Travelling light on your hut to hut hikes or your multi day bike rides doesn’t mean leaving the fun behind! Whether you’re on a train, waiting for dinner at a restaurant, or unwinding at a mountain hut after a day of hiking, travel games can keep everyone entertained without bulking up your bags. Here are 10 brilliant tried and tested family travel games, from quick card battles to dice-rolling chaos our kids have loved, which won’t add much weight to your carefully packed bags!

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  • A child wearing a blue t-shirt is sitting at a table, intently arranging a fan of playing cards. In front, there's a can of lemon soda and a glass. People can be seen walking outside the window in the background.
  • A child wearing a blue cap and sunglasses is rolling dice on a picnic table outdoors. Two adults are seated in the background at another table, surrounded by a rustic setting with stone walls and wooden benches.
  • A young boy in an orange shirt, a bearded man in a blue shirt, and a girl with curly hair wearing a yellow shirt are sitting around a wooden table playing a card game. The sunlight casts strong shadows across the table, which has cards laid out, and the trio looks focused on their game. Cushioned seating with yellow pillows lines the background.
  • An outdoor deck with three people gathered around a wooden table playing a board game. A child in a navy shirt and hat sits in a wooden chair, while an older person in a beige sweater and a girl in a blue shirt and rainbow shorts interact with game pieces. Green plants and trees surround the deck, and clothes hang on a drying line nearby under a large umbrella.

1. Yahtzee (Travel Version)

Players: 2-6
Suggested Age: 8+
Convenience: Super lightweight, just dice and a score pad
Strategy vs Luck: Both! Strategy helps, but the dice keep things unpredictable.

Yahtzee is an absolute classic and a favourite in our family. The travel version is compact, with a small dice cup and score sheets – but we just bring the dice and a couple of scoresheets in a drawstring bag. It’s quick to set up, and you only need a small surface. Try not to roll your dice off the balcony of a mountain hut into a goat field… yes this happened to us. Kids love the thrill of rolling for a Yahtzee (five of a kind), while adults try to to complete the scoresheet strategically to earn the highest score.

2. A Deck of Cards

Players: 1-10+
Suggested Age: 4+ (depending on the game)
Convenience: Ultra-lightweight, fits in your pocket
Strategy vs Luck: Depends on the game – endless options!

You can’t beat a standard deck of cards for versatility. From quick games of Happy Families or Snap for little ones to more strategic games like Rummy or Hearts, a deck of cards is a must-pack. Plus, Patience (Solitaire) is a great option for a bit of solo time. Cheat is brilliant fun with a larger group.

3. Uno Show Em No Mercy

Players: 2-10
Suggested Age: 7+
Convenience: Compact, same size as regular Uno
Strategy vs Luck: Mostly luck, but with some added chaos!

Uno Show ‘Em No Mercy is like Uno on steroids. It adds a few extra rules and cards that let you really mess with your opponents, from swapping hands to outright stealing cards. It’s just as easy to pack as regular Uno but with an extra dose of mayhem. Caution: Can make children angry…

4. Monopoly Deal

Players: 2-5
Suggested Age: 8+
Convenience: Compact card game version
Strategy vs Luck: A good mix of both

Monopoly Deal takes all the fun (and frustration) of classic Monopoly and squishes it into a quick-playing card game. It’s easy to carry, doesn’t require a board, and games can be over in 15 minutes. It’s a favourite for our post-dinner wind-downs.

5. Itchy Feet

Players: 2-6
Suggested Age: 8+
Convenience: Compact deck-based game
Strategy vs Luck: Mostly strategy

Itchy Feet is a brilliant little travel-themed card game where players race to collect the right cards to move through different countries. The travel theme makes it perfect for adventurers, and it’s light and quick to play.

6. Pass the Pigs

Players: 2+
Suggested Age: 7+
Convenience: Tiny, fits in a pocket
Strategy vs Luck: Pure luck

The silly game of Pass the Pigs involves rolling two small pig figurines as dice and scoring points depending on how they land – snout up, on their sides, or even balancing precariously. It’s absurdly fun and perfect for kids.

7. Qwirkle (Travel Edition)

Players: 2-4
Suggested Age: 6+
Convenience: Compact travel-size version
Strategy vs Luck: Heavy on strategy, minimal luck

Qwirkle is like a mix between Scrabble and dominoes, with players matching tiles by colour and shape to score points. The travel version is smaller but just as engaging. It’s perfect for kids who love patterns and adults who enjoy a bit of thinking.

8. Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza

Players: 3-8
Suggested Age: 6+
Convenience: Pocket-sized
Strategy vs Luck: Reflexes and memory, mostly chaos!

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza is a fast-paced, shouty card game which is pure fun. My Amazon account says I’ve ordered this five times as birthday presents for my kids’ friends, so I’m clearly a fan! Players take turns placing cards and saying “Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza” in rhythm. If the card matches the word, everyone races to slap the pile. Hilarity ensues. Top tip: clear the table before starting!

9. Poetry for Neanderthals

Players: 2+ (teams)
Suggested Age: 7+
Convenience: Small box, inflatable club optional!
Strategy vs Luck: Wordplay and creativity

Poetry for Neanderthals is a word guessing game which requires players to speak in single-syllable words, caveman-style. It’s funny, loud, and great for older kids and adults.

10. Cockroach Poker

Players: 2-6
Suggested Age: 8+
Convenience: Small deck of cards, super portable
Strategy vs Luck: Strategy, bluffing, and a bit of luck

Cockroach Poker is a hilarious bluffing game where players pass cards to each other and claim (truthfully or not) what’s on the card. The aim isn’t to win but to avoid losing – whoever collects four cards of the same type first is out. The rules are simple, but the fun comes from outwitting your opponents and spotting who’s bluffing.

Final Thoughts

With a couple of these games in your bag, you’ll never be stuck for family fun on your travels. While you’re waiting for a connection, relaxing after a day of adventure, or killing time in a tent on a rainy day, these lightweight games will keep everyone entertained. Happy gaming!

Where to next? More info for your adventures:

Bea Searle is the creator of Wild Bee Outdoors. Having lived in Austria as a kid, she fell in love with the mountains early on. Passionate about sustainable train travel and outdoor adventures with her family, Bea shares local insights, detailed routes, and plenty of tips for hut to hut hiking and multi-day cycling trips in the European Alps and beyond; along with ideas for worthwhile detours to make every journey unforgettable. Her goal? To inspire you to embrace the mountains, dodge the tourist traps, and explore with confidence.

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