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Looking for something to do on the go? Whether it's to distract your kids or entertain yourself, here are the best travel board games we've found.
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The advent of technology has most of us spending time on our phones. It's easy to get stuck scrolling to infinity, and this can have negative impacts on our dopamine regulation systems. This is also true for children, who often grow up with their devices. Because of this, more and more people are choosing to do "dopamine detoxes". This involves spending time away from high dopamine activities such as social media, video games, and a variety of other activities.
Furthermore, sometimes we have a long flight with no access to internet. If you've ever found yourself staring at the back of the seat in front of you on a plane ride, these games may be a good option for you.
Whether you are looking for alternatives you can bring with you on the go, or just simply looking to look into more options for your next trip, this is the place for you. We hope you enjoy these options for Best Travel Board Games.
Best Travel Board Games
Card Games
Magnetic Solitare
This is a great game for a single person looking to pass time on a flight. Most flights have this available in the "games" section of their screens. However, if you want a tech break or your flight doesn't offer this, it's a great backup. It's a low mess alternative to a regular deck of cards which will withstand a bit of turbulence. Try this on your next flight!
Guess Who Card Game
This is a great game to play with your travel companions or children. This is a card alternative to the popular game, making it a more portable version. The game involves each person getting a character. The other person asks questions, slowly eliminating options until they can guess who the other person has. Whoever guesses it first wins. This is a fun and entertaining game, and I loved playing the full version as a kid.
Uno
This is a great alternative to a standard deck of cards, played with multiple people. You go back and forth, placing matching cards on the growing pile. The first person to discard all of their cards wins. There are twists to the game which make it more interesting. The pros include that this game is easy to learn and extremely self-explanatory. It also only involves a deck of cards so it is low volume for travel. The con is that it involves cards, which may get messy on the plane, especially if traveling with young children. However, unlike a regular deck, it's not a huge deal to loose a couple cards and it will not drastically effect gameplay.
Magnetic Board Games
Road Trip Bingo
This is a great game for your kids to play while on the road. The game is magnetic, so you won't have to worry about loose pieces or a messy car. It involves spotting things on the road and checking them off as you go. Whoever spies the things first will complete the row and win the game. It's something fun to distract those around you on long trips. Lowering the "Are we there yets?" and getting them invested in the trip.
Magnetic Chess + Checkers
These are more standard two person board games, which means you need a travel companion to play them. However these are more compact versions of the traditional games, most of them folding to fit into tight spaces. Also, the boards are magnetic, allowing for low mess and for them to be played in moving vehicles. If you are someone who enjoys these games, it can be a great way to connect with your companions while traveling!
Books
Zentagle + Coloring Books
Picking up a set of colored pencils and a coloring book can be an easy way to destress on the go. Some people enjoy the art of draing, while others find it a meditative experience. It's a great distraction which can give you something to do on a long flight. The good news is there are a variety of options of these, so you can find one centered on a theme you like. It is relatively inexpensive to get started and it will take you a long time to finish a full book. What's more, it will take up little room in your suitcase or carry-on, so space should not be a huge concern.
Sudoku
Sudoku is a type of puzzle involving a 9x9 grid. Each puzzle centers around completing each row, column and 3x3 square with the numbers 1-9. It can be a great way to exercise the mind, and you may be surprised by how quickly you can improve. Consider finding a beginner book of sodoku's and bring them on your next flight with you. It's a great passtime. You can complete one in anywhere from 5 min to hours. It's a great way to concentrate your attention and get into a flow state, making time on the plane feel shorter.
Crossword Puzzle
Maybe numbers aren't your thing. If you prefer words, consider purchasing a book of crosswords. Most people know what crosswords are, but if you don't, it is a puzzle involving "clues" which indicate a word. There are squares which correspond to a letter in each word. The words may "cross" and the goal is to figure out how to align the words which fit the clues with the grid, where junctions of each word have the same letter. This can be a great way to get the brain turning, though it does require a good understanding of pop-culture and the language of the puzzle. However, if you love crosswords this is a really good no tech option.
Sticker Dolly Dressing
This is a great option if you are looking for an option for your child. These books involve doll-like figures in a scene. The back of the book has a collection of outfits. The child can then go through the back and stick the outfits onto the dolls, "dressing" them to meet the scene they are in. The series comes with a lot of different options depending on the interest of the child. I know I used to enjoy these as a kid and looked forward to going to the store to get them. I used them endlessly when I would have to wait somewhere. They were effective at keeping my attention, and I also had fun doing them and comparing my choices with my sister's.
Conclusion
After looking into the various options out there, we hope you are able to find one that fits your needs. Whether you want to problem solve or just play with those around you, we hope these games will allow you to connect with others. The goal was to find games which are easy to bring with you wherever you go, and cause little to no mess. If you have any additional suggestions, please comment them below! Let's help each other. No matter what you needs are, there is definitely a game for you. We predict hours of entertainment and fun during your upcoming journeys.
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