travel games for youth

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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!

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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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20 and more of the Best Travel Games for kids

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.

10 Fun Kid-Friendly Tours in Athens

The Best Family Hotels in Athens, Greece 2024

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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

Executive Editor

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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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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24 Fun Travel Games for Kids

Are we there yet? This familiar refrain from kids on a journey can often lead to restlessness and boredom.

But fear not, as we have the perfect solution to keep young travelers entertained and engaged during those long trips – fun travel games for kids!

Whether you’re heading on a family road trip, flying to a dream destination, or riding the rails to your next adventure, these delightful games are designed to make the travel experience an absolute blast for children and parents alike.

From classic games with a travel twist to creative and interactive activities, these travel games will turn those “are we there yet” moments into laughter, excitement, and unforgettable memories.

Get ready to make the journey as much fun as the destination with these fantastic travel games for kids!

Road Trip Scavenger Hunt:

Turn your family road trip into an exciting scavenger hunt that will keep the kids engaged and their eyes peeled for hidden treasures along the way. Before setting off, create a list of items commonly found during the journey, such as road signs, specific vehicles, or natural landmarks. Hand out the lists to each child and let the adventure begin! As you travel, the kids can mark off the items they spot, earning points for each discovery. To add an element of competition, you can offer small prizes for the child who finds the most items or completes the list first. The Road Trip Scavenger Hunt not only keeps boredom at bay but also encourages observation skills and makes the entire journey more interactive and enjoyable.

License Plate Game:

The License Plate Game is a classic travel activity that never gets old! It’s an excellent way to pass the time while learning about different states or countries. Provide each child with a notebook and pen, and have them write down the license plates they spot from different places. You can even turn it into a friendly contest, seeing who can find the most unique or faraway plates. This game not only keeps the kids entertained but also introduces them to geography and encourages them to engage with their surroundings.

Travel Bingo:

Travel Bingo is a fantastic game to keep kids entertained during long car rides. Create bingo cards with various items that are likely to be seen during the journey, such as cows, gas stations, windmills, or specific road signs. Distribute the cards among the children and provide them with stickers to mark off the items they spot. The first one to complete a row or the entire card can be crowned the Bingo Champion! This game promotes focus and observation skills while adding an element of friendly competition among the kids. Related: 20 Invasion Games for Kids

Storytelling Chain:

Foster creativity and imagination with the Storytelling Chain game. One person starts by narrating the beginning of a story, and each child takes turns adding a few sentences to continue the plot. The story can take unexpected and hilarious turns, providing lots of laughter and excitement along the way. This game not only keeps kids entertained but also enhances their storytelling abilities and encourages cooperation as they build a narrative together.

Travel Mad Libs:

Mad Libs are a delightful way to turn travel time into an entertaining language and grammar activity. Prepare Mad Libs sheets by leaving out key nouns, adjectives, and verbs from short stories. Ask the kids to fill in the blanks with their own words without revealing the context. Once they’ve completed the sheet, read the hilarious stories aloud, leading to fits of laughter as the nonsensical tales unfold. Travel Mad Libs not only provide amusement but also reinforce parts of speech and language skills in a playful manner.

Colorful Road Trip Drawing:

Encourage your young artists to bring out their creativity with a Colorful Road Trip Drawing activity. Provide each child with a clipboard or a sketchbook and a set of colored pencils or markers. As you journey through different landscapes, prompt the kids to sketch what they see outside their windows. It could be the rolling hills, a beautiful sunset, or even the passing landmarks. This activity not only keeps them engaged but also allows them to appreciate the beauty of the world around them and develop their artistic skills.

Travel Song Karaoke:

Turn your travel vehicle into a karaoke stage and let the kids showcase their singing talents with a Travel Song Karaoke session. Create a playlist of their favorite songs or classic travel tunes and sing along as a family. For added fun, provide some musical instruments like a toy keyboard or a tambourine to enhance the performance. This activity brings out the musical spirit in everyone and turns the journey into a memorable musical adventure. Related: 20 Exciting Playground Games for Kids

Travel Memory Game:

Enhance memory and concentration with a Travel Memory Game. Before the trip, create pairs of cards featuring images of different objects, animals, or landmarks that the kids are likely to encounter during the journey. Shuffle the cards and lay them face down on a flat surface. Each child takes turns flipping two cards at a time, trying to find matching pairs. The one with the most matches at the end wins! This game not only keeps the kids entertained but also sharpens their memory skills in a playful way.

Destination Trivia:

Make the journey an educational experience with Destination Trivia. Research interesting facts and trivia about the places you’re visiting or passing through. Prepare a list of questions and quiz the kids along the way. You can cover various topics, such as history, geography, or fun facts about the destinations. The children will not only have fun trying to answer the questions but also gain knowledge about the places they are exploring.

ABC Word Game:

The ABC Word Game is a fantastic way to engage kids’ minds while working their way through the alphabet. The first player begins by saying a word that starts with the letter “A.” The next player has to come up with a word that starts with the last letter of the previous word and corresponds to the letter “B.” The game continues until you reach the letter “Z.” If a player can’t think of a word for a particular letter, they can ask for help, but it should be a word they genuinely know. This game enhances vocabulary and word association while keeping the journey entertaining and interactive.

Travel Alphabet Hunt:

Transform the surroundings into an educational adventure with the Travel Alphabet Hunt. Assign each child a letter of the alphabet and challenge them to find objects or signs outside that begin with their assigned letter. For instance, if a child has the letter “B,” they might look for “billboard” or “blue car.” This game keeps the kids observant and engaged in discovering the world around them while also reinforcing their knowledge of the alphabet.

Travel Fortune Teller Origami:

Engage the kids with Travel Fortune Teller Origami. Teach them how to fold origami fortune tellers and write travel-related messages or challenges inside each flap. They can take turns predicting each other’s “fortunes” during the journey. It’s a creative activity that adds an element of surprise and fun to the travel experience.

Travel Storybook Reading:

Encourage reading during your travels by bringing along a selection of travel-themed storybooks. Choose books that are related to the places you’ll be visiting or that feature adventurous journeys. During breaks or quiet moments, take turns reading the storybooks aloud, creating a cozy and immersive reading experience for the whole family.

Travel Pictionary:

Put artistic skills to the test with Travel Pictionary, a creative and interactive drawing game. Prepare a list of travel-themed words or phrases and divide the kids into two teams. Each team takes turns selecting a word and having one member draw it while the others guess what it is. The team with the most correct guesses wins. This game encourages imagination, teamwork, and communication, making it a fantastic activity for the whole family.

I Spy with My Little Eye:

An evergreen favorite, “I Spy with My Little Eye” is perfect for keeping kids entertained during travel. One player begins by saying, “I spy with my little eye something that starts with the letter…” followed by the first letter of the object they have in mind. The other players take turns trying to guess what it is, and the one who guesses correctly gets to be the next “spy.” This simple yet engaging game sharpens observation skills and fosters creativity as kids come up with clever clues.

Travel Memory Scrapbook:

Transform your travel memories into a beautiful Travel Memory Scrapbook. Provide each child with a small scrapbook or notebook and encourage them to collect mementos like tickets, brochures, and postcards from the places you visit. They can also add drawings, and photos, and write down their favorite experiences. As the journey progresses, they can personalize their scrapbooks and create a treasured keepsake of the trip.

Travel I-Spy Memory Game:

Combine elements of “I Spy” and a memory game with Travel I-Spy Memory. Place a selection of small travel-related items on a tray and let the kids study it for a minute. Then, cover the tray and challenge them to recall and write down as many items as they can remember. This game enhances observation skills and memory while keeping the kids entertained and attentive during the trip.

Guess the Flag:

For journeys that involve crossing borders, play the Guess the Flag game. Prepare images of different country flags and show them to the kids. They have to guess which country each flag represents. You can provide hints or information about the country’s location or landmarks to make the game more engaging and informative.

Guess the Country/City:

For international travels, play the Guess the Country/City game. Before the trip, research some interesting facts or landmarks about the countries or cities you’ll be visiting. Provide clues or descriptions to the kids, and let them guess which country or city you’re talking about. It’s a fun and educational game that broadens their knowledge of different cultures and places.

Road Trip Riddles:

Challenge your kids’ problem-solving abilities with Road Trip Riddles. Prepare a collection of age-appropriate riddles related to travel, nature, or objects commonly found during trips. Take turns asking the riddles, and let the kids brainstorm and guess the answers. Riddles are not only fun but also stimulate critical thinking and creativity in children.

Recommended:

• 23 Best Phonics Activities for Preschoolers
• 23 Playful ABC Activities for Toddlers
• 22 Terrific Rote Counting Activities for Kids

Sohaib Hasan Shah

Sohaib's journey includes 10+ years of teaching and counseling experience at BCSS School in elementary and middle schools, coupled with a BBA (Hons) with a minor in Educational Psychology from Curtin University (Australia) . In his free time, he cherishes quality moments with his family, reveling in the joys and challenges of parenthood. His three daughters have not only enriched his personal life but also deepened his understanding of the importance of effective education and communication, spurring him to make a meaningful impact in the world of education.

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10 Great Travel Games for Families

Ready for some family fun on your next trip? Check out these must-have travel games for families that are sure to keep everyone entertained.

Travelling with kids can be a bit of a challenge but one way to make the journey a little easier is to pack some fun travel games. Whether you’re on a road trip or a plane ride, there’s no need to sacrifice family fun time. We’ve rounded up some great travel games for families that will keep everyone entertained while travelling.

Why bring games when you travel?

There are plenty of reasons to play board games or card games as a family. For one, they are a great way to make learning fun. Playing board games help children learn valuable problem solving skills and encourages strategic thinking. Kids also learn social skills like sharing, taking turns, being a good sport and cooperating.

Games are also a great way for families to spend time together, and when you’re travelling, there is often plenty of downtime to spend together. Hanging out in the hotel room for a break in the afternoon is a perfect time to play a game! Bring out one of the travel games you packed you’ll have some fun playing together as a family.

Options for board games are endless. There’s so many out there to choose from, but not all games are the easiest to travel with. So we’ve rounded up our favourite games that are small and portable, which is great for taking along while travelling. We usually take two or three with us and end up playing them almost every day!  

Tips for keeping these travel board games organized

Ziploc bags are a great way to keep pieces together, while taking up the least amount of room in your luggage. We suggest placing the counters or other small pieces in a small Ziploc bag and then taking the game out of its box and putting it in a Ziploc bag (if it fits) with the small pieces or counters. Most games will fold down fairly small, if they aren’t already in a travel case.

Most of these travel games are quick and easy to set up, and great for pulling out if you’re waiting in the airport or train station, taking a stretch break on a road trip or just hanging out in your hotel room in the afternoon.

So read through the suggestions below, choose a few games to take travelling and get ready for some fun on your travels!

This article contains affiliate links. If you click on these links to purchase something, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Best Travel Games for Families

One of our favourite travel games for families is the classic card game Uno . It’s perfect for kids of all ages and can be played with two or more players. The best part about Uno is that it’s small and compact, so doesn’t take up too much space in your suitcase or your day bag.

Scrabble is a great game that’s perfect for kids (and adults) of all ages. Younger kids will love Scrabble Junior , where the words are already on the board. Flip the board over and you’ve got a regular, blank scrabble game. Or bring the classic Scrabble for older kids to play. **Be sure to put the scrabble tiles in a Ziploc bag or other small container so they don’t get lost.

Trouble is a fun game that can be played with 2, 3 or 4 players. The dice is conveniently contained inside a bubble on the board so there’s no losing the dice. Be sure to pack the pegs in a small bag so nothing gets lost. The regular Trouble game isn’t too large, but there also is a travel size option that is much smaller. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

The classic strategy game, Connect 4 is great for 2 players. While it’s recommended for age 6 and up, younger kids will enjoy it as well. We found a travel size version while we in Europe and played many games while waiting for our meals in restaurants. That same travel size game has also come on plenty of road trips and has been enjoyed around the campsite quite a few times! You can find it on Amazon , or it also comes in a set with other travel sized games : Monopoly, Clue and Hungry Hippos.

Chutes & Ladders

Another classic game, Chutes & Ladders is perfect for younger kids in the family. It can be played by two to four players and helps teach counting skills and turn taking, plus it’s a lot of fun! We suggest taking the game out of the box and putting the pieces in a Ziploc bag. Depending on which version of Chutes & Ladders you have, the game board may even fit in a large Ziploc, which makes it really easy to travel with.

Checkers is a great board game that can be played with two players and although it says it’s for ages six and up, my guys started playing earlier than that. There’s a lot of strategy involved and it’s a game that be paused and picked up at another time (if you can leave the board in the same place). There are magnetic sets that are great for travel or classic sets like this one that are a bit larger but easier to play on.

While Bingo might not seem like a great travel game – I mean there is A LOT of pieces involved – organized and packed properly, it can be a great game to play as a family while travelling. Many classic Bingo games have a cage that releases the numbers, but you can also find Bingo sets like this one , that have calling cards instead.  Pack the calling cards, bingo chips and bingo cards in a Ziploc bag and you’re set!

There are also MANY different themed Bingo games you can find, including specific road trip Bingos, which kids will love.

Magnetic Travel Games

Magnetic Travel Games are perfect for any type of travel but especially for road trips or flights, when you want the pieces to stay on the board. We have a few of the Take ‘N’ Play Anywhere games and they have been a perfect road trip game for the kids to play in the backseat while I’m driving. There are plenty of options to choose from, like Hangman , Checkers , Tic Tac Toe , Go Fishing and Bingo .

Story Cubes

While this isn’t exactly a game in the traditional sense, StoryCubes are a fun activity for the whole family and are great to travel with. Pull out the cubes while waiting in the airport, the train station, a restaurant or to pass some time while waiting for a tour or even to start. It’s also great to pass some time while hanging out a park or afternoon downtime at your hotel or Airbnb.

Recommended for ages 6 and up, they could be used with younger kids as well, just maybe not rolling as many cubes. My boys have loved this game since they were 4!

Deck of Cards

Last but not least, don’t forget a deck of cards ! Playing cards is a great way to pass the time and there are endless games you can play with a regular deck of cards . Go Fish is a great game for younger kids, while Crazy 8’s and Snap are great for slightly older kids. Another favourite travel card game in our house is Kings & Cabbages, which we learned about from Dan Kois in his book How to Be a Family – a fantastic book about a family that spends a year travelling and ends up playing Kings & Cabbages while travelling.   

These are just a few of our favourite travel games for families – choose a few and you’re sure to have some fun and make some great memories on your next trip!

If you are driving long distances for your family vacation, you might also enjoy specific family road trip games, like a scavenger hunt or license plate game (this is best played when driving in the United States – Canada doesn’t have as many license plates so it’s not as fun of a game to play).

Do you have any other favourite family travel games? Share them in the comments below!

For more tips on kids travel, be sure to check out the Tips for Travel section here .  

Erin Martin is the founder and sole writer for Wanderlust with Kids. Together with her twin boys, they have travelled to over 20 countries and five provinces within Canada. Erin is responsible for planning and facilitating all of her family's travel itineraries and adventures, whether locally or internationally. An explorer at heart, Erin aims to make any travel adventure kid-friendly and shares all her favourite family-friendly things to do, both in Canada and abroad.

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These look so much fun to play! My family loves to play games on a Sunday as our bonding time. 🙂

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Must-Have Travel Games for Kids: Perfect for Road Trips and Family Vacations

In this post: The ultimate guide to travel games for kids and families. Discover travel games for road trips, plane rides, and any adventure with kids. Post may contain affiliate links.

Traveling with kids can be a lot of fun but it can also turn into a nightmare if they get bored during long journeys. We have been traveling with our kids since the twins were four months and we have learned first hand the importance of good travel entertainment for kids! Travel games for kids are a great way to not only keep them occupied and off a screen, but also to promote learning and creativity.

From classic games that have passed the test of time to newer versions designed specifically for travel, there are all kinds of options available to keep children of all ages entertained while on the go. Here are some helpful tips and ideas for travel games that will keep your kids happy, engaged, and learning while on your next family adventure.

10 Classic Road Trip Games for Kids

1. I Spy – A classic travel game for kids where one person picks an object in the environment, and everyone else has to guess what it is by asking yes or no questions until someone figures it out. This is also an amazing game to play to practice Spanish (the Spanish teacher in me needed to say this!)

2. License Plate Game – Keep track of the different state license plates you see on your trip. See how many different states you can find. Give your children blank maps to color in for each state they see. 

3. Twenty Questions – One person thinks of a person, place or thing, and everyone else takes turns asking yes or no questions until someone guesses who or what it is. This is another great language practice game too!

4. Alphabet Game – Start with the letter A and go through the alphabet finding objects that begin with each letter.

5. Tic Tac Toe – A game of strategy where the first person to get three in a row wins.

6. Spot the Difference – Find the differences between two similar pictures. You can find spot the difference books for kids and adults. 

7. Guess the Animal – One person describes an animal and everyone else tries to guess what it is. This is a favorite road trip game in my family.

8. Scavenger Hunt – Create a list of items to find on your journey and see who can find them all first.

9. Storytelling – Take turns adding to a story, creating wild and imaginative plot twists.

10. Travel Pictionary – One person draws a picture and everyone else has to guess what it is.

10 Travel Games for Kids and Families

On a plane or train, I always love having travel board games or travel card games to play with my kids. They help break up any monotony and take their minds off the endless hours sitting. Here are some of our favorites. 

1. Spot It! – A fast-paced card game that challenges kids to spot familiar images as they race to match them to their card.

2. I Spy Travel – This seek-and-find card game is perfect for keeping kids entertained and appreciating the scenery on the road.

3. Sleeping Queens – This is my absolute favorite card game ever to play with kids. I am saving Sleeping Queens 2 for our upcoming trip to Europe to help our long train rides! 

4. Guess in 10 – This is an amazing guessing game to play with families! Whether you’re learning about different states, food all over the world, or new cities – this is a fun game that let’s you play while you learn (and travel!)

5. Travel Cribbage – My husband’s family won’t go anywhere without cribbage, and for good reason. It is such a fun game to play with your older kids and teens while you travel. 

6. Pass the Pigs – This travel game is my childhood! Every summer we drove 14 hours to North Carolina and my siblings and I played this for hours. It is silly and so fun. 

7. Magnetic Travel Chess – This is the perfect travel game for any chess lovers! 

8. Travel Bingo – This magnetic bingo game is perfect for travel and your younger kids will love it!

9. Battleship – Purple Cow has some of the best magnetic travel games for kids and families. We love the magnetic battle ships but I am slowly going to collect all their travel games!

10. Uno – A classic card game that kids and families love! Get this trio combo of three different card games in a perfect travel case. I’m getting this for our upcoming trip!

Don't miss these interactive travel activities for kids

Travel games are super fun, but it’s always nice to have some independent entertainment for kids while you’re road tripping or on an adventure. This helps everyone get a little much needed quiet time. Here are my favorite interactive activities for my kids while we travel:

1. Sticker books – Who doesn’t love sticker books?! I especially love this one because the stickers are easy for kids to peel on their own, they have coloring pages as well, plus there is no need to flip back and forth like most sticker books require. 

2. Scratch Art Activity Books – Besides sticker books, I always try to also have some fun scratch art activity books for my kids while we travel. 

3. Sketch book & art supplies – A fresh notebook and some fun new art supplies will give my kids hours of quiet entertainment. I always try to get something new and fun for their sketch books, like stamp pens , gel pens , stencils , or gel crayons . 

4. Magnetic Playsets – These have saved me on so many long trips with my kids! I have a whole stack of these in a closet and pick a few to bring on all our trips and to keep in the car. They are invaluable when traveling. 

5. Yoto Player Mini – I got each of my kids a Yoto player mini when my son was born and I am so glad I did! They use them all the time, when we’re traveling and when we’re at home. Truly this is my most packed travel item that helps keep my kids entertained while not on a screen. 

Do you feel like you’re ready for your next adventure now? I hope you enjoy these travel games and activities for kids as much as we do. Let me know in the comments if I’m missing any of your favorites. 

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The Best Travel Games for Kids: Keeping the Journey Fun

Traveling with kids can pose several challenges, one of them being how to keep them entertained during long car rides , flights, or train journeys. Both parents and children face the risk of boredom and restlessness, which is where travel games come into play. These games are specifically designed to be portable and engaging, helping to make travel time pass quickly and pleasantly for the whole family.

When it comes to selecting the best travel games for kids, there are several factors to consider. Ease of setup is crucial, as complicated games can be difficult to manage in a cramped space. Durability is also key, as items inevitably get jostled around en route. Additionally, it’s important to look for games that match the child’s age and interests, keeping in mind that the game should be absorbing enough to hold their attention but simple enough to understand without much adult intervention.

Before making a purchase, we recommend considering the size of the game, its portability, and how well it fits into your travel plans. Will it work well on a plane’s fold-down tray? Is it quiet enough for a crowded train? Are there small pieces that could easily get lost? Answering these questions can help ensure that the travel game is a good fit for your child and your travel situation.

Choosing the right travel game for your child is a small but clever investment in a smoother journey. A well-picked game doesn’t just entertain; it also helps develop patience, strategic thinking, and social skills as kids learn to take turns and play cooperatively. Let us guide you through our carefully selected list of top travel games for kids that stand out for their ease of play, educational value, and fun factor.

Top Travel Games for Kids

Traveling with kids can be a real adventure, and keeping them entertained during long journeys is crucial for a peaceful trip. We’ve scoured the market to find games that are engaging , compact, and easy to pack, ensuring your little ones stay amused whether you’re in a car, plane, or train. Our selection caters to a variety of age groups and interests, providing hours of fun while on the move.

ThinkFun Minecraft Puzzle

For those seeking an engaging and brain-boosting travel game for children, the ThinkFun Minecraft Magnetic Travel Puzzle is a smart pick.

• Offers 40 levels of progressive difficulty
• Encourages the development of critical thinking skills
• High-quality, Minecraft-themed magnetic components for immersive play
• Risk of losing small magnetic pieces
• May not challenge older or more experienced puzzle-solvers
• The game is designed for solo play, which might not be suitable for group interactions

Minecraft thrives in the hearts of many children, merging the joy of gaming with the benefits of problem-solving and cognitive development. In that spirit, the ThinkFun Minecraft Magnetic Travel Puzzle offers an imaginative journey through the iconic world of Minecraft. We see kids getting hooked on the increasingly challenging puzzles while they hone their reasoning and logic skills.

This is no mere plaything; each challenge brings with it a new opportunity to grow. Parents will appreciate the clear instructions that allow kids to dive into play without delay. It’s refreshing to find a game that’s as much about learning as it is about fun.

There’s a catch, though, and it’s all about the pieces. Small and magnetic, they’re as prone to going missing as they are to sticking to the board. And while the game starts simple enough for younger gamers, the more experienced ones might find they outgrow the challenges quickly. Moreover, because it’s a solo activity, it doesn’t offer as much for siblings or friends looking for a game to play together.

Overall, the ThinkFun Minecraft Magnetic Travel Puzzle stands out as a unique blend of educational value and magnetic allure. The benefits for children, especially fans of the beloved video game, are clear. As long as parents are willing to manage the small pieces, this game can become a staple for long travels or peaceful afternoons at home.

Cinco Linko Game

We recommend the Cinco Linko game for its ease of play and universal appeal, making it an excellent choice for travel entertainment.

• Quick to learn, providing instant fun for all ages.
• Compact and durable design, ideal for travel.
• Engages strategic thinking in a simple format.
• Gameplay might be less challenging for advanced players.
• Limited to four players, which may exclude larger groups.
• The concept might seem too basic for some preferences.

Cinco Linko presents a straightforward premise that promises accessibility and enjoyment for players everywhere. Its simplicity shines as a boon, allowing us to dive into the game without lengthy explanations or setups. Recognized with awards for its family-friendly design, Cinco Linko offers us a balance of ease and strategy that is both engaging for children and adults.

The game’s portability stands out for us as travelers. Its waterproof and robust tiles, including a handy carabiner, mean we can attach it to our backpack and hit the road. Whether we’re waiting at airports or sitting poolside, we’re armed and ready for a quick match.

Sometimes, the best travel games are those that transcend language and culture, and that’s where Cinco Linko excels. It’s a game that has the power to bridge gaps, invite camaraderie, and turn waiting time into an opportunity for connection. We may find its simplicity limiting over time, but the joy of immediate play can be worth the compromise, especially with kids involved.

Travofun Travel Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe

We recommend Travofun Travel Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe for its compact design and magnetic pieces that make it a hit for long journeys.

• Magnetic pieces stay in place during travel.
• Lightweight and easily portable.
• Dual-game design offers variety.
• Magnetic connection may be weak for more vigorous play.
• Limited to two classic games.
• Smaller pieces might be challenging for very young children.

When selecting a travel game for kids, you’re often looking for something durable, engaging, and easy to pack. Travofun delivers a 2-in-1 gaming experience with magnetic checkers and tic-tac-toe that ensures pieces stay put, a blessing for car and plane rides. Its three-fold board design is smart, as it mirrors opening a book, something kids are already familiar with.

The games’ simplicity might be their biggest strength; these are timeless, easy-to-learn games that encourage problem-solving and strategic thinking. It’s the sort of toy that doesn’t need Wi-Fi, making it perfect when tech options are unavailable or when you’re aiming to reduce screen time.

Alas, every rose has its thorn, and not all magnetic games are created equal. If the magnetic grip falters, so might the fun, especially when taking on bumpier routes. It’s designed for younger children but bear in mind the size of the pieces when considering suitability. Despite this, it’s a solid choice to engage young minds and fend off the dreaded ‘are we there yet?’

JA-RU Pocket Tic Tac Toe

We recommend this travel-friendly game for its simplicity and convenience, ensuring that kids can stay entertained on the go.

• Engages children without the need for screens
• Highly portable due to its compact size
• Reinforces turn-taking and strategy skills
• Made of plastic, which may not be the most durable
• Some units have arrived with manufacturing defects
• Simplicity might not captivate older children

This JA-RU Portable Tic Tac Toe game offers the classic enjoyment of tic-tac-toe without the need for pen and paper. Being pocket-sized, it provides the perfect solution for quick entertainment in a variety of settings, whether waiting at the doctor’s office or during long-haul flights. It’s an easy learning tool for kids to practice critical thinking and tactics in a traditional face-to-face setting.

Nothing beats an engaging game that encourages kids to interact directly with one another. This game serves this purpose beautifully, freeing parents from the hassle of organizing pieces or cleaning up afterwards. It’s a smart addition to any travel bag or even as an everyday carry in a child’s backpack.

While the convenience it offers is considerable, the plastic construction does mean it might not hold up to rough treatment by enthusiastic young gamers. It’s always important to consider the age-appropriateness of a toy. Younger children will likely find delight in the quick, rewarding gameplay, but older kids, used to more complex games, might need something with more depth. Despite its few drawbacks, the JA-RU Portable Tic Tac Toe proves to be a reliable go-to for on-the-spot entertainment.

Boredom Buster Activity Book

We recommend the Boredom Buster Activity Book for its varied and reusable content that promises to keep your kids engaged during travels or quiet times at home.

• Keeps children engaged with a mix of games and puzzles
• Eco-friendly with dry-erase pages for repeated use
• Sized for convenient travel, easy to pack in small bags
• Dry-erase marker may not last as long as the book itself
• The included marker might stain, requiring supervision
• May not captivate children above a certain age due to simpler activities

Traveling with kids can sometimes be a bit of a juggling act, particularly when it comes to keeping them entertained. The Boredom Buster Activity Book from Squirrel Products offers a handy solution. It’s packed with 22 educational games and creative activities, designed to cater to various interests and ages. By engaging with this book, children can enjoy hours of fun while also stimulating their minds.

In considering sustainability, we’re pleased with the choice of dry-erase pages. It ensures longevity and makes it possible for activities to be wiped clean and revisited on multiple occasions. This feature is a real win for parents who are conscious about waste and are seeking value for money.

Despite its many positives, it’s worth noting a couple of drawbacks. The quality of the included dry-erase marker may be a point of contention, particularly if it dries out quickly or stains. Parents might need to purchase additional markers or supervise their kids to avoid messes. Additionally, while the activities are engaging, older children might find them less challenging over time.

I Spy Travel Game

We think the I Spy Travel Card Game is a fantastic choice for families on the move, offering a unique blend of fun and learning.

• Encourages observation and matching skills through play
• Compact and easy to bring along on any trip
• Based on the beloved I Spy book series to capture children’s interest
• May have a limited replay value for some children
• Not suited for children under four years old
• May not engage children who are less visually oriented

Engaging our children during travels can sometimes be challenging, but the I Spy Travel Card Game by Briarpatch serves as an entertaining and educational companion. The game, rooted in the popular I Spy book series, sparks joy and curiosity, turning every car ride into a scavenger hunt. Its convenience and ease of play make it a staple in our travel bag.

Situations that would otherwise be met with restlessness are transformed as children work on their cognitive skills. With varying card scenarios, this game remains fresh for several trips. However, as with most things, prolonged use may gradually reduce its allure for some kids.

Although the game draws from lively book visuals that can appeal to a broad age range, the game’s simplicity might not keep older children engaged as long. Keeping this in mind ensures we set the right expectations before making it a part of our travel gear.

Overall, the I Spy Travel Card Game is an educational tool that doubles as entertainment. It’s small enough not to be a hassle, aligning perfectly with our philosophy of traveling light while keeping our kids’ development in focus.

Vanmor Magnetic Tangram Puzzle

We find the Vanmor Tangram Puzzle to be a worthwhile investment for keeping kids engaged and learning while traveling.

• Encourages creative thinking with 368 puzzles
• Safe materials and strong magnets for durability
• Colorful and engaging for various ages
• Potential for losing pieces if not careful
• Magnet strength may not prevent all spills
• Some may find the size smaller than expected

Traveling with children often means finding ways to keep their minds occupied. The Vanmor Magnetic Tangram Puzzle offers an enjoyable educational activity that can be both challenging and fun. With a multitude of patterns to create, it draws children into problem-solving and helps develop their spatial reasoning skills.

Safety is a top priority, and this travel game uses materials that are both safe and durable. The foam and paper construction is designed to ensure there are no harmful or sharp edges, while the magnetic strength keeps pieces in place, which is especially reassuring during bumpy rides.

While this puzzle does have a magnetic feature, it’s important to consider that small parts may still be subject to loss. Parents should be vigilant, particularly with young children who can misplace puzzle pieces. It’s also worth noting that although it is travel-sized, some may find it a bit too compact, especially when trying to organize all the pieces in a confined space.

In conclusion, the Vanmor Magnetic Tangram Puzzle is an effective tool for keeping kids busy and learning on the go. It’s a brain teaser that offers a wide array of patterns and designs, which can captivate children of many ages. Despite a few minor potential drawbacks related to piece management and size, we believe its educational value makes it a strong contender for travel entertainment.

Buying Guide

When selecting travel games for kids, consider several key features to ensure you choose an engaging and appropriate option for your young travelers.

Age Appropriateness

We must first look at the age recommendation on the game. It’s crucial to choose games that are suitable for the child’s age, as this impacts their ability to understand and enjoy the game.

Portability

Next, assess the game’s portability. Games designed for travel are typically compact and lightweight. We prefer options that are easy to pack and don’t take up much space.

• Size when packed
• Number of pieces

The game should withstand the rigors of travel. We look for high-quality materials that resist wear and tear. The game’s components should be sturdy enough to handle frequent use.

Ease of Play

A good travel game is straightforward to set up and play. The rules should be simple enough for children to understand quickly, reducing the risk of lost pieces and ensuring a smooth experience.

We want travel games that can be completed in a relatively short time to keep kids interested. Ideal playtime ranges from 10 to 30 minutes per session, accommodating limitations on travel schedules.

Educational Value

Games can be both fun and educational. We seek out games that reinforce skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork without compromising the fun aspect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traveling with kids can be a breeze with the right games to keep them entertained. We’ve compiled some of the most common questions about travel games for children to make your journey smoother.

What are the top mini games to keep kids engaged during travel?

We recommend portable and mess-free options like travel-sized board games, card games such as ‘Uno’, and interactive game books. These mini games are perfect to quickly set up and pack away, holding kids’ attention during long journeys.

Which travel games are best suited for entertaining children on airplanes?

For airplane travels, we find that games with few loose parts, like ‘Battleship’ and travel editions of ‘Guess Who?’, work well. Additionally, activity books with puzzles and coloring pages are great as they are less likely to disturb fellow passengers.

How can I find the most suitable travel games for children during car journeys?

To select suitable travel games for car journeys, focus on magnetic or lap desk games that won’t easily slide off during movement. Also, consider audio games or storytelling apps that can be listened to without physical components.

Can you recommend any good magnetic games that are perfect for kids on the go?

Magnetic games such as ‘Magnetic Hangman’, ‘Magnetic Checkers’, and ‘ Magnetic Building Blocks ‘ are great for kids on the move. These games eliminate the risk of losing pieces and can be easily managed in a moving vehicle.

What online travel games are ideal for entertaining kids during long trips?

There are several apps and online games ideal for travel. Educational apps like ‘Endless Alphabet’, puzzle games such as ‘Monument Valley’, and interactive stories like ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ keep kids both entertained and stimulated.

What kind of travel games are appropriate and enjoyable for toddlers, especially for car rides?

For toddlers, consider tactile games like ‘Buckle Toy’, simple puzzles, and color-forming games like ‘Colorforms’. These types of games engage their senses and fine motor skills, plus they’re typically lightweight and easy to pack.

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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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You have finally narrowed down your summer family travel destination and are trying to figure our how to entertain the kids in the car, on the airplane, or even at the hotel or resort you just booked. T ravel games for kids are your secret weapon when traveling with kids!

At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Travel Games for Kids

• Write and Wipe Games to Go!

Apples to Apples On The Go

Loaded questions juniors game, mad libs on the road, u.s.a license plate game, story cubes, travel games for kids.

Travel games are simple to play and are easy to pack. We are sharing my favorite travel games for kids to have fun and keep them entertained your whole trip. 

Write and Wipe Games 

Having a small whiteboard and erasable markers can help entertain small children while traveling. Call out letters for them to practice writing or have them draw a picture of things they see as you pass them. Little ones will love this as they drive in the car.

Another fun option is a Write and Wipe Games To Go Activity Book . These activities can be completed by one or two players. These are perfect for ages 3-6. 

Built for traveling Checkers Take “N” Play Anywhere is a great game for kids who are a bit older. It is magnetic and has the perfect storage case. This is why this travel game is perfect because it lets children to play in the car or on a plane and still get excited about yelling “King Me!”

My family loves playing Apples to Apples board game on family game nights. 

Thank goodness there is an Apples to Apples On The Go . It is a great portable game to play while traveling. All you have to do is open the box and deal the cards out and let the fun begin. 

This game is a favorite game to play while traveling because it involves everyone. Each person takes turns being the judge and gets to choose the card that suits the category best.

For a family car game Loaded Questions Juniors will not disappoint. 

It is a great way to keep the conservations going and have some silly moments together. 

You will be surprised at the answers your kids give. In the car is a great way to get to know your family members better! 

With 200 creative and playful questions, you will have hours of great conversations! 

Auto Bingo                        

Auto Bingo is a family favorite. My kids could play this game forever. Be sure to encourage them to switch their cards up before playing a new round. Buying Auto Bingo is a must before you take your next road trip. 

Mad Libs on the Road is a great game for older kids. You want to make sure your kids understand what nouns, verbs, and adjectives are. A perfect way to keep them using language skills on vacation, but in a fun way. 

For added entertainment have them read the completed mad lib out loud. I promise this will have your car laughing over and over!

The License Plate game is where kids try to find all 50 states license plates on different cars as you pass them on the road. 

This game can be played with just having your kids mark off license plates they see from a pre-printed list or they can write out each state on a blank sheet of paper. 

You can also order the Melissa and Doug U.S.A License Plate game board . With this game board, your kids just flip over the state once they have found that license plate. 

Why not create stories while you are on your road trip? You can create your own story cubes by writing topics on the sides of homemade cubes or use Rory’s Story cubes . 

Story Cubes are a great way to stretch your imagination with a simple roll of the cube! 

Hangman has been around forever but it’s such a fun game to play. Melissa and Doug has the perfect travel hangman game . This version makes it easier for kids to play in the car and on the airplane. 

Spot it is a great game to stick in your suitcase to have in the hotel for some entertainment before the vacation fun begins. 

To play this game, you flip over two cards and see who can spot which item is on both cards. The secret is to not look at the size of each object because they may be the same item but different sizes!

With Scrabble Tile Lock your tiles will not slide around which is the perfect travel game for kids. This game comes with 4 trays to hold tiles. You really can play this game anywhere like the car, airplane, or even a restaurant table. 

Rubik’s Cube 

With so many ways to solve a Rubik’s Cube it is a great game to keep your kids entertained while traveling. It will for sure be challenging and also educational. 

Barrel of Monkeys

Easily stored and sleek packing for packing in your carry on bag, diaper bag, or storing in the car. 

Barrel of Monkeys is a great game for small kids to play while waiting in an airport or riding in the car. You may want to purchase two so they have more monkeys to play and link together! 

No need to be an artist when it comes to playing Pictionary. 

Travel Pictionary comes with over 400 cards and a dry erase board and erasable pens. 

Grab a few extra erasable markers to store with this game so the fun doesn’t stop when the markers dry up. 

Travel Scavenger Hunt

A great way to help kids pass time in the car is by doing a Travel Scavenger Hunt!  

A perfect search and find game for kids to help fight their boredom while traveling.  

With over 54 cards, this game can be played over and over and helps keep the kids’ senses in check as all cards require you to see, hear it, or even smell it! 

What travel games for kids do you enjoy playing? Share in the comments! 

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24 Best Travel Activities for Kids

These travel activities will help you out during trips, where all parents know the challenges of keeping your kids entertained. Whether you are looking for some activities for a lengthy road trip or some games for an airplane ride, we got you.

We have laid out the best travel activity ideas for kids. Some of these can be purchased and others can be played for free.

Let’s take a look at some ways to have fun and resulting in a great travel experience.

Fun Travel activities for Kids

1.  mad libs junior.

How to Play

One person should hold the book so that the others cannot see the pages. The reader will first ask each person, one at a time for a part of speech. When the person gives the reader a word, the reader must then fill in the space blank with the given word. When all the blanks are filled in the reader must then read the story. Of course, it won’t make sense which is what makes it so entertaining.

Why it’s perfect for travel

It’s lightweight and compact to make it easy to pack. Store it with other books or in an art bag, either way, the paperback won’t take up much space.  Mad libs is great fun for that long road trip.

2. Melissa & Doug Children’s License Plate Game

When you think of a road trip game, this is the one that should come to mind. The rules of this game are simple and can be varied. There are 50 state license plates on the wooden pieces and includes the capital of the state on the opposite side of each piece.

Your children can watch the road for all the different state license plates and as they find them, they can look for them on the board and flip the pieces up. This game can be played as a matching game to learn the state capitals or they can flip the pieces to learn the locations of the states. It can be played solo or with others. There really are no set rules for this fun learning game.

This travel game can be carried in a tote bag or packed nicely into the bottom of a suitcase. You can carry this game in the car for everyday travel as well.

3. Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game

Each player is dealt five cards and the remaining cards can be placed back into the box for easy access. The players should hold their cards facing them so that the other players cannot see them. The players should look around outside of the car for the items on their cards.

As players find their items, they should shout it out, but not loud enough to frighten the driver. After they find the item, they should show the card to the others and keep a pile of only their discards, and they should then draw a new card from the box.

The first player with ten discards in their pile wins. The cards are not only made up of items the players can see, but there are also cards for hearing, feeling, smelling, and some swap cards too.

The cards easily store in a closed box that can be conveniently packed into any tight spot. You can keep this game in a travel tote or keep it stored in a compartment in the car, it’s that small and convenient.

4. Travel Spirograph Play set

It’s simple to use; just secure the paper under the cover and put the wheel on the top. Use the design pens to create pictures and your kids could even carry along crayons to color the designs. When the kids are finished, they can store everything inside the container.

This is one of the best travel companions that could be used in the place of electronics. It’s small, lightweight, and compact. The pieces conveniently store under the lid inside the container.

5. Educational Insights Travel Blurt

The idea is for each player to take a turn reading the clues. When the clues are read it is up to the other players to blurt out the answers. The person with the most points at the end of the game wins, it’s that simple.

It stores conveniently inside a tin. The cards keep safely in a sleeve while traveling in the back seat of the car so that they won’t spill.

6. Melissa & Doug Flip to Win Hangman

Each player takes a turn creating a word or phrase. Once the word or phrase has been created, the other players take a turn guessing a letter. If it’s there it can be written on the dry-erase board and the next player gets a turn.

If the letter is not there a body part should be flipped over on the hangman. Every time a letter is guessed it should be flipped over on the board so that it doesn’t get used again. A player can guess the word at any time when it’s their turn and if it’s correct it will be their turn to create the next word or phrase.

It’s the perfect size for your travel bag and all the pieces, except the pen, are attached so that they won’t come off. The pen will conveniently store on the side of the board so that it won’t get lost.

7. Take ‘N’ Play anywhere – Bingo

The first player should spin the spinner and each player should place their marker on the matching animal picture on their game board. Play continues until the first player covers a complete row with markers. If there are more than two players, each person could take turns spinning during a round.

It’s small enough to carry in any bag and can be used anyplace for entertainment.

8. Boogie Board 8.5-inch LCD Writing Tablet

This is not exactly a game, but it’s a perfect alternative to electronics while traveling. This lightweight board is easy to use for all ages. It comes with an LCD screen and a stylus.

This is a simple tool that can be used to express your child’s creativity. It can be used to play classic games like tic-tac-toe and hangman, and it can be used for learning and drawing too.

It’s simple to use if your child can hold a pencil than they won’t have a problem figuring this one out. Just use the stylus on the board like writing on paper, when they’re done, the touch of a finger on a button will erase it. It can even be used with a finger if you choose not to use the stylus!

This is lightweight and compact enough to pack into any tote bag, purse, or art kit. The pen can hook right onto the board, so you can see why this would be the perfect choice for a travel necessity.

9. “Make a Car” Scavenger Hunt

Materials :

✓ List of cars ✓ Pencil ✓ Lots of time

Players:  Small to medium groups

Here’s a game for the kids to play on that next long car ride. It’s a car scavenger hunt and here’s a list to get you started.

Print this list and have players mark off which cars they have spotted.

If there are several players, take turns as to who marks off the next car that you pass or that passes you or make a copy for each child!

10. Travel Size Battleship

Players take turns calling out coordinates. The opposing player will say hit or miss. Place a red pin on a hit coordinate and a white pin on a miss coordinate. When a ship has been fully hit, they must notify the opposing player that they sunk their battleship.

This makes a great kid’s car game and was made for travel. It’s small and lightweight. Carry anywhere.

11. How Far Away is That ______?

Pick an object in the distance and have everyone guess how far away it is. Set your odometer and clock it !

12. Play “Rhyme That Word”

Instructions

• Think of words.
• Children take turns seeing how many “real” rhyming words they can think of.
• When one word is worn out, choose another word.  Remind the kids to use “nice” words only!
• Example: Rhyme words with “time”

13. How about putting together a “Traveling Scavenger Hunt”?

Will you be traveling in the city, on a highway, or in the country? Adjust your list to the places your trip will take you, then make identical lists for each player. (You join in too!) The first to spot the item gets to cross it off of the list!

14. 20 Questions

One person picks something to be, such as a famous person or an animal, and then the rest of the passengers ask ‘yes or no questions’ until someone guesses who the person has chosen to be.

15. Rock Paper Scissors

I like this travel game because you play it with your hands. “Rock” is a fist, “Paper” is a flat hand, and “Scissors” is the pointer and middle fingers making snipping motions. Partners shake their fists three times and then show their chosen motion on the count of three. Winning hands are decided as follows:

Rock breaks scissors. Scissors cuts paper. Paper covers rock.

Play three or 5 times, and see who has the most wins. This is also a good method to see who goes “first” in games.

This makes a great in car game. One person says “I spy with my little eye, something that is _______ (name a color)”. Then others try to guess what the object is and the one who guesses it takes the next turn.

With older kids instead of this, ‘I Spy’ Play ‘i’m thinking of’: The leader looks about the area and says, “I’m thinking of something that is the color_________. Say what the color it is. Children guess what they think it may be. The winner is the next leader. It’s the same game as ‘I Spy’ buy not with the younger child’s title.

17. Who Can? 

Can your kids:

• Roll their tongue (85% of people can).
• Wiggle their ears; wiggle their nose.
• Show they are double-jointed.
• Touch their ear with their elbow (I don’t think anyone can!).
• Whistle (can they whistle by blowing both in and out?).
• Twiddle thumbs (try to do it in both directions at the same time!).
• Rub their stomach and pat head at the same time.
• Make owl hoots with clasped hands.
• Make a popping sound with hand tapping their puckered large “O” shaped mouth.

How about you? Can you?

18. A – Z Back Seat Travels 

✓ 1 small notebook ✓ 1 large zipper- seal plastic bag ✓ A pen or pencil ✓ Crayon or markers

• Before you go on the trip, write a name, the place you are going to, and the date that you are leaving on the cover of the notebook.
• At the top of each page, write one letter of the alphabet, beginning with A and ending with Z.
• Place the notebook, pencil, and crayons in the plastic bag and take them on the trip with you.
• As you travel, look for special landmarks or things and write their name next to the appropriate letter. For example, lake would be written on the “page with “L” at the top.
• Draw a picture of that item on the page, and color the picture with the crayons.

You can use blank pages at the end of the book as a travel diary, detailing everything you saw and did on the trip.

19. Road Sign Scavenger Hunt

This is one of my favorite travel games for kids. Print out a list of common road signs. How many can you find along the way?

20. Play Tic Tac Toe

This can be played on a whiteboard or on a piece of paper. The first one to get 3 x’s or o’s in a row, wins!

21. Practice Pen Spinning

Although pen spinning isn’t a game, it presents a fun challenge and can occupy a lot of time. Learn some fun pen spinning tricks .

22. LEGO travel kit

Probably one of the best on this list. This is a great way to keep the kids entertained for hours during a long drive or even on a plane.

What you need:

• Hot glue gun
• LEGO base piece

What you want to do is glue the base piece of the lego inside the box, so it sticks firmly, now place the other lego pieces inside and let your child build what ever he wants, the best part? When he’s done, just close the box with all the pieces inside.

23. NAT Geo sticker books

How about a sticker book that comes with 1,000 stickers. Yes, a 1,000. This will be enough stickers to keep them occupied for a while.

You can get the book from Amazon or other retail stores.

24. Spinner fidgets

Very easy and simple little gadget, but does the job. This activity for a road trip or a flight, this can keep your hands busy and “buy” you the parent a little bit of quiet time.

We hope you have found this list of the best travel games for kids helpful. Did you find a fun game to play in the car or on the airplane? Which one was your favorite?

Check out some of our other great posts:

• Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids
• Water Games for Kids 
• Fall Activities and Games 
• How to Make Salt Dough 

A father to three young boys with a passion of homeschooling. I am always seeking new ways to help them learn, grow, and have fun. I have a passion for traveling with the family and exposing our kids to new experiences and life lessons.

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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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33 Fun Travel Games to Make Time Fly for Your Kids

May 11, 2023 //  by  Sharayah Lynn Grattan

Whether you and your family are traveling by plane, car, train, bus, or boat, we’ve got all the most creative, cheap, and portable games to keep your little ones entertained all trip long. Road trips can be exciting and engaging a lot of the time, but on those long stretches of dirt, it’s helpful to have some simple games so your kiddos don’t feel bored and antsy. We’ve looked all over for 33 of the best activities, toys, and games to keep you and your kids smiling through the whole journey.

1. “Who Am I?”

This classic game is the perfect brain teaser to keep the whole car thinking and laughing. It is a discussion game where one person thinks of a person or animal, and the others take turns asking yes/no questions to try and figure out who/what it is!

Learn More: Indie Campers

2. Scavenger Hunt

Here is a fun scavenger hunt game you can print out and bring on your next road trip! This game will provide countless hours of amusement since the objects, signs, and scenery will be found in different locations on your family trip.

Learn More: The Resourceful Mama

3. Story Creation

Time to kick your kids’ imagination into high gear with this awesome word game road trip activity. One person starts off a story with just thre words, then the rest of the car has to try and continue the story with their own three words! The results are sure to keep the boredom away on those long car journeys!

Learn More: CCA

4. Totally Gross: The Game of Science

This favorite boredom buster is the goofiest science trivia game your kids will ever play! You can bring out the card deck and read all sorts of crazy facts while your kids try to guess the correct plants and animals with the grossest habits.

Learn More: Northwest Nature Shop

5. Alphabet Chain

Everyone loves a good alphabet game, there are just enough letters to keep it interesting while not taking too long to go through. The goal of the game is to spot each letter of the alphabet on signs, license plates, and other objects you pass by. You can make it competitive or collective depending on the crowd.

Learn More: Chesapeake Family

6. Magnetic Tic Tac Toe

This classic game with a little twist makes it a convenient toy to bring on any travel adventure. Magnetic games are great for long journeys because game pieces can easily be lost, but with magnets, that’s way less likely.

Learn More: Today’s Creative Life

Now here is a board game that can be an easily modified travel version, whether it be in the car, at your vacation rental, or in the airport lounge. The game comes with headbands with nouns the players wear and take turns guessing to see what their headbands say. Such a silly activity to pass the time!

Learn More: About Learning Press

8. Chinese Checkers

Looking for more magnetic travel games? Well here is the perfect strategy game to keep your kids’ brains thinking and attention engaged. This classic board game can be found in a travel size with magnetic pieces so they won’t be lost.

Learn More: Amazon

9. Bananagrams Duel

Another portable board game to stimulate your kids is Bananagrams. Similar to Scrabble, players have to create words using the letter pieces they have and connect them to the words already played. This set is small and can easily be taken on any trip for mobile fun!

Learn More: Via Travelers

10. Fortunately, Unfortunately

This fast-moving activity is great for kids to use their imagination and creativity to think quickly and respond on the fly. For example, the game starts with the first sentence.

First person: “Unfortunately, it started to rain.”

Second person: “Fortunately, the rain put out a small wildfire.”

Third person: “Unfortunately, a family of squirrels was cooking dinner on the fire.”

Fourth person: “Fortunately, they were also thirsty.”

11. Pack My Bags

A chain game to initiate some fun bonding time wherever you’re traveling. Start off with someone stating the sentence, “I’m going on vacation and I packed my AirPods.” The next person will repeat the sentence with the previous person’s item(s) and add their own, making sure their item starts with the next letter of the alphabet “B”.

Learn More: Great Wolf

12. Puppet Play

On the airplane with young ones? Here is a captivating, screen-free option that only needs a pen or marker to create! Every seat on the airplane has a paper bag to use if you get sick. Use your writing tool and imagination to make a fun puppet or two for your kids to play pretend with.

Learn More: Flying With a Baby

13. Travel Arts and Snacks

Stop boredom en route with this edible motor skills activity for toddlers you can do in the car, train, or on airplane tray tables! You can use twizzlers or other licorice types for the string, and cheerios for the beads to make necklaces/bracelets.

14. Sing-A-Long Memory Game

This fun game is suitable for kids, adults, and family road trips. Get a playlist going with popular songs. Tell everyone to sing along with the song, and when the person in charge of the music mutes the song, everyone tries to keep singing the next part of the song until it is unmuted. You can see who remembers the words and stayed on beat!

Learn More: Lazy Trips

15. Mad Libs Junior

A portable version of the hilarious game we know and love. Mad libs is a fun option for any journey with elementary-aged kids who need some entertainment. The card game comes with goofy sentences that are missing verbs and nouns your kids must add to create their own silly sentences.

16. License Plate Game

Another classic game for kids that encourages them to look outside their window and appreciate the road. Refresh their little minds on the different states in the U.S.A. and make it easier by printing out a colorable map they can fill in when they see a license plate from that state.

Learn More: Raising Whasians

17. Travel Spirograph

On the move? We’ve got toys for kids to keep their hands and minds busy on the journey. Spirographs are one of those awesome travel games kids can create designs with and erase with no mess or missing pieces.

18. Alexa Voice Audio

Now we know there are a lot of options for entertainment using technology these days. Alexa is a great resource that has tons of games and settings your kids will love messing around with. Alexa can play twenty questions, crystal ball, would you rather, and more!

Learn More: My Life and Kids

19. Guess That Movie!

A perfect travel game for movie buffs! When it’s your turn, say the first letter of each word in the movie title and see who can guess that movie. Or why not make it even more challenging and see if anyone can guess the movie just from the opening line?

Learn More: Her

20. Sensory Sticks

Got some restless hands in the car or plane? These sensory sticks are one of those toys for kids that have many uses and benefits. Their colors and movements are sensorily stimulating, and playing with them can help kids with attention deficit disorder and other neuroatypical tendencies.

Learn More: Insider

21. Traffic Jam

This problem-solving toy for travel is portable and great practice for young kids to learn the beginning skills of logic. You can pack the travel version of this toy easily and bring it out during an airport delay, in the car, or wherever your kids may get antsy.

22. Story Cubes

Now here is a dice game to ignite your little one’s inner creative storyteller! Take turns rolling the dice with images of different objects and use these as prompts to develop a story. Of course, this will bring about brilliant and ridiculous tales, increase your kiddo’s vocabulary , and promote teamwork.

Learn More: Childhood 101

23. Khan Academy: Khan Kids App

We know these days it can be a lot easier to entertain your kids with a tablet or phone than remembering to bring cards or other games/toys. Here is an app you can download for free and use in airplane mode or offline. This is an educational app focusing on different developmental skills and is designed to not be addictive.

Learn More: Tech Wellness

24. Infinity Loop

This free offline app is better suited for older kids (10+), and is perfect for puzzle-lovers! The purpose of the game is to find and create patterns using the designs you’re given. Your kids can develop for hours and build connections they can be proud of.

Learn More: Apple Store

25. Impressions

This classic favorite for the family is best played when everyone can see each other, so maybe a long train ride? The idea is to take turns doing impressions of famous people in popular movies, tv show actors, music stars, or any other characters your family/friends all would recognize, and see who can guess first!

Learn More: Mummy Pages

26. Forbidden Words

A built-in activity you can begin at the start of your journey and can last all the way to the destination! Have the lead person choose a few words that are from that point, forbidden. For example, the words can be “car”, “bathroom”, and “sign”. Whoever says one of these words loses and is out of the game.

Learn More: Renfe SNCF

27. Activity Pad

This activity book is full of different games, coloring pages, fun facts, puzzles, and entertaining images for you and your kids to work through on a long trip!

28. Leaf Threading

Here is a fun activity to set up on your camping table and do with your whole family. The concept is simple, collect some leaves, and with a small twig and some hemp string, tread them together! You can also make a variation with flowers that everyone will love wearing on their head or around their neck.

Learn More: Kids Craft Room

29. Pterodactyl

Fun for adults and kids, this “try-not-to-laugh” game can be played on any journey when the group is feeling bored and needs a chuckle. No supplies are needed, just your mouth! The point is to go around the group and say the word “pterodactyl” with your lips covering your teeth. No one can laugh, and whoever does is out!

Learn More: Jarr Chimo

30. DIY Clipping Toy

We have a fidget game lifesaver for parents who have kids with restless hands. You can make these simple strap toys using plastic buckles, fabric bands, and a sewing kit. Once they are made, your kids can spend hours buckling and unbuckling the straps around different objects in different patterns for sensory stimulation.

Learn More: Kids Activities Blog

31. I Spy DIY Shaker Bottles

This creative idea will make the next long car ride a piece of cake! Your kiddos can help you make your DIY shakers at home before the trip. Get a plastic bottle and fill it with different small objects to float around in your solution of dish soap and food coloring. You can also make a rice shaker with colorful rice and small items as well.

32. Road Trip Word Search

A fun word search game you can print out and bring on your next long car ride. Find one with words/objects they will definitely see on the road like signs, traffic, seat belt, and more.

Learn More: Artsy Fartsy Mama

33. Road Trip Bingo 

You might think bingo isn’t the easiest game to play while traveling, but all you need is something to mark the spaces. Get creative! Print out some free travel-inspired bingo sheets online and use ripped pieces of paper, snacks, or anything lying around to mark your spaces as you see them!

Learn More: Crazy Little Projects

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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.

Best Card Games

Best board games, best word games, best party games, best for little travelers.

• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

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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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35 Best Toys and Gifts for 5-Year-Olds

Unique, educational and everything in between.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

"Around age 5, kids are solving more complex problems and developing more critical thinking skills, so more elaborate construction toys are perfect," says Jacque Bogdanov, PsyD, child psychologist and founder of ChildBehaviorClinic.com . "These might include toys like marble runs, building tracks and smaller Legos. More involved art projects, like cutting and gluing, art kits or easy how-to-draw books allow them to express their own interests and creativity while also practicing following multistep directions."

Whether you're looking for board games that help them hone their critical thinking skills, patience and turn-taking; educational toys like STEM sets and DIY kits or art toys that let them flex their creative muscles, the Good Housekeeping Institute can help figure out which ones are the best for kids this age. The Lab experts stay on top of toy releases all year, then call in their favorites to test them to make sure they're safe, easy to use and able to withstand the love of kindergarteners. Then they pass them along to actual 5-year-olds, who give the most important feedback of all. When it's all settled, these emerged as the best toys and gifts for 5-year-olds in 2024, including some current and former Good Housekeeping Toy Award winners .

Our top picks:

• DoodleJamz JellyPics , $10 at amazon.com
• B Is for Bananas Picture Book , $13 at amazon.com
• Skillmatics Foil Fun , $20 at amazon.com
• Crazy Forts , $60 at amazon.com
• Learning Resources Botley the Coding Robot , $65 at amazon.com

The kids loved exploring beginner science sets, building bigger and better structures, playing with fidget toys , creating masterpiece artworks and using play sets that let them use their imaginations. And who could blame them?

Skillmatics Foil Fun Animals

Kids can make their own works of art without paint, markers, crayons or glue. They just place the shining paper over foam stickers in different shapes, rub, and — poof! — the color from the foil paper magically transfers to the sticker, which they can then place on a canvas. One parent tester noted that, when she had this out at a public picnic, even strangers' children rushed over to try it out. Ages 4+

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards

Jellycat Little Candy Cane Stuffed Plush

It's never too early to snag a few holiday items in advance, and what would look better sticking out of a stocking than a smiling candy cane? (Bonus: No sugar rush.) And while it might seem odd to snuggle up with a candy cane, this plush is extremely soft. Ages 0+

Hanna Andersson Mickey Mouse Long John Pajama Set

Mickey mouse and red and green plaid — two classics that go great together. These holiday pajamas, made of comfy OEKO-TEX® certified organic cotton, comes in coordinating styles in adult and kid sizes , so you can grab that matching family photo sooner rather than later. There's even a dog version for your Pluto. Sizes 2 – 12

B Is for Bananas

A goofy banana isn't ready for bed — know any kids that can relate? Instead of sleeping, the funny fruit inserts itself into an alphabet book, changing sleepy words to more active ones. C is for cozy, for example, becomes C is for Captain Banana. Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the silliness, and even compared it to Mo Willems. Ages 4 – 8

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Awards

Crazy Forts

Let those architects and engineers design their own blanket forts with this set, which comes with 69 pieces (mostly rods and ball connectors). There are plans they can follow to make structures like a rocket, a castle or an igloo, or they can build whatever they like. All you have to do is add your own sheets and blankets on top. Ages 5+

Kinetic Sand Deluxe Beach Castle Play Set

Give them the best part of a day at the beach — the sand castles — without having to pack all the towels and sunscreen. This comes with two and a half pounds of perfectly moldable sand, along with all the accessories they need to build their own castles : walls, tower, doorways and tools like scoopers, cutters and diggers, which help them with their fine motor coordination. Kid testers asked to play with this one over and over. Ages 3+

DoodleJamz JellyPics

Kids (and their families) love these boards because they're quiet, but so soothing. A clear gel is filled with beads, and kids can use the included stylus or their fingers to push the beads around in the gel to augment the pictures. It comes with one double-sided background, but you can print more. Ages 5+

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie Aircraft Carrier HQ

Anyone looking for a big gift for a PAW Patrol fan can look no further — this one really wowed our testers. Kid testers loved the impressive look of this HQ, inspired by this year's PAW Patrol: The Might Movie , and they enjoyed launching rescue vehicles from the side-by-side ramps. (A Chase figure and vehicle is included, others are sold separately.) In addition, there are tons of other details to explore, like a meteor with lights and sounds, a lookout tower and side compartments. Ages 3+

The Fun Shop Look & See Puzzle

By the time they turn 5, they're ready for more complex jigsaw puzzles with more pieces. This puzzle, featuring a fun toy-shop scene, is 72 pieces, so it presents a big enough challenge. But the fun doesn't end when the puzzle is done; there's a seek-and-find component , and the border of the image has toys that kids have to look for in the rest of the scene. Ages 5+

Playmobil My Figures: Pirates' Island

This set comes with six pirate-themed figures, along with swappable heads, arms, legs, torsos and accessories to make more than 1,000 combinations with them. They'll use their creativity to create their own characters, then set them loose in imaginative play — only to swap the pieces, make new figures and play again. In addition to the pirate-themed set, you can find My Figures sets with Magical Dance or Rescue Mission motifs. Ages 5+

Botley 2.0 Activity Set

This fun robot is a great way to introduce kids to coding without using screens. During toy testing of the previous version, kids immediately loved it right out of the box. Now the Botley "2.0" has expanded coding styles (including lights, movement and music), different interactive modes (program it to be a police car, a ghost or a train) and an accessory kit with more than 75 pieces. Ages 5+

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Stomp Rocket Stomp Racers

The best things about these cars are that they're totally kid-powered: no batteries or charging required. Instead, kinds stomp on the launcher as hard as they can to send the cars flying! Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers loved going head-to-head to see which car would go the furthest, along with using the ramp to make them get some air. Ages 5+

World of Disney Eye Found It Board Game

You'll need to clear off a lot of space for this game — the board is six feet long! But when it's unfolded, set the timer and head off to seek out as many of a certain item as you can find in the extra-large scene (bells, flags, cats, apples, etc.), challenging players on their memory and matching skills. It's the perfect family board game, because the rounds are quick by design, it's easy to learn, and the game is cooperative , so if one player wins, everyone wins! There's also a Marvel Eye Found It board game with a smaller board. Ages 3+

GeoSafari Jr. Kidscope

By the time kids are 5 years old, they're more curious about science and the world around them. This talking microscope helps empower them to learn more with 15 slides featuring close-up images of animals, plants and beyond . Parents and kids alike enjoyed that it's simple, easy to use and offers a lot to learn. And if they want to gaze out far into space, this year saw the launch of the GeoSafari Jr. Telescope . Ages 5+

Orboot Earth Globe

This globe lets kids travel the world through the magic of augmented reality. By using an app, they can learn more about the history, geography and environment of each region by zooming in with a tablet. There are more than 1,000 world facts included!

Paint by Sticker Kids

Kids can make cool, mosaic-like pictures without glue, markers or paint — instead, they fill in the pictures with pre-cut stickers in different shades. Positioning the sticker in the right spot is good for their fine-motor coordination, and they'll feel accomplished when they see the cool art they've made. Each book comes with 10 scenes to fill in.

VTech KidiZoom Creator Cam

With the KidiZoom Creator Cam, they can create their own high-definition videos, just like their favorite YouTube stars. This kit includes a green screen, a library of animated backgrounds, a tripod that's easy for little hands to hold and even a built-in microphone. Easy on-screen editing is available too, and parents can upload the videos to a computer via the included USB cable. Otherwise, it doesn't connect to the internet, so you don't have to worry about kid privacy. Ages 5+

Parents who grew up in the '90s will remember these well — the "virtual" pet is back and better than ever . Kids can feed their pets, play games with them, train them to do tricks and keep them healthy (all without the hassle of a real pet). You can get a puppy, a frog, a pixie, a dinosaur, a unicorn and the "original" Compukitty with Starcat. Ages 5+

VTech KidiStar DJ Mixer Black

Kids can experiment with beats, sound effects, faders and vocal tags with this device, which puts them in the role of DJ. In addition to more than 2,000 sound combinations that come preloaded into the kit, you can also connect it to your music player with Bluetooth or an AUX cable so they can remix their favorites. Ages 5+

Crayola Scribble Scrubbie Pets Arctic Snow Explorer

Kids can customize their furry, snow-themed friends , rinse and repeat as many times as they'd like. (Just be prepared to soak them a bit to erase the past scribbles.) There's even a cool, color-changing element: The pets turn blue in cold water, which was a hit with our testers. The set includes three cold-weather pets and six markers, plus two snowboards, two soaking tubs, a scrub brush and a vehicle that can be used as storage. Ages 3+

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

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