The best travel games for kids to keep them entertained on the go

If your family enjoys fast-paced word games, P for Pizza: Kids Menu is the perfect slice of fun. Designed especially for younger players, this version of the popular P for Pizza game features simplified prompts that are easier for children to understand - think “a film beginning with P” or “a word starting with R that rhymes with ‘bug.’” It’s a brilliant way to boost vocabulary and quick thinking, all while having a laugh.

Arabella Horspool, Commercial Content Writer and board game enthusiast, says: "P for Pizza has to be one of my all-time favourite games.” She highlights its kid-friendly format and clever design, noting that "it’s portable, in a compact box (so it’s easy to store or take with you on the go), and it’s fast-paced and addictive." These qualities make it ideal for travel, rainy afternoons, or spontaneous game nights.

The Kids Menu can be played on its own or combined with the original game for an extra challenge that older siblings or parents will enjoy too. Arabella also points out the charming extras that elevate the experience: "There were also some pizza-themed stickers hidden inside the box which was a nice touch."

If you’re after the ultimate travel game, OK Play ticks every box. Imagine Connect 4 with a twist but this time, you're racing to connect five tiles in a row, whether it’s horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. It's quick to learn but surprisingly strategic, making it a hit for all ages. As Arabella Horspool, our Commercial Content Writer, puts it: "OK Play is harder than it looks!"

Perfectly designed for life on the go, OK Play is compact, lightweight, and highly portable. Each set of colourful tiles clips neatly onto a keyring-style holder, so you can attach it to a bag or backpack with ease. "Each stack of tiles can be unclipped from the keyring and placed back onto it once the game is over so that you don't lose any tiles whilst travelling from A to B," Arabella explains, making it ideal for camping, long train rides, or beach days.

No pens, paper, or boards needed: you just place and move tiles until someone scores five in a row. Arabella also loves its durable build: "The tiles are waterproof and can be washed in warm soapy water if needed." Whether you're playing by the pool or on a rainy afternoon outdoors, this game can handle the elements. Add in the bold, vibrant design, "I love the bright colours and that it comes with a fun Big Potato sticker," says Arabella, and you’ve got a travel essential that’s as fun as it is practical.

After a long car journey or a rainy afternoon indoors, TOMY Active Snap is the perfect way to shake off the restlessness and get the whole family moving. This energetic twist on the classic Snap game keeps all the fun of matching pairs but adds a physical challenge. Once a pair is found, players must complete the activity shown on the cards, whether it’s 20 star jumps, 15 seconds of dancing, or a plank!

Arabella Horspool, our Commercial Content Writer, shared her experience: "I gave the TOMY Active Snap game to my friend’s kids. They already knew Snap’s rules, so they took to this version quickly." What sets this edition apart is its variety of movement-based challenges. "There are so many different moves to complete... jumping 180°, star jumps, sit-ups, shadow boxing, dancing, jogging, touching toes, hopping on the spot and the plank – their favourite was 'Everybody Dance'." The moves are colour-coded, making it easier for younger players to identify matching pairs. Arabella adds, "They did have to modify the rules slightly for the younger ones, as 20 sit-ups were too much for them."

Mother&Baby’s Hannah Carroll also praises the game’s family appeal: "Active Snap was the perfect way to unwind as a family… By the time we had finished everyone was more than ready for bed – which is a huge win in my book."

A family classic for a reason, Articulate for Kids brings all the fast-talking, high-energy fun of the original game to a younger audience. Designed for children aged 6–12, it challenges players to describe words from six familiar categories, without saying the word itself, while racing against the clock. The ticking timer quickly adds pressure, testing quick thinking, vocabulary, and teamwork.

With room for 4 to 20 players, Articulate for Kids is perfect for everything from cosy family evenings to big group get-togethers. Even better, the question cards match the six categories from the adult version, so kids and grown-ups can play together or even mix both sets for a cross-generational challenge.

Hannah Carroll, Senior Digital Writer at Mother & Baby, tried it out on a family trip: "We took Articulate Kids with us on a long road trip, and it was a total game-changer!" The compact mini version makes it ideal for holidays, packing all the fun of the original into a travel-friendly box. "My 5-year-old loved it, and we had so much fun playing together," Hannah says. "The game is engaging and educational and keeps them entertained for hours. It's a great way to pass the time while travelling."

If you’ve got a football-mad child and five spare minutes, Flip Football is the perfect way to bring the beautiful game to the tabletop. Designed for two players aged 8 and up, this fast-paced card game is all about quick thinking, strategy, and a dash of luck. Each player has a 45-card deck and takes turns flipping cards to attack, defend, win penalties, and ultimately score goals, just like in a real match.

It’s a simple concept that delivers big on fun. As Mother & Baby’s Senior Digital Writer, Hannah Carroll, puts it: "Flip Football is an absolute hit for my family of huge football fans." Whether you’re looking to settle pre-dinner energy or need a compact entertainment option on the go, this game fits the bill. "It’s the perfect game to play during travel. We can quickly break it out and play a few rounds," Hannah shares.

Despite its compact size and minimal setup, Flip Football doesn’t skimp on excitement. "It’s easy to understand, fast-paced, and a great way to bring competitive fun into our trips," says Hannah. Because it plays quickly and requires no board or extra pieces, it’s perfect for tossing in a bag and pulling out at a moment’s notice, be it in the car, at the airport, or while waiting for food at a restaurant.

There’s a reason UNO has achieved cult status. It’s the game that generations of families have loved and passed down. Simple to learn yet endlessly entertaining, the goal is straightforward: be the first to get rid of all your cards by matching numbers and colours, while using action and Wild cards to disrupt your opponents. Fast-paced, strategic, and often hilariously competitive, it’s no wonder UNO has become a household staple.

Because it’s just a single deck of cards, UNO is brilliantly portable making it ideal for travel, family dinners, and spontaneous game sessions on the go. As Mother & Baby's Digital Writer, Rebecca Lancaster, says: "We don't go anywhere as a family without UNO. It's the one game that's guaranteed to get the kids off their screens and has kept us all sane on many long train journeys and in restaurants."

The convenience factor is a huge part of its charm. "As it's really just a pack of cards, it's so easy to throw in a bag and pull out whenever you need some instant entertainment," Rebecca adds. For even more organisation on the go, you can pick up an UNO travel case to keep your cards neatly in one place.

If you're looking for a fast-paced, easy-to-learn game the whole family can enjoy, the Disney Eye Found It! card game is a magical pick. Think Dobble with a Disney twist where players race to find hidden objects in beautifully illustrated cards featuring scenes from beloved Disney films. From Moana to Toy Story, each round is a mini adventure in observation and speed.

Perfect for travel, this game is compact and mess-free, making it ideal for road trips, plane rides, or family dinners out. It's quick to set up and even quicker to get hooked. No complicated rules, just sharp eyes and fast reflexes. One reviewer shared: "It's a fantastic game; I bought it for my 3-year-old son after playing it at a friend's house. It's so fun that even adults seem to enjoy playing it."
That’s the real magic of Disney Eye Found It!, it’s engaging across a wide range of ages. While the illustrations and Disney themes are perfect for young kids, the game’s fast pace and challenge keep older players just as invested. Many families have found it works brilliantly with mixed age groups, making it a reliable crowd-pleaser.