The Best Travel Games

Although the travel industry took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans have been eager to get back on the road ever since. In December 2021, 9 out of 10 U.S. travelers said they had a trip planned in the next six months.

Many of these will be taken by car. If you’re a parent of one or more younger children, you may gravitate toward a car trip for a variety of reasons. Traveling with your own vehicle makes it easier to manage temper tantrums, since you don’t have to worry about disrupting other travelers. You also have the flexibility to take bathroom breaks and enjoy a roadside picnic or a meal in a restaurant whenever you want.

But travel by car isn’t without its challenges. The line, “Are we there yet?” has become synonymous with family road trips for a reason. Bored and impatient backseat travelers will likely turn to parents for entertainment, and when that happens, you may find yourself scrambling for something to do. That’s where a good backseat travel game can come in.

The criteria for a good travel game differs from what you play at home. If you’re just looking for something to pass the time when you arrive at your destination, like a card game for the whole family, portability is the main requirement You’ll need one that can fit easily into a suitcase, unless you have extra room in your truck for larger board games.

For the car, there are some travel games that the whole family can enjoy. A scavenger hunt-style game can work well, allowing everyone in the vehicle to participate. Keep in mind that your backseat passengers probably won’t have a table between them, so a board game that is magnetic or has no separate pieces is ideal.

• While it’s nice to have activities to occupy your children while you’re in transit, don’t forget that you’ll need something to do once you arrive at your destination, too. A game for your hotel room or vacation rental can be invaluable if you find yourself stuck inside on a rainy day, or you’re looking for something low-cost to do after dinner.
• If your travel game has removable pieces, make sure you have a plan for keeping them together. Otherwise, you could be finding small pieces under and between seats later. A game with magnetic pieces is a good option for avoiding this. Also, be sure to have a way to store it all while you’re traveling.
• Scavenger hunt games can be fun, but some aren’t geared toward interstate travel. If the game has you trying to locate stop signs and pedestrians, you might have a tough time making it work during long stretches in the car. Keep that in mind and go with something a bit more highway-friendly.
• Check the age recommendations of the travel game you’re considering. Some can be too advanced for younger children.
• Most travel games are designed for two or more players. This can be tough if you have a solo backseat traveler. If that’s the case, look for games that will engage everyone in the car without being too distracting.
• If you’re opting for a travel-size version of a game, make sure it comes with instructions. More portable formats can leave this important detail out. Most popular games will likely have instructions online, but this won’t necessarily be the case with a newer game.
• Kids can also get restless while waiting in restaurants, amusement park lines, and other vacation-related spaces. A good game can be a great way to power throughout those waits and make the time pass.
• Travel games also work just as well for other modes of transportation, such as riding on a train or bus and flying in an airplane. They’re great during airport layovers. Just know that game cards and some game pieces may show up as unidentifiable shadows in x-rays, which means you may be flagged going through airport security. You might wish to take games out of your luggage and place them in trays with your shoes and laptop as you pass through security checkpoints.
• Before leaving home, make sure you have everything you need for your games. You might need writing utensils to keep score or to fill in the blanks on your activity pad.