Games for the school holidays

The school holidays are nearly here and after a term of packing school lunches, driving kids to school and sports and helping with homework, both parents and children will be needing the well-deserved break.

Visiting your local store and purchasing a few fresh travel games is the perfect way to prepare and get excited for the holidays. Whether you’re having a long weekend staycation, venturing to the coast or packing for a camping trip, travel games are the perfect addition to your break.

Games have a way of bringing everyone together after a long drive, around the breakfast table, or during those slower afternoon moments when the beach, bush or sightseeing plans pause. They create laughter, a little friendly competition, and opportunity to spend laid-back quality time with loved ones.

As Alex Irwin of travel games distributor Solarpop puts it, games help people drop their guard and be themselves. “Travel-friendly games work so well on holiday. They are easy to pull out, quick to learn, and perfect for mixing ages and personalities around one table. Old favourites have been modernized and there are exciting new ones on shelf, keeping things fresh and engaging,” she says.

Here are seven top family picks for the holiday season:

5 Second Rule South African EditionFast, funny and brilliantly chaotic, this local twist on the popular party game gets players to name three things before time runs out. The South African edition adds familiar references and local flavour, which makes it even more entertaining for family play. It’s ideal for mixed age groups because the rules are simple, but the pressure creates hilarious answers. This is the kind of game that gets everyone shouting, laughing and joining in.

Spot It!Small enough to slip into a handbag or cubbyhole, Spot It! is one of the easiest holiday games to pack. Players race to find the matching symbol between cards, which makes it quick, energetic and surprisingly competitive. Children love the speed, while adults get drawn in by how deceptively tricky it can be. It is perfect for airport waits and padstal stops.

Happy SalmonThis is pure noise and silliness in the best possible way. Players call out actions and race to match with others, creating high-fives, fist bumps and lots of laughter. Expect lots of joyful chaos.

KlusterUsing magnets and a steady hand, players try to get rid of their pieces without snapping the whole setup together. It is compact, travel-friendly and great for families who enjoy tactile games with a competitive edge. Quick rounds mean it is easy to play again and again.

Vibr-ActionFor families who do not mind a little absurdity, Vibr-Action delivers plenty of laughs. It’s a dexterity-style game with a silly twist that turns even easy tasks into a challenge. The unpredictability is what makes it so funny, especially with a full family audience.

CATAN Spot It!This version blends the familiar fast-paced Spot It! format with CATAN-inspired imagery and references. It’s a fun crossover for families who already love CATAN, but want something lighter and quicker for travel. Easy to set up and easy to replay, it gives a classic road-trip game a fresh fan-driven twist. A smart addition for both seasoned players and curious newcomers.

Flip 7Flip 7 is fast, easy to learn and packed with that just-one-more-round energy that makes a holiday game an instant hit. Players push their luck as they flip cards, trying to build their score without going too far. It’s the kind of game that brings plenty of laughs to the table without needing a long setup.

Holiday games aren’t just entertainment, they provide family connection in a box, ready whenever the moment needs a spark. For more sparkling inspiration follow @solarpopsouthafrica