Playing Games on a Boat has its own challenges. A moving platform within a wet environment. Most boats also have a limited amount of storage space so the games that get chosen have to be good!
We have used lots of forums and our own experience to create a shortlist of Boat Games both ready to play and that you can buy:
- Onboard – General games that are suited to life onboard
- Motoring / Sailing – Games that still work when the boat is moving around
- At Anchor – Games that work when you can add swimming/water fun
Disclosure: Some of the links below are Affiliate Links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click thru and make a purchase.
OnBoard
Of course most games could be played on a big enough boat but these ones are favorites due to ease of packing/storage as well as the ability to play repeatedly without getting bored.
Paper / Pen Games:
(or invest in a Whiteboard)
Let’s start with the simple but addictive paper and pen games. They work brilliantly when mixed ages are playing. We have some basic ones that work for kids but also some more devious ones where developing a strategy will challenge the keenest adult (plus some tips on how you can win!)
Dots and Boxes

Players: Normally two but possibly more.
This game is more complex than it initially appears, and even on a 5×5 grid, there is plenty of opportunity for skillful play.
Triangles

Players: Normally two but possibly more.
A variation of the boxes game above but more suited to those that prefer a less formal structure! It is much harder to see all the potential consequences when you draw your lines.
Sprouts

Players: Normally two but possibly more.
This game is easy to understand and play but can be devilishly challenging if you are up to it.
Card Games:
The possible Card Games list is never-ending, given the variations that people play. These are some of our favorites to play with friends due to simple rules and fun gameplay, without anything needing to be taken too seriously!
Sh*thead

AKA: Bastard, Palace, Karma, China Hand and Ten-Two Slide
2 – 5 Players with 1 deck of cards or up to 5-9 players with two decks
There are many variations of this game so your friends may well already know how to play, just under a different name. The initial layout with three cards face down and three cards face up on top usually rings a bell for most people.
Cheat

3-6 players with one deck of cards, 6-10 with two decks of cards
The aim is to get rid of your cards by playing them to the discard pile, cheating if you have to! However, if you do get caught you have to pick up the pile!
Old Maid

3-6 players with one deck of cards
Old Maid is a well known favorite with children but also lots of fun for families playing together. The aim is to collect and discard pairs of cards BUT not to be left with the last card!
We also found these waterproof cards that will last, especially when swimming as a forfeit!
Games to Buy:
Disclosure: Some of the links below are Affiliate Links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click thru and make a purchase.
Beyond the well known and addictive games such as UNO (waterproof version!) or the fanatically popular Cards Against Humanity here are some other suggestions that are well regarded on the boating forums.
Spot It / Dobble (waterproof!)
(2-8 players / ages from 3 up)
This is a great game to play as a family because even kids have a fair chance of legitimately winning each time! Super simple to learn observational game that is fun for everyone.
(1-8 players / ages 7+)
Suggested as an alternative to scrabble, it’s even more fun and easier to play across different spelling levels- not to mention, much more compact and travel friendly! This game requires no writing utensils, paper, or board to play.
(4 to 10 players / ages 12+)
Select the card from your hand that you think is best described by a card played by the Judge.
Suitable for players with varied ability and nobody gets embarrassed because they can’t understand. The “judge” doesn’t know if you are being funny, don’t understand, or just don’t have any other card to play. You can’t go wrong with Apples to Apples!
AKA: Double 12.
These dominoes are the same size as regular dominoes but have numbers going up to 12. They are used to play this fun game, suitable for kids and adults (or can be used for regular dominoes).
I had never heard of this one but found it mentioned in so many different forums by long term boaters it had to be included.
AKA Catan
3 to 4 players, 60 minutes, ages over 10
Multi-award winning civilization building board game of harvesting and trading resources.
Another game that I hadn’t heard of but again it seems to have a cult following among those afloat!
3 – 8 players Aged 13+ (although many users have said 8+)
This is a really fun and simple game. Almost no setup time (a few seconds) and plays quickly (5 people may take 15 mins per game). It’s like a cross between poker (bluffing) and Yahtzee (dice rolls to get combinations of items).
NB: This dice game can require cards (included in the game)to be laid out. For games that ‘just’ use dice see below.
Whilst Motoring/Sailing
These games acknowledge the added difficulty of the boat moving around unpredictably, being windy and/or heeling over either whilst sailing or speeding to the next spot.
Speaking Games:
As it suggests these are games that use words instead of cards, boards, game pieces, or other paraphernalia.
There are a massive array of spoken word games like the old favorites such as I-Spy or 20 Questions or Who Am I. Here are some variations as well as others to try.
I’m Thinking Of…
A simplified version of 20 questions, and offers more objects than I Spy.
General Play
- Lead player “I am thinking of something ….,” they then name a feature or attribute of the object or thing. Eg “I am thinking of something that is made of metal.”
- The other players then make a guess or ask for another clue and we go back and forth between clues and guesses until they work out the correct answer.
Same Letter
Another well-known favorite it can test general knowledge or be made more specific when choosing your category. Each answer must begin with the final letter of the previous answer; no repetition allowed.
General Play
- A category is chosen; careful selection is what makes this game so variable. You could choose anything but they best categories need lots of possible answers (eg animals, countries, capitals etc).
- Player one states an answer eg France (for a category of countries)
- Player two then has to think of a country begining with the last letter of the previous player. e.g E – Ecuador
- The next player then does the same e.g R – Romania
- Play continues until a player cannot think of an answer.
The category selection and the sub-sections that are allowed can make this game even more interesting. e.g Category of Animals is Dogs an acceptable answer or only specific species of dog!
Variations
- Use famous names where the next player has to think of a name with the first name begins with the first letter of the second name eg John Wayne > Winona Ryder > Rachel Weiz
- Movie Game – Where you think of a movie, the next player has to think of an actor in that movie, the next player has to think of a different movie that actor has been in etc etc
Think Fast / Think Quick
This is all about thinking quickly and not getting tongue tied! Note: The fun and fast pace of this simple game can lead to people shouting out their answers!
- Lead Player says a Category of a physical thing e.g flowers
- The lead player immediately starts counting down from 10 to 0 as fast as possible
- The other player has to name an object in that category before Player 1 gets to zero.
If Player 2 cannot think of something before the time runs out, they lose, and it is again the first player’s turn to call out a category. However, if they beat the clock, it is their turn to call a category.
If the counting is too quick simply start at a higher number or get adults to count down in groups of two or three (21,18,15,12,9,6,3,0)
Common Quality
2 or small groups Aged 4+
This game has no real ‘winner’ but simply challenges the players recall and general knowledge.
General Play
- The first player starts by naming an object and a quality/characteristic about it. eg a furry teddy bear
- The next player must then name a different object say what the same quality/characteristic is, but also mention a new quality/characteristic that this new object has. eg a dog is furry and has four legs
- Play goes back and forth (or around, with multiple players).
Player 1: A furry teddy bear
Player 2: A dog is furry and has 4 legs
Player 1: A zebra has four legs and is black and white
Player 2: A penguin is black and white and can not fly…etc
Card Games (Again?):
Given we mentioned the waterproof cards above this Magnetic Board/Card set takes it to the next level and can be used even when its windy or the boat is not completely flat.
Note: Requires the supplied magnetic board to ‘hold’ the metal cards but in calm conditions, the cards can be used like any other deck. Alternatively, if you have a magnetic whiteboard then they can be used with that!
Dice Games:
The simplicity of dice games make them a firm favorite onboard boats and the easy stowage and waterproof nature make them ideally suited. These games can be easily played on a table or even just tray (even when moving!).
Mexico Dice
This is a great game if playing with family or friends as you can add the extra dimension of betting with real money or simply playing for fun.
2+ players (3 or more is best) Ages 5+
Requires: 2 Dice and a score sheet or tokens/ gambling chips.
General Play
The objective is to be the last player with any tokens/chips/lives. At the end of each round the losing player loses one life (if gambling then they put one chip into the center ‘winner pot’).
In order to win a round you need to have rolled the highest score from your two dice. Your score is the two-digit number represented by the face value of the dice, in which the larger number is the first digit. For example, a roll of a 2 and 3 would be a score of 32.
Doubles(1-1, 2-2, 3-3, etc.) score higher than any mixed roll. e.g a 1-1 scores higher than a 6-5.
A ‘Mexico’ is the highest score 2-1!
Mexico Dice Score: from Best Down | continued |
---|---|
BEST Roll : 2-1 | 6-1 |
6-6 | 5-4 |
5-5 | 5-3 |
4-4 | 5-2 |
3-3 | 5-1 |
2-2 | 4-3 |
1-1 | 4-2 |
6-5 | 4-1 |
6-4 | 3-2 |
6-3 | Worst Roll: 3-1 |
6-2 |
- Player 1 rolls the two dice. He can choose to accept his roll or he can roll again. A maximum of three rolls and you cannot choose your score from a previous roll. The score is noted.
NB: If player one chooses to roll more than once all subsequent players can only have a maximum number of rolls as player 1 e.g if player 1 doesn’t like his first roll but likes his second then all subsequent players can only have 2 rolls maximum in that round.
- Player 2 rolls the two dice. He can choose to accept his roll or he can roll again (Only if player 1 rolled again). The score is noted.
- When all players have a score noted, then the player with the lowest recorded score loses that round. That player then loses a ‘life’ or has to put a token/chip in the ‘winner’s pot’.
- The losing player starts the next round.
- Play continues until there is only one player left with any ‘lives’ or tokens/chips. They then claim the ‘Winner’s Pot’.
2+ players 15-20 minutes to play, ages 10 and up
Self contained (carry the dice in the cup provided) Zombie Apocalypse Theme game.
“This game is incredibly easy to learn (it took me 2 minutes) and it is easy to introduce it to others as well.”
“This game will push your luck as you roll to decide whether you take the points or lose them all. This game can also easily be adapted for fun as a drinking game with friends.”
3 – Many Players, ages 4 and up
“A very basic game which is all luck, no strategy, but a lot of fun. Especially if you want to entertain a large number of people! Any age can easily roll 3 die so anyone can play. The other benefit is that you are never ‘out’ of the game so everyone always stays involved and can win.”
At Anchor
We see this as an opportunity to add in water games that might involve swimming or playing in the water.
Games To Buy:
The first game/activity that can be enjoyed by all ages has to be a floating mat. Ideal if you are anchored too deep for standing up. It lets you cool down whilst also being the starting point for countless water fun games. Basic ‘who can stay on’ battles or including it in an obstacle course or relay race. Or for the more sedate, its a floating platform for setting up targets or lounging while others are playing.
Note: It may not be suitable when it gets a bit choppy or too windy
A classically popular floating version of CornHole.
The great thing about this version is that, among other things, it comes with brackets that can easily hook on to a boat rail.

Ideally suited to shallow anchorages but could also be used by those on a floating mat or when swimming.
If you are looking to burn off some energy (yours or someone else’s!) then sending these rockets flying and then swimming after them can make for some brilliant fun. Be warned they can go a long way!
Or if you are looking to go big with your onboard fun then how about these:
Loads of fun for having water battles with friends why not try the extreme Giant water balloon catapult / slingshot or something a little less extreme Slingshot for kids.
Have we missed one of your favorite boat games? Know of alternative ways to play these games? Leave us a message in the comments below.
Hi, this is a comment.
To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.