Flip, Fling, and Fight: Your Summer Games to Pack & Play

By Emma Recher, June 24th 2025

Summer’s here, which means long days, lazy afternoons, and the perfect excuse to toss a game in your bag. Whether you’re beach-bound, heading to a backyard BBQ, or just hiding from the heat indoors, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite small-box titles. These beauties are easy to pack, quick to play, and bursting with personality. From sneaky noodles to contemplative street planning, there’s something for every kind of gamer under the sun.

Bananya: The Card Game

Cute as hell, just like the anime. In Bananya, you're racing to collect one of each of the ten quirky Bananyas. Pick a card, play a card, it’s that simple. Fast-paced, easy to learn, and sneakily cutthroat, it’s a chaotic mix of adorable cats and “oops, I stole your card” moments. Sweet? Absolutely. But not always nice.

Nya!

Ramen! Ramen!

Get ready to slurp! Ramen Ramen is a deliciously clever drafting game where 2 to 4 players compete to build the most tempting bowls of noodles. Choose ingredient cards carefully, each one adds flavor to a bowl, but you never know who’ll claim it. Tactics and timing are everything in this elegant, quick-to-learn game. Feeling hungry for a solo challenge? The included solo mode lets you test your noodle-building skills!

Bon Appetit!

Tree-Lined Avenue

Take a stroll through the park in this relaxing yet strategic tile-laying game. Players compete to build the most beautiful avenues by carefully placing cards in a shared 6x6 grid, collecting trees, animals, and facilities. Points are scored based on where your gardeners stand and how you complete your secret project goals. It’s serene, it’s smart, and it fits in your bag.

Start Planting!

Domina Anthology Vol. 1 & Vol. 2

Two pocket-sized collections, six gorgeously illustrated games. Each volume packs three wildly different experiences, from deduction and bluffing to area control and clever roleplay. Fast to set up, under 30 minutes to play, and dripping with elegant Japanese style, these anthologies prove small boxes can still carry big brain energy.
Curious which game fits your table? [Check out our blog post for a full breakdown of all six.]

Pick your Game!

🎲 Ready to play? 🎲

Whether you're slinging cards at a picnic table, drafting noodles at the airport, or puzzling over the perfect street at the pool, these compact games are made for maximum summer fun. Toss a few in your bag, grab a drink, and let the sunshine (and strategy) roll.

From chaotic cats to elegant bluffs and thoughtful tiles, small-box games have never packed so much personality. These little titles aren’t just travel-friendly, they’re table-ready, anytime, anywhere.