Are your road trips and getaways a bit boring?
Do you see board games as a fun way to kill time during long hours while traveling?
If so, you have come to the right place. In this post, we share with you the nine best travel board games for adults this year.
These games can easily be played while in the car or at the airport. They are also great for when you’ve finally arrived at your destination and need to unwind.
Without further ado, let’s check out the best travel board games!
1. Bananagrams
Bananagrams is one of those board games that is fun to play over and over again. It’s just like playing Scrabble, except with fewer things to remember and less complicated rules.
The objective of the game is simple, yet also quite challenging: Be the first person to use all of his letters once the “Bunch” is empty, then shout “Bananas!” to let the other players know that you are done.
You have to yell “Bananas” so that your opponents can check your combinations and see if you created real words. Otherwise, you will be called a “rotten banana” and get kicked out of the game.
The distribution of letters varies based on the number of players. This may affect the strategy of each player, but the goal remains the same no matter how many tiles you get. If no one is able to use all of his letters, the player who has the longest and most difficult word wins.
Bananagrams was named Game of the Year in 2009 by the Toy of the Year Awards. We highly recommend this word-anagram board game to adults who often travel with children or elderly people. In addition to the fact that it is fun, entertaining, and educational, it is also known to help improve mental and cognitive abilities.
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2. Codenames
Codenames is another top-notch board game that is quite challenging, but still has simple rules that anyone can understand. The game is all about figuring out codenames, finding clues, deciphering hints, and identifying agents using investigative and critical thinking skills.
What makes the game rather interesting is that there are only two people who know the identities of the agents. These people are called spymasters. These two spymasters are rivals who have to give out one-word clues to their teammates to help them identify the agents.
Everyone has to be a bit cautious, though, because there is an assassin who can ruin everything and cancel all the points, bringing the team’s score back to zero. Each team also has to make sure that they don’t identify the opposing team’s agents.
Codenames won the 2016 Spiel des Jahres Best Board Game of the Year award, one of the most prominent awards in the toy industry. Whether you are at home, on a road trip, or going somewhere with your friends or family, Codenames will provide endless fun and entertainment.
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3. Connect 4
Connect 4 is a classic game from Hasbro (the maker of Monopoly and Scrabble). It only has two important goals to remember, which are to get four in a row to win and to block your opponent from doing so first.
There is no luck involved in this game. It is purely strategic, and one wrong move can hand the game to your opponent.
We recommend Connect 4 for adults—especially partners, because it is only for two players—who are on road trips and are looking to kill some time. It has a compact mobile version called “Grab and Go” if you want a more lightweight option, but even the original version is lightweight and easy to carry around wherever you go.
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4. Exploding Kittens
Exploding Kittens is yet another award-winning board game that has become extremely popular. It has sold over nine million copies worldwide.
The rules are simple and the goal of the game is not overly complicated. You just have to avoid encountering an exploding kitten until the game ends. If you find an exploding kitten, you lose and have to wait til the next round to play again.
There is no guarantee that you can avoid the exploding kittens, even if you have a strong strategy. In other words, the game is partly based on luck. If you do come across an exploding kitten, the only way to stay safe is by using a “defuse” card, which can be drawn only by chance.
What is most important is the fun you’ll have with your companions while playing this game. We recommend the party pack version if there are many people in your group, but the original version will suffice if there are only a few of you.
For travelers looking for something to do while waiting to arrive at their destinations, this game is a must-try!
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5. Spot it!
Spot it! is probably one of the loudest and most exciting games ever made. We really like it, especially for parties and gatherings, because it is a test of players’ reflexes.
The rules of the game are pretty simple: Look for identical symbols and shout the symbols’ names out loud. You gain a point for each symbol you say correctly, and the payer with the most points when all the cards run out is the winner.
Note that the symbols on the cards have their proper names written in the game’s manual. You have to shout those specific names in order to get points.
Spot it! is highly recommended for road trips or when you are on vacation. Since the game is fun and interactive, it will even help keep the driver alert. The game is so loud it keeps everyone awake!
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6. Monopoly
Monopoly is, without a doubt, one of the most classic games out there. It remains a favorite because of the fun and excitement it brings, generation after generation. The game was created by manufacturing giant Hasbro, and remains as popular today as it was when it was first released.
The goal in this game is very straightforward: to eliminate all the other players until you eventually own the whole board.
Monopoly is great for anyone who has been traveling nonstop and needs a rest day. It can take a while to finish, but with all the thinking needed to play this game, you are sure to enjoy a good night’s sleep afterward.
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7. Cards Against Humanity
Cards Against Humanity is one of those games that doesn’t take much explanation. All you have to do is match questions with the most suitable answers. This game has the same rules as Apples to Apples, but the topics are a bit more risqué.
This is a great game for sleepovers, vacation getaways, and adult game nights. A self-declared “party game for horrible people,” Cards Against Humanity tests your opinions regarding sensitive issues like racial discrimination, political awareness, existential quandaries, and even sexual conduct.
We normally only recommend this game for adults because many of the topics are inappropriate for young people. However, we may also recommend it for teens or those who are about to enter adulthood.
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8. Forbidden Series: Forbidden Island, Forbidden Desert, Forbidden Sky
The Forbidden series is most interesting if you own all three board games: Forbidden Island, Forbidden Desert, and Forbidden Sky. The island version is the original and was first introduced by game manufacturer Gamewright Store. The desert version is the second version, which is a sequel to the island version. Finally, the sky version is the latest continuation of the storyline.
In Forbidden Island, your goal is to collect all the sacred treasures before the island sinks. In Forbidden Desert, your goal is to recover the flying machine hidden deep beneath the desert before the desert swallows you and your team. In Forbidden Sky, your goal is to launch a secret rocket that will prevent the savage storm before the storm itself savages you all.
The objective for each game may be different, but the concept and gameplay are the same. You have to come up with a strategic plan to finish your mission. You will need to work together with your teammates to win the game.
You do not need to play all three games at once to enjoy the Forbidden world. But of course, if you want to get the most out of the game, it would be best to try them all. The next time you are on a trip we recommend that you try them all by playing one version per night.
9. Catan
Catan is an excellent choice for travelers, especially those who travel through different countries.
It’s a civilization-building game, so it has elements of discovering new civilizations and cultures. Your travel adventures are sure to give you bright ideas about how to build your city and settle your community within the game.
Catan has around an hour’s worth of gameplay. It is designed for three to four players, so it is suitable for smaller groups of friends. If you and your friends are travelers and board gamers, try Catan and see how your traveling adventures can actually affect the way you strategize and plan.
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10. UNO Tin
UNO is a classic, and it never disappoints. It is one of those games that is quite flexible—easy to travel with and easy to teach. No matter where you are, you can easily take it out of your bag and start playing with your travel companions (even the kids)!
UNO Tin is the travel version of the game. The cards are secured in a tin can for easy access, clean-up, and organization. This is what makes it different from all the other versions of UNO; the manufacturer has focused on storage to make the game more friendly for travelers.
We recommend UNO Tin for those who have always loved this card game—and who love to travel. While the original version is still travel-friendly, the tin version just makes it a lot easier for you to keep the cards organized.
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11. Throw Throw Avocado
This game is a sequel to the classic Throw Throw Burrito, which has been called the first dodgeball card game. The primary goal is to collect matching sets of cards while ducking, dodging, and throwing avocados at your opponents.
Collecting three-of-a-kind sets earns you points, but getting hit by an avocado loses them. You need a lot of luck to get a matching set, but the main goal is to enjoy yourself while throwing and matching.
We recommend this game for those who would rather have fun than think. It is best paired with the Throw Throw Burrito game, but you can also play it on its own.
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12. World’s Smallest Sorry!
Sorry! is yet another classic board game, but with the original version you need a space that can accommodate a 10.5 x 10.5 inch board. With this smaller version, you can now play the game anywhere you want—even in your car!
This smaller version has the same rules as the original. It comes with a case, a cute gameboard, 12 pawns, and 45 cards. All of the pieces fit perfectly inside the case, making it easy for you to store and organize them, no matter where you are.
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13. Battleship Grab & Go!
Hasbro never fails when it comes to providing us with the best board games. Battleship, for instance, has been wildly popular ever since its release. With this miniature version, you can play it anywhere, even in your car!
Like the previous entries, this cute, Battleship Grab & Go! has the same rules and mechanics as the original. Your goal is to sink all your opponent’s ships before yours go down. Use the command features to make your move and implement your strategy, and make sure you are the last ship standing at the end of the game.
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14. Scrabble-to-Go
Scrabble is an all-time favorite—a classic among classics. Scrabble-to-Go is easy to travel with, so now you can play Scrabble anywhere you go.
What is most interesting about this travel version is that you can pack it up in the middle of the game without messing up all the words you have already placed. The tiles fit tightly on the gridded space and your letter rack has a lid flip that can lock unused tiles in place.
We highly recommend checking out this mobile version of Scrabble, particularly for those who like traveling and outdoor activities like camping. It is one of the safest miniature board games and can make any trip more fun and exciting.
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15. Jax Travel Sequence
Sequence is both a card game and a board game. How cool would it be if there was a compact version? As it turns out, there is! This classic game and all of its components are now available in travel mode. The best part is that it can still accommodate many players (up to seven), even in this miniature style.
The rules of the game are the same as with the original version. You use your cards to determine where your chip will land on the board. However, winning is now a little easier, since the first person to complete two sequences is declared the winner.
Jax Travel Sequence is for strategists and mathematicians, but you really don’t have to be that logical to play it. You just need to understand the rules, master the gameplay, and pray for a little luck!
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16. Magnetic Games 5-in-1
If you are looking for a set of games you can take with you on the road, Magnetic Games 5-in-1 is the perfect fit. It consists of game components for chess, dominoes, checkers, backgammon, and playing cards, all of which are packed into one box.
The board and all the pieces have magnets for easy playing, which is helpful if you want to use it while in a car, bus, train, or any other vehicle. The magnetic feature prevents the pieces from falling off the board, so they won’t easily get lost.
The board and all of its components are durable and made of high-quality materials.
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17. Small Magnetic Board Travel Game Set
If you are not content with just five games in one set, then maybe this 12-in-1 Small Magnetic Board Travel Game Set is your jam. Enjoy this set of 12 exciting board games in their miniature versions while on a road trip, preparing tents for camping, or simply having a picnic.
The 12 games include checkers, chess, Chinese checkers, tic tac toe, backgammon, Snakes & Ladders, solitaire, NineMen’s Morris, auto racing, Ludo, Space Venture, and racing, all with their own boxes and storage, which fit in a bigger box.
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Final Thoughts on Travel Board Games for Adults
We hope that our list was able to help you determine which best travel board games for adults you should try on your next trip.
Traveling is fun, and your board games should be too. Try one or two of these games and enjoy your trip even more!
And if you're looking for more board games, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 9 Best Memory Board Games for Adults
- 41 Best Board Games for Couples to Play on Game Night
- 9 Best Party Board Games to Play with Adults
