at home is brilliant for keeping the passion alive between trips.  Not only do the best travel games for kids, keep the whole family entertained, it’s also a fun way to teach the kids about the wonderful world we live in and its people, particularly right now if you’ve stuck at home and looking for things to do.

So if you’re looking for some fun ways to keep the entire family entertained during these periods of world travel bans, then I highly recommend you check out this list of fun travel themed board games.  In this travel games for children guide– I’ve listed a range of great travel games for kids of all ages.  Whether you’re after the best travel games for toddlers or the best travel games for adults and kids to enjoy together, this guide covers it all.

Luckily for us, we love to travel AND playing board games, so it was actually heaps of fun putting this guide together and I may have even found some great ideas for our next board game purchase.

This post may contain compensated links.  Please refer to my disclaimer  here  for more information.

Page Contents

• 1 Best Travel Board Games for Kids 
• 2 Comparison Table: Best Travel Games for Kids
• 3.1 Age Appropriate – Difficulty
• 3.2 How Many Players
• 3.3 Time to Play
• 3.4 The Fun Factor
• 4.1 Ticket to Ride
• 4.2 Travel Card Games: Countries of the World II Card Games
• 4.3 Explore the World
• 4.4 Pandemic
• 4.5 Passport to Culture
• 4.6 GeoBingo World
• 4.7 Flags Around The World
• 4.8 The World Game
• 4.9 The Continent Race
• 4.10 BrainBox – The World
• 4.11 Around the World
• 4.12 Backpacker – The Ultimate Travel Game
• 4.13 The Scrambled States of America
• 4.14 Great States
• 4.15 Travel Blog
• 4.16.1 Do you want to keep this handy for later? 
• 4.16.2 Click on one of the images below to save it to Pinterest.

Best Travel Board Games for Kids  

To come up with this list of travel board games for family, I’ve asked for recommendations from our followers, other family travel bloggers as well as researched the best selling travel games on Amazon.  I have no doubt there are a million other fun travel games, but this is a pretty good list to get you started.

Comparison Table: Best Travel Games for Kids

Don’t have time to read the entire review on the best travel board games for adults and kids to play together?  Below is a handy table of all the games in this guide with some brief information and a link for where you can buy the games online.

Keep reading below for further information on these games.

How to Find Great Travel Games

Before we get into the reviews on popular travel board games for kids, I want to give you some tips on how to go about finding the best board games everyone will love.

While going through this guide, think about the following factors:

Skip this section if you just want to see our list of recommended travel games.

Age Appropriate – Difficulty

Obviously the best travel games for 3 year olds, is not going to be the same as the best board games for teens.  While most board games have an age range on them, I think parents need to consider their children when determining if the game is age appropriate for them.

Some of the top board games for older kids involve a lot of critical thinking.  However depending on your child, even younger children may still enjoy the challenge of playing these games. 

On the other hand, even if the game says its age appropriate for your child, perhaps they have a short attention span (like my daughter), or simply don’t have the necessary skill set to play the game and therefore won’t enjoy it.

When it comes to age, I’d also consider the ages of all your children and see if you can find at least one game that kids of all ages will enjoy.

How Many Players

Before purchasing a game, consider how many players are likely to play at any given time.  There is no point buying a game that is best played with four people if you’re a family of three.  Alternatively, if you have three children, you’re going to want to buy a game that can accommodate at least three players.

Make sure you read reviews – some games are just best played with larger groups, while other games are better suited to smaller groups.

Time to Play

When it comes to the best board games toddlers will love, you’ll probably want to look for games that don’t take long to play or games where you can play in rounds.  Whereas if you’re looking for the best board games, teenagers will enjoy – then games that take at least an hour or more to play are probably going to be more enjoyable for them.

Mind you as they say “a quick game is a good game” – sometimes it’s good to have a game that won’t take long to play – so consider this when purchasing.

The Fun Factor

Of course when it comes to board games for kids, they’ve got to be fun!  I had so much fun playing board games with my brothers and sisters when I was young.  Gosh, I remember us being in fits of laughter half the time (and then of course there were times when we almost killed each other)!

When it comes to fun kid’s board games – there is so much choice – you’ve just got to think about what will suit your children.  Younger kids will appreciate games that make them laugh, while older children might enjoy the more serious types of games.

Top Travel Themed Board Games 2024 Reviews

Let’s get into it and in no particular order, check out some of the best travel themed board games currently available!

Ticket to Ride

One of our newest games that we like to play as a family is Ticket to Ride .  This is a brilliant family game, particularly for families looking for fun travel games adults and kids will enjoy together.   

There is a range of different versions of Ticket to Ride with each version set up as a continent or country such as Europe , New York , India, Germany, Japan and other.  Across the board, there is a range of train stations with routes in between.

Each player has a range of routes that they must complete.  Points are provided for completing the routes (you lose points if you don’t complete your routes), as well as building the routes along the way.  There are bonus points also given out for the longest route across the board.  The aim of the game is to be the player with the most points at the end.

If you’ve played this game for a while and want to add some new challenges, you can also buy an expansion kit which changes it up a bit.  Also if you have younger children there is also a junior version called Ticket to Ride – First Journey which is suitable for kids 6+.

For families with older children or who are looking for fun board games, definitely get yourself Ticket to Ride – I’m a big fan of this one.

Number of Players : 2 to 5 players

Age Range : 8+

Time to Play : At least one hour

Click here for more information or to buy now

Travel Card Games : Countries of the World II Card Games

Countries of the World II Card Games one of the cheap and easy travel card games that the family can play anywhere, anytime.

This card game has 30 cards each with three hard and three easy questions – so a total of 180 questions.  Each player takes it in turns to roll the die, which determines which question on the card they are asked.  The questions are true or false and multiple choice style trivia questions.

If the player gets the answer correct, they win the card.  If they get the answer wrong, the card goes to the bottom of the pile.  Once all the cards have been won, the player with the most cards wins.  

Number of Players : 2-8

Age Range : 7+

Time to Play : 30 -45 minutes

Explore the World

For the young curious traveller, Explore the World is a great game to learn more about the world.  It’s a simple game to play, without any complex rules and suitable for children from around age 7.

Each player takes it in turn to spin the wheel and depending on where it lands players are asked a range of questions or asked to complete a fun challenge.  Questions are about cities, animals or flags.  Get the question right and move along.

The winner is the first person to make a round trip.

Number of Players :  2-6

Time to Play : Around an hour

With what’s going on the world right now, perhaps Pandemic is a little too close to home – or perhaps not – I’ll let you be the judge of that one.  Whatever your thoughts Pandemic is one of the most popular games currently around.

If your kids aren’t great at playing competitive games together, Pandemic is great as it requires players to work together.  With Pandemic, players must work together to stop four different life threatening diseases that are spreading across the world.  Players must work together as a team to find cures and save the world.  So with this game, either all players succeed, or all players lose.

The way this game works is each player is assigned a character, such as a Medic, Research, Quarantine Specialist or scientist.  During each player’s turn, they choose between different actions, including travelling around the world, build research centres, share information, treat infections and work towards finding a cure.  However while this is happening, the diseases spread and so it’s a race against time and also about how the players work together.

This game certainly is a little challenging, and younger kids will benefit from playing with their parents. The thing I like about this game is that you can make it a bit more of a challenge if you have older children as you can add more diseases on the board.

Number of Players : 2- 4 players

Time to Play : Around 45 minutes

Passport to Culture

For families with older children and looking for something a little more challenging – Passport to Culture is a good one to consider.  Like the previous game, Explore the World, players must travel across the globe and answering questions about world culture as they go.

Each player starts at the airport and then takes it, in turn, rolling the dice and moving around the globe.  As players travel around the board, they are asked multiple choice questions relating to different cultures around the world.  If you get the answer right, you get a stamp in your passport.  The aim of the game is to collect all ten stamps in your passport.

Given the questions are multiple choice – this makes the game enjoyable for kids of all ages.  Even if they don’t know the answer, they can at least have a guess and the more times they play, the better the chance of getting the questions right.  Plus they are learning things about the world too.

Age Range : 10+

Time to Play : 30-45 minutes

GeoBingo World

If you’ve got some tiny ones, then a good game for the family to play is GeoBingo World .  Like the name suggests this is a simple bingo style game based on geography.  There are 8 bingo boards with 25 countries on each and the first player to get to five countries in a row wins.

This is an excellent way for kids to learn about different countries around the world. It would also be a good one to pack if you’re looking for travel toys for a road trip as it’s reasonably compact.

Age Range : 4+

Time to Play : 10-15 minutes

Flags Around The World

Another trivia style game, Flags Around The World , has players learning to recognize flags as well as learn other information about countries around the world. 

In Flags Around The World, players take it in turns to choose a flag, which they then must say which country it belongs to and what the country is capital is.  If the player is correct, they score points.  The aim of the game is to collect flags from each continent.

What I like about this game, is there is the option to play using multiple choice questions, which makes it easier for the young ones to join in.  Plus as they get more familiar with the game, you can remove the multiple choice answers.  

Number of Players : 2-6

Time to Play : 45 – 60 minutes

The World Game

The World Game is a geography card game, where you score points by competing in a range of geography based challenges.

To start the game every player receives 20 country cards.  Each country hard has four facts about the country on it, with each fact allocated different points.  Players take it in turns comparing facts, and the player with the highest scoring fact wins.  When a player wins, they take their opponent’s card.

Along the way, there are also challenges where players are tested on their knowledge about flags, locations, capital cities and continents.

The game ends when one player has won all the cards.

What’s good about this game, is that the entire game is not based on answering questions, so kids of all ages can get involved.  

Number of Players : 2-5

Time to Play : 30-60 minutes

The Continent Race

Can you believe that The Continent Race was created by a bored 6 year old!  Young Byron created this game as he has a passion for geography which he wanted to share with other kids.

Players race around the globe collecting country cards – you can either play at the beginner level and collect cards from 3 continents or the advanced level and collect country cards from 5 continents.  For each continent, players are required to collect a certain amount of country cards.

Each player starts with seven country cards.  Players then take it in turns taking a card from the deck and discarding one in their hand.   Once the player has the correct number of country cards from a continent, they can put those sets of cards up and continue play.  The winner is the first player to collect the required number of country cards from each continent.

This is an excellent easy to play game and given there are no trivia style questions to answer it is, suitable for kids of all ages.

Number of Players : 2 or more players

Time to Play : 30 minutes

BrainBox – The World

If you’re after a simple, quick and easy travel themed game, then check out BrainBox – The World . 

This is a memory type game where players take turns drawing cards, having ten seconds to memorize its pictures and facts.  The player then passes the card to another player, rolls the dice, and the other player will ask them the question that corresponds with the number on the dice.    

If the player gets the question right, they keep the card, if not the card is returned to the BrainBox and it’s the next players turn.  The winner is the player with the most cards after 10 minutes.

This is a straightforward game to play with no complex rules and given it’s a card game, it can be played anywhere at any time.

Number of Players : 2 or more

Time to Play : 10 minutes

Around the World

Around the World is a great game to teach kids all about people, places, cultures, geography and languages of the world.

Players are each provided with scorecards which have 12 spaces with different colours.  The different colours represent a different category of questions.  Each time a player answers a question correctly, they can add a token to the corresponding category on their scorecard.  The aim of the game is to be the first person to fill up their scorecard.

To play, players take turns in rolling the dice and moving along the board accordingly.  Depending on where you land, you will need to pick up the appropriate card and answer the question.  If you’re correct, you will receive, token for your scorecard.

This game is easy to learn, but it does require children to answer trivia questions, so it is best for older children.  It’s a great way for everyone in the family to expand on their world knowledge.  

Number of Players : 2 to 5

Time to Play : 45 – 60 minutes

Backpacker – The Ultimate Travel Game

Another great card game about travel, Backpacker – The Ultimate Travel Game is based on a backpacker travelling the world.

The idea of the game is that you travel around the world, visiting different countries and taking photos as you go.  Along the way, you may have special experiences which lead you to take more photos.  The winner of the game is the person who has taken the most photos. 

Each player starts with five cards and then takes turns drawing a card and playing a card.  There are two types of cards – a country card and an event card.  Country cards show how many photos you took at a particular country, while event cards are special cards that combined with the right country card can earn you bonus photos or may even cost you points.

This is a really great game as its quite different from the usual trivia type travel games.  Plus given its just a card game, it’s small and easy to take travelling with you.  Perfect for playing on the plane or while waiting for a flight.  

Age Range : 12+

Time to Play : 1 hour

The Scrambled States of America

For families living in the USA or have a particular interest in the states, then The Scrambled States of America is a fun game to play.

Each player starts with a map of the USA and five state cards.  The remaining state cards go in the centre next to the red deck of cards.  Players then take it in turns flipping over the card from the red deck of cards and reading what the card says. 

Each of the cards provides some sort of challenge that all players must compete in, and the first person to complete the challenge correctly wins the card.  Challenges could be, for example “find a state with a capital city starting with S or T”.  In this case, if one of the player’s state cards have a capital city starting with S or T, then they can complete the challenge and get an additional state card.

The game ends when all the state cards are gone, and the winner is whoever has the most state cards.

This is a fast paced game – think snap – but the rules can be a bit complex to understand at first.  Once you get the hang of it though, it’s a pretty fun game for the whole family.  

Number of Players : 2-4

Time to Play : 20 minutes

Great States

Another game for families with an interested in the USA – Great States   is a little more trivia based, so is a great game to play if you’re headed to the states for a trip and want the kids to learn a little more about the country.

Players take it in turns flicking the spinning wheel and then picking whatever card the wheel lands on.  The player is then required to answer the question on the card before the 60 seconds timer runs out.  The answers to the questions can be found on the board game, which makes it great for young players learning about the USA.

If you answer your card correctly, you get to keep it.  The aim of the game is to be the player with the most cards at the end of the game.  

Travel Blog

If you want something different from standard travel trivia games, Travel Blog  is a good to consider. 

With Travel Blog, basically you are a travel blogger who needs to find the cheapest ways to travel to the various destinations for your assignments.  The aim of the game is to be the player with the most money at the end of the game.

To start, you need to decide if you’re going to use the USA or the Europe map and then place the chosen map face down, so you can’t see it.  Each player then chooses a colour and gets the travel cards and tokens to match.

Players must then analyze the starting cards and decide which two states to visit, based on the fewest number of border crossings.  Players are then required to pay the bank according to the number of border crossings.

Travel Blog is placed over seven different rounds, and while each round is similar, they do change slightly. 

This is quite a unique game, and the rules are a little complicated, so does take a bit of getting used to.  Nevertheless, it’s great to have a travel themed game that isn’t based on answering trivia based questions.  

Perhaps you’re a little surprised to see the classic board game Monopoly on the list, but think about it, with stops on the board like Kings Cross Station and Trafalgar Square, this would have to one of the original travel themed games. 

While you’re all probably familiar with the original Monopoly board – there are plenty of other versions too.  Versions available you can get are National Geographic , Melbourne , New Zealand , Sydney , Adelaide , Brisbane , Perth and even a World Edition .

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the concept of Monopoly, but in case you’re not – Monopoly is all about going through life, buying and selling real estate, paying taxes and even winning the odd beauty contest along the way. 

Players start at GO and move around the board by rolling the dice.   You can purchase vacant properties as you land on them, or if they are already owned, you will need to pay the owner rent for landing on them.  As your real estate portfolio expands, you have the option of building houses and hotels on your land, which then allows you to charge players more money when they land on your property.  The game ends when all players but one are bankrupt. 

If your little one is a bit too young for Monopoly, there is Junior Monopoly .  Junior Monopoly is suitable for kids around age 5, although it’s really simple to play and we had Myla playing it probably from around age 4.

Number of Players : 2 to 6 players

Time to Play : At least an hour or more

I hope you found this guide on the best travel themed board games useful to see another amazing resource about board games, be sure to check out Board Game Friend .  If you’re looking for more things for kids that love to travel, check out guide on travel themed books here or our kids gift guide here .  

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The 27 Best Travel-sized Games of 2024

Our list has brainy word teasers, multiplayer party games, and everything in between.

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Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan

Whether you’re in need of kid-friendly games for a long road trip or some cheeky party activities to break the ice with a new group of hostel friends, it’s always worth having a couple of tried-and-true games up your sleeve while on the road.

The following travel-sized games are the best options in our book. These compact card and board games are designed to take up minimal space in luggage, while still offering maximum fun during the inevitable downtime that comes with most adventures (think layovers, long hours on a train, or rainy evenings on vacation). Here are our top picks for all types of travelers.

Mattel Games World's Smallest UNO Card Game

Why We Love It: This teeny card game will fit into the smallest of handbags.

What to Consider: The ultra-compact size might not work for those with vision problems or arthritic hands.

Uno is one of those card games that everybody already knows how to play — and, if they don’t, it takes about ten seconds to learn. That makes this game an excellent addition when backpacking abroad or vacationing with family members of all ages. This option in particular stands out as it’s the “world’s smallest” version of the popular game. The tiny cards are less than three inches tall — that’s smaller than a credit card! – and can easily fit into handbags or luggage without adding any bulk, so you’ll always have an icebreaker at the ready.

The Details : 2-10 players | Ages 7+ | 0.79 x 1.97 x 2.99 inches

Monopoly Deal

Hasbro gaming monopoly deal card game.

Why We Love It: This rendition allows you to play your favorite board game sans tabletop. 

What to Consider: It can be a bit tricky to catch on at first as there’s a lot of fast-paced action.

Monopoly night at home with friends and family can take you through a serious spectrum of emotions, especially if it’s been dragging on for hours. Then there’s Monopoly Deal. The travel-friendly version of Monopoly is cards only and much faster paced than the traditional board game. You’ll still buy and sell property, collect rent, and pass go as you do in classic Monopoly, but the compact card game can be completed in as little as 15 minutes. It’s also easier to play while at the airport or on a long train journey.

The Details : 2-5 players | Ages 8+ | 15 minutes | 0.75 x 3.62 x 5.63 inches

Mattel Games Skip-bo Card Game

Why We Love It: This family-friendly game is both easy to learn and quick to play.

What to Consider: The cards are a bit flimsy and could be more wear-resistant.

Is it just us or will Skip-bo always evoke childhood memories? The classic number sequencing game was huge in elementary school but was also in major rotation on our grandmother’s kitchen table. Not much has changed since then: the fast-paced card game is just as fun and easy to pick up and play now. It’s also relatively small which makes it great for popping into your carry-on or handbag. Note that although this game is designed for those ages 7 and up, it’s a ton of fun for adults as well as kids.

The Details: 2-6 players | Ages 7+ | 0.98 x 8.46 x 6 inches

Wild Card Games Backpacker: The Ultimate Travel Game

Why We Love It: It helps improve your skills as a traveler while learning about the world.

What to Consider: The instructions are quite long and tedious.

If you’re looking for a travel-themed game (and who doesn’t love a good theme?), then you’ll want to consider checking out Backpacker. The quick-moving travel card game is designed to mimic what it’s like to be on the road and all the potential triumphs and roadblocks that come with traversing the globe. We love that this game comes with actual fun facts about each destination so you still learn about the world around you even while playing close to home. The colorful cards are also visually appealing thanks to the high-quality photography and drawings on each one.

The Details : 2-6 players | Ages 12+ | 5.1 x 0.8 x 3.7 inches

Rubberneckers Everyone's Favorite Travel Game

Why We Love It: This game was specifically designed to be played during a road trip.

What to Consider: It’s not as exciting to play in rural areas.

Road trips are, in theory, a nonstop adventure — but, in practice, they can be long and exhausting. Rubberneckers was designed to put the fun back into long drives. The card game is essentially a game of reverse I Spy with prompts like “credit card logo” and “more than three people in a vehicle” designed to get everyone in the car looking out the window to earn points and win the title of the ultimate rubbernecker. We also appreciate the simple and easy-to-read language so younger kids can participate just as easily as older passengers.

The Details: 2 or more players | Ages 8+ | 3.5 x 1.5 x 5.5 inches

Catan Studio Catan Board Game

Why We Love It: This modern classic is a fan favorite — and, although layered, it’s easy to teach to new players.

What to Consider: There are a fair bit of pieces to keep together while on the go.

Catan is one of those games that seems complicated at first glance, but once you get it, you get it. The strategy board game takes about an hour to play out, but can go for longer — so you’ll want to budget that time while traveling. It’s also important to keep in mind that, even though this is relatively compact and travel-friendly, it still comes with several small pieces so it’s better for playing at your hotel or Airbnb rather than on a train or at the airport.

The Details: 3-4 players | Ages 10+ | 60 minutes | 11.63 x 9.5 x 3 inches

MindWare Travel Qwirkle Game

Why We Love It: This game requires smart strategy but it’s very easy to pick up and run with.

What to Consider: Some of the colors are very similar and can be hard to decipher.

We love the travel-sized Qwirkle game: not only is it super easy to learn but it’s also relatively easy to play while on the go. We love that this option is intuitive for everyone and can easily become a go-to for families with younger kids. The colorful tiles and convenient carrying case make this one great for playing while in transit — but you’ll want to keep in mind that some of the colors (especially orange and red) are very similar and can be a bit tricky to tell apart if you’re not playing in great lighting.

The Details: 2-4 players | Ages 6+ | 30-60 minutes | 5.5 x 6 x 2 inches

Hasbro Gaming Guess Who? Grab and Go Game

Why We Love It: There are only a few pieces to this classic board game.

What to Consider: The plastic is a bit flimsy and will require careful handling.

We’ll always have a soft spot for Guess Who? considering we’ve been playing it pretty much forever. The beloved guessing game requires strategic and creative thinking, but makes a particularly good travel game because there are only a few pieces to keep track of which makes it great for playing on the go, especially on a train or plane, or even while waiting to depart. We also like that the Grab and Go size is super compact and can easily fit in a backpack or carry-on without taking up too much space.

The Details: 2 players | Ages 6+ | 1.89 x 6.26 x 9.25 inches

Sorry! Road Trip Series

Why We Love It: This tiny board game is easy to set up and play on road trips or even flights.

What to Consider: Its extremely compact size is not ideal for bumpy roads or those with arthritis.

Who said you can’t play a whole darn board game while in the car? The road trip edition of Sorry! is super simple to set up and play whether you’re in an airplane cabin or the back seat of a car. The little game is designed to fold out into a full playing board on the go and doubles as its own folding carrying case when all is said and done. We love how easy it is to put together and start playing — but keep in mind, the super tiny pieces might be tricky to play with on particularly bumpy roads. 

The Details : 2-4 players | Ages 6+ | 1.00 x 11.90 x 5.85 inches

Hasbro Gaming Travel Battleship

Why We Love It: This game is quiet and slow-paced which makes it great for playing on a plane or at the airport.

What to Consider: The numerous pieces to keep track of are somewhat inconvenient.

The Grab and Go version of Battleship is small enough to throw into your carry-on bag but large enough to engage in a comfortable game without having to squint or deal with too-small game pieces. The boards and pieces are relatively simplistic compared to the full-sized Battleship, but the idea is the same. We also like that this game is pretty slow-paced which makes it a great option for playing in more quiet spaces like on the airplane or while waiting in a lounge.

The Details : 2 players | Ages 7+ | 1.89 x 6.26 x 9.25 inches

FanVince Magnetic Folding Chess Set

Why We Love It: This sturdy, magnetic game board is perfect for playing on bumpy roads and through turbulence.

What to Consider: The individual pieces feel a little flimsy in hand.

You can’t go wrong with a classic magnetic folding chess board — it’s a travel-sized game staple, afterall. The magnetic design means you don’t have to worry about your pieces falling over while going over bumpy roads or through turbulence, which is a major plus. It’s also super convenient that the board folds into its own carrying case when not in use. Keep in mind that chess is also a very quiet game, so this is absolutely perfect for bringing on a flight with you.

The Details : 2 players | Ages 8+ | 20+ minutes | 9.45 x 9.45 x 0.69 inches

Bananagrams Duel: Ultimate 2 Player Travel Game

Why We Love It: This new take on classic Bananagrams is even more portable than the original.

What to Consider: It’s sort of a watered down version of the grid game.

Bananagrams has always been one of our favorite travel games — like a real banana, it comes with its own carrying case! — but Bananagrams Duel makes it even more travel-friendly. The quick-paced dueling edition is themed and the letter pieces are die-like rather than tile-like, so you won’t see that sprawling word grid from the original edition. But this just means the game requires way less table space to play so you can easily play this one on an airplane tray table without running out of room.

The Details : 2 or more players | Ages 7+ | 10 minutes | 1.18 x 4.72 x 6.69 inches

Winning Moves Games Scrabble To-go Board Game

Why We Love It: The tiny version of Scrabble has snap-in letters that stay in place.

What to Consider: The scaled-down board isn’t as comfortable to use.

Nothing can really compare to Scrabble when it comes to group-friendly word games, but bringing the full-sized board on the road just isn’t practical. That’s why we’re huge fans of the Scrabble To-go board. The compact size makes it easy to throw in your bag while the snap-in letters mean you won’t have to worry about them flying off if you hit a pothole on the road or turbulence in the air. We also love that this one comes with its own carrying case to protect the board and pieces while traveling.

The Details : 2-4 players | Ages 8+ | 30-60 minutes | 10.75 x 10.25 x 6.88 inches

Mad Libs on the Road World's Greatest Word Game

Why We Love It: It’s easy, hilarious, and super portable to play in transit.

What to Consider: The paperback game pages aren’t reusable.

Whether you’re seven years old or 37, Mad Libs will never not be laugh-out-loud funny. Mad Libs on the Road in particular makes for a great travel-friendly option. The silly fill-in-the-blank stories are all about traveling, road trips, and summertime adventures. It’s especially convenient that Mad Libs are about the size of a paperback novel, meaning they won’t take up any space in your luggage. All you need is a pen and a couple of grammar-focused friends and you have all the makings for hours of laughs in the car and beyond.

The Details: 1 player or more | Ages 8+ | 5.25 x 0.2 x 8.38 inches

Ransom Notes The Ridiculous Word Magnet Party Game

Why We Love It: This game combines somewhat crude humor with strategy.

What to Consider: It’s definitely on the raunchy side.

Think of Ransom Notes as a somewhat crude hybrid between those poetry fridge magnets and Cards Against Humanity. You’ll get a prompt and your goal is to create a phrase using only magnets that’ll make some kind of sense to the reader. This ends up being downright hilarious in most cases — and we give the game major bonus points for being magnetic. All the pieces stay firmly in place, making it much easier to use en route to your destination.

The Details : 3 players or more | Ages 17+ | 30-90 minutes | 5.25 x 4 x 4 inches

Hasbro Gaming Classic Boggle Word Search Game

Why We Love It: This word game can even be enjoyed by only one player.

What to Consider: The secure travel lid can be tough to get on and off.

Boggle is going to be a major win in the eyes of Spelling Bee or Wordle fans (so watch out if you’re playing against them). The basic word game requires fast spelling and deduction skills; all you have to do to win is write down as many words as possible from the assortment of letters on the dice to earn the number one spot. It’s a whole lot of fun and takes up minimal space while in transit, too.

The Details : 1 player or more | Ages 8+ | 2.01 x 4.29 x 4.29 inches

Brass Monkey Bin-go Get Some Drinks Bingo Book

Brass Monkey

Why We Love It: This is great for introverts and anyone who would rather observe a party a bit removed.

What to Consider: It might be awkward to whip this out in an actual bar or restaurant.

Bin-go Get Some Drinks makes any kind of night out even more interesting, especially if you’re someone who tends to observe human behavior in social settings. The somewhat snarky bingo card is packed with the weird things you’ll see in a bar (like witnessing an obvious first date or someone taking a photo of their drink for social media) and is the perfect way for people watchers to spend the night — especially if you find yourself alone in a new city and prefer to observe the crowd over fostering friends right away.

The Details: 1 player or more | Ages 21+ 

Cards Against Humanity Tiny Cards Against Humanity Game

Why We Love It: It’s a great icebreaker in a compact and cute format.

What to Consider: These cards are tiny and might be hard for some to read.

Cards Against Humanity provides instant fun, even at the most dull parties or awkward social events, since there’s just something about dirty words in absurd contexts. That’s why the miniaturized Tiny Cards Against Humanity is such a great game to keep in your back pocket while traveling, especially if you intend on staying in hostels. (Hey, you just never know when you’ll need to pull the ultimate icebreaker out of a pocket!)

The Details : 2 players or more | Ages 17+ | 30 minutes or more | 4.44 x 2.66 x 1.97 inches

All Things Equal, Inc. Loaded Questions On The Go Card Game

Why We Love It: This card game gets conversations going while still providing friendly competition.

What to Consider: There are only so many questions, so you’ll eventually run into duplicates.

All Things Equal: Loaded Questions is one of those card games that can lead to side tangents and deeper conversation if you let it — but it’s also a great way to see how well you know your friends' minds by guessing each other’s answers to given sets of questions. This game is super travel-friendly (all you need is a few pads of paper and pens) and it’s guaranteed to evoke some serious laughs and possible side conversations as well.

The Details : 4-6 players | Ages 8+ | 3.6 x 0.8 x 5.5 inches

Exploding Kittens Card Game

Why We Love It: This card game is fast, fun, and easy to learn.

What to Consider: The rules and concepts of the game are a bit basic.

Exploding Kittens garnered a lot of attention when it was first released and it’s easy to see why. The eye-catching title and cheeky illustrations make this game instantly intriguing. As it turns out, the game is a whole lot of fun for all age groups and it can be played in fifteen minutes or less which makes it a great option for waiting at your airport gate or sneaking a quick game in before heading out to dinner.

The Details : 2-5 players | Ages 7+ | 15 minutes | 4.41 x 6.38 x 1.5 inches

What Do You Meme? Shotgun!: The Card Game for Road Trips

Why We Love It: Everyone can play in the car — even the driver.

What to Consider: It’s not quite as funny as the original What Do You Meme?.

Shotgun! was conceptualized by the same folks who gave us What Do You Meme?, which means you can expect the same level of (somewhat) boundary-pushing humor. The road trip-focused card game doesn’t come with memes or visual cues, but instead uses the sights and sounds on the road as prompts. Card prompts like “first person to say which side the gas tank is on wins a point” and “first person who gets a wave from another car wins two points” will keep everyone in the car on their toes for the drive.

The Details: 2 players or more | Ages 12+ | 1-2 hours | 1.5 x 4.5 x 6.5 inches

Singing Machine Carpool Karaoke The Mic 2.0

Why We Love It: Who wouldn’t want to pretend they’re starring in an episode of Carpool Karaoke?

What to Consider: The Bluetooth setting could be higher quality.

The Carpool Karaoke Machine was designed to make road trips a whole lot more fun. The karaoke microphone pairs with your car’s Bluetooth in order to provide a surround sound experience for all passengers involved (whether that’s good or bad, we’re not sure). The microphone can also be used with your smartphone for DIY karaoke parties at your Airbnb or hotel room — you’ll just want to be mindful of the noise levels.

The Details : 1 player or more | 3.6 x 2.1 x 10.6 inches

Hasbro Gaming Connect 4

Why We Love It: This game is simple to pick up on.

What to Consider: There are a ton of little pieces involved.

We love Connect Four — it’s a classic for a reason! The simple game is great for little ones who are still practicing spatial recognition, but honestly, it’s just as fun for adults as well. The game is relatively small (it’s less than 12 inches in length) which is enough room for little fingers to easily use but still small enough to pop into a backpack. Keep in mind, though: there are a number of little coin-sized pieces that come with this game, and they can get messy in the car.

The Details : 2 players | Ages 6+ | 20 minutes | 1.6 x 10.51 x 10.984 inches

Winning Moves Games Pass the Pigs

Why We Love It: This cheeky game is all about tumbling — it was essentially made for turbulence.

What to Consider: The game might become repetitive in smaller groups.

Pass the Pigs is hilariously simple, but there’s something about it that is so much fun. The game includes two pig dice, a dice cup, and a pig scoring guide with a scorepad. The aim of the game is to get as many points as possible by rolling the pigs into different positions like the “snouter” or the “sider.” The best part is that this game was literally made to be thrown around so even if you’re dealing with turbulence you don’t have to worry about your pieces tumbling over.

The Details : 2-7 players | Ages 7+ | 1.75 x 4 x 8.5 inches

Briarpatch I Spy Travel Card Game

Why We Love It: This game is a quiet option to play on the plane.

What to Consider: The game is somewhat solitary; not the best for groups of kids.

The travel-sized version of the classic I Spy children’s book provides endless hours of concentration and focus. The stunning visuals are entertaining in and of themselves but having to hunt for the hidden images makes it even more enjoyable. We also like that it can be played solitary and offers something relatively quiet to play while on the airplane or in other spaces where gameplay banter might not be appropriate.

The Details : 1 player or more | Ages 4+ | 0.75 x 3.75 x 5.75 inches

Taco vs. Burrito LLC Taco vs. Burrito Card Game

Why We Love It: This game was created by a kid for other kids.

What to Consider: The instructions on some cards are a little confusing.

Cheeky graphic-focused card games have become pretty popular over the past few years, but we’re still major fans of Taco vs. Burrito. It’s worth noting that the colorful (and super successful) card game was created by a seven-year-old boy with other kids in mind, but it’s just as fun for adults. The basic gameplay is easy to learn and games can be played within 15 minutes — but the action cards are quick to spice things up and add a strategic layer to the game.

The Details : 2-4 players | Ages 6+ | 15 minutes | 7 x 5 x 2 inches

Tricky Riddles for Smart Kids: 333 Difficult But Fun Riddles And Brain Teasers For Kids And Families

Why We Love It: This pack of riddles creates conversation and fosters further curiosity.

What to Consider: There are only about 300 riddles, so the deck might eventually become repetitive.

Kids who love brain teasers will get a kick out of this colorful collection of riddles designed to stump and foster curiosity. The deck is small and easy to transport (it’s about the size of a novel), but it’s packed with hundreds of riddles for kids to work through. The only thing we don’t love is that, while the deck does include lots of options, kids who are keen to work through one after another may deplete them rather quickly.

The Details : 1 player or more | 8-12 | 6 x 0.3 x 9 inches

Tips for Buying Travel-sized Games

Factor in the needed space.

You’ll want to consider the space required for your chosen game(s) and decide how much luggage space you’re able to offer up. This is where miniature grab-and-go board games and card games will come in handy. Prioritizing card games and smaller games that don’t require a board means you can more easily play your games on the move. If you need a table or flat surface for your game, playing while seated at the terminal or on a train may not be practical.

Figure out the game time

You’ll want an idea of how much time a game takes before deciding to pack it. Card games tend to be faster-paced than board games, and most can be completed in 15-30 minutes. Board games and party games can last a lot longer, continuing for up to two hours in certain cases. This can be great for lazy days at the hotel or Airbnb, but might not be the most practical for passing time at the train station.

Consider player ages

Think of the ages of the players you anticipate sharing games with. If you’re planning a backpacking trip and plan to spend time playing games at your hostel, you’ll probably be safe with just about any card or board game. If you’re meeting up with your family for a vacation, you might want to choose games that are suitable for all ages. Note that some games can be altered to be more PG by removing certain cards or phrases, but it’s best to double-check to ensure everyone in your group can participate.

What games are ideal for traveling?

The right games for your travels will greatly depend on what kind of travel you’re doing (road trip games vary greatly from late-night adult-only games, for example). But, no matter what style of travel you’re up to, you’ll want to look for games that are small enough to easily fit in your luggage without being imposing. Opt for games that don’t have many loose pieces or take up too much space when in use. Card games are your best bet if you anticipate playing on the road frequently, but travel-sized board games can also work (especially if they come in a magnetic format).

Are there travel-sized board games?

Yes! There are plenty of travel-sized board games available and many come with their own carrying case or magnetic material that further simplifies the overall travel experience. You won’t find every single board game available in a travel size, but you’ll definitely be able to find the classics from Hasbro like Clue , Monopoly , and more .

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Travel + Leisure contributor Kaitlyn McInnis used her experience as a travel writer and former lifestyle editor as well as her own research to curate a list of the best travel-sized games available.

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24 fun car games for kids that'll make your road trips a little more bearable

T o keep everyone occupied and entertained on your next family vacation , try these simple car games for kids of all ages. Not only will they help the miles speed by, but you'll enjoy making new memories as a family, too.

1. Counting Cows

One person keeps time in this family car game. Another person calls out a subject such as cows, sheep, red cars, white trucks, and so on. Each player tries to count as many of that thing as they can before time runs out. If your little one can't count well yet, show them how to keep track using their fingers.

This game can also potentially help with motion sickness by encouraging children to look out the window.

2. Color Contest

Name a color and challenge your kids to spot objects that you pass (signs, buildings, other cars, people's clothes) in that hue. Start with more obvious colors like red and white before working up to less common ones like purple.

If you have children of multiple ages in the car, have the littles try to spot just one thing, while older kids have to find three or even five.

This simple car game will quickly have everyone giggling. Assign one person as the "leader" and everyone else a "copycat." The copycats have to mimic everything the leader does for a certain amount of time – say one minute – and when the timer goes off, a new leader is chosen. (Unfortunately, the driver doesn't get to participate in this game.)

Take turns picking an object either in the car or along the road with this classic boredom-busting car game. Then give others a clue such as, "I spy with my little eye ... something big and red." Give more clues until someone guesses what it is.

5. Find a …

Another variation of "I Spy," this question-and-answer car game is easy to play with the youngest children because they can point as well as answer verbally. One player says, "Find a ... ," and the other players look for it. Things to look for: cows of course, as well as birds, horses, big trucks, tractors, police cars, or fire trucks. Pictures on billboards count.

6. Go "Slow"

Scan road signs and see who can find the word "slow" first. Then see who can find the most in a certain amount of time – say, 10 minutes. Make it even more fun by letting the winner pick where you'll stop for lunch.

7. Name That Tune

If you have school-aged children who have started listening to music on their own, they'll love the chance to show off their musical knowledge. Take turns testing each other by playing a short – three- to four-second – portion of a favorite song and seeing who can name the tune first. (Since it's too distracting for the driver, you'll need another adult or older kid to play DJ.)

To extend this car game, add additional challenges: Can they tell the difference between Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez? Do they know the name of the song along with the artist? How many songs do you have to go through before everyone gets three correct answers?

8. Continue the Lyrics

For another variation of "Name That Tune," play a familiar song and stop the music when no one is expecting it. Who can provide the words to the rest of the line or, better yet, sing the next line too?

9. Animal Antics

In this fun car game, each person takes a turn making an animal sound, while everyone else tries to guess which animal it is. With the youngest kids, it works best to start out making the sounds yourself and having them guess. Once they get the hang of it, let them try making the sounds for you to guess.

10. Tall Tales

The rules are fairly simple: One player starts telling a story, talking for a minute and stopping when they've been talking for 60 seconds. Then the next person picks up where the story left off. The game continues in this manner, with the tale twisting and turning with each speaker. The game is over when one player decides to give the story an ending. One benefit of this car game is that the driver can easily participate, too!

11. Storytime

Similar to Tall Tales, this car game helps nurture your kids' imaginations with a prompt for open-ended storytime. Announce a word or general theme to inspire the stories (something simple, like "beach," or "koala") and set a timer for five minutes. Each player takes a turn spinning a story entirely from their imagination using the prompt.

12. Stop on Red, Go on Green

This car game is a great way to make the most of time spent at stop lights. Designate someone the official timer and have them use a timer on a phone or watch. Each time the car stops, everyone calls out how many seconds they think it will be before the light turns green and the car starts moving again, with the timer determining who made the best guess. Whoever has the closest guess is the winner for that round.

13. Alphabet Objects

Starting at the beginning of the alphabet , tell kids to look for items they see outside or inside the car that begin with each letter. For example, if they're on the letter A, suggest that kids look for an arrow-shaped sign or license plates from states like Alabama or Arkansas. After everyone has found an "A" item, players can start looking for "B" objects, and so on until they get to the end of the alphabet. If you want to make this car game more of a competition, the winner is the first person to get all the way to Z.

You can also play this game by looking for the actual letter on signs or license plates, rather than objects that start with the letter.

14. Name That Animal

One player thinks of an animal. The other tries to guess which animal it is by asking no more than 10 "yes" or "no" questions. If they guess correctly in 10 questions or fewer, that player gets to think of the next animal. If not, the first player reveals the answer and then thinks of another animal. The game is over when no one wants to play anymore.

You can easily customize this game for younger and older kids when choosing an animal. For example, older kids may find animals such as cats and dogs too easy to guess and enjoy the challenge of harder choices, like wallabies and yaks. But younger kids may recognize only the most basic options, such as lions, tigers, and bears.

15. Two Truths and a Lie

This is an ideal activity for school-aged children who are starting to understand lying – and the difference between fantasy and reality. The first player says three statements about themselves out loud (for example, "My favorite color is blue," "My best friend at school is named Sarah," and "I've never been to the zoo"). Two of the statements are true, and one is a lie. The other players need to guess which is the lie. Whoever guesses correctly takes the next turn.

As a bonus, this car game is a fun way for family members to learn more about each other – it may even lead to some interesting conversations!

16. Silly Stories

For a slightly different version of "Two Truths and a Lie," tell your child a true story about something in your life – how you met their mom or dad or how Grandma taught you to swim. As you tell it, sneak in a few "whoppers" along with the facts ("... and then the shark came along and nibbled Grandma's toe!"). At the end, ask your child to guess which parts were untrue.

17. Rock, Paper, Scissors

You probably already know the rules for this classic game. Two players face off against each other by chanting "Rock, papers, scissors … go!" Rock (a closed fist) beats scissors (two fingers), which beats paper (an open palm), which in turn beats rock.

To incorporate additional players, make it a tournament: The first two people play three rounds, and the winner goes on to play the third person. (Of course, the driver's excluded from this game.)

18. Born Yesterday

Fans of the TV show Bluey will be familiar with this silly game, and it's an easy one to play with your toddler securely strapped in their car seat . One person pretends that they were "born yesterday" and everyone else takes turns explaining how the world works to them (for example, why do we drive cars? What are shoes for? Why do we eat certain foods for breakfast?).

19. Find All 50 States

Challenge your school-aged kids who are starting to learn about geography to spot license plates from as many U.S. states as they can. (Add a small notepad to your packing list so you can write the states down as they're spotted.)

Unless you're on a long, cross-country road trip, it's unlikely that you'll find all 50 states, so you can suggest a time limit to end the game. After 30 minutes, whoever has spotted the most states is the winner.

20. I Went to the Grocery Store …

Memory games are particularly fun for older children, and they're one of the easiest types of games to play in the car, too. These activities help strengthen kids' ability to retain key concepts, a useful skill for school.

Start this game with the prompt "I went to the grocery store and I bought …" and list one item, such as "apples." The next player repeats what the first player bought and adds a second item, such as: "I went to the grocery store and I bought … apples and a loaf of bread." Continue around the car with each player adding on another item. The game ends when someone can't remember something that was "purchased" or says the list incorrectly.

21. A Ship Came Into the Harbor

The first player starts out by saying "A ship came into the harbor carrying …" and declares a category, such as "types of fruit." Each player then takes a turn listing types of fruit ("bananas," "mangoes," "papayas"). The round ends when someone can't think of a new fruit to add or accidentally repeats one that has been said.

Make the game easier or harder depending on your children's ages and interests. If you're traveling with a toddler , go basic (types of fruit, types of vegetables, farm animals, songs) but you can make the categories more challenging for older children (countries around the world that have four letters, Beatles songs, U.S. presidents).

22. High and Low

Although this car game doesn't produce a winner, it's a nice way for the whole family to reflect on a shared experience and debrief together, especially after a vacation. Each person takes turns saying their favorite (high) and least favorite (low) thing about the trip. For example, "My high was when we went on the carousel, and my low was when we got stuck in traffic on the way home."

23. The Quiet Game

Okay, this one is less a game and more an attempt to get a little bit of calm. Challenge everyone in the car to be silent for as long as possible. Whoever stays quiet the longest wins and gets to pick the next game.

24. Stretch Time

If you've been driving for a long time and have gone through all of the car games on this list, consider pulling over at the next rest stop for a quick reset. Try some of these activities to let your little ones burn off excess energy:

Hop three times on one foot, then three times on the other.

Sprint back and forth three times between adults.

Do jumping jacks for one minute.

Pretend to jump rope for one minute.

Skip back and forth to the water fountain.

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Road Trip Activity Book for Kids: Awesome Travel Games & Puzzle Book for Children Ages 6-10 Featuring 16 Different Fun Types of Activities - Mazes, ... Quiz, Riddles and Many More (HaHa Jokebooks) Paperback – March 4, 2024

Purchase options and add-ons, embark on an unforgettable journey with our awesome road trip activity book for kids, specially crafted for young adventurers aged 6-10 packed with 80 pages of entertaining and engaging content, this activity book is your child's passport to endless fun and learning while on the road..

• Connect the Dots
• Coloring Pages
• Word Searches
• Find the Difference
• Symmetrical Drawing
• Scavenger Hunt
• Tic Tac Toe
• Brainteasers
• Licence Plate Hunt
• Reading age 6 - 12 years
• Part of series HaHa Jokebooks
• Print length 80 pages
• Language English
• Dimensions 8.5 x 0.19 x 11 inches
• Publication date March 4, 2024
• ISBN-13 979-8883764324
• See all details

From the Publisher

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CX547XJL
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (March 4, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8883764324
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 6 - 12 years
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.3 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.19 x 11 inches
• #174 in Children's Travel Game Books
• #1,887 in Children's Puzzle Books (Books)
• #24,433 in Children's Activity Books (Books)

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5 Places to Travel Abroad With Your Kids This Year

London, lapland, and tanzania are on the cards in 2024..

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TAASA Lodge offers a walking safari among several other singular experiences.

Courtesy of Go2Africa

Is it worth traveling abroad with your kids, especially with so many great options in the United States? Short answer: yes. That’s especially true if you consider one of these family-friendly destinations our writers have visited in recent months. They’ve been roaming with their children in the United Kingdom, Japan, Tanzania, Greece, and Swedish Lapland and have unearthed some great spots for the whole fam for 2024. Just try not to think about the flight there (and especially the flight home) . . .

Osaka, Japan

Theme parks and enticing street food are among the highlights of a visit to Osaka.

Photo by Usa-Pyon/Shutterstock

Wandering through Osaka’s neon-clad neighborhood of Shinsekai with my son—a hard-to-impress tween with a thirst for photo-worthy culinary creations—we passed takoyaki stands advertising their octopus-based wares with 3D tentacle-covered displays and a conveyor belt sushi joint adorned with an enormous rotating nigiri platter. Ultimately, we were drawn into Jumbo Tsuribune Tsurikichi , a restaurant boasting expansive pools of fish that you can catch with provided bait and rods. Here, they’ll cook and serve whatever you reel in—which, in our case, was a beast large enough to feed a family twice our size.

Memory-making experiences like this are only the beginning here, where maximalist signage beckons hungry travelers at every turn. And despite rising food costs across the globe, affordable eats are still easy to find in Osaka, making it an enticing choice for anyone looking to test their taste buds without breaking the bank. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something to love in this dynamic destination, and fun-loving families will find a variety of singular eateries. Dine alongside Pikachu at the popular Pokemon Café or enjoy impossibly cute Mario-inspired meals at Super Nintendo World at Universal Japan , which will soon offer even more options in its new Donkey Kong–themed land , slated to open in 2024.

Where to stay

For an immersive experience, families can sleep on traditional tatami mats at Ukiyoe Ryokan . The Cross Hotel Osaka , meanwhile, provides comfy digs located steps from the bustling food stalls in the Dotonbori area.— Amanda Adler

“I spy” gets a whole lot more interesting when there are leopards, hippos, and warthogs to peep.

Taking a toddler on safari is not for the faint of heart; I knew if I was gonna do it, I needed serious help. Enter Go2Africa , a seasoned tour operator staffed by specialists who’ve traveled extensively with small children throughout East and Southern Africa. These experts knew exactly which camps were the family-friendliest and how to safely travel between them. They arranged private safari drives for us in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area , a UNESCO-protected World Heritage site with Africa’s densest population of large animals, and a quiet corner of Serengeti National Park. Over multiple game drives in the two regions, we spotted lions, leopards, hippos, ostriches, flamingos, warthogs, and roughly a gazillion wildebeest, but it was a dazzle of zebras lingering within arm’s reach of our 4x4 that really had my son clapping up a storm.

Check out TAASA Lodge , a boutique bush camp in a 15,000-acre concession north of the Serengeti, and Gibb’s Farm , an 80-acre organic farm and coffee plantation less than an hour from Ngorongoro Crater. Both properties hire guides, trackers, and staff who truly love children, as opposed to merely tolerate them. Both also have swimming pools—a fantastic way for kiddos to spend some time in between game drives. —Ashlea Halpern, contributing editor

Athens, Greece

Ancient history comes alive in Athens.

Photo by Sven Hansche/Shutterstock

While history and ancient ruins may seem boring for little ones at first, Athens is actually an entertaining and educational family destination. Before you even leave, get your kids into Greek mythology and history—there’s the graphic novel series Olympians that reinterprets the mythologies and a funny and engaging podcast by National Geographic called Greeking Out that my eight-year-old son loves. Once you land, kids will be eager to see the sites that otherwise might look like crumbling dirt. When I visited last summer with my husband and two young kids, I booked a private tour with Be a Greek specifically meant for families. Our guide kept both of my children (and my husband and I) engaged with a scavenger hunt, trivia, games, and dynamic storytelling as we traipsed around the city, ticking off sites like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, and Syntagma Square to see the changing of the presidential guard.

Visiting the Acropolis is a bit more challenging, so be sure to go in early morning or evening when it’s cooler and less crowded, and leave the stroller behind (way too many steps!). Kids will also enjoy the Acropolis Museum (request a “family backpack” for educational resources, puzzles, and more); riding the bright red Athens Happy Train ; going up Mount Lycabettus via cable car; and strolling around the picturesque Plaka neighborhood. When you need to escape the heat, head outside the city center to the Athens Riviera for some time at Astir Beach or to the still-in-progress Ellinikon , which already features an incredible playground and park, with more to come.

To be in the center, stay at the new boutique Apollo Palm Hotel , which offers triple rooms perfect for a family of three (or four if one child is in a crib, which can be provided) while still boasting a chic design, gorgeous rooftop bar, and delicious breakfast buffet. For a resort experience, complete with a kids club, beach, and pool, the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens has spacious rooms and an incredibly friendly and helpful staff who clearly love children.— Devorah Lev-Tov

The Jokkmokk market has been around for hundreds of years.

Photo by Tommy Alven/Shutterstock

Swedish Lapland

My kids were just toddlers when we visited Swedish Lapland’s Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, where I pushed them in strollers as they teetered across packed-snow floors in rooms carved out from river ice by artists from around the world. (We sanely slept in the warm accommodations on site.)

On a visit this past winter on my own, I found several other reasons to plot a trip back soon with my now-older crew. The best winter adventures in this part of Sweden come with experiential elements that go beyond chasing the northern lights. At Arctic Bath in the small hamlet of Harads, I watched a British family with elementary school–age kids brave cold plunges together following a sauna session, stepping down a metal ladder straight into the frozen Lule River and whooping it up before beelining it for the outdoor hot tubs.

Nearby, the whimsical variety of cabins on stilts at Treehotel —including one shaped like a bird’s nest and another like a UFO—were pure fantastical fun, with ice fishing and snowshoeing among the activities. Sapmi Nature Camp offers three-night packages to stay with Sámi hosts in private lavvu tents on the family’s grazing lands for reindeer while learning about their modern way of life. And if you’re here in early February, the excitement of the annual Jokkmokk Winter Market draws hundreds of Indigenous people from all over the Sápmi region of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia for an outdoor festival with live music, shopping for silverwork and traditional clothing, and many more activities.

All of the aforementioned stays are a treat worth planning a trip around. But I’m dreaming of a multi-generational winter adventure at Fjellborg Arctic Lodge , where you can arrive via dogsled from nearby Jukkasjärvi. Families stay in a luxurious four-bedroom cabin with its own sauna and outdoor hot tub overlooking Lake Väkkärä. (Smaller cabins can accommodate more people right nearby.) The lodge’s wilderness guides lead all manner of excursions—including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.— Terry Ward

London, U.K.

With musicals, green spaces, and seemingly endless restaurants, no two days in London are the same.

Courtesy of One Aldwych

From a wickedly funny Yeoman Warder guide at the Tower to a bike tour with London Bicycle and a visit to the Harry Potter studios (where all eight movies were filmed), my family’s weeklong trip across the pond proved to be equal parts educational and fun. We also adored the Matilda musical, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, in the West End, with all four of us singing along to its catchy tunes as we left the theater. The city’s many green spaces (Hyde Park; Kensington Gardens, with the Princess Diana Memorial Playground; Battersea Park) also allow ample opportunity for little legs to stretch, run, and stop to smell the roses. With a food scene that’s the stuff of legend, eating at Indian street food chain Dishoom and plant-based Mallow in Borough Market were also musts and didn’t disappoint.

London has many great hotels . I liked the elegant 101-room One Aldwych in the heart of Covent Garden, within blocks of theaters, restaurants, and museums, such as the fantastic London Transport Museum (where kids can see double-decker buses and grown-ups can marvel at the history of the Tube). Along with spacious suites, thoughtful touches like the daily replenished complimentary mini-bar (with biscuits and chips to keep little ones happy) and a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” themed afternoon tea make the hotel truly perfect for families.— Tanvi Chheda

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How to Fly Your Kid Solo, Free of Stress

By Alexander Nazaryan

For many parents and guardians, putting a child on a flight alone may seem terrifying. Belligerent passengers, delays, turbulence: All loom large in a caregiver’s imagination.

Life sometimes leaves no other option. Hudson Crites , 17, of Marshall, Va., was 10 when he started flying unaccompanied to visit his father in Kansas and later Georgia, said his mother, Chelsea Tippett. But the extra attention from airline staff made Hudson “feel special,” Ms. Tippett recalls. Other than a single tarmac delay, he has had no problems.

On rare occasions, children have had troubling experiences. In December, Spirit Airlines accidentally flew a 6-year-old to Orlando, Fla., instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers. Spirit apologized, fired the gate agent responsible and offered reimbursement to the boy’s grandmother for her travel to Orlando. But while the boy was unharmed, his grandmother expressed worry that he had been kidnapped .

If you decide to fly your child unaccompanied, you’ll discover that each airline has its own procedures, fees and routes open to children. While some may find the process complicated, flying alone may be exciting for your child, instilling some independence. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you book, know the process

Regardless of the airline or route, flying an unaccompanied minor differs from an adult or a family catching a flight. Airlines require a trusted pre-authorized adult to be at the departure and arrival gates, and will ask you at booking to provide contact information for those adults. They will also need to present identification at the terminals.

The journey begins at the originating airport’s airline ticket counter. There, airline staff will check your identification and check in the child, perhaps handing them a lanyard or wristband to wear. The agents will provide you with a pass to get through security with your child. You will accompany them to the gate, where you will hand them off to a gate agent. You must stay at the gate until the plane takes off.

In the air, the flight crew will keep watch — but will not babysit, or sit with, your child. If the flight has a connection, a crew member will walk your child off the plane and a gate agent will take him or her to the next gate.

At the arrival airport, the child will be handed off by staff to the authorized guardian or parent who should have already checked in at the ticket counter with proper identification, gone through security with their gate pass and be waiting at the gate.

To learn more about this process, read the Department of Transportation’s online guide, “When Kids Fly Alone,” followed by the website of your selected carrier.

Choosing an airline and paying an extra fee

Before purchasing a ticket, experts advise you to consider an airline’s on-time performance. “Solid on-time performance is hard-earned, and signals a carrier that has tight control of its operation,” said the Ask the Pilot author, Patrick Smith. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has those numbers.

Booking procedures vary. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines require you to call. United Airlines allows bookings online. JetBlue Airways does online bookings, too, but asks for three printed copies of its forms upon arrival at the airport.

International flights may call for a notarized consent letter describing where the child is traveling, with whom they’ll stay and how long they’ll be there.

On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey.

Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the flight is nonstop; a connection adds $25. On Delta, one $150 fee will cover up to four children, and American’s $150 covers all siblings, with no cap on number. United charges $150 for one child, or two children flying together.

Restrictions: There are plenty

U.S. carriers allow children to fly as unaccompanied minors once they turn 5 and before they turn 18. But regardless of your child’s age, make sure he or she is ready by discussing the trip details and your expectations of their behavior. No policy can replace your judgment.

The low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air don’t allow unaccompanied minors, Other airlines have restrictions that, in the broadest terms, differentiate between young children and teenagers. American and Delta restrict children under 8 from routes requiring connections. Both airlines allow children between 8 and 14 to take some connecting flights.

On American, no unaccompanied minor is allowed to take an overnight flight requiring a connection, or a flight that includes a connection on its final leg that also happens to be the last such flight that day (“unless it’s the only flight,” the company adds). Minors are not allowed on code-share flights.

United and Delta have similar rules. Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit don’t allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights.

JetBlue prohibits minors from flying to Europe, and limits the number of unaccompanied minors in one party to three. Spirit does not allow children on flights to Central or South America. Southwest doesn’t allow children on any international flights. American, United and Delta let minors fly abroad, but restrictions on connections, code-shares and overnights limit options.

American and Delta allow children to opt out of flying as unaccompanied minors once they turn 15 — that is, the child can fly without the assistance of airline personnel. JetBlue ends unaccompanied minor service at 14, while Alaska has an opt-out option at 13. Southwest boasts the lowest opt-out age: 12.

However, you should be able to accompany your child to the gate even if they’re not flying unaccompanied. American requires that you do so for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, even if they’ve opted out.

What to pack

Have a plan to head off your child’s hunger, boredom and thirst. If they are older, make sure they have emergency money and a charged phone.

When her two daughters, then 9 and 11, flew to Denver, Joey Conover of Charlottesville, Va., had a long list for their carry-ons.

“Pack a backpack with iPad, headphones, lightweight book to read, a pad of paper and colored pencils (markers might smear), a small travel game, water bottle (bring empty and fill in airport), snacks, some kind of surprise fidget or animals to play with, hoodie, and a lovey,” she wrote in an email.

“Write your name and phone number on the inside of their arm in Sharpie and put a parent’s business card in a luggage tag on both suitcase and backpack,” Ms. Conover said. (A sheet of paper with all their identification, and their guardian’s contact information, also works. Simply stick in an easy-to-access pocket.)

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .