If you’re travelling with kids, or just trying to keep everyone engaged between activities, map-based games for travellers can completely change how you explore a destination.
They take the pressure off “we need to see everything” and replace it with something much more manageable: walk, explore, collect, repeat.
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For autistic children, sensory seekers, or anyone who struggles with long walks or unfamiliar places, these map game apps can turn movement into something purposeful and predictable.
Here’s how they work, and which map games are actually worth using when you travel.
Why Map-Based Games for Travellers Work so Well
Before we get into specific map game apps, it’s worth understanding why these are so useful:
- They give a reason to walk
- They break journeys into smaller, manageable chunks
- They create structure in unfamiliar environments
- They turn waiting, wandering, or “nothing to do” into something engaging
- They reduce resistance to walking long distances
You’re not just walking to a landmark – you’re walking to the next goal.
Pokémon GO
This is the map game that most people already know and honestly, it’s still one of the best.
Pokémon GO uses your real-world location to place Pokémon, PokéStops, and Gyms around you. That means landmarks, parks, statues, and public spaces become part of the game.
Why it works for travel:
- Landmarks = PokéStops, so sightseeing happens naturally
- You’re encouraged to walk without it feeling forced
- There’s a clear reward system (catching, collecting, levelling up)
- Routes feel structured instead of overwhelming
If your child struggles with “just walking around”, this can completely change the dynamic.
Pikmin Bloom
Instead of catching characters like in Pokémon GO, you grow Pikmin and plant flowers as you walk and move.
Why it’s brilliant for travel:
- It tracks your steps rather than requiring constant interaction
- It’s calmer and less competitive than Pokémon GO
- You leave a visible “trail” of where you’ve walked
- It encourages slow, steady exploration
This one is especially good for kids (or adults) who find fast-paced games overwhelming.
MapMyWalk
Not technically a game, but you can absolutely turn it into one.
MapMyWalk tracks your routes, distance, and time. When travelling, that becomes a way to “collect” walks in different destinations.
How to gamify it:
- Set mini challenges (walk 5km in a new city, explore 3 routes, etc.)
- Track “new places walked” as achievements
- Use it to visualise where you’ve explored
- Use previous walks tracked to create a new challenge – draw a new route, do the same route but in less time
For older kids or teens, this can feel more grown-up while still giving structure.
Google Maps Timeline
This isn’t a game… but it quietly becomes one.
Google Timeline tracks everywhere you go (if location history is on), and it even predicts how you travelled – walking, driving, public transport.
Why it’s useful when travelling:
- You can look back at your day like a map-based story
- Kids can see “where we’ve been” visually
- It helps you retrace routes if needed
- It creates a built-in travel diary without extra effort
It is a really fun way to track your travels without any manual input needed at the time.
Mystery Hike
Apps like Mystery Hike allow you to accumulate a % score of the world which represents how much you have explored. The map begins greyed out and when you explore a certain area it brightens up. It is a really fun way to encourage seeing new places.
Other Map Games Worth Trying
Here are a few more that work in a similar way:
Geocaching
A real-world treasure hunt using hidden containers. Great if your kids love “finding things”.
Zombies, Run!
A story-driven game where you move through a narrative while walking or running. Better for older kids or adults.
Jurassic World Alive
Very similar to Pokémon GO but with dinosaurs. It is often a big win with younger kids.
How to Actually Use These on a Trip (Without it Taking Over)
This is where most people get it wrong – they either ignore these map-based tools or let them dominate the entire trip.
The sweet spot is in the middle.
Use them:
- During long walks between attractions
- While waiting (airports, queues, transport)
- To motivate reluctant walkers
- To explore areas you wouldn’t normally stop in
Don’t use them:
- During key experiences you want full attention for
- As a replacement for everything else
- When it starts causing frustration instead of helping
You’re using the game to support the trip – not replace it.
The Bottom Line About Map-Based Games
Map-based games for travellers aren’t just a distraction – they’re a tool.
- They turn unfamiliar environments into something predictable
- They give purpose to movement
- They reduce overwhelm
- They make exploring feel achievable
- They create routine and familiarity in new places
For families – especially with autistic children or sensory needs – that shift can be the difference between a stressful day and a successful one.
If you try just one, start with Pikmin Bloom or Pokémon GO. They’re simple, effective, and built for exactly this kind of real-world exploration.
Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With Our Guides
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