Holidays and travel are some of the most precious times we have together as a family. Whether we’re gathered around a table in a restaurant, waiting at an airport, or chilling in a hotel room after a long day of adventures—these are the moments our children will remember. Not what was on a screen, but how we laughed, played, and connected. I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite travel board games along with a list of low prep games you can play on the fly. There is a free downloadable list below for you to screen shot or print with lots of inspiration and ideas when travelling, waiting or on the go with kids!
Whether you’re heading to the beach, flying abroad, or enjoying a staycation, these compact games are perfect for kids aged 4–12. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and designed to bring the whole family together—no screens required.
12 Brilliant Travel-Sized Board Games for Families
1. Qwirkle Travel
Match colours and shapes in this award-winning tile game. The travel edition comes with a sturdy pouch and wooden tiles, perfect for popping into a backpack.
2. My First Bananagrams
A brilliant early literacy game with lowercase letters and combo tiles to help younger players build confidence with spelling. Comes in a fun banana-shaped pouch.
3. UNO
The classic card game that’s easy to learn and fun for all ages. Quick, competitive, and fits easily into a handbag or hand luggage.
4. Dobble
A fast-paced matching game that’s perfect for short attention spans. It comes in a tin that keeps it safe in bags or suitcases.
5. Rory’s Story Cubes
Encourage creativity and storytelling with these image dice. A pocket-sized game that sparks big imaginations.
6. OK Play
A tile-placing strategy game with simple rules but lots of depth. Comes with a handy clip-on case—ideal for travel.
7. Penalty Shoot Out
A fun football-themed mini game that helps with number skills while scoring goals. Great for football fans on the move.
8. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza
Silly, speedy, and hilarious! This slap game has players racing to match and react. Compact and great for laughs.
9. P is for Pizza
A fast-paced word game where players race to shout answers based on letters and categories. Comes in a pizza slice-shaped box!
10. Grabalo
A game of fast eyes and faster hands. Roll the dice, find the matching piece, and grab it before someone else does.
11. IQ Star
Fit the Stars – Can you place the 7 stellar puzzle pieces onto the grid? Reach for the stars with this unique, colourful game. Ideal for On the Go – A great travel game which includes a portable case. Perfect to take on holiday and in the car!
12. Kids Against Maturity Let’s Go Edition
Let’s Go Edition is a compact, travel-sized card game packed with family-friendly toilet humor. With 200 cards, it’s perfect for road trips, flights, or hotel downtime. Quick to play and easy to pack, it guarantees laughs on the go.
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And for those times when you haven’t managed to pack on of your favourite games, here are 10 brilliant, low-prep games that are perfect for kids aged 4 to 12 and can be played anywhere—on a plane, in a car, at a café, or in your hotel room. No batteries, Wi-Fi or packing required!
🧠 10 Screen-Free Games to Play Anytime, Anywhere
These no-equipment games are perfect for spontaneous fun during travel, meals, or downtime.
🎲Download FREE DOWNLOADABLE GAME LIST HERE
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20 Questions: Someone thinks of an object, and others ask yes/no questions to guess what it is.
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Would You Rather?: Pose fun dilemmas like “Would you rather fly or be invisible?”
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Memory Tray: Place items on a tray, let everyone memorize them, then remove one and guess what’s missing.
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Alphabet Hunt: Choose a category and go through the alphabet naming related items.
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Who Am I?: Think of a character or animal, and others ask yes/no questions to guess.
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Pass the Story: One person starts a story, and each person adds a sentence in turn.
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I Spy (with a Twist): Instead of colors, use textures or functions, like “I spy something you eat with.”
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The Yes/No Game: Ask questions, but the respondent can’t say “yes” or “no.”
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Emoji Faces: Make facial expressions representing emotions, and others guess the feeling.
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Category Game: Pick a category and take turns naming items until someone can’t think of one.
Why Screen-Free Fun Matters
These moments of connection—where we’re fully present and laughing together—are the ones our kids will talk about years later. Research shows that playful interaction builds language, memory, emotional connection, and confidence. And from personal experience? It just makes family life a bit of craic.
So next time you’re on the go, try slipping one of these games into your day. You don’t need to pack anything fancy or hand over a screen. You just need a few minutes, a bit of imagination—and each other.
Need some tips on making travel easier with kids….check out my 12 Clever Family Travel Hacks
