21 Travel Games for Kids to Keep the Whole Family Sane

Check out these fun cubes for a game that’s different every time you play and will bring out your family’s creative side. Simply give them a roll and then tell a story based on whatever images are facing upward. The best part? There are no wrong answers. Kids ages 3 and up will love this imagination-boosting activity.

Worried about losing pieces? Don’t fret—this nifty board is magnetized. So if you decide to take it with you to the countryside, you can rest assured that everything will make it back home. (Your kid’s rain boots, on the other hand, are another story.) This game of strategy is recommended for kids ages 5 and up.

It was hilarious to play this fill-in-the-blank game when you were a kid, and yep, it’s just as funny now. Just make sure you pick the right pack for each age group. (Psst: The Junior version is great for the under-8 set.)

Buy It ($6)

Kids ages 7 and up will love rolling these pigs (instead of dice) and keeping score depending on how they land. Silly? Yep. But that’s exactly why it’ll keep them entertained for hours. Made for two to four players, this one will make sure the back seat of the car is full of laughs.

Try to get four colored checkers in a row without your opponent blocking you. It’s simple yet surprisingly fun. (And this travel version folds up for easy storage.) A great game of strategy that also gives kids (recommended age is 6 and up) the opportunity to work on those fine motor skills.

How can you go on a scavenger hunt when trapped in your car? Easy. These imaginative cards are designed with road trips in mind and ask kids ages 7 and up to keep their eyes peeled for tow trucks, yellow houses, motorcycles and more. You’ll love that your kids are honing their observation skills and they’ll love the friendly competition (not to mention the card for bad smells, which is guaranteed to be a smash hit.)

Race against your family members to see who can complete their very own crossword grid first using all their tiles. Kids ages 10 and up can work on their vocabulary and spelling—just make sure to keep a dictionary handy for any potential squabbles. The banana-shaped pouch makes for easy transportation (and is also pretty darn cute).

The best games aren’t just fun but also sneak in some education too. This cognitive learning pick comes in a compact size but features a staggering 120 challenges in three different playing modes (including 3-D brainteasers). Best for ages 6 and up.

Here’s how to play: Deal the deck and then select the card from your hand that you think best describes the card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card, then you win that round. Easy entertainment for four to eight players ages 9 and up and a great way to work on communication skills.

Go old-school with just a pen and paper or check out this travel-friendly version featuring wooden tiles, an erasable whiteboard, a self-storing dry-erase marker and an eraser. Kids ages ages 6 to 9 can work on their spelling (and drawing) with this updated classic.

Marketed to kids from age 6 to 99, this one is educational fun for everyone (even Grandma). Here are just a few of the skills your family will pick up with this fun pick: strategy, problem solving, communication, observation, mental maths, trial and error, decoding patterns and more. And the reusable activity mats mean you can play again and again.

Want to work on your kid’s memory skills? Featuring seven double-sided themed game cards, this one should keep the whole crew going until you arrive at your destination (particularly those ages 5 to 7). And with no loose pieces and easy storage, it’s ideal for travel.

This one’s a firm family favorite (and the easiest way we know to work on your kid’s vocabulary), but the regular version isn’t exactly ideal on the go. This handy travel board recommended for ages 8 and up comes in an easy-to-transport case and has a raised grid so that tiles stay put. How many points for “genius”?

Another classic game where all you really need is a pen and paper. But how cute is this wooden board? Let kids ages 7 and up take turns to see who can get three knots or crosses in a row. And remember—in this game of strategy, the first move is everything.

A plane ride is no place for the original Monopoly (how would the banker keep track of all those notes?), but this card version can easily fit into your carry-on and is readily played on tray tables. Consider this your kid’s first lesson in the value of a dollar. Can be played by two to five people, ages 8 and up.

Rummy meets mah-jongg in this strategic game where the goal is to get rid of all your tiles using runs (like 7, 8 and 9) and groups (like a red 4, a blue 4 and a black 4). A miniature version of the original, this strategic pick is great for ages 8 and up and can be played with two to four players.

Road-tripping across the country? Here’s a game that will keep everyone (driver included) occupied. See how many license plates from different states you can spot and keep track on this wooden board. Yes, it’s a pretty bulky item to pack, but it will keep the kids (recommended for ages 8 and up) occupied and they’ll also learn some geography while they’re at it. Bonus points if they know the state’s capital.

Puzzles and observation games and mazes, oh my! With 45 different activities for kids to choose from (plus an erasable pen so that they can start over again and again), this just might keep your munchkin occupied until you arrive at your destination (maybe). Best for kids ages 5 and up.

Buy It ($7)

With three different levels of clues, this one is great for kids ages 4 to 8 (each card has a picture so there’s no reading required). Your mini will love acting out a toothbrush or pretending to be a bumblebee. But can she guess Mom’s spaghetti-eating impression or Dad’s air guitar moves? The kit includes 150 charade cards, a sand timer and a game die. Who knows? This fun activity might just give your mini the acting bug. (Just maybe save this one for the hotel and not the airplane.)

Regular paper playing cards tear, stain and bend easily, but this deck can handle even the bumpiest of journeys. Its slim shape means it’ll easily fit in your pocket, and it’s also 100 percent waterproof (hello, beach). Here are 15 awesome card games for kids that will entertain them and teach them some great skills like mathematics, strategy and quick thinking.

It’s the classic game but in a magnetic, travel-size form. Kids ages 4 and up will love trying to get five animals in a row. Just don’t forget to shout “Bingo!” when you do. A fun way to teach kids about numbers and animal recognition.