Best Board Games for Backpacking

No matter where you travel on this earth, board games are undoubtedly the best way of connecting with fellow travelers and other people.

Generally, whenever you think of board games, you’ll know that they are played indoors, at a tabletop, with friends. But did you know that there is a big world where board games can also be an ideal fit? The trick lies in choosing the right board game.

Best Travel Board Games for Hiking, Camping & Travelling

Games Covered on This Page

9 games below. Jump straight to any of them.

OUTSIDE INSIDE BACKPACK CRIBBAGE GAME
CATAN TRAVELER
AMEROUS MAGNETIC WOODEN CHESS SET
SONDERGUT ROLL-UP SUEDE BACKGAMMON GAME
CONNECT 4 GRAB AND GO GAME
Is it portable enough?
Is the board game durable?
How many players are required?
What is the duration of the game?

During summers, being a part of the natural outdoors is one of the simplest joys of life. Who doesn’t love to sit outside, doing just nothing and listening to the sound of the river water jiggling by? There are times when you just have to let go of everything else and be one with nature.

Backpacking is certainly one of the best ways of escaping the monotony of life, although for a small while. You may not even plan to use the experience of backpacking for exploring the outdoor but this is still a way of seeing the world.

However, while backpacking, there are times when you may not find enough activities to while away time. Since you have to pack in several essentials, the restrained storage space will cut down on the choices of entertainment that you may carry with you. Here come the board games.

There are several of these board games that have been perfectly designed to be portable for backpackers. If you’re a globe-trotter, you’re in for some useful information. Keep reading to know more about the best board games for backpacking.

OUTSIDE INSIDE BACKPACK CRIBBAGE GAME

If you’ve been playing board games for a long time now, you’d know that Cribbage is a classic board game that many kept in their cabins. Some even carried them when they went camping.

Though this game is not specifically created for its portability, yet it is thankfully small enough and hence can be transported along with you.

This feature of the Cribbage game makes it even more special and better. The designers of this game made it more compact and hence it’s ideal for carrying it inside your backpack.

It has got an effective locking system with the help of which it can be folded into half and snapped in place. You also get a bag to store it. Hence, it can be carried safely from the other things inside your backpack.

Pros:

Can be folded in half and locked. So, no worry about the board opening while traveling.
Extremely light in weight.
Includes a bag that is effective for storage and transport.
The game can be played with either 2 or 4 players.

Cons:

Few noted that the board often slides around the table.
Few felt that the game would be better with metal pegs rather than plastic pegs.

CATAN TRAVELER

Are you a fan of Settlers of Catan? If answered yes, you’ll be amused to know that this game has also got a backpacker’s version for you. They let you play this game while on a move.

This game comes in a carrying case which is extremely convenient and it has a handle. You can carry this board game along with you or also squeeze the game within your backpack.

The board has spaces where the pieces are slotted. This clearly means that you needn’t think of the pieces sliding off even if you don’t keep the board on a flat surface.

This game also has card trays along with a dice roller. Gone are those days when you had to worry about losing the board pieces as they all will be placed within the board.

Pros:

Can be folded in half to fit into the luggage or backpacks.
The card trays and dice roller keep you from losing the pieces.
Has an in-built handle for portability.
Pieces can be easily stored in trays that slide either in or out of the board.
Can be played with 2-4 players.

Cons:

The cards are said to be too tiny and hence the rules are tough to read.
Not apt for the visually impaired.
It can be a tough game for board game beginners.

AMEROUS MAGNETIC WOODEN CHESS SET

Are you someone who is watching out for a game that you can start playing while traveling and that will challenge your skills of critical thinking? If answered yes, the one thing that comes to our mind is Chess – the strategic legend.

As long as the Amerous Magnetic Wooden Chess Set is concerned, you can fulfill all your wishes with this game. Since the pieces are all magnetic, you can use the set even on surfaces that are not even.

As you’re done with playing the game, you can fold the board in half and this makes it easy to carry along. Folding can reduce the size of the board and hence it can easily fit into your travel bag without requiring a separate space for accommodating it.

Pros:

An ideal game for improving your critical thinking abilities.
The board is made of beautiful wood.
Since it can be folded in half, the board can fit easily into your bag.
The pieces get stuck to the board magnetically and hence you can play on uneven surfaces.
Has two extra queens if you lose the others.

Cons:

These pieces are handmade, there are definitely a few imperfections and flaws in the appearance of the pieces.

SONDERGUT ROLL-UP SUEDE BACKGAMMON GAME

This Roll-up Suede Backgammon game is one of the best board games that we have ever come across. This game is composed of soft and delicate suede that you wish you could use in the form of a pillow.

Thanks to the roll-up design of the game that it is ideal for placing inside your travel bag. Although you won’t squeeze it within the central pocket, it will certainly fit into a loop or a strap on the side.

As it weighs less than even a pound, you don’t have to worry about carrying it. The pieces along with the dices fit inside the zip pocket that is built on the other side. This keeps everything in place.

Pros:

Designed in a durable way so that it can last for a long time even under tough travel conditions.
Pleasant to touch.
Comes in a nice mocha color.
You can keep the pieces together with the zip pocket on the side.
Extremely lightweight and hence portable.

Cons:

Few say that the pieces are extremely small to handle.

CONNECT 4 GRAB AND GO GAME

Thanks to its simple design and style, Connect 4 is a nice choice if you’re looking for a game that you can play with young kids while on the go.

When you have really energetic children who keep disturbing you, this is one of the best games to keep them under control. Once you start playing this game with children, you can totally keep them engaged.

This board game has been redesigned in such a manner that it can be folded. This makes it super-easy for you to fit the game into your travel back without any hassle.

Pros:

One of the best options when you are traveling with kids or you’re traveling to a relative’s place with kids.
Can be set up quickly.
Too lightweight and hence portable.
Designed to be folded for easy storage.

Cons:

The gameplay is extremely simplistic for adults. This game is somewhat similar to Tic Tac Toe.

Things to consider while choosing a board game for backpacking

While choosing a perfect board game for your next tour, what are the few things that you have to check? Keep reading.

Is it portable enough?

During backpacking, it goes without mentioning that the storage space has to be taken care of. You will certainly have minimum space for storing luxuries like board games. Hence, make sure that the game that you choose isn’t heavy and huge. You have to plan your space economically.

Is the board game durable?

As long as your belongings are concerned, traveling is hard. During travel, they get jostled and bump into each other. This is why you shouldn’t carry a fragile board game while backpacking.

If you do, it will, in all cases, break. Try checking the material of the board game that you choose. Cloth ones and foldable ones are better.

How many players are required?

If you’re interacting with a small group of travelers on your trip, getting a board game that demands a large number of players will be a waste of time.

So, choose your board game only after you’re sure about the number of players that the game demands.

What is the duration of the game?

When you’re traveling, you won’t have too much time to sit and enjoy board games. Hence, it is better to choose games that get completed within 30-45 minutes. Then you’ll be left with enough time to do other things.

Conclusion

So, now that you know the various board games that are ideal for your backpacking venture, try to choose from the list to make the most of them.

Best Board Games for Backpacking

Best Travel Board Games for Hiking, Camping & Travelling