Travelling with kids can be a grand adventure or a test of patience, but thankfully there are some great ways to keep them entertained on the journey. Whether you’re going on holiday or heading out for the day, taking some travel games for the children is a must! Just like board games, but more portable, they provide some screen-free fun.
Even if you have your trusty travel toys with you, a game can be just as effective as it encourages everyone to interact with each other and they can also be educational, teaching them to take turns, follow rules, find strategies and even improve their maths and literacy.
The best travel games for kids at a glance:
So, no matter if you're travelling by car, coach, boat, train or plane, we've found the best travel games for kids to suit all ages. Some of them can also be packed into your suitcase and played at your destination, whilst you're out for a meal or sat in your hotel room, for example.
How we chose and tested these travel games
Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists.
Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe also often hold great insights as to which products mums really like best and why, helping us highlight the products that meet what you really want.
For the essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested, and you can find full reviews from our mum testers provided on the product page. The winners and runners-up for each category then will appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.
When it comes to the best travel toys and how we tested them, we considered various things such as budget, portability, reusability, age suitability, safety and entertainment.
The best travel games for kids 2024:
AmazonIf you and your children enjoy playing word games, you're in with a treat with P for Pizza Kids Menu. You'll have to think on your feet as you race to think of words. For example, can you think of a film title beginning with P or something that rhymes with "bug", beginning with R?
The original P for Pizza is catered to ages 8+, but this kids version is made with prompts that are easier for little ones to understand. For more of a challenge, you could combine the packs together.
Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer, Arabella Horspool: "As an avid player of board games, I'm constantly on the lookout for something exciting an unique and Big Potato games always seem to tick these boxes. P For Pizza has to be one of my all-time favourite games. 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. There was also some pizza-themed stickers hidden inside the box which was a nice touch."
| Recommend age: | 6+ |
| Number of players: | 2-4 |
Just like Connect 4 (only you need to connect 5), OK Play has everything you could wish for in a travel game: it's light and compact, highly portable as it can be clipped onto a bag and has simple rules but is still challenging. Oh, and it's waterproof too, meaning it can be played anywhere... At the beach, by the pool, whilst camping or outdoors on a rainy day.
You don't need a pen or piece of paper and you can move and reuse the tiles so that the round doesn't end until somebody gets 5 in a row.
Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer, Arabella Horspool: "OK Play is harder than it looks! To win, you must connect five tiles horizontally, vertically or diagonally, whilst strategically blocking the other person's tiles. I love the bright colours and that it comes with a fun Big Potato sticker. The tiles are waterproof and can be washed in warm soapy water if needed. Also, 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."
| Recommended age: | 6+ |
| Number of players: | 2-4 |
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.ukAfter a long car journey where everyone's feeling a little restless, why not bring out TOMY Active Snap, which gets the whole family up on their feet? Players must take turns to flip over cards to find a pair. Once a pair is found, they must complete the activity, whether that’s 20 star jumps or 15 seconds of dancing.
Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer, Arabella Horspool: " 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. There are so many different moves to complete including, jumping 180°, star jumps, sit-ups, shadow boxing, dancing, jogging, touching toes, hopping on the spot and the plank - their favourite was 'Everybody Dance' - and each set of moves is categorised into a colour, making it easier for the kids to spot a pair. However, 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 tried it out with her three children: "Active Snap was the perfect way to unwind as a family. It’s a high-energy game that gets everyone moving and laughing, but it’s also quick enough to play several rounds in one evening. By the time we had finished everyone was more then ready for bed - which is a huge win in my book."
| Recommended age: | 4+ |
| Number of players: | 2+ |
Articulate is a classic multi-award winner for a reason; it’s a fast talking description game where kids have to describe a word without actually saying it. Sounds simple? The pressure of the timer adds an extra challenge that will test your quick thinking. The kids version has question cards that feature the same six categories as the original, so you can easily integrate Articulate for Kids into the grown-up version. The kids version is suitable for ages 6-12 and can have 4-20 players so it's perfect for family get-togethers of any size. The mini game is perfect for taking on holiday, packing all the fun of the original into a smaller size travel box.
Reviewed by Mother & Baby's Senior Digital Writer, Hannah Carroll: "We took Articulate Kids with us on a long road trip, and it was a total game-changer! My 5-year-old loved it, and we had so much fun playing together. The game is engaging and educational and keeps them entertained for hours. It's a great way to pass the time while travelling."
| Recommended age: | 6-12 |
| Number of players: | 4-20 |
This fast paced game is suitable for two players aged 8 years+. You flip cards back and forth to attack, defend, win penalties and score! Each player has 45 cards which they take it in turns to flip over see how the match unfolds.
Reviewed by Mother & Baby's Senior Digital Writer, Hannah Carroll: "Flip Football is an absolute hit for my family of huge football fans. It’s the perfect game to play during travel. We can quickly break it out and play a few rounds. It’s easy to understand, fast-paced, and a great way to bring competitive fun into our trips."
| Recommended age: | 8+ |
| Number of players: | 2 |
6.
UNO
There probably aren't many parents out there who don't know the rules of UNO inside out. It's a cult classic that's as loved by parents as it is by kids. The aim of the game is to be the first to get rid of all your cards by strategically putting down colours, numbers and Wildcards to force the other players to pick up more cards or miss their turn. It's ideal for travelling as it's just a pack of cards and you can even get an UNO travel case to keep all your cards in one place.
Reviewed by Mother&Baby's Digital Writer, Rebecca Lancaster: "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. 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."
| Recommended age: | 7+ |
| Number of players: | 2-10 |
Best travel card game
AmazonThis is a fast-paced travel game where players must scour through picture cards to find an object hidden within it - a bit like Dobble Disney Princess edition, except the cards depict scenes from popular Disney films. The game is quick to pick up and customers have played it with a variety of age groups with success.
One reviewer said: "It's a fantastic game; I bought it for my 3-year-old son after playing it in a friend's house. It's so fun that even adults seem to enjoy playing it".
| Age recommendation: | 3+ |
| Number of players: | 2+ |
AmazonPackaged in a tin that doubles as a game board, the Purple Cow Car Travel Game is brilliant for playing while on the go so it's one of the best travel board games for kids. The pieces will stay put, even if there is turbulence or bumps in the road and "They’re so slim they take up next to no space", says customers.
It's just like snakes and ladders, but with cars that can be moved up and down the track, depending on which square you land on. We think it's brilliant for teaching your little ones about turn-taking and basic addition and subtraction.
| Age recommendation: | 3+ |
| Number of players: | 2-4 |
AmazonIf you're new to 5 Second Rule, the rules are simple: you must name three things from the card in five seconds. There's a timer and a total of 180 prompts to answer. There are so many versions including 5 Second Rule Jr. and 5 Second Rule Relay.
Customer reviews mentioned that there are 'Pass on' cards, meaning "You can pass on to the next player and if they answer correctly, they get the point, if not you do. You can also use the switch cards if you want to switch up the questions" for a hopefully easier one.
| Recommended age: | 8+ |
| Number of players: | 2+ |
AmazonConveniently stored in a pouch, this travel version of the Rummikub game can be taken anywhere. The aim of the game is to lay down tiles in with runs of the same colour, or groups of the same number.
So many customers said that this game is addictive and that they make sure to pack it for every holiday they go on. They also appreciate that it comes with collapsible racks to sit the tiles on.
Cons
- Tiles are smaller than the original Rummikub ones
| Age recommendation: | 7+ |
| Number of players: | 2-4 |
Things to consider when buying travel games for kids
When selecting board games for kids, it's important to consider several factors to ensure the game is enjoyable, educational, and appropriate for their age. Here's what to look for:
Age appropriateness
Check the recommended age rating on the game box. It's designed to ensure the game’s complexity and content are suitable for the child's developmental level. If you're looking for options for little ones, there are plenty of games for 5 year olds, 4 year olds and even 3 year olds.
Remember, you know your child best, so read the instructions before purchasing it to see whether your youngster will be able to get the hang of it, or whether you may need to adapt the rules for the different ages that may be participating.
Safety considerations
For younger children, ensure there are no small parts that could be a choking hazard.
Educational value and skill development
Look for games that promote cognitive skills such as problem-solving, memory, strategy, and critical thinking. Some games can help teach numbers, letters, colours, shapes, and basic math or reading skills.
Engagement level and "replayability"
Think of the fun factor! The game should be enjoyable and exciting to keep the child’s interest. Find some good travel games for kids that can be played multiple times without losing their appeal.
Simple rules and quick set-up
The game should have straightforward rules that kids can easily understand and follow, also any sort of board games that are fast to set up and start playing are often more appealing to children.
Duration of gameplay
Consider how long the game takes to play. Shorter games are often better for younger children with shorter attention spans. Furthermore, fast-paced games can keep kids engaged and prevent boredom.
Number of players
Ensure the game can accommodate the number of children and/or adults who will be playing. For instance, if you're buying car games for kids, you'll need a game that can be played with 2 or 3 players.
Social interaction
Cooperative games, where players work together toward a common goal, can be great for teaching teamwork. Competitive games can help children learn about winning, losing, and sportsmanship.
Themes and interests
Choose games with themes that interest your child, such as animals, adventure, fantasy, or their favourite characters (such as Peppa Pig or Paddington Bear, for example). Bright colours, fun illustrations, and attractive game pieces can also enhance the game’s appeal.
Durability and quality
Ensure the game is made of durable materials that can withstand long journeys or tactile play.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother & Baby and Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV and film. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking and spending time with her pet dogs, tortoise and chickens.