Whether you’re traveling or just trying to save space, small games can come in handy. After all, it takes a lot of space to store big box board games.
I like One Deck Dungeon because it has all the elements of most board games while being compact enough to store and transport easily. Nevertheless, there are many factors that might influence your choice. I’ve broken down several games and highlighted their features, so you can learn about all the best small box board games.
Which small board game is the right game for you? Keep reading to learn more.
Contents
- 1 Small Box Games: At a Glance
- 2 Small Box Board Game Reviews
- 2.1 One Deck Dungeon: Best Overall
- 2.2 Sub Terra: Best Dungeon Crawler
- 2.3 World’s Smallest Monopoly: Best Novelty Game
- 2.4 Connect 4 Grab and Go: Best Mini Version
- 2.5 Battleship Grab and Go: Best Combat Game
- 2.6 Age of Civilization: Best Solo Variant
- 2.7 Travel Backgammon: Best Classic Game
- 2.8 Mancala: Best for Two Players
- 2.9 Quarto Mini: Best Strategic
- 2.10 Clue Grab and Go: Best Mystery Game
- 2.11 Boggle: Best Solo Word Game
- 2.12 Scrabble to Go: Best Tile Laying Game
- 2.13 Escape Room in a Box The Werewolf Experiment: Best Escape Game
- 2.14 Goat Lords: Best for Families
- 2.15 Trivial Pursuit Mini Packs: Best Trivia Game
- 2.16 Monopoly Deal: Best Card Game
- 2.17 Virus: Best Competitive Game
- 2.18 Exploding Kittens: Best for Teens
- 2.19 Taco vs. Burrito: Best for Kids
- 3 Small Box Games Buying Guide
- 4 Best Small Box Board Game: Final Verdict
Small Box Games: At a Glance
The best games appeal to use for a reason. If you’re looking for the best games, a small box isn’t the only criterion.
If you like dungeon crawlers, I’d recommend One Deck Dungeon or Sub Terra. If you prefer the classics, go with Clue Grab and Go, Connect 4 Grab and Go, World’s Smallest Monopoly, or Grab and Go Battleship.
Like word games? Try Scrabble to Go or Boggle. If you want abstract games, Age of Civilization, Travel Backgammon, Mancala, and Quarto Mini are great.
For card games? I’d recommend Goat Lords, Taco vs. Burrito, Exploding Kittens, or Monopoly Deal.
Small Box Board Game Reviews
One Deck Dungeon: Best Overall
Players: 1-2
Playing Time: 30-45 minutes
Age: 14+
One Deck Dungeon is a cooperative game for one to two players. It’s a dungeon crawler full of adventure but without a huge footprint and long gameplay.
Choose from one of five heroes as you embark on a quest to conquer one of five perilous dungeons. Use a combination of brute force, powerful magic, and swift dexterity to overcome obstacles and dangerous foes in your path.
With each encounter you survive, you gain loot that you can claim as experience, an item, or a skill. This “loot” will help you defeat the next foe! The deeper you dive into the dungeon, the stronger your opponents become. Once you reach the bottom, you’ll have to face the formidable boss!
One Deck Dungeon has great replay potential. Each game is unique. The ability to claim a defeated door as loot is a great level-up mechanism. There’s balance, too. You aren’t rewarded for fleeing from a challenge, but there’s plenty at stake when you tackle an opponent.
“Roguelite” is a great way to describe this fun game. If you need a compact dungeon crawler, I recommend One Deck Dungeon.
Pros
- Coop dungeon crawler
- High replay value
- Thematic role-playing
- Solo player option
Cons
- Heavy on dice rolling
- Learning curve
Sub Terra: Best Dungeon Crawler
Players: 1-6
Playing Time: 60 minutes
Age: 14+
Sub Terra is a cooperative survival horror board game that’s big on fun and small on space. Players act as amateur spelunkers attempting to escape an unexplored network of subterranean tunnels before the lights flicker out and the darkness catches up to them.
Each player has a role that gives them special abilities. Roles include the Engineer, the Scout, the Leader, the Climber, the Diver, the Bodyguard, the Medic, and the Geologist. Players spend each turn exploring and revealing the tunnel system around them, attempting to survive the various perils of the cave.
Sub Terra is a tile-building game, so the board builds as you play. That also means each game is different, so it has solid replay value. Players roll dice toward the end of the game, so there is an element of luck.
I like the highly thematic, intense gameplay. It doesn’t take as long as typical horror games, either. It also has high-quality artwork, although some of the tiles are too dark to discern.
I would be more likely to recommend Sub Terra, but it’s not always available. But if you can find it, this small box board game is super fun.
Pros
- Intense, exciting gameplay
- Each game is unique
- High-quality artwork
- Cooperative
Cons
- Not always available
- Tiles can be difficult to see
World’s Smallest Monopoly: Best Novelty Game
Players: 2-8
Playing Time: 30 minutes
Age: 8+
Monopoly has been around for 85 years and has sold millions of copies, so I probably don’t have to explain the premise. The World’s Smallest Monopoly puts the classic game in the palm of your hand… literally.
This version of Monopoly has a box size of just 3 x 1.75 inches (7.6 x 4.5 cm) but includes everything you need to play a multiplayer, competitive game. It comes with dice, miniature houses and hotels, cards, money, and game tokens.
How does it work? Everything is housed in the tiny box, which opens like a suitcase. The board unfolds and slides into grooves to provide you with a playing surface. The other pieces are stored in the box.
In my opinion, this game’s strength is its weakness. World’s Smallest Monopoly is such a great game because it includes the full game. You can actually put tiny hotels on your tiny properties and pay tiny money to land on other people’s properties.
Yet you can’t play this game on-the-go because there are so many tiny pieces that will go flying around with jerky movement or windy gusts. You really need a flat surface, like a table, that’s completely stationary.
Still, World’s Smallest Monopoly is a fantastic novelty item, and it’s a fun way to play Monopoly without taking up a lot of space. When it comes to small box board games, you can’t get much closer to the target than World’s Smallest Monopoly.
Pros
- Includes a complete game
- Small enough to hold in your hand
- Folds up to contain pieces
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Pieces are easy to knock over or lose
- Impractical to play on-the-go
Connect 4 Grab and Go: Best Mini Version
Players: 2
Playing Time: 5 minutes
Age: 6+
Connect 4 is a classic, simple game. It’s designed for two players, making it the perfect game for siblings or a pair of friends. This Grab and Go Connect 4 is a miniature version of the original.
Players take turns dropping in chips in an effort to make a line of four chips of the same color. Play with red or yellow chips, which are stored in the side dispensers. These dispensers keep the pieces from scattering or getting lost during play.
The base at the bottom collects the pieces after you finish the game and release the chips. The frame measures 1.89 x 6.26 x 9.25 inches (4.8 x 15.9 x 23 cm). Each chip is only half an inch in diameter, so the pieces are quite small.
The simple rules and fast-paced game play make Connect 4 ideal for younger players. The Grab and Go Connect 4 is inexpensive, but you get what you pay for. The pieces are flimsy plastic.
Even though this game stores easily, the pieces do tend to fall out of the dispensers in the box. There is no plastic piece or shield to keep them from falling out. So just be prepared you might have to regroup them each time.
Pros
- Has chip dispensers on the side
- Folds up when done
- Easy game, simple to learn
- Great for two players
Cons
- Flimsy
- Base snaps off easily, pieces spill in the box
Battleship Grab and Go: Best Combat Game
Players: 2
Playing Time: 15 minutes
Age: 7+
Battleship is the classic hidden information game of naval combat that will have you guessing where your opponent’s ships are. Battleship Grab and Go is a miniature version manufactured by Hasbro. It measures 1.89 x 6.26 x 9.25 inches (4.8 x 15.9 x 23 cm).
In a head-to-head battle, two players search for the enemy’s fleet of ships and destroy them one by one. Each fleet comes with a battleship, aircraft carrier, submarine, destroyer, and patrol boat. Players start by secretly placing their ships on the ocean grid.
Once players place their ships, one player begins by announcing the coordinates of a strike. If the coordinate corresponds with one of the ships, it’s a “hit.” Players track hits and misses with red and white pegs on the ocean grid. Once a ship’s coordinates are all hit, that ship sinks! Destroy the fleet of your opponent to win the game.
Battleship Grab and Go is a fast game that takes just a few minutes to play. It’s a great way to pass the time in the airport or in a car while traveling. The grid closes for easy storage, and the pegs are contained within a tray below the grid.
The rules are simple and easy to understand. This is a great option for younger players, but not for children that might be tempted to put the tiny pegs in their mouths. Those are most definitely a choking hazard.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Portable
- Guessing board game
- Simple rules
- Fast-paced
Cons
- Flimsy
- Tiny pegs are tough to grip
Age of Civilization: Best Solo Variant
Players: 1-4
Playing Time: 30 minutes
Age: 10+
Age of Civilization is a Euro civilization-building game designed for one to four players. In this pocket-sized card game version, players collect resources, research technologies, build wonders, and wage war in an effort to advance their kingdoms.
This is a worker placement game, so you’ll place workers on action cards to execute different actions. For instance, in round one, you can wonder, research, enslave, hunt, build, and fish. As you take actions, you shape your civilization. Winning requires strategic planning and skill.
When the era changes, a civilization may weaken. It might be time to reset the population and explore new lands. Players can play through 3 civilizations in one game, lasting around 30 minutes.
This game has a great single-player option. Many buyers enjoyed playing the game solo. In fact, some preferred playing single-player above the multi-player variant.
There is a learning curve, and some buyers found the rules too complicated. If you like something heavier, however, this game is just right. I like that this game is high on strategy without requiring two hours to play. I’m more likely to take it off the shelf for that reason.
Age of Civilization is a highly portable game, but you do need some space to play. It’s not ideal for the car, for instance. If you’d like something a little more complex with a solid one-player option, Age of Civilization is an excellent game for you.
Pros
- Good strategy
- Solid worker placement mechanic
- High replayability
- Solo-player variant
Cons
- Learning curve
Travel Backgammon: Best Classic Game
Players: 2
Playing Time: 15 minutes
Age: 5+
Backgammon dates back to 17th century England as a variant of the game Irish, but its popularity has endured. This dice game involves moving fifteen pieces (called men or checkers) around the board and bearing off (removing the pieces from the board). The first player to bear off wins the game.
This Travel Backgammon set is magnetic, so it’s perfect for uninterrupted gameplay while traveling. The stitch-bound leatherette board folds in half with all checkers and accessories inside for compact storage and carry. The zipper keeps the case closed and secure.
In some cases, the magnets could be stronger. The wider part of the pip has a weaker hold than the pointed end. It will hold enough for most situations, but I wouldn’t try turning it upside down.
Measuring just 9 x 7 x 2 inches (23.5 x 18 x 5 centimeters) when closed and 14 x 9 x 1 inches (35.5 x 23.5 x 2.5 centimeters) when open, this Travel Backgammon set is perfect for those who want to save space without sacrificing the fun. Choose between a yellow or green leatherette case.
The board includes black and orange leatherette pips and organizational sections for the checkers and accessories. The magnetic checkers allow you to play while on the go. The set also includes four dice, one doubling cube, and two leatherette dice cups.
This Travel Backgammon is well-made and has a quality feel to it. I like that this set includes dice cups. It’s a nice touch. You can expect to pay more for this game than others, but you get what you pay for, in this case. This won’t break or fall apart after a few games; it should last.
Pros
- Quick game play, easy to learn
- Magnetic travel pieces
- Foldable & portable
- High-quality leatherette case that zips closed
- Comes in two color choices
- Includes dice cups
Cons
- Pricey
- Magnets could be stronger
Mancala: Best for Two Players
Players: 2
Playing Time: 10-15 minutes
Age: 6+
Mancala has been around for several centuries. The name technically refers to a classification of games rather than a specific version. The most popular version in North America is Kalah, but most people just refer to it as Mancala.
This game has very simple rules. The board has six small pits, called houses, on each side. The two big pits on either side are called end zones or stores. The round pieces are called seeds or counters.
The object of the game is to capture more seeds in your store than your opponent. At the beginning of the game, four seeds are placed in each house. Each player controls the six houses on their side of the board. The player’s score is the number of seeds in the store to their right.
Players take turns sowing their seeds. The player removes all seeds from one of their six houses and, moving counter-clockwise, drops one seed in each consecutive house, including the player’s own store. Players never drop seeds in their opponent’s store.
If the last sown seed lands in an empty house owned by the player, the last seed and the opposite seeds are captured and placed in the store. If the last sown seed lands in the player’s store, the player gets an additional move.
Play continues until the one player no longer has any seeds in any of their houses. The other player moves any remaining seeds to their store. The player with the most seeds in their store wins the game. It is possible for the game to end in a draw.
This version includes a solid wooden board and 48 colorful glass gemstone seeds. It comes in a small box, but unlike other small box games, this one does not fold for easy storage. Additionally, the houses are a little small, so it’s tough to have more than five seeds in each pit.
Pros
- Easy to learn
- Quick game play
- Quality pieces and components
- Includes extra glass pieces
Cons
- Pits are too shallow
- Not as portable
Quarto Mini: Best Strategic
Players: 2+
Playing Time: 15 minutes
Age: 8+
Quarto Mini is a fun game that’s great for kids, teens, and adults. This compact edition is 30% smaller for easy storage and transport.
It’s easy to learn how to play Quarto Mini. The goal is simple: be the first to get four-in-a-row with a single shared characteristic (height, color, shape, or solidness). The challenge is that your opponent gets to choose which piece you play next!
Players can place one piece on the board at a time. The game ends when one player is able to make a line of four pieces in a row with a shared characteristic. This game reminds me of an enhanced version of tic-tac-toe.
Quarto Mini is easy to learn and quick to play. Each game takes just a matter of minutes, so it’s great for on-the-go fun. Don’t be fooled, though; it requires strategy to win.
The wooden pieces are high quality and will hold up well with repeated play. It’s small and lightweight, but the pieces are not magnetic. I would have liked to see magnetic pieces for travel games, but this one is still space-efficient.
Pros
- Simple to learn
- Quality wooden pieces
- Fast gameplay
- Requires strategy
Cons
- Not magnetic
Clue Grab and Go: Best Mystery Game
Players: 3-6
Playing Time: 30 minutes
Age: 8+
If you enjoy the classic detective game of Clue, you might like the Clue Grab and Go version made by Hasbro. In this compact edition, players act as detectives trying to solve the mystery of who killed the host.
There are rooms to explore on the tiny game board, complete with all the pieces of the original version. Weapons cards, room cards, guest cards, weapon tokens, game pieces, and dice. There’s even a tiny detective notepad for keeping track of clues.
Clue Grab and Go is definitely travel size. The box measures just 1.89 x 6.26 x 9.25 inches (4.8 x 15.9 x 23 cm).
I find this game’s strength to be its weakness. This version is compact, too much so. It’s difficult to see the pieces (or at least without reading glasses, in my case). All the cards are too small to manage and organize easily, and it’s tough to keep up with all the miniature pieces.
If you have tiny hands and great eyesight, you might enjoy playing this Grab and Go Clue. But definitely keep it out of reach of small children. Those tiny murder weapons are a choking hazard.
Ultimately, you’re getting what you might expect. This is cute and inexpensive, but it feels cheaply made and impractical.
Pros
- Includes complete game
- Compact, portable
- Quick games
- Easy to learn
Cons
- Pieces are flimsy
- Difficult to organize & handle
Boggle: Best Solo Word Game
Players: 1+
Playing Time: 15 minutes
Age: 8+
Boggle is a great word game that’s fun for all ages. This game packs loads of fun in a small box that can be held in the palm of your hand.
You’re probably familiar with the rules of Boggle, but the premise is simple. Earn points by finding words your friends don’t before the time runs out.
Players start by shaking the grid to mix up the letter cubes. Then they lift the lid and flip the timer. Players have 90 seconds to write down as many words as they can find on the grid before time is up.
At the end of the round, score the word points. If two or more players find the same word, that word doesn’t count. The player with the most points wins.
This game comes in an easy to store travel case for both the timer and letter dice. The plastic cover can be a bear to remove at times, but that’s really the only downside to this game. It’s great for older kids who can spell at least basic words. It’s also fun for teens and adults.
Boggle is one of the best small box board games that delivers in size and fun.
Pros
- Can be played solo
- Fast game
- High replay value
- Portable, travel size
- Easy to learn, play
Cons
- Plastic lid can be tough to remove
Scrabble to Go: Best Tile Laying Game
Players: 2-4
Playing Time: 30-60 minutes
Age: 8+
Let’s get spelling! Scrabble is one of the most popular word games in the world. Score points by building words. This Scrabble to Go takes the fun of the original game and puts it in a compact, easy-to-store size.
This version of Scrabble has tiles that fit tightly into the gridded spaces on a foldable Scrabble board. The game board has storage areas to house the tile racks. The tile racks include privacy shields that click down to hold your tiles in place during gameplay.
One of my favorite features? Scrabble to Go allows you to pack up in the middle of the game without disturbing the words you’ve already placed on the board.
All the game components are stored in the soft-sided zipper case. Store the letter tiles in the cloth bag. There’s even a score pad with a holder for a pencil for the ultimate convenience.
The game board doesn’t always lay flat, but the tiles don’t slide around because they snap into place. The only issue is with the letter tile holders. They cut off parts of the letter, so it’s difficult to distinguish between certain letters. It would be better if the letters were printed higher or if the tile holder were designed differently.
Pros
- Letter tiles snap into place
- Includes zipper storage case
- Board is sewn into the case
- Includes complete Scrabble game
Cons
- Poorly designed tile holders
Escape Room in a Box The Werewolf Experiment: Best Escape Game
Players: 2-8
Playing Time: 60 minutes
Age: 13+
Escape Room in a Box: The Werewolf Experiment is an exciting cooperative escape room game that can be played from the comfort of your own home. The objective is clear: solve the puzzles and escape before a mad scientist turns you and your friends into werewolves!
Players solve puzzles and find hidden clues in a race against the clock. This game comes with 19 puzzles, 2 locked boxes, 1 locked jar, a hints book, an answer book, and more.
You can connect to Amazon Alexa to enhance the gameplay. Let Alexa track time, provide hints, and play a spooky soundtrack for you.
The Werewolf Experiment can accommodate anywhere from 2-8 players, so your game group can be flexible. However, it can only be played once. Even though you don’t destroy any pieces, it’s just not as fun when you know the answers to the puzzles.
Still, if you want a collaborative escape experience without a huge box, this game is a lot of fun.
Pros
- Collaborative game
- Intense, race against the clock
- Good quality components
- Connects to Amazon Alexa
Cons
- Can only be played once
Goat Lords: Best for Families
Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 30 minutes
Age: 7+
Goat Lords is an addictive card game that’s as simple as it is zany. In Goat Lords, building the largest herd is the name of the game. Do this by birthing goats, stealing herds, and protecting yours!
This game is super fun to play and super easy to learn. It’s fast-paced, so you don’t have a lot of downtime. It’s suitable for two to six players, so it’s great for families and groups of friends.
To birth a goat, play two cards that match. You can use wild cards, known as action cards, to give you a boost. If your card matches the top herd of an opponent, you can duel to attack their herd.
Some of the action cards lack clarity. For instance, does an “Escape Goat”stop another action, or does it just apply to the current player’s turn? There isn’t anything that a set of house rules can’t solve, though.
If you want to keep everyone laughing, Goat Lords is the card game to do it.
Pros
- Fast gameplay
- Easy to learn
- Fun artwork
- Portable
- Good for families
Cons
- Some cards lack clarity
Trivial Pursuit Mini Packs: Best Trivia Game
Players: 2+
Age: 16+
If you enjoy trivia, there’s no better way to pass the time than with the Trivial Pursuit Mini Packs. Each pack includes cards of trivia questions from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s.
You don’t need a lot of table space to play. Here’s how it works: If a player answers the question on the card correctly, they get to keep the card. To win, you must be the first player to get five cards.
I like that this set includes questions from multiple decades. If your group is mixed in age, you can pull from different decks to make it an even playing field. Or, if your group is of similar age, you can stick to your preferred decade. (I won’t bother telling you which one is my era.)
If you like competitive games with a lot of strategy, this probably isn’t for you. If you need something laid back that can kill time, this is great. I once played this card game with friends during a long wait at a restaurant. It was great fun, and the 45 minute wait went by in a snap.
Pros
- Includes multiple decades
- Fun trivia game
- Portable, lightweight
- Simple to play
Cons
- Not compatible with original game
Monopoly Deal: Best Card Game
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 10-45 minutes
Age: 8+
Monopoly Deal is so much fun that people who don’t have the patience for Monopoly still enjoy this card game. It’s portable and can be played in just 15 minutes, so it’s suited for travel.
To win, you must collect three property sets, but beware of the debt collectors, forced deals, and deal breakers. The game moves quickly, so you won’t be sitting around waiting for your turn.
The total time it takes to play depends on the player count, but it accommodates anywhere from two to five players. Monopoly Deal is a fantastic family game that doesn’t require much table space.
The cards are a little flimsy, but the artwork is solid. If you want an entertaining, inexpensive card game, I highly recommend Monopoly Deal.
Pros
- Portable, great for travel
- Ideal for families
- Short game times
- Easy to learn
Cons
- Quality of cards could be better
Virus: Best Competitive Game
Players: 2-6
Playing Time: 15-20 minutes
Age: 8+
Virus is a small card game that brings loads of competitive fun. Your goal is to protect your organs while attacking your opponents.
On your turn, choose between playing a card or discarding. Then draw as many cards as you need to complete your hand (3 cards), and your turn is over. There are several types of illustrated cards: organs, medicines, viruses, treatments and multicolored cards.
Be the first player to complete your body with 4 different healthy organs to win. It’s fast-paced and easy to learn, making it great for a wide range of ages and experience levels.
It does reward backstabbing, so if your group can’t handle that type of competitive game, I would pass. If you like that element, however, this might just become your favorite game.
Pros
- Fast-paced
- Easy to learn
- Colorful cards
- Unique theme
Cons
- Can be cutthroat
Exploding Kittens: Best for Teens
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 15 minutes
Age: 7+
Exploding Kittens is quirky, competitive, and hilarious. It has won multiple awards, and it’s one of the best games for a laid back game night. The game is also highly portable and easy to store, making it perfect for traveling.
The cards feature pun-filled terms and zany artwork for a fun experience. If you draw an Exploding Kitten, you lose. All the cards in the deck help you avoid or mitigate your risk of drawing an Exploding Kitten. Play continues until there is just one player left standing.
This game can be played in 15 minutes, so it moves quickly. It doesn’t require a lot of table space, either. Just deal the cards and let the explosions begin!
This game is a little pricey, considering it’s a card game. Still, the play is so fun, you might not even notice. There are also several expansion games that can be played stand-alone or combined with this original version for an epic exploding battle!
Pros
- Simple to understand
- Moves quickly
- Several expansions available
- Quirky fun
Cons
- A bit pricey
Taco vs. Burrito: Best for Kids
Players: 2-5
Playing Time: 15 minutes
Age: 7+
Taco vs. Burrito is wildly popular and for good reason. It’s so simple to learn, fun to play, and great for all ages.
Your objective is to build the most valuable meal to win. Each player gets five cards and chooses whether to be a taco or a burrito. The youngest player goes first.
On your turn, you can add any ingredient to a taco or burrito. Play an action card, and then discard. The next player continues play. Each action card keeps things spicy by adding an element of chance to the mix.
There’s a No Bueno card to block any action of another player. The Crafty Crow card allows you to steal an ingredient from one other player. A Food Fight card for a head-to-head card drafting bout, an Order Envy card to switch meals with one of the other players, a Trash Panda card that lets you take one card from the trash pile, and a Health Inspector card to double the value of your meal.
Like Exploding Kittens, this game is a bit pricey for a card game. Even so, Taco vs. Burrito is one of those games that will have you coming back for seconds and thirds. It’s just plain fun.
Pros
- Colorful artwork
- Moves quickly
- Easy to learn
- Unique theme
- Lighthearted fun
Cons
- Pricey for a card game
Small Box Games Buying Guide
If you’re searching for a game that won’t take up much space, there are some things to consider. First, you’ll want a game that’s easy to organize. Tons of tiny pieces with no organization is a nightmare. Storage is essential.
Next, the game must be easy to see. A small deck of cards can be tough to read if it has a lot of print on it, so something that you can actually use is important.
Finally, the quality of the pieces is important. Small games don’t have the margin of error that other games do, so the pieces must be high quality to last.
Best Small Box Board Game: Final Verdict
For more experienced gamers looking to add a small game to their collection, I’d recommend One Deck Dungeon. It’s one of the best small box board games in terms of entertainment value and quality.