Games to play on a plane

These are the most fun games to play on a plane

Ahoy there!

Flying is fun, but let us be honest: waiting for your flight or spending a few hours in the air can feel like a long time. Luckily there are plenty of games that are small in size but big on fun. In this blog I share the most fun games that work well on a plane: easy to take with you, quick to explain and guaranteed to be a welcome distraction at 10,000 metres.

Ready for take-off?

Sky Team (duh)

Sky Team is an intense cooperative game for exactly two players, in which you have to land a plane together without saying a word. One of you is the pilot, the other the co-pilot. By placing dice, you control altitude, speed, direction and even the coffee button together – well, almost. Everything revolves around perfect timing, trust and correctly reading each other's choices.

What makes Sky Team so gripping is that every scenario feels like a real emergency landing. Sometimes you touch down smoothly at a regional airport, other times you have to weave your way between other planes or refuel in mid-air. You only communicate through your moves, which keeps the tension high until the very last moment. This is not a simple little dice game, but an experience you share. For duos who love a challenge in which silence sometimes says more than a thousand words.

Bonus points if you actually play this game on a plane!

Qwixx

Qwixx is one of those games you play once and immediately want to play again. It is fast, addictive and surprisingly clever for such a small box. Whether there are two of you at the table or the whole family, everyone joins in every turn, even when it is not their turn. That keeps the game quick and exciting.


The idea is simple: you try to cross off as many numbers as possible in four rows of different colours. You do that with dice, but also with a bit of nerve and timing. The further you get in a row, the more points you score, but watch out: you can never go back. So do you dare to jump ahead to the right, or do you wait a little longer? Those choices make Qwixx different every time. The game is explained in a minute and played in a quarter of an hour, but be warned: before you know it, an hour has gone by. A lovely dice game for any time of day.

Regenwormen (published in English as Pickomino)

Regenwormen is one of those games that always works on the table. It is light-hearted, cheerful and packed with little moments of luck, or nasty twists. You roll dice, collect worms and try to grab the tastiest tiles. But watch out: you are never completely safe. Because what you have only just managed to bring in can easily be snatched away by an opponent.

The great thing about Regenwormen is that it is exciting and relaxing at the same time. You do not have to be a strategy expert, but playing tactically pays off. Do you take a risk for a higher tile, or do you play it safe? The game is explained in no time and suits young and old alike. Whether you play a quick game after dinner or three rounds in a row, Regenwormen always brings fun to the table. A true classic for anyone who loves laughing, rolling dice and a little bluffing.

Hive

Hive is a tactical two-player game with no board, dice or cards. You play with chunky hexagonal tiles showing different insects. Each creature moves in its own unique way, just like chess pieces, and your job is to completely surround your opponent's queen bee. At the same time, of course, you have to keep your own queen from falling into an ambush.


The tiles feel pleasantly heavy and are easy to lay down anywhere, whether you are sitting at the kitchen table or high up in the clouds. Hive plays quickly, but keeps challenging you to think beyond your last move. Because the playing area grows differently every game, it keeps surprising you. Whether you love abstract strategy games or just want a quick duel without any fuss: Hive gives you a new challenge every time, in a handy format.

Gloomhaven Buttons & Bugs

Gloomhaven Buttons & Bugs shrinks the gigantic Gloomhaven universe down to a surprisingly small and accessible adventure for one player. You play a hero who, after a magical accident, has been shrunk to the size of a button. You end up in a house where everyday insects have suddenly become deadly enemies. Every scenario is a compact puzzle in which you have to rack your brains and use your cards sharply to survive.

The charm of this game lies in how cleverly it captures the core of Gloomhaven in a short, solo format. You do not need to set aside hours or spread a table full of components: with a handful of cards and clear rules, you dive straight into a fight. Buttons & Bugs is made for players who love tactics, adventure and a good story, but in a version you can also play in between other things. It is small, fast and surprisingly deep.

De Crew

De Crew (published in English as The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine) is no ordinary card game, but a cooperative space mission in which teamwork and unspoken understanding take centre stage. In this trick-taking game you are a crew who must complete missions without talking to each other. Every mission poses a new challenge: certain cards have to be won in a specific order, or avoided altogether, and all of it without consulting each other.

Instead of competition, everything revolves around sensing what your fellow players need. With just a few signals, you try to guide each other through complex situations. As you progress, the missions get tougher, but also all the more satisfying when you pull them off. De Crew is ideal for players who love working together, enjoy puzzling with cards and want to win together, or fail together and immediately play another game.

Halli Galli

Halli Galli is a lightning-fast reaction game that always livens things up. With colourful fruit cards and a bell in the middle, everything revolves around one simple rule: as soon as there are exactly five of the same fruit on the table, you slap the bell. Whoever reacts fastest wins the cards. Whoever slaps too soon pays the price. It is laughing, shrieking and staying sharp all at once, ideal for children but certainly also for adults who enjoy a bit of healthy chaos.


The game is explained in a minute and played within ten minutes, but before you know it you are three rounds further. Every card that is turned over builds the tension. You not only have to be fast but also look carefully, because one mistake and you fall behind. Halli Galli is the kind of game you keep reaching for again and again. Made for school, a party or a long flight, as long as you can react quickly and can take a knock.

Only, how do you get that bell onto the plane…?

Qwirkle Reiseditie (published in English as Qwirkle Travel)

Qwirkle Reiseditie is the compact version of the well-known tile-laying game full of colours and shapes, only small enough to slip into your bag. Ideal for on the go, on holiday or during a picnic in the park. You lay tiles in rows of matching colours or shapes and score points by making well-thought-out combinations. The rules are simple, but the game offers plenty of room for strategy and sharp moves.


Despite the smaller size, this is still the full Qwirkle experience. The sturdy travel edition comes in a handy pouch and the pieces are slightly smaller, but just as pleasant to use. Because the game keeps creating new opportunities and blockades, it stays challenging for experienced players too. Qwirkle Reiseditie is made for families who like to play something portable and tactical. An ideal game for any moment when you have time for a well-considered move.

Grove

Grove is a lovely puzzle game for one player in which you grow citrus trees by cleverly sliding cards over each other. Each card shows trees with oranges, lemons and limes, and it is up to you to make the most fruitful combinations. The more fruit you manage to harvest, the higher your score, but only if you plan carefully and are not too greedy.


The charm of Grove lies in the calm and the brainwork. There is no rush, no opponent, just you, your orchard and a series of challenging choices. Thanks to different objectives and a handy score pad, you can keep striving for a better harvest. Grove is compact, quick to play and surprisingly addictive. Made for anyone who wants a moment to themselves but still fancies a tactical challenge. A small game with a fresh aftertaste.

With these games you are guaranteed: a fun evening, a game you will want to play more than once, and more than enough room left in your suitcase for the rest of your holiday things. Need more inspiration? Then check out our blog the 10 most fun holiday games.

You are welcome!