We love playing all types of board games, card games and tabletop games but when going away from home most of the them come in big bulky boxes so we can’t really take any with us. That’s why travel games have a special charm – they’re light, quick and perfect for turning spare moments into bursts of fun. Whether you’re on a long car journey, waiting for a meal on holiday, relaxing in a hotel room or even caravanning or camping, having a compact game on hand makes it effortless to keep everyone entertained. That’s exactly why travel‑friendly titles remain so popular with families and friends: they’re easy to learn, easy to carry and easy to enjoy. For readers of What’s Good to Play, travel games are a reminder that great gameplay doesn’t need a big box or a table full of components. Sometimes all you need is a clever idea in a small package and Tapple Travel from Ideal / John Adams is a perfect example.
Tapple Travel takes the fast‑paced, shout‑it‑out energy of the original word game / naming game Tapple and shrinks it into a compact, portable version designed for on‑the‑go play. The core idea is simple but brilliant: players take turns naming things that fit a category, but each answer must start with a different letter. Once a letter is used, it’s gone and the pressure ramps up quickly as the options narrow. The travel edition keeps this addictive formula intact while making it even more convenient to bring along on holidays, day trips or family outings. It’s a game that is suitable for 2-8 players, age 8+.
In the box:
- Tapple Travel Wheel
- Removable Card Holder
- 30 Category Cards
- Instruction / Rules Manual
If you have ever played the original Tapple word game / naming game, the travel version is a compact version and gone is the electronic timer with its tick-tock noise, the hard plastic buttons have been replaced and there is no need for batteries. But it is still the same great game. The electronic timer and noise has been replaced with a pop-up button (timer) and the letter buttons have been replaced with rubber pads.
So what is Tapple Travel. Tapple is a naming game where you take a category card, press the timer and have 10 seconds to name and press the letter on the device that it starts with. It’s a fast-paced, race against time, tension-packed game for on your travels and lots of fun.
There is no real setup to do before you start playing – just remove the card holder with cards from the base of the Tapple device and make sure that all the letter buttons are in the popped up position. The standard game is played over rounds and generally the first to win 3 cards is the winner (you can play with more winning more cards if you wish).
To play, the youngest player begins by taking card from the card holder, choses a category from either side of the card (there are 2 categories on each side of the card – one on blue and one on black: for example 4-letter words or animals with tails). They announce the category and place it face-up back in the card holder for all to see. They timer in the middle of the Tapple wheel is then pressed down and the player to their left has 10 seconds to name something from that category – if the category was 4-letter words they could say SHED. When they have said their word they press the letter on the wheel that is the first letter of their answer, in this case S and reset the timer by pressing it again for the next player. The next player then comes up with their own word but it must start with an available letter on the wheel (in the popped-up position). If a player cannot answer and the timer pops, that player is eliminated. Play continues until only one player remains and they win that category card. A new round begins and the first to win 3 cards is declared the winner and there can only be one winner – no draws.
Overall, Tapple Travel is an excellent fast-paced naming card and its works well in its compact form. There’s almost no setup, the rules take seconds to explain and the gameplay is fast enough that even a short wait becomes an opportunity for a round. Categories are varied and family‑friendly, ranging from food and animals to places and everyday objects, so players of all ages can join in without feeling overwhelmed. Younger players love the excitement of racing to think of an answer before the letters run out, while adults enjoy the quick thinking and surprising challenge that emerges as the game progresses. And it is very surprising how quickly you can’t remember simple words when under a time pressure, especially when the letter availability starts to reduce.
The compact size is well designed and perfect for taking on your travels. It fits easily into a backpack, glove compartment or suitcase and the components are sturdy enough to withstand being tossed around during trips. The letter cards and category prompts are clear and durable, and the game doesn’t require a table — you can play it on a train seat, a picnic blanket or even sitting on a plane. That flexibility gives it fantastic appeal, especially for families looking for something engaging that doesn’t rely on screens.
With its quick rounds, it’s entertaining, gets your thinking and generates lots of laughter, with just enough competitive tension to keep everyone engaged. The shrinking pool of available letters creates natural tension, it’s amusing to see which players freeze under pressure and which ones suddenly come up with the most unexpected answers. Because rounds are so short, it’s easy to play multiple games in a row.
With 30 category cards and 2 categories per side, it gives 120 categories and endless possible answers, so no two games will ever feel the same. It’s the kind of game that encourages creativity, sparks conversation and often leads to funny debates about whether someone’s answer really counts.
Tapple Travel is a fantastic addition to any travel bag or even for keeping in the glove compartment. It’s compact, clever and consistently entertaining, offering a perfect blend of simplicity and challenge. For families, couples or groups of friends looking for a game that works anywhere and keeps everyone engaged, this travel edition is absolutely worth packing. It keeps the spirit of the original Tapple while making it even more convenient for life on the move – although I do miss the electronic tick-tock timer that adds just a bit more tension.
Tapple Travel is an excellent game for where space is limited or when going on your holidays, it is a perfect game for travelling – it has no batteries, no screen but lots of laughter.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £12.99
For more information, visit www.johnadams.co.uk. Available to buy from Amazon here.