🏕️ Fun Board Games for Van Life: Our Favorite Games to Play with Kids on the Road

Van life with kids is full of magic, but let’s be honest, it also comes with moments of “I’m bored!” especially on rainy days, long drives, or quiet campground evenings.

After lots of trial and error, we’ve narrowed down a short list of FUN board games and card games that actually work in a camper van & the whole family can play. These are the games we bring again and again because they’re:

• Easy to pack
• Quick to learn
• Fun for kids and adults
• Perfect for small spaces

If you’re looking for games to play with kids, board game ideas, or even a cure for classic bored games moments, these are our tried-and-true favorites.

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🎒 What Makes a Board Game Van-Life Friendly?

Not every game belongs in a van. The ones that earn a permanent spot usually check a few boxes:

• Compact storage (no giant boxes or hundreds of pieces)
• Short play time (15–30 minutes is ideal)
• Simple rules kids can remember
• Durable cards or pieces
• Fun across ages

Every game below has survived campground tables, picnic blankets, and van dinettes, which says a lot.

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🎲 Our Favorite Van Life Board & Card Games

These are the games we reach for most often when we want quick, FUN board games that don’t feel like a chore to set up.

🃏 Exploding Kittens

A hilarious, fast-paced card game that kids absolutely love. It’s easy to learn, full of surprises, and short enough that everyone wants to play “just one more round.” It works well with 2 players to 6 players.

🏦 Monopoly Deal Card Game

We love classic Monopoly, but there are just too many pieces for van life. Monopoly Deal is the perfect alternative, all the strategy and competition, but in a fast-moving card game that actually works in a small space. Rounds are quick (usually 15 minutes or less), there’s no board to set up, and kids love the mix of strategy and surprise. It’s ideal for older kids and families who want a familiar game feel without the long time commitment, and there’s enough strategy involved that adults genuinely enjoy playing too.

🎯 Spot It!

A great option for younger kids or mixed ages. The visual matching keeps everyone engaged, and it works well even when attention spans are short. This is great because the kids can play it while we are driving or for a quick 5 minute game while we fill up for gas.

🔥 Would You Rather? Campfire Edition

A fun, low-pressure game that sparks laughter and great conversations around the campfire or inside the van. The questions are silly, creative, and family-friendly, making it easy for kids of different ages to jump in together. This is one of our favorite games to play with kids when we want something simple, screen-free, and perfect for winding down at the end of the day.

♠️ UNO

A classic for a reason. UNO is one of the easiest games to play with kids, works for multiple ages, and fits perfectly into van storage.

🎯 Guess In 10

A fast-paced trivia card game that gets everyone thinking without feeling like school. Players ask yes-or-no questions to guess the answer in just 10 tries, making it perfect for quick rounds at camp or on the road. It works great for mixed ages, packs flat, and keeps kids engaged without screens — one of our favorite games to play with kids in a van.

🎲 Yahtzee Travel Edition

All the fun of classic Yahtzee in a compact, van-friendly case. This travel edition keeps dice contained and games moving fast, making it ideal for campground tables or rainy afternoons inside the van. Easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and a go-to choice when you want a familiar board game idea that works in small spaces.

🧲 Magnetic Sorry & Guess Who

Two classic family games made travel-ready with magnetic pieces that actually stay put. These are lifesavers for van life — no lost pawns, no sliding boards, and easy setup anywhere. They’re perfect for quiet evenings or downtime between adventures and are great FUN board games when kids start saying they’re bored.

🌮 Taco vs Burrito

A silly, creative card game that kids instantly latch onto. Players build wild tacos and burritos using fun ingredient cards while trying to outscore each other — no reading-heavy rules or long setup required. It’s easy enough for younger kids, entertaining for adults, and one of those games that works especially well when you want laughs, quick rounds, and minimal brain power after a long adventure day.

❌⭕ Electronic Tic Tac Toe

A modern twist on a classic game that’s perfect for van life and road trips. This electronic Tic-Tac-Toe keeps kids entertained with lights and sounds, requires no loose pieces, and is easy to play anywhere, even in the car. It’s great for younger kids, quick rounds, and those moments when you need a simple game that still feels exciting.

🍽️ Conversation Starter Cards (Family Edition)

This isn’t a game in the traditional sense, but it’s one of our favorite ways to bring fun and connection into family dinner time, especially on the road. These conversation starter cards spark thoughtful, funny, and sometimes surprising discussions that get everyone talking, from kids to adults. They’re perfect for van life meals, campfire evenings, or anytime you want screen-free family connection without setting up a full board game.

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🌧️ Perfect for “I’m Bored” Moments in a Van

These games have saved us during:

• Rainy campground afternoons
• Rest days between adventures
• Early mornings or quiet evenings
• Long stretches without Wi-Fi

They’re also great camping games, road trip downtime activities, and easy entertainment when you want to limit screens.

If your kids complain about being bored, these bored games quickly turn into favorites they actually ask to play.

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🧺 How We Store Board Games in a Camper Van

We have a Winnebago Solis 59PX, and there’s a single drawer under the bed, just behind the bathroom that’s dedicated entirely to games. Every board game and card game we bring has to fit in that one drawer — no exceptions.

This simple rule has been a game-changer for us. If a game doesn’t fit, it doesn’t come along. Limiting ourselves this way keeps clutter down, makes cleanup fast, and ensures every game we carry actually gets played. When games are easy to grab and just as easy to put away, they naturally become part of our daily rhythm instead of feeling like “one more thing.”

It’s also helped us be more intentional about what we bring. We choose compact, versatile games that work for different moods, ages, and time limits — whether it’s a quick round before dinner or a longer game on a rainy campground afternoon.

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⭐ Our Top Tip for Parents New to Van Life

You don’t need a huge collection.
A small rotation of FUN board games you truly enjoy playing together goes a long way.

We’ve found that when games are easy to grab and quick to play, they actually get used — and that’s what matters most.

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🔗 Shop Our Favorite Van Life Games