My family are big board game people – as the multiple bookshelves full of games will attest to. Of course, every Christmas my Wish List is full of the new releases, but there are always my favorites ones that I keep going back to throughout the year. Games to help pass the time, to get competitive over, to entertain, and even to educate. But many of my favorites also have the built-in bonus of getting me excited for our next vacation!
Here are some of my favorites:
When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, but the opinions stated are our own, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Dream
Still thinking about where you might want to go to next? Here are some great games to get the ideas flowing!
This is one of our favorite games! With many standalone and expansion edition options, you can build train lines in your favorite cities, countries, and continents all while adding ideas to your travel bucket list. Part strategy and part adventure, this is a fun game for families (ages 8+) as well as adults.
If you are a fan of games such as Settlers of Catan and the above-mentioned Ticket to Ride, this game is for you. Not only is it fun and educational (don’t tell the kids) it is also a great way to start thinking about your next big family vacation, or just get the kids curious about the world around them.
Available in both Card and Board Game versions, this trivia game makes geography fun for everyone! Learn about flags, capital cities, and fun facts about destinations around the world.
Challenging, educational, fun. Three words that best describe this unique game where players circle the globe while testing their knowledge of world cultures.
Plan
You know where you are going, and now it is time to prepare!
Heading on a Disney Cruise Line vacation soon? Competition is steep at those trivia contests, so you better brush up so you can come home with one of those famous “Winner” awards!
You have read the books, seen the movies, but have you played the game? Nothing will get you ready for a few days at Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter or the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London like a rousing game of trivia!
This is a great series of quick games of smart questions. You can ask up to 10 questions or use your clue cards to try and figure out the answer. While they have many different versions, the States of America, Cities Around the World, Landmarks, and Foods Around the World will get the whole family ready for the adventure!
During Covid, National Parks were a very popular getaway destination for family’s looking to safely get out of their house. But even with most places operating at pre-pandemic levels, their popularity continues to grow. This fun, educational trivia game is a great way to get the whole family excited for their National Park adventure!
Go
You are on your way! Here are some entertaining options to make the journey more fun!
You can’t go wrong with such classic family games as Uno, SkipBo, and Dos, especially when they come in a handy travel set. I have also always been a fan of Boggle and Yahtzee. And my husband and I may or may not have spent hours on our honeymoon playing Scrabble. And when he was young, my son spent hours playing I Spy on road trips!
They say getting there is half the fun. But after a few hours in the car, that can begin to sound doubtful. This screen-free boredom buster is a great way to keep kids (and adults) entertained for hours!
Travel is all about connecting with new locations, new cultures, and new people. But it is also about reconnecting with the ones you love. These To Go versions of TableTopics - fun conversation starters for any and every occasion – can help you do just that.
Whether travelling by car, plane, boat, or train this is an excellent way to pass the time. Filled with questions and maze board games, this book allows you to explore and enjoy quality time together on the journey.
Play
So, what do you think of my list? What games have you and your family and friends played that you loved, and what would you add to my list? I am always looking to increase my collection, so please comment below!