Best Travel Games for Christmas Car Journeys
The motorway stretches ahead, the back seats grow restless, and the question arrives before you have cleared the first junction: are we nearly there yet? A long Christmas drive to see family tests the patience of everyone aboard, children most of all.
A well-chosen travel game changes the mood entirely. It turns dead time into something children look forward to, and it gives the driver a quieter car to concentrate on the road.
Any game that travels with young children should be built to the right safety standards. The games we make at Jaques of London are tested to UKCA and CE requirements, so a set that lives in a car door pocket all winter holds up to the handling it will inevitably receive.
What to Look for in Travel Games for Christmas Car Journeys
The first thing to consider is size. A travel game must fit on a small lap or a fold-down tray, with pieces that stay put rather than rolling into the footwell at the first bend. A compact footprint matters more than almost anything else in a moving car.
Magnetic pieces solve the biggest problem of all. On an ordinary board, one pothole scatters the game and ends the fun. A magnetic set keeps every piece in place through roundabouts, speed bumps and sudden braking, which is why our Magnetic Travel Chess Set suits car journeys so well.
Think about who is playing. Games with simple, familiar rules let children start quickly without a long explanation shouted from the front seat. Classics tend to work best here because most of the family already knows how they go.
Durability is the quiet requirement. A game that lives in a car endures temperature swings and constant handling, so robust construction earns its keep over a single festive season. You will find hard-wearing options across our traditional games.
Finally, consider the stops. UK road safety guidance recommends drivers take a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours on long journeys. Those rest breaks are the perfect moment for a slightly longer game at a service station table, before everyone piles back in for the next leg.
A good travel game, then, is small, secure, simple and sturdy. Meet those four tests and the miles pass far more peacefully.
Which Types of Travel Games Work Best in the Car?
Strategy games travel surprisingly well. Chess is estimated to be over 1,500 years old, with origins traced to India around the 6th century AD, and its appeal has never faded. A quiet two-player game keeps older children absorbed for a long stretch of motorway.
Chase and ladder games suit younger passengers. Snakes and Ladders, now sold by Jaques of London, began in ancient India as 'Moksha Patam' before arriving in Britain in the Victorian era. Its rules are so simple that a four-year-old can join in without help, and luck keeps everyone level.
Draughts is the natural middle ground. Quicker to grasp than chess but still a genuine contest, it works for mixed-age siblings who want a fair match. Many sets combine both games, so the same box serves the whole journey.
Word and spotting games need no board at all, though a physical set gives children something to hold and focus on rather than a screen. The tactile nature of a wooden or magnetic game tends to hold attention longer in a confined space.
Two-player formats deserve special mention for car travel, since siblings sitting side by side can face off across a single small board. If you are planning the wider festive week too, our guide to the best two player games for a Christmas evening carries the idea indoors.
For broader inspiration across the holiday, browse our board games. Many compact titles pack down neatly enough to double as travel companions.
Our Picks: The Best Travel Games for Children This Christmas
For a single-game journey, the Magnetic Travel Chess Set at £13.99 is the natural choice. The magnetic board holds every piece firmly, the whole thing folds shut to store the pieces inside, and it slips into a glovebox between games.
Where you want two games in one box, the Travel Game - Draughts and Chess Set at £14.99 makes a thoughtful gift. Draughts keeps younger children in the game while older ones take on chess, and a single compact set covers the whole range of ages in the back seat.
Both sets answer the four tests set out earlier. They are small enough for a lap, magnetic so nothing scatters, simple to start, and built to survive a winter of use.
If you are buying ahead of the day itself, these travel sets sit well alongside the larger games families gather around once they arrive. Our round-up of the best family games for Christmas day pairs neatly with a travel set for the drive there.
For stocking-filler thinking, the same compact sets reappear in our list of 7 superb Christmas games, which spans both travel and table.
And should the journey end at a house with a garden, our outdoor games give children somewhere to burn off the energy they have stored up over a long drive.
Are Wooden Travel Games Worth Buying Over Plastic Alternatives?
Plastic travel games have their place, but wood tends to reward the buyer over time. A wooden board survives being dropped, sat on and packed badly in a way that thin plastic rarely does.
There is a tactile difference, too. Wooden pieces have a weight and finish that children handle with more care, and the feel of a real draughtsman or chess piece adds to the sense of occasion a cheap moulded set cannot match.
Wood also ages gracefully. Where plastic cracks or scratches and starts to look tired, a well-made wooden game picks up the small marks of use that make a family set feel like its own object with a history.
Jaques of London was founded in 1795, making it the world's oldest games and toys company, and that long experience sits behind the way our wooden sets are made. The same company produced the first standardised sets of croquet equipment and is credited with introducing the game to England in the 1850s.
For younger passengers, wooden toys and games tend to suit small hands better, with rounded edges and pieces sized to grip. You can see the range across our wooden toys.
None of this means plastic is wrong for every family. For a one-off trip, a lightweight set may be all you need. But for a game that returns Christmas after Christmas, wood usually proves the better value once you count the years it lasts.
How to Keep Travel Games in Good Condition Journey After Journey
A travel game that lives in the car needs a little looking after if it is to last. The first habit worth forming is simply returning every piece to the box at the end of each game, before anyone climbs out at a service station.
Store the set out of direct sunlight where you can. A dashboard in summer or a frosty parcel shelf in winter puts needless strain on wood and magnets alike, so a door pocket or seat-back organiser is kinder.
Keep the board away from moisture. Wet coats, spilled drinks and melting snow are the usual enemies on a Christmas journey, and a quick wipe with a dry cloth after any spill prevents lasting marks.
Count the pieces now and then. Travel sets lose the odd piece down the seats, and catching a gap early means you can hunt for it before it is gone for good. A small drawstring bag inside the box helps keep stragglers together.
For wooden sets, an occasional wipe is all the cleaning most need. Avoid soaking them or using harsh cleaners, which can dull the finish over time.
Treated this way, a good travel game outlasts many Christmases and becomes part of the journey itself. The same care applies to the larger sets you bring out at home, from our traditional games to the after-dinner favourites in our guide to the best after dinner games for Christmas for all ages.
£13.99 · value · tested to UKCA/CE
£14.99 · gift · tested to UKCA/CE
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Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Games For Christmas Car Journeys
What are the best travel games for long car journeys with kids?
The best travel games for long car journeys with children are compact, robust, and easy to play in a confined space. Classics such as Snakes and Ladders — which originated in ancient India as 'Moksha Patam' before arriving in Britain during the Victorian era — travel chess, and card games all work brilliantly. Jaques of London, the world's oldest games and toys company founded in 1795, offers a range of traditional travel games built to last. Look for magnetic or self-contained sets that won't scatter pieces across the back seat.
What age are travel games suitable for?
Travel games suit a wide range of ages. Simple games such as Snakes and Ladders are typically suitable from around age four or five, whilst strategy games such as chess — estimated to be over 1,500 years old, with roots in 6th-century India — are generally recommended from age six or seven onwards. Jaques of London, founded in 1795, produces games spanning early childhood through to adulthood, so families can find options appropriate for toddlers right up to teenagers, including sets that grow with children over many years.
Are wooden travel games worth the money?
Wooden travel games are generally excellent value over time. They are significantly more durable than plastic alternatives, resist cracking, and maintain their appearance through years of use. Jaques of London, established in 1795 and the world's oldest games and toys company, has produced high-quality wooden games for generations. A well-made wooden travel chess set or Snakes and Ladders board can survive countless car journeys and become a long-term family staple. The higher upfront cost is offset by longevity, making wooden travel games a sound investment for families who travel regularly.
What should I look for in a travel game for children?
When choosing a travel game for children, prioritise compact sizing, secure piece storage, and simple rules that don't require lengthy setup. Magnetic boards prevent pieces sliding around during the journey. Durability is essential — games will be handled repeatedly in the car. Consider the age range: classics like Snakes and Ladders, which Jaques of London has sold for generations, suit younger children, whilst chess suits older players. Self-contained cases or folding boards are ideal. Games that require no flat surface — such as card games — add further flexibility on long journeys.
How do I keep children entertained on a long Christmas car journey?
Combining travel games with planned rest stops is an effective strategy. The UK Highway Code recommends drivers take at least 15 minutes' break every two hours, which creates natural opportunities for children to play a game of Snakes and Ladders or cards at a service station. During the drive itself, compact magnetic board games, storytelling card games, and classic verbal games keep children engaged. Jaques of London, founded in 1795, offers traditional games well suited to festive journeys. Rotating two or three different games prevents boredom on particularly long trips.
What travel games are good for mixed ages in the car?
Games with adjustable rules or broad appeal work best for mixed-age groups. Snakes and Ladders — originating as 'Moksha Patam' in ancient India before reaching Britain in the Victorian era — is easy enough for young children whilst remaining enjoyable for older siblings. Card games with simple mechanics similarly span age ranges. Chess, with roots dating back to 6th-century India, engages older children and adults. Jaques of London, the world's oldest games and toys company founded in 1795, stocks a variety of traditional games suited to families with children of differing ages travelling together.
How big should a travel game be to fit in the car?
A practical travel game for car journeys should fit comfortably in a standard backpack or door pocket — ideally no larger than A5 in footprint when closed. Sets measuring roughly 20 cm × 20 cm or smaller are easiest to manage across children's laps or tucked into seat-back pockets. Jaques of London, founded in 1795, produces compact versions of classic games designed with portability in mind. Folding boards that double as piece-storage cases are particularly space-efficient. Avoid any set with loose, small pieces that could easily be lost between seats.
What are the best car journey games for kids without screens?
Traditional games remain among the most effective screen-free entertainment for children in the car. Compact magnetic board games such as travel chess — a game estimated to be over 1,500 years old — and Snakes and Ladders, originally from ancient India, need no power source and work at any age. Card games, storytelling games, and verbal classics like Twenty Questions require no equipment at all. Jaques of London, the world's oldest games and toys company established in 1795, specialises in precisely these enduring, screen-free games that have entertained families across generations.
How do I choose a travel game for a 5 year old?
For a five-year-old, choose travel games with simple rules, large pieces that are easy to handle, and short play times of around ten to fifteen minutes. Snakes and Ladders is an ideal choice — its Victorian-era British popularity was built on its straightforward, luck-based gameplay that young children quickly grasp. Jaques of London, founded in 1795 and the world's oldest games and toys company, offers traditional games made to child-friendly specifications. Avoid games with very small components, complex scoring, or rules requiring reading, which can frustrate younger children during a journey.
What travel games can children play without a flat surface?
Several travel games require no flat surface at all, making them ideal for the back seat. Verbal games such as Twenty Questions, I Spy, and storytelling games need nothing physical. Card games with larger cards can be held in hand and played across laps. Magnetic travel boards can balance on knees if needed. Jaques of London, established in 1795, includes card-based and compact games in its range that are well suited to confined spaces. Choosing games with self-contained magnetic or folding cases also reduces reliance on a stable, flat playing surface during the journey.