Travel: fun and exciting, but also long and tedious.
Often, the reality of getting between A and B can be mind-numbing, and that’s even with snacks, drinks and a tablet-worth of downloaded content to keep you entertained.
In times such as these, a good old fashioned game can keep the cogs whirring and add an element of drama to your trip, depending on what you choose to pack with you.
A classic pack of playing cards is a universal crowd-pleaser - who doesn’t jump on a chance to crack out their poker face? - and is an excellent way to make new friends if you’re travelling alone.
Then there are travel versions of popular board games that are small enough to tuck into your hand luggage: think Jenga, Monopoly, Connect 4 and Battleship.
Aside from the kick of nostalgia you’ll get from whipping one of these out of your bag, each one will test your mental agility, strategy skills and patience while creating fun memories and silly rivalries with your pals. Turn things up a notch by introducing alcohol to the situation, with players taking shots for every round lost.
But the best bit? You’ll never have to worry about running out of battery or finding the right adaptor to get going.
Make room in your bag and pack these travel games for your next adventure.
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Monopoly Deal Card Game
Carting a board around when you’re on the road isn’t always possible, but Hasbro has found a way to turn the popular property-buying game into a travel-friendly version. Monopoly Deal sees up to five players make property sets out of London’s best-known landmarks, making deals, trades and treacherous swipes along the way. As a total novice, it took me a round to get the hang of it, and then I was addicted.
Buy now £5.00, Amazon
John Lewis Battleship Travel Game
Loved Battleship as a child? Bring the nautical game of strategy to your travels with John Lewis’s mini version. The set may be scaled-down but the enjoyment is just the same, as are the host of skills you’ll hone.
Buy now £6.00, John Lewis
Oliver Bonas Catastrophe Stacking Cats Game
A game of nerve-shredding daring, Jenga is one of the best party games ever. However as the entire point is to keep the tower upright, it’s not exactly great for travel - and besides, who wants to cart a load of wooden bricks around? Oliver Bonas brings the concept in this stacking game, using tiny kittens instead of blocks.
Buy now £8.00, Oliver Bonas
Cards Against Humanity
The first version of CAH came out in May 2011 and took the gaming world by storm; it’s been outraging people ever since. The game is easy enough to play, and will reveal your most horrible friends in an instant.
It goes like this: in each round, a player asks a question pulled from the Black Card stack, everyone else must consult their White answer card and choose the funniest option from their pile. The Black Card holder picks the person with the wildest answer, and that winner picks the next Black Card.
Hilarious and horrific in equal measure, turn it into a drinking game by having losers take a sip of their drink.
Buy now £29.00, Amazon
Worlds Smallest Super Impulse - Jenga
Scrap what we said about Jenga being too clunky to travel with; this miniature version puts the building block game back on the table. You might need toothpicks to prod the blocks out, mind.
Buy now £10.49, Amazon
David Shrigley deck of 54 cards
A cracking set of playing cards from one of our favourite artists, David Shrigley’s deck promises to make games of rum, Texas Hold ‘Em and snap even more joyful. Each card features a unique illustration in his playful style that’ll make your hand all the more characterful.
Buy now £15.00, Tate
Hasbro Gaming Connect 4 Grab & Go Game
An easy game to play while having evening cocktails or between swim sessions, Connect 4 is a game we'll reach for again and again. Finding new ways to trump our opponent by lining up the four red or yellow before they can will never get old. Whip it out to play when the mood takes you, before sliding the checker tray onto the playing grid for compact storage when it's time to go.
Buy now £6.99, Amazon
UNO Splash Card Game
You know UNO. The wildly popular card game has been around for decades, and now comes in a waterproof version so you can play it anywhere, even on a lilo on the ocean if you like. The waterproof cards come with a clip to keep them together and can easily be hooked onto camping gear and backpack loops.
Buy now £19.99, Amazon
Not-Another-Bill Portable Backgammon Set
Alongside specialist tea and pots of preserves, the Royal grocer Fortnum & Mason also offers lifestyle products like this backgammon set from Not Another Bill. It’s perfect for taking on trips thanks to the roll nature of the canvas and leather design. The set includes resin counters and brass dice, offering a sense of style that makes it ideal for gifting too.
Buy now £49.00, Not-Another-Bill
Mattel Games Scrabble Travel Game
Never feel lost for words again with this set of travel Scrabble that can see up to four players play at once. Letters clip onto the board so that they're stable - no need to worry about turbulence or accidental knocks - and the entire game can be folded up for the next leg of your journey when the time arrives.
Buy now £22.00, Amazon
Verdict
Monopoly has been a classic for years, and Hasbro's ingenuity in turning it into a card-only game means that you can enjoy a round anytime, anywhere. With so many variables, no two games are the same, meaning you won't tire of it no matter how long you're on the road.
