When the sun’s shining and the BBQ’s fired up, there’s nothing better than a game that gets everyone laughing, having fun, and maybe even being competitive.
Are you heading on a beach trip, weekend camping, or just enjoying a lazy afternoon in the garden? Summer is the perfect time for a great board game to unite people.
We’ve rounded up the best summer board games for kids and adults. These games are quick to learn, fun to play, and easy to pack (some are even waterproof!). They are perfect for family holidays and road trips. So grab your sunscreen and game bag; these are the must-have titles for summer fun.
Bananagrams
A fast-paced word game in a portable pouch.
Bananagrams rules
If you like fast-paced word games, Bananagrams is your new best friend. This rapid-fire game is about building your crossword-style grid faster than everyone else, using letter tiles you grab from a central pile.
There's no board, scoring, pens, or paper - just a lot of wordplay chaos that fits neatly in a banana-shaped pouch. It’s easy to learn, endlessly replayable, and the perfect travel companion. It's great for beach days, campsites, and holiday cottages.
Who is Bananagrams suitable for?
1–8 players, ages 7+
Why Bananagrams is great for summer
This game is lightweight and portable, and no table is required.
Dobble Classic & Dobble Waterproof
Fast reactions, big laughs, and now… splash-proof!
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How to play Dobble
Dobble is a summer staple for a reason. This high-speed observation game is all about spotting the one matching image between two cards and shouting it out before anyone else.
The waterproof version has all the fun of the classic and is perfect for the pool, the beach, or those inevitable drink spills. The cards are durable, splash-friendly material and come in a portable plastic case, making them easy to chuck in your bag.
Who is Dobble suitable for?
2–8 players, ages 6+
Why Dobble is an excellent game for the summer
Compact, quick to play, and now even water-resistant. A must-have for pool parties and seaside adventures.
Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza (Classic & Waterproof)
Ridiculous, addictive, and full of chaos.
How to play Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza
With a name like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, you know you're in for something silly. This card game is lightning-fast and laugh-out-loud funny. Players take turns flipping cards and saying the words “Taco,” “Cat,” “Goat,” “Cheese,” “Pizza” in a loop. When the card matches the word, everyone slaps the pile. Last to slap picks up the cards.
The waterproof version, with plastic cards and a resealable pouch, is perfect for the beach or pool.
Who is Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza suitable for?
3–8 players, ages 8+
Why it's suitable for summer game playing
It plays in 10 minutes, has no setup, and has waterproof chaos for all ages.
Piles! game
Speed meets memory in a pocket-sized party game.
What is Piles!?
Piles! is one of those games that surprises you with how addictive it is. You’ll take turns flipping cards into different piles, racing to be the first to shout out when certain conditions are met, like matching animals, numbers, or colours. It’s fast, frantic, and full of laughter.
It also comes in a tiny, travel-sized tin that makes it ideal for chucking in your bag for a spontaneous game on the go.
Who Piles! Is suitable for
2–6 players, ages 8+
Why it's a summer essential
It is quick, exciting, and perfectly sized for travel and day trips.
Dobble Connect
Dobble goes to the next level with Dobble Connect.
What is Dobble Connect?
If you’ve played Dobble before, imagine it turned up to eleven. Dobble Connect is a team-based version where players race to line up matching symbols across a grid. It’s part pattern recognition, part tactical thinking, and all action.
Great for slightly older kids and teens (and of course adults), this one works brilliantly for garden game nights or post-BBQ tournaments.
Who is Dobble Connect suitable for?
2–8 players (best in teams), ages 8+
Why Dobble Connect should be on your summer gaming list
Dobble Connect is Super engaging, great for team play, and perfect for lively group settings.
Pass the Bomb game
The word game with a ticking twist.
How to play Pass the Bomb
Think fast or the bomb will go off! In Pass the Bomb, players have a few frantic seconds to develop a word that fits a given prompt before passing the bomb on. The tension builds with every second that passes, and when the bomb explodes (usually accompanied by screams and laughter), the round ends.
This one works brilliantly for older kids, teens, and adults, and it’s a fantastic option for evening game sessions outdoors or indoors.
Who is Pass the Bomb suitable for?
2–12 players, ages 8+
Why Pass the Bomb is summer approved
This game is high-energy, with lots of shouting, and no two games being the same.
Azul Mini
All the charm of the classic, made to travel.
What is the Azul Mini board game?
Azul is a modern classic, a beautifully designed game about crafting intricate tile patterns.
And now there’s Azul Mini, a compact version that’s perfect for travel. It keeps the same satisfying gameplay but shrinks everything, with clever tile trays and a foldable board that snaps into place.
It’s a bit more strategic than the fast-paced party games on this list, but that makes it an excellent option for chilled-out afternoons or quiet evenings with a view.
Who can play the Azul Mini game?
2–4 players, ages 8+
perfect for a summer evening
Gorgeous design, perfect size, and great for relaxing with a drink and a sunset.
Jungle Speed
A race of reflexes and reactions.
What is Jungle Speed?
This one’s a classic for a reason. In Jungle Speed, players flip cards until two people have matching shapes.
Then it’s a race to grab the totem in the middle of the table. Sounds easy? The shapes are similar but subtly different, and mistakes are hilariously common.
It’s fast and physical, perfect for energetic groups.
What players is Jungle Speed best for?
2–10 players, ages 7+
Summer approved fun
High-energy fun that works anywhere you’ve got a table or blanket.
Sushi Go
Draft the perfect meal in this fast and adorable card game.
What is Sushi Go?
Sushi Go is a crowd-pleaser: quick to teach, quick to play, and full of adorable art. Players take turns choosing sushi dishes from their hands to build the highest-scoring meal. It’s all about making wise choices, blocking opponents, and drafting just the right combination of sashimi, tempura, and pudding.
It comes in a sturdy tin, making it ideal for travel or holidays.
Who can play Sushi Go?
2–5 players, ages 8+
Easy-to-play Summer fun
Super cute, ultra replayable, and easy to pick up even for first-timers.
Qwirkle Travel
Big strategy, small package.
What is Qwirkle Travel?
Qwirkle is a tile-laying game that’s part Scrabble and part dominoes.
In the travel version, the pieces are smaller but just as satisfying, and it all fits neatly into a zip-up travel pouch.
Players match colours and shapes in rows to score points, with just enough strategy to keep adults hooked and simple enough rules for kids to join in.
Who is Qwirkle Travel suitable for?
2–4 players, ages 6+
Why it’s great for summer
It’s the perfect blend of casual, clever, and easy to pack for holidays or trips.
Where to find these summer board games
From slap-happy card games to strategic tile builders, there’s a summer board game for everyone at your local board game store. Whether you’re keeping the kids entertained, breaking the ice with new friends, or just looking for a good laugh in the sun, these games are the ultimate warm-weather companions.
Many of them are travel-sized, waterproof, or play-ready in seconds, because summer fun shouldn’t come with a rulebook the size of a novel.
