Barbecubes

Barbecubes: The Ultimate Stack-and-Grill Travel Game from Alley Cat Games

When it comes to fast-paced, food-themed travel games, few titles bring as much fun, challenge, and laughter as Barbecubes by Alley Cat Games. Designed as a spiritual sequel to the hit game Tinderblox, Barbecubes offers players a compact yet thrilling tabletop experience where the only thing hotter than the grill is the competition. Whether you’re on flights, camping, or simply looking to beat boredom while waiting for your ticket to be called, Barbecubes is the perfect game to bring along for the ride.

In this board game adventure, players will stack, draw, and carefully balance ingredients as they race to build the perfect barbecue skewer—all without toppling the grill! With a clever blend of dexterity, strategy, and delicious food humor, Barbecubes makes for an unforgettable gaming experience packed into a box small enough to fit in your carry-on.

What Is Barbecubes?

At its core, Barbecubes is a quick, tactile travel game that combines balance-based challenges with flavorful aesthetics. Each player takes turns drawing ingredient cards and then attempting to stack the corresponding game pieces—meat, fish, veggies, and more—onto a small grill platform. Drop an ingredient or destabilize the stack, and your carefully curated kebab could go up in flames!

The game lasts around 15 minutes, making it ideal for a fast play session during a break or while waiting to board your next flight. It’s perfect for players of all ages, offering simple rules that are easy to learn but hard to master. While designed for travel, its addictive gameplay makes it just as great for family game nights or lighthearted competitions among friends.

From the Creators of Tinderblox

Fans of Alley Cat Games’ previous releases will instantly recognize the creative spirit and tactile challenge of Barbecubes. Developed as a follow-up to the wildly popular Tinderblox, Barbecubes retains the hand-steadying tension that made its predecessor a favorite among fans of dexterity board games.

However, Barbecubes introduces new thematic twists and even more gameplay variety. Whereas Tinderblox had players draw cards to add logs to a fire, this sequel takes that same energy and redirects it toward the satisfying sizzle of grilled ingredients. Now, instead of keeping the fire burning, you’re assembling flavorful skewers that look good enough to eat—if only they’d stay balanced!

Designed for Travel

Whether you're going on a journey by plane, train, or car, Barbecubes is tailor-made for the road. The small box is lightweight, sturdy, and contains everything you need to start stacking anywhere. The components—including the tiny grill, wooden game pieces, and the deck of illustrated ingredient cards—are compact enough to fit in a bag or backpack with ease. If you’re the kind of traveler who loves to play on the go, this is one of the best travel games you’ll find.

Thanks to its easy setup and clean-up, Barbecubes makes a great companion for airports, layovers, coffee shops, or picnics. It’s especially effective at replacing screens with fun, giving families a chance to engage in a shared activity that encourages patience, hand-eye coordination, and a lot of laughter.

How to Play

Each turn, a player will draw an ingredient card from the deck, which instructs them on how and where to place their next game piece on the grill. The ingredients vary not just in shape and size, but in the challenging stacking patterns they demand. Some cards might have you stack vertically, others require placing pieces in a specific place or orientation, and still others might even force you to use only one hand!

You’ll need patience, steady fingers, and a cool head to outlast your fellow grillmasters. If a player drops any part of their structure, they’re out. The last chef standing wins the game—and the title of Barbecubes BBQ Champion!

For even more variety, players can add expansions or create custom house rules, making each game feel fresh no matter how many times you’ve played.

Game Components

One of the key strengths of Barbecubes is its high-quality components, a hallmark of Alley Cat Games. The box includes:

• A miniature tabletop grill

• A deck of ingredient cards featuring meat, fish, and veggies

• Colorful, tactile game pieces that mimic real food items

• Clear instructions written in plain terms

• A durable travel-friendly game board setup

Even the box design feels like a miniature BBQ kit, making it a delight to unpack and share with others. It’s a game that’s as fun to look at as it is to play.

Who Can Play?

Barbecubes is suitable for ages 6 and up, making it one of those rare board games that truly appeals to the whole family. Its accessible rules allow younger players to join in without feeling left out, while the precision required keeps things challenging for adults and seasoned gamers.

It’s particularly good for mixed-age groups and families on the go, especially when paired with other travel games or activities. Whether you're entertaining kids on long flights, enjoying a picnic, or just looking to spice up your family night, Barbecubes fits perfectly into any scenario.

Replayability and Game Feel

One of the most impressive things about Barbecubes is how much meaning it packs into its small package. Every game feels a little different depending on the draw of the card, the environment, and the confidence level of the players. Windy day at the beach? That adds its own difficulty. Bumpy train ride? Even more exciting!

Because of this, the game has excellent replayability. You’re not just memorizing strategies—you’re reacting in real time, adjusting your hand placement, and thinking creatively about balance and positioning.

You’ll feel the tension rise as the skewer grows taller, and you’ll share big laughs when it all comes crashing down. And if you wanted a game that’s easy to share, this one checks all the boxes. It's also perfect for taking photos and posting to your favorite board game page or social media feed—because let’s face it, a stacked kebab of mini meats and mushrooms makes for a great shot!

Why Barbecubes Deserves a Spot in Your Travel Bag

If you love fun, food, and frantic gameplay, Barbecubes is a must-have. It’s perfect for:

• Families seeking travel games with true table presence

• Fans of Alley Cat Games and the Tinderblox universe

• Anyone looking for a board game that can be played in 15 minutes or less

• People who want a low-cost, high-engagement activity for any journey

It’s small enough to easily pack, but offers a lot of heart-pounding moments and satisfying victories.

Final Thoughts and Review

In terms of design, accessibility, and portability, Barbecubes is one of the best travel games to hit the market in recent years. It’s got that rare blend of easy rules and deep tension that creates memorable moments every time it hits the table.

With its clever ingredient cards, sturdy components, and visually appealing game board, the game turns any setting into your personal grilling arena. Whether you're a fan of board games, new to the hobby, or just someone who loves to stack things and giggle when they fall, Barbecubes has something to offer.

So next time you're packing for a trip, planning a campfire, or just looking for a way to spice up your next game night, don’t forget to throw in Barbecubes. Just be warned—once you start grilling, you might not want to stop.

Barbecubes isn’t just a game. It’s a bite-sized blast of dexterity, decision-making, and deliciously themed drama—served up by the brilliant minds at Alley Cat Games.