The Travel Toys & Games That Actually Work for Our Family
Our family travels a lot, and my husband and I are firm believers that there are so many things kids can learn by exploring the world and experiencing new places that simply can't be taught in a classroom - especially at these young ages.
So whenever we can, we pack our bags and go.
But traveling with kids also means learning how to keep them entertained during all those moments in between: waiting at the airport, sitting on a train, waiting for dinner, driving to a campsite, or simply hanging around the hotel after a long day of sightseeing.
Over the years, we've tried a lot of travel games and toys, and we've learned that the best ones aren't necessarily the ones marketed as "travel games." They're the ones that are easy to carry, easy to play, durable, and most importantly, things my boys actually want to play with.
So here are the games and toys that have earned a permanent place in our travel bags, along with a few that I thought would be perfect for traveling but didn't quite make the cut.
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Tiny Travel Games That Always Come With Us
When we're flying, every inch of luggage space matters. These are the games I can throw into my backpack without even thinking twice.
Colorforms 4-in-1 Game Book
Colorforms 4-in-1 Game Book is one of my favorite travel games for exactly this reason.It's a slim spiral-bound book that combines 4 classic games - Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Guess Who, and Hi Ho Cherry-O - into one compact package.
It's brilliantly designed for travel. The whole thing is about the size of a small calendar, so I can slip it right into the laptop compartment of my travel backpack and forget about it until we need it.
Best for: younger kids, roughly ages 4-6, although older kids can still enjoy the games if they're playing with younger siblings.
Traveling with toddlers and preschoolers was a whole different game, especially on long flights when I was still determined to keep things as screen-free as possible. If you're traveling with younger kids, I put together a separate list of our favorite screen-free airplane activities and must-bring items for ages 2-4, including what actually kept our boys busy and what wasn't worth the suitcase space.
OK Play
Another favorite is OK Play.
It's a simple tile game where the goal is to get 5 in a row, but the part I love most for traveling is the packaging. The tiles stack together and attach to a carabiner, so you can literally clip the entire game onto your bag.
It's perfect for those little pockets of downtime - at an airport lounge, on a train, or while waiting for a restaurant table.
It's small, waterproof, easy to carry, and quick to play, which checks pretty much every box for a travel game.
Best for: around age 4+
Origami Paper
Because my boys are into origami, I always bring a small box of origami paper when we travel. And this has turned out to be one of the most consistently entertaining things we've packed.
We spent three weeks in Italy on each of our last two trips, and origami was one of the few activities my boys actually came back to every single day.
When my older son first started, he could barely fold a piece of paper in half neatly. But little by little, he got better. Eventually, he started coming up with his own creations, and we'd have little origami teaching sessions in the evenings where he'd show the rest of us what he'd figured out that day.
I love activities like this because they don't just keep kids busy. They give them something to practice, create, and get better at over time.
Best for: around age 4+
When We're Driving: Bring a Little More
When we're road-tripping, camping, or heading somewhere by car, I don't have to be nearly as ruthless about luggage space. That's when I bring some of our slightly bulkier favorites.
Our Four-Game Travel Set
I don't even know the official name of this set. I bought it on Amazon, where it's simply listed as "4 Fun Travel Games." It comes with 4 games - 4 in a Row, Popper, Wall Game, and Collapso - each in its own little pouch. If you're interested, here's the link to the exact product I purchased.
We take these practically everywhere we can drive. They're small enough that they don't take up much room, but there are enough different games that the boys don't get bored with playing the same thing over and over.
Hedbanz
Hedbanz is probably our ultimate family gathering game.
Somehow, it never gets old.
Whenever we go camping - whether it's just our family or we're camping with friends - we always make time to sit around together and play Hedbanz.
And that's what I love about it. Pretty much anyone can play. Kids, parents, grandparents, friends - it doesn't really matter. It's simple enough for younger kids but still entertaining for adults.
Best for: about age 5+
Toys That Let the Kids Play Without Us
This is an important category for me.
Yes, we go camping and travel to spend quality time together. But let's be honest: sometimes Mom and Dad need 20 minutes to set up the tent, pack the car cook dinner, or simply sit down.
So when we're camping, I always bring a few things that the boys can play with by themselves or with each other.
Paddle Ball
This koosh-ball-style game with paddles that have handles on both sides has been a surprisingly big hit with my boys.
I especially like it for younger kids who are still working on their coordination. The double-sided handles make it easier to hold onto, and the boys can play together or practice by themselves.
They never seem to get tired of it.
UNO
UNO has also become one of our favorite camping time-killers.
It's perfect for those moments when my husband and I are busy setting up camp or packing everything back into the car. The boys can sit together and play while we're getting things done.
And honestly, this is something I think is worth remembering when packing for family trips: not every activity needs to involve the parents.
Sometimes the best travel toy is the one that buys you 20 minutes of uninterrupted time.
SmartGames IQ series
For more independent play, I'd also look into SmartGames IQ series. These are one-person logic games designed for travel and have become another favorite in our family.
One thing to keep in mind: they're not magnetic, but they're still heavier than a paper game or thin game book, so I wouldn't pack several of them for a full day of sightseeing.
My boys take these to doctor's appointments, restaurants, and their sibling's after-school activities when they know they'll have some time to wait. They've actually become the kind of thing THEY pack for themselves when they know they're going somewhere with some downtime - which, as a mom, I love to see.
The Ones I Wanted to Love: Magnetic Travel Games
Now for the category that I really, really wanted to love.
I came across The Purple Cow, a brand that has done a fantastic job of turning all kids of classic board games and puzzles into portable travel versions. The games come in slim magnetic tins that open up into game boards, with magnetic pieces that stay in place. I loved the idea so much that I think I bought 6 different games.
After flying with them a couple of times, though, I realized there was one downside I hadn't really considered: magnets are heavier than you'd think. One game isn't a big deal, but 4 of those metal tins in a backpack are noticeably heavier than my Colorforms 4-in-1 Game Book.
So I haven't stopped using them - I just changed where I use them. They're great for restaurants, wineries, parks, and other local outings where you're not carrying your bag around all day. For flying, I'd still choose something lighter.
What We Don't Bring Anymore
We've learned just as much from the games that didn't work as from the ones that did.
We tried bringing Battleship and chess on camping trips, but quickly learned that games with lots of tiny pieces aren't ideal outdoors. One minute you have everything, and the next you're crawling underneath a picnic table looking for one tiny chess piece.
So these days, I prioritize games that are compact, durable, easy to set up, and don't have a million little pieces.
What I Pack Depends on Where We're Going
🛫Flying: Colorforms 4-in-1 Game Book, OK Play, origami paper
🚙Road trips: SmartGames IQ series, origami paper
⛺Camping: Hedbanz, paddle ball, UNO, 4 game travel set
🍽 Restaurants & local outings: The Purple Cow magnetic games, SmartGames IQ series
👪Family gatherings: Hedbanz
🧒Kids entertaining themselves: UNO, paddle ball, origami paper, SmartGames IQ series
After years of traveling with kids, I've learned that small and simple usually wins. The best travel toys aren't necessarily the ones that promise hours of entertainment - they're the ones your kids actually ask to play with again.
Of course, the toys that earned a permanent spot in our travel bag weren't always the same ones our boys played with the most at home. If you're looking for everyday toy ideas too, I also rounded up what my boys actually played with the most from ages 3-7 -- not necessarily the fanciest toys we bought, just the ones they kept going back to.
