The Great Indoors - turning winter days into game days

When the clouds roll in and the weather turns moody, there’s no need to feel stuck inside. Instead, embrace The Great Indoors and create your own adventures. With a lot of fun imagination and a bit of planning, indoor games can be the antidote to dull days, and with the wide range of board games available today, there's never been a better excuse to unplug and play.

Below are some ways to experience the great indoors:

Strategy games

For something strategic that provides an hour or two of play, Catan is the classic choice. Perfect for 3 to 4 players, you’ll be trading resources, building roads, and planning your way to victory – all while managing alliances that shift as quickly as the weather outside. Another strategy game to add to your pile is Ticket to Ride. This beautifully designed board game takes players on a cross-country adventure to claim railway routes across iconic maps like the US or Europe. Easy to learn but full of strategic depth, the game challenges you to connect cities, complete secret destination tickets, and block your opponents’ paths—all while racing to build the longest, most impressive rail network. It’s the perfect mix of competition and relaxation, ideal for cosy afternoons indoors.

A quick burst of energy

Need a quick burst of energy? Pull out Spot It!, a speedy visual game where players race to match symbols on circular cards. Or test your reflexes with the fast fun of 5 Second Rule.  If you’ve got younger players, or grown-ups who love a good bluff, Trio offers light strategy with a twist - players race to collect sets of three matching numbers using memory, deduction, and a bit of bluffing. With a mix of open and hidden cards, every turn offers a new surprise and plenty of opportunity to outsmart your opponents. Easy to pick up but tricky to master, Trio is the kind of game that keeps everyone engaged and coming back for just one more round. Similo is ideal for those who enjoy deduction and storytelling – especially when you're working as a team to identify the right character.

Escape Room games

EXIT brings escape room games straight into your living room. Think: immersive puzzles, clever storytelling, and other elements that ramp up the tension. Perfect for players who love a mental challenge, this game tests your teamwork, logic, and problem-solving skills as you work together to crack codes and decipher clues. Whether you’re escaping a haunted mansion, an abandoned cabin or on a hunt through Amsterdam, each EXIT game offers a unique adventure that unfolds in real time. There’s no need for fancy equipment, because everything is in the box.

“With the right games on hand, a gloomy day indoors becomes an opportunity to connect and recharge,” says Stefan Roets, spokesperson for Solarpop. “It’s not just about keeping everyone busy – it’s about shared laughter, surprising wins, and creating moments you’ll remember long after the rain has stopped.”

So, the next time the forecast says grey, reach for a game, gather your kids, friends and family, and turn the great indoors into a space of imagination and joy.

@solarpopsouthafrica