8 great board games you can play anywhere

By James On Jun 25, 2023

Ah, the outdoors… Nothing beats a week’s camping, a trip to the beach or a walk in the woods to celebrate the beautiful summer weather. Birds chirping, running water, the sun warming your skin, it’s a great change from the muggy weekend spent gaming indoors.

But after a few hours of those breathtaking natural views, you’ll find yourself getting a little…bored. Wouldn’t it be great if you could bring more than just a deck of playing cards or a book for entertainment? You don’t have to daydream about your console or gaming table at home. We’ve put together a list of eight great board games that are compact, have fewer components to lose, and can be played just about anywhere.

From two-player strategy and family-friendly titles to parlor games that are great for large groups, find something new to play au naturel this summer.

Beehive bag

Image: Gen42 Games

Sometimes you only have one other person interested in playing a game on a day out. Challenge them to a match of Beehive bag! This tiler is a scaled-down version of the classic (Beehive) making it a great option for familiar yet easily portable play. Your goal is simple: completely surround your opponent’s queen piece. Games move fast, but don’t underestimate this tile-placement game – strategies and blocking tactics keep the gameplay fresh.

The 26 tiles are in a handy case so you lose them less quickly. Each piece you play also stays on the “board” until the end of the game, so there are no loose pieces to keep track of. Lay out the beach blanket, find a flat piece of wood or dust down a picnic table – you can play anywhere. This makes the game ideal for travelling, and we think the insect-themed tiles look best in the great outdoors. Take it out this summer for strategic play under the sun!

Dice of pirates

Can’t find a flat surface to roll on? To play Dice of pirates all you need is the “box” of the game.

It takes up the same space as a can of mints, so you can definitely take this refreshing luck-based game with you wherever you go. There’s a bag of tokens, a pirate ship, and seven dice – not much to keep track of, even on a summer vacation. Ready to play? Each die has six different symbols: the more matching faces you roll, the more tokens you earn. Roll the dice in the tin (or on any other surface) to collect matches, earn tokens and eventually take control of the ship.

The gameplay is fast-paced, allows up to six players, and is easy for kids and people who don’t often play board games to learn and enjoy. It’s definitely a great way to brighten up a long day at the beach or pass some time while traveling this summer.

Cube

Cube is an ultra-portable two-player game that is fast and strategic, requiring only 12 six-sided dice and a flat surface to play on. The first to assemble their dice to a value of more than six wins. Block your opponent to get a leg up, or put down a die to earn points.

Not only is the game quick to play and easy to learn, but you probably already have everything you need to play. Find the rules online and use your own dice (we recommend two different ones colored sets of six six-sided dice) for an easy last-minute addition to your summer travel bag. Take him on a hike for some trail fun that fits in your backpack and is easy to play, even on the ground… if you don’t mind dusting off your dice.

Cult following

To elect Cult following as your go-to party game for the summer. Each round, a few players mix clues from their hand into a ridiculous cult. The rest of the group then listen to their pitches and decide which cult to join. Whoever gets two followers the fastest wins the round. Creative storytelling keeps this game engaging for groups of up to eight players (and countless spectators).

The small box and limited cards make the game super portable and great for outdoor use. Discard used cards in the lid of the box so nothing gets lost when you play outside. To really get the vibe of a cult initiation, take it to the campsite and play a few rounds by the fire after dark.

Find it Macy’s or Amazon for $18.29

Similo

If cults aren’t your thing, Similo is a good choice. This card-based character gambler comes in numerous themes, from animals to mythological and historical figures. Grab your favorite pack and between two and eight players for this fun co-op subtraction game. Play cards as clues to help other players guess your secret character. If they rule it out, you lose, but if they guess right, everyone wins!

This game is also easy to teach kids, friends and relatives on the go. You can even grab two different packs and mix and match them to add an extra challenge. Since it’s just one pack of 12 cards, you can really play anywhere. Start distracting yourself at the beach, along the trail or at your campsite to keep summer boredom at bay.

Happy Salmon

When you’ve had plenty of time lounging in the sun, get up and move along Happy Salmon. There are no turns, players simply call out the action (like a high five or swap places) from their deck and find someone to match with. If you find a match, take the action and move to the next card in your deck. The first person to have zero cards left wins.

The game comes in a banana-sized fake fish, so it’s fun and easy to take to the beach or river (or wherever). In addition, it only contains cards, so there are no pieces to lose. Grab the family to get some energy out or a group of up to six friends to embrace some chaos. This game is fun for all ages and hilarious to play (or watch) in public.

Coin age

Don’t feel like taking a bag from the car to your favorite summer spot? You can still play Coin age. Start an epic duel of territory control on a single map using only change from your pocket. Drop coins to conquer fields and earn victory points. The player who finishes with the most points wins.

This is the best complex gameplay you could wish for for a single card board. It’s fast paced, a true microgame and packs a ton of strategy into every match. Print out the card before you leave the house and enjoy it on any flat surface. Take it to the beach, by the pool or even on the plane or car to your final destination. Lost a piece? It’s just a few cents and a single card you can replace.

Download the print and play instructions hereand make sure you have the coins to play with!

Fugitive

If you can’t get enough deductions, Fugitive is a must play. Take him camping, picnics or on beach trips for an epic two-player chase game that can be easily played on any flat surface. The fugitive leaves a trail of clue cards and tries to escape before the detective can sort it out and catch them. Whoever succeeds in his goal first, wins.

It’s fun, easy to learn, and a short time investment for a game on the go. This is another easy to learn game for older kids, family and friends. Plus, there are no loose pieces to lose in the sand or dirt. Give this pleasure Cluestyle game as a boredom buster while spending some time outdoors.