The school summer holidays have started, and you might have a holiday planned, maybe abroad or somewhere in the UK, or you might just be planning a series of days out. Whatever you are planning on doing it could mean long journeys stuck in the car, on a train, bus on even on a plane or ferry. That could mean lots of hours to kill whilst travelling and endless bored cries of “are we there yet?” from the kids. Keeping the kids busy and entertained on long journeys is essential as they can get very restless (and let’s face it, annoying). So what can you do to keep entertained whilst travelling?
My first choice is always going to be reading, I just love books and think that kids should read more. But even the most avid child reader is going to want a break and want to do something different. Fortunately, we have been trying out some games that are fun to play and make perfect travel companions as they are not too big and can be played almost anywhere. They can be played whilst travelling and when you reach your destination, whether that’s in a hotel room, campsite, or caravan! Whilst they may not strictly be classed as travel games, they are small and compact enough to throw in hand language and can be played anywhere.
Scrabble Cards
Scrabble Cards is a word building card game for 2-4 players, aged 10+. An excellent card game that is perfect for travelling as you only need a flat surface to play on.
Scrabble Cards is a card-based version of the classic Scrabble game with 3 ways to play; Classic, Forfeit and Rummy. It can be played in the same way as the classic game that we all know and love by building words in a crossword pattern to score points, but it also can also be played with some rule changes to play Forfeit or Rummy. Click here to read my review of Scrabble Cards.
Rummikub Mini Pouch
The classic game of Rummikub now comes in a handy and portable mini zipped pouch to take anywhere you go. Perfect for playing on the go and taking away on family staycations and holidays. Suitable for 2-4 players, aged 7+.
Rummikub is a number tile game played with 106 number tiles (1 to 13 in 4 different colours), the objective of the game is to lay down the tiles in runs of the same colour, or groups of the same number and be the first to play all of your tiles. Click here to read my review of Rummikub Mini Pouch.
Bananagrams
Bananagrams is a word game for 2-6 players, aged 7+ with a playing time of 15-20 minutes. It is perfect for travelling or when away from home as it all comes contained in a bright yellow zip-up banana.
If you have ever played Scrabble, Bananagrams is very similar. Both are games of creating word grids. Whilst Scrabble has a board and scores points, Bananagrams has no board and no points are given, to win at Bananagrams (or rather become the Top Banana) you must be the first player to get rid of all your tiles by creating words. Click here to read my review of Bananagrams.
Möbi Maths Game
Möbi is a maths game for 1-6 players, aged 6+ with a playing time of 15-20 minutes. Perfect for travelling or when away from home as it all comes contained in a zip-up blue whale pouch.
It is a quick-thinking numeracy game that puts maths skills to the test in a crossword pattern of mathematical equations. Whether you use simple or complex equations (rules of operation must be followed), to win you must be the first player to use up all their tiles once the tiles in the middle of the table have been used. And the equations you create must have the right answer! Click here to read my review of Möbi.
Flip-Pix!
Flip-Pix! is a word and picture matching twist ‘n’ shout card game for all the family! It is a game for 2-6 players, aged 6+ with a playing time of around 30 minutes. Perfect for travelling as it is the size of a standard deck of cards, easy to throw in your bag and play anywhere.
Flip-Pix! is a card game that uses observation skills to match cards, but as it is a twist ‘n’ shout card game it features a twist. It isn’t a game like Snap where the idea is to match two matching cards. Flip-Pix! is different, harder and much more fun – you need to be able to match a letter on one card to a picture on another card then shout out the word to match the picture and letter (for example: R on the letter card, a rocket on the picture card, combine the two and shout out ROCKET). Click here to read my review of Flip-Pix!
Hand Jive!
Hand Jive! is a play anywhere manic miming charades card game that is lots of fun for all the family. It is a game for 2 or more players, aged 8+ with a playing time of around 30 minutes. Perfect for travelling as it is the size of a standard deck of cards, easy to throw in your bag and play anywhere.
If you have ever played charades and liked it, you will definitely love Hand Jive! It is a twist on the classic game of charades where players have to act out (mime) a wacky mix of words and actions, but you can only use your hands, fingers and thumbs and nothing else. Click here to read my review of Hand Jive!
Sneak Peek
Sneak Peek is a fast-paced memory card game where only a quick mind, eagle eyes and fast fingers can help you win. It is a game for 2-4 players, aged 5+ with a playing time of around 10 minutes. The perfect game for travelling as it is a small deck of circular cards neatly contained in a round tin, easy to throw in your bag and play anywhere. Click here to read my review of Sneak Peek.
Avoid You-Know-Who
Avoid You-Know-Who is a matching and pairing card game for 2 or more players aged 6 and over. It has a playing time of around 15 minutes. The aim of the game is to get rid of all your cards and not be left holding You-Know-Who in this Harry Potter themed game. The size of a deck of standard-size playing game it is ideal for travelling. Click here to read my review of Avoid You-Know-Who.
Burger Party
Burger Party is a fun, fast-paced action game that requires quick thinking, good eyesight and fast hand speed. Although, if you’re too quick you could lose out. Suitable for 2-5 players, aged 6+ with a playing time of around 10-15 minutes. And perfect for taking away with you as all the cards are housed in the burger.
The aim of the game is to win as many burger ingredients as you can to make the biggest burger stack that you can. It is a matching game and really fast-paced. Click here to read my review of Burger Party.
Foul Play: The Manor House Murder
Love murder-mysteries? Foul Play: The Manor House Murder is a murder mystery card game suitable for 2-5 players, aged 8+ and has a playing time of approx. 15 to 30 minutes. A handy sized deck of cards that can be thrown in a bag and played anywhere.
In Foul Play Games The Manor House Murder we venture back in time to Edwardian England and the Lord of the Manor has been murdered. The servants are the lead suspects, and it is up to the detectives, who just happen to be us as the players, to solve the crime and prove who has committed the dreadful deed! Click here to read my review of Foul Play: The Manor House Murder.
Dobble
Dobble is a card game for the whole family, suitable for 2-8 players, aged 6+ and has a playing time of 10-15 minutes. It is a game of observation and speed, very similar to Snap, but much more challenging and certainly more fun. 55 circular cards supplied in their own handy little travel tin so that it can be taken and played anywhere.
Every card has a variety of images on them, but every two cards have ONE symbol in common and the idea is to be the first to spot them, name it and win the card. There are 57 symbols in total, and you must be fast enough to spot the matching pair. Click here to read my review of Dobble.
7ate9
7ate9 is a maths card game for 2-4 players, aged 8+ with a 10 minute playing time. With the cards stored in a handy sized egg it makes a perfect travel companion to play anywhere. Click here to read my review of 7ate9.
Grabolo
Grabolo is a match and grab game for 2-4 players, age 4+ with a quick playing time of around 10 minutes.
Roll the dice and try to spot and grab the piece that matches the shape and colour combination shown on the dice. Now as easy as you would think. Click here to read my review of Grabolo.
If you know of any other games that would make perfect travel games please leave a comment below.
