Play is often talked about as a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.
Fred Rogers
Are you looking for games that are easy to play with new friends at Docktails or during Sundowners?
Click the button to the right or scroll down to our “Easy to Learn” section!
Board Games
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Labyrinth
Your goal is to move through the labyrinth and collect the treasures you need before the other players. But watch out! The path is always changing!
We have an “ocean” version of this game that we keep on our boat (we dumped the box and just put the pieces in a plastic container), so see if your local game shop has that variation!
Players: 2 to 4
Time: 20-30 minutes
Age: 7+ years -
Portable Chess/Checkers
While traveling the Loop, I found a nice leather chessboard I bought for my son. Then, I searched on Amazon for a set of chess pieces, and now he takes his chess set everywhere. Pulling it out at a library or while waiting for food.
This board in the link isn’t leather, but it does roll up, making it very compact. Then, find your favorite chess or checkers pieces, and you’ve got an easy game on the go.
Players: 2
Time: 30+ minutes
Age: 6+ years -
Casting Shadows
We had picked this up when it was a Kickstarter project and received it right before we left on our Great Loop Adventure, so it came along.
When we pull it out, the four of us have a good time trying different strategies to gain more power and stop each other from leveling up.
The recommended age is 12 and up, but we started playing it with our kids when they were 8 and 10.
Players: 2 to 4
Time: 30-60 minutes
Age: 12+ years
Card & Dice Games
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Pass the Pigs
This “dice” game from the 1970s is very portable and a great way to work on some math skills! I keep it in my backpack and pull it out if we need to wait or have downtime.
Instead of dice, you roll pigs! Add up your points each round to be the first to reach 100. But be careful! You risk losing points each round if your pigs land a certain way.
Players: 2 or more
Time: 30 minutes
Age: 6+ years -
Unstable Unicorns
With a tagline like “BUILD A UNICORN ARMY. BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS. UNICORNS ARE YOUR FRIENDS NOW.” this game is a hoot for adults and kids.
Use strategy and betrayal to add enough unicorns to your stable to win, and play downgrades to the other players to prevent them from collecting enough unicorns first.
Players: 2 to 8
Time: 30-60 minutes
Age: 8+ years -
Sleeping Queens
This kid-invented card game is one of our favorites. It doesn’t take up much space, is easy to learn, and is suitable for younger kids!
Players: 2 to 5
Time: 15 minutes
Age: 6+ years
Sit-Down Activities
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Wikki Stix
This strange set of waxy strings is essential for traveling kids. Use it as a fidget toy, build a 3D creation, or lay it flat to create a picture. These are fun, creative toys for moments of downtime with no mess.
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Cross Stitch Kits
Cross-stitch can be a fun activity for all ages, and it doesn’t take much searching to find ready-made kits for all ages and interests.
Linked is one kid-friendly kit, but there are many more out there!
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Watercolor Paints
You can find watercolor paints in just about any store, and it’s a fun art activity to have handy on your boat.
One artist we met on our Loop suggested cutting watercolor paper into business card sizes. This way, your art is tiny and less intimidating to start on (though young kids don’t require much inspiration)!
Getting together with another boat for docktails (cocktails/mocktails while socializing with other boaters on the dock), sundowners (drinks while watching the sunset), or looking for a game to play with some boaters you just met?
These games below are easy to learn and explain, making them great for a bit of fun with new friends.
Easy To Learn
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One Night Ultimate Werewolf
This compact game is great for groups. It comes with a phone app that handles all of the narration throughout the game.
You will all be a different character and have to use social deductions to figure out who the werewolf is before time runs out.
We’ve had a lot of fun playing this with groups; everyone gets the hang of it after one round.
Players: 3 to 10
Time: 10 minutes
Age: 8+ years -
Unstable Unicorns
With a tagline like “BUILD A UNICORN ARMY. BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS. UNICORNS ARE YOUR FRIENDS NOW.” this card game is a hoot for adults and kids.
Use strategy and betrayal to add enough unicorns to your stable to win, and play downgrades to the other players to prevent them from collecting enough unicorns first.
Players: 2 to 8
Time: 30-60 minutes
Age: 8+ years -
Pass the Pigs
This “dice” game from the 1970s is very portable and a great way to work on some math skills! I keep it in my backpack and pull it out if we need to wait or have downtime.
Instead of dice, you roll pigs! Add up your points each round to be the first to reach 100. But be careful! You risk losing points each round if your pigs land a certain way.
Players: 2 or more
Time: 30 minutes
Age: 7+ years
More Game Ideas & Game Rules from our Blog
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Discovered at a maritime museum in St. Marys, Georgia, Going to Boston is a fast, sailor-approved dice game that’s easy to play on board. It builds math skills, keeps kids engaged, and connects your crew to cruising history—with just three dice and a bit of friendly competition.