In this article, I would like to share some great family boardgames for traveling. Whether transitioning between flights in Istanbul, waiting for a train at DC’s Union Station, driving through the country in a car, or lounging in a cabin on a cruise, my family always carries some boardgames while traveling to keep every moment fun family time.
In order to pack easily, good boardgames for traveling have to be portable. They need to be compact enough to fit almost anywhere. Ideally, these games also can be completed within a relatively short period of time and can be stopped anytime.
Here is a list of my favorite boardgames for traveling (and for all times)!
2 – 4 players with one box of cards, up to 8 players with 2 boxes of cards
Age: 8+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
Dutch blitz has accompanied us in many airports, train stations, and cruises. It is a fun, fast-paced, interactive, family game.
The goal of the game is to put out as many cards in a sequence of matching colors as you can, while other players are doing the same at the same time. The first person who uses up his/her “blitz pill” calls “blitz” and the round ends. I’m fast, but not always the “blitzer”. Luck counts too!
Dutch Blitz is very fun and it is very easy to carry a box (up to 4 players) or two (up to 8 players) of Dutch Blitz cards when traveling. However, Dutch Blitz is not quite suitable for car rides because it needs some space to spread the cards out.
2 – 5 players
Age: 8+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
OK for: in a car (game speed will be slower if not all players can see each other)
Sushi Go is a cute, fast-paced, and somewhat strategic (with some luck) card passing game. The goal of the game is to “eat” as many sushi, side dishes, and desserts as you can (yum!).
After each “eating” session, the players pass their cards to others, until all “food” currently on the table is “eaten”. The players will then score what they have eaten.
There is an extension of Sushi Go called “Sushi Go Party”, which includes a variety of additional cards and can be played in several different ways by up to 8 people. The disadvantage of this extended version of Sushi Go Party is that the box is some what too big to carry on a trip.
2 – 5 players
Age: 8+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
OK for: in a car (game speed will be slower if not all players can see each other)
Zeus on the loose is a game with a Greek mythology theme. The players steal or keep Zeus by their side using either powers of different Greek gods, doing some math, or matching a card. Whoever has Zeus at the end wins the round. Watch out! Zeus is on the run. He is ready to leap anytime!
2- 5 players
Age: 8+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
What are you going to do if there is a moose in your house? Yikes! It is better to keep this moose out of your house and have it go to other players’ houses! Be careful, there is more than one moose out running about!
There is a Moose in the House needs some space to spread out the cards, so it might not be the best game in a car.
2- 5 players
Age: 8+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
There are a bunch of sleeping queens (where did they come from? 🧐) and your goal is to wake up as many as you can to win the game. My favorite is the Cake Queen 🎂. Isn’t it nice to have all you can eat cake all the time?
Sleeping Queens needs some space to spread out the cards, so it might not be the best game in a car.
(or 
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2- 4 players
Age: 14+ (original) or 10+ (Adventure Time version)
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
OK for: in a car (game speed will be slower if not all players can see each other)
Love letter is a game where the players are suitors who try to win the Princess’ heart by the end of the game.
I have two different versions of this game. One is the original and the other is the Adventure Time version. I personally like the Adventure Time version better because the characters are so cute (my favorite is Lady Rainicorn 😆), but my dad likes the original version more 😅.
2 – 6 players
Age: 10+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
Gubs are little yellow imaginary creatures about a size of a bug. The goal of the game is to free and protect as many Gubs as possible within a certain time. These creatures are so vulnerable! Can you help them?
Gubs needs some space to spread out the cards, so it might not be the best game in a car.
2 – 5 players
Age: 8+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
Are you ready to use spells, potions, and some luck to capture Baba Yaga, a supernatural being in Eastern European folklore? Baba Yaga will not be easily captured!
Baba Yaga needs some space to spread out the cards, so it might not be the best game in a car.
2 – 4 players
Age 8+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
OK for: in a car (game speed will be slower if not all players can see each other)
Has your family synced into one master mind yet? At least my family is not there yet. We are still trying!
2 – 4 players
Age: 10+
Great for: at home, in the airport, in the train station, on a cruise
Welcome to the dungeon is a role playing game for adventure seekers.
Have you dreamed about being an adventurer collecting powerful weapons and confronting monsters fearlessly? Here is your chance! You will learn that fighting is not always the best strategy, sometimes running away is necessary!
Welcome to the dungeon needs some space to spread out the cards, so it might not be the best game in a car.
I hope this article helps you find your favorite family boardgames for traveling! Please tell me any recommendations that you have for good traveling family boardgames. Happy Hopping!
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