The 20 best travel games that won’t drive parents (or fellow travelers) crazy

Many a road-trip and restaurant meal have been saved by these little miracles. Just fill the reusable “paint brush” with water and let them go to town revealing the colors hidden in the pages. When it dries, the color disappears so they can do it all over again. There’s a ton of themes to choose from and they even come in bundles so you can stock up.

We love this durable Montessori busy book which focuses on skills like matching velcro colored shapes, practicing on buckle toys, telling time and other interactive activities for toddlers. It’s packed with engaging textures and features that encourage them to master real life skills like tying shoes and zipping jackets. And because each piece is tethered to the book, it’s a great option for on-the-go play as well.

With no pieces to lose and simple, engaging play, Haba’s magnetic maze game has bought us an impressive amount of peace on our travels. In addition to keeping them busy, it sneakily teaches colors and counting as they drag the colored balls into the matching circles. The only thing to note is that it requires a flat surface, otherwise it might get a little frustrating.

Designed specifically for travel, the Melissa & Doug Take-Along Magnetic Jigsaw Puzzles feature two 15-piece puzzles in a convenient fold-out book. The magnetic pages ensure no pieces escape in transit while the handle makes it easy for them to carry around on their own. When the puzzles are finished, there’s an added seek-and-find activity to keep the fun going!

Wikki Stix are a dream for exhausted parents traveling with kids. These bendable craft sticks are made from yarn and non-toxic food-grade wax, making them fun to create with, easy to reuse, and safe for kids’ tiny hands. This travel pack comes with an activity book chockfull of ideas, more Wikki Stix than your kids will know what to do with, and a handy case to carry it all in.

It’s not folklore. This 25-piece magnetic dress up set is guaranteed to keep kiddos busy as they get their star stage-ready. Ready for a new ‘fit? Just shake it off. 😉 (There’s also vet, astronaut, artist and athlete options but we have our preferences.)

Traditional memory games and travel are basically a recipe for lost pieces and tears. Enter this genius flip-board version from Melissa & Doug where matching pictures hide behind sturdy wooden flaps and the scorer is—wait for it—actually attached. With multiple themed cards you can swap in and out, it’s like someone read our travel-weary minds and created the perfect solution. No pieces to lose under airplane seats, just satisfying little clicks as your kiddo hunts for matches. Perfect for ages 3-6, or really anyone who can flip a panel.

The only complaint we’ve ever had about magnetic tiles is that they aren’t great for travel. Well, times have changed. The Crayola Mini Magnetic PIP-Tiles are slightly smaller than the standard version which is perfect for on-the-go playtime! Our only suggestion is tossing them in a canvas bag or pouch since getting them back in the box is a real pain.

Twenty Questions got a kid-friendly makeover with this clever card game that’ll turn your little ones into animal experts. Players take turns asking yes/no questions to figure out which creature their opponent picked—but they only get 10 guesses to crack the case. “Does it live in the water?” “Can it fly?” The best part? With fully illustrated cards and picture clues, even non-readers can play independently. And they’re secretly learning about animal habitats and characteristics along the way. Perfect for ages 4 and up, and way more entertaining than counting license plates on your road trip.

The sheer hilarity of these Make-a-Face reusable sticker pads is enough to keep our kids entertained for a long, long time. The mix-and-match features can make countless configurations and the stickers themselves are impressively durable.

Roger Priddy books are practically a first bookshelf requirement–and with a mix of activities and a wipe-clean design, this spiral bound workbook is a travel bag must-have. Among the pages they’ll find opportunities to practice numbers, letters, basic math and spelling as well as games like connect the dots, word searches and even telling time. The book comes with a dry-wipe pen so they can work on it over and over!

Who knew that tossing tiny plastic pigs could be so addictively fun? Pass the Pigs is like dice, but way more entertaining because instead of boring dots, you’re scoring points based on how these miniature piggies land. Will they end up on their snouts? Their sides? Or (our personal favorite) the extremely rare “leaping pig” position? Perfect for travel because everything fits in a pocket-sized case, this game has been causing giggles and friendly competition for generations. And unlike many travel games that mysteriously lose pieces along the way, these pigs have a way of staying put—maybe because everyone’s too invested in the next roll to let them escape. Best for ages 7 and up, though younger siblings will definitely want to join in on the pig-flipping action.

If just hearing the word Monopoly makes you groan, I see you. (Honestly, is there a longer or more tedious game on the planet?) However, Monopoly Deal is built on the same concept but manages to actually be fun. The card game moves at lightning speed—most rounds wrap up in 15 minutes—making it perfect for airport layovers or restaurant waits. Kids love that they can actually finish a game of Monopoly for once, while parents appreciate that there’s actual strategy involved (and no tiny hotels to lose under the airplane seat). Just be warned: the “Deal Breaker” card, which lets you steal someone’s complete property set, might cause some temporary travel drama. But hey, that’s show business! Perfect for ages 8 and up, though younger kids can team up with a property-savvy parent.

Picture Scrabble with a speed-loving, free-spirited makeover. Bananagrams packs all the word-building fun into a banana-shaped pouch that’s perfect for travel. No turns, no waiting—everyone races to build their own crossword puzzle until someone shouts “BANANAS!” The best part? No board means no lost pieces, and kids love beating grown-ups at this fast-paced brain sprint. Plus, they’re secretly building spelling skills while they play. Perfect for ages 7 and up, or opt for My First Bananagrams if you’ve got a younger crew.

Some classics earn their status, and UNO is definitely one of them. This color-matching card game packs hours of entertainment into a pocket-sized deck that’s perfect for planes, trains, or waiting for your vacation pancakes to arrive. The rules are simple enough for 5-year-olds to master, but those Wild Draw Four cards keep everyone on their toes. Best of all, it’s one of those rare games that actually works for the whole family—younger kids can play by matching colors while older ones develop their strategic skills. There’s also a waterproof version which is great for poolside play. Perfect for ages 5 and up.

Nothing says “screen-free entertainment” quite like a classic magnetic chess set. This fold-up version is brilliantly simple—strong magnets keep pieces firmly in place during turbulence or bumpy train rides, while the board doubles as a storage case when playtime’s over. Perfect for teaching kids the timeless game of kings and queens without worrying about pieces sliding into the abyss between airplane seats. For young strategists ages 6 and up, though many kids are ready to learn even earlier. And let’s be honest—you might find yourself pulling it out for an adult match once the kids are asleep.

Seriously the perfect game to toss in your bag for anywhere, anytime fun. Spot It is a brilliantly simple matching game where every single card somehow magically has exactly one match with any other card–it sounds basic but it turns into this hilarious lightning-fast race to spot the matches first. Kids as young as 4 can jump right in with older siblings and even adults since it’s all about quick eyes rather than age or skill, and the best part is you can bust it out anywhere since it comes in a cute little tin. The games are super quick and there are tons of different ways to play, so it’s perfect for everything from restaurant waits to full-on family game nights when you need something that’ll get everyone laughing and engaged!

Finally, a travel game that gets kids to actually look out the window instead of asking for your phone. Draw a card, spot the object in the real world—simple as that. The picture-based cards mean non-readers can join the fun, hunting for everything from stop signs to dogs to people wearing hats. Perfect for ages 4-10, and way more engaging than another round of I Spy.

As someone born in the 1900s, the nostalgia for these road trip Bingo cards is real. Each of the cards feature common sightings like motorcyles, rest areas and traffic lights with a slider to cross them off as you go. They’re a great way to keep kids engaged with the sights instead of buried in a screen–and a great activity for kiddos who get car sick from reading or drawing.

Everyone’s favorite game of quirky faces gets a travel-friendly makeover, swapping those bulky plastic boards for a deck of cards that won’t hog your entire carry-on. Players grab their mystery character and start the classic interrogation: “Does your person have glasses?” “Is that a mustache or leftover breakfast?” The simple format works everywhere from airplane trays to beach blankets, and watching kids master the art of deduction never gets old. Perfect for ages 5 and up, and let’s be honest—adults get just as into it.