Ultimate Guide to Fun Kids Games and Hobbies for School Holidays

School holidays are the perfect time to keep kids entertained, engaged, and learning through play. Finding the right games and hobbies can turn those long breaks into memorable adventures filled with laughter and creativity. Whether you want to gather the family around the table or introduce your child to a new hobby, there are plenty of exciting options to explore. This guide highlights some of the best kids’ games and beginner-friendly hobbies to make this school holiday season a hit.

Perfect games for kids and the whole family!

Exciting Kids Games to Keep Everyone Engaged

Board games and card games offer a great way to bring kids together, encourage social skills, and spark friendly competition. Here are some standout choices that cater to different ages and interests:

• Super Mario - Blow Up! Shaky Tower (4+)

  This game combines the fun of stacking with the excitement of Super Mario characters. Kids will enjoy the challenge of building a tower without toppling it and helping Mario and friends climb the tower.

• Spot It! (6+)

  With versions featuring Dinosaurs, Camping, One Piece, Stitch, Bluey and more, Spot It! games are fantastic for pattern recognition and quick thinking. The variety keeps the game fresh and appealing.

• Ghost Blitz (8+)

  The lightning fast shape and color recognition game that is sure to test the reflexes of kids, families and gamers alike. A lively game where players race to grab the correct object based on visual clues. It’s simple to learn and keeps kids on their toes.

• GameWright Games (8+)

  Titles like Sushi-Go, Sleeping Queens, and Rat-a-tat-Cat offer engaging gameplay with easy-to-understand rules. These games are great for family game nights or playdates.

• Spotlight (6+)

This game challenges kids to spot hidden objects quickly in a 'Where's Wally' like game, sharpening observation skills and reflexes. It’s fast-paced and perfect for groups. Search with your trusty flashlight for wacky characters and items hidden in dark places brimming with absurd things.

• Micro Macro Crime City (12+)

If you like the idea of a 'Where's Wally' game but kids a bit older - Micro Macro Crime City comes with 16 cases for you to solve. Each case includes a number of cards that ask you to find something on the giant city map (75 x 110 cm) which is home to a myriad of hidden information to help you solve the case. Different difficulty levels lead the players step by step into the game.

• IQ Puzzles Series (6+)

Looking for something the kids can do by themselves? The range of IQ puzzles help develop critical thinking skills and spatial awareness. They come in different difficulty levels and themes like the classic IQ Puzzler Pro, IQ Gears, IQ Digits and IQ Stars, so kids can progress as they improve. They come in handy hard plastic cases to throw in your bag and take on the go.

Exciting new hobbies for kids that you can play too!

Starting New Hobbies with Role-Playing & Trading Cards

If you want to introduce your child to a hobby that combines imagination, strategy, and storytelling, role-playing and trading card games are excellent choices.

• Disney Lorcana Gateway Box  (8+)

  Disney fans will love this trading card game featuring beloved characters. Disney Lorcana TCG Gateway is designed to be a great entry point for players of all ages and skill levels that are new to the Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game. It includes everything needed for 2 players to start playing immediately and helps them learn to play the game as they build two complete Disney Lorcana TCG 60-card decks.

• Disney Lorcana Starter Decks (8+)

 Or jump right in with a huge selection of Lorcana pre-made decks featuring your favourite characters. Starting at just $15.00, each Starter deck includes 1 deck of 60 cards, including 2 foil cards of the characters on the package front, 11 game tokens, 1 rulebook and 1 booster pack containing 12 randomized cards.

• Dungeons and Dragons: Stormwreck Isles Starter Set (12+)

This starter set is a fantastic entry point into the world of Dungeons and Dragons. It includes everything need to begin adventures, encouraging creativity and teamwork. This box contains the essential rules of the game plus everything you need to play heroic characters caught up in an ancient war among dragons as they explore the secrets of Stormwreck Isle.

• Magic the Gathering: Marvel Super Heroes Beginner Box (13+)

For kids interested in superheroes and strategy, this beginner box offers a fun way to learn Magic the Gathering. It’s designed to be accessible for newcomers. Play your very first game in a guided battle of Captain America versus Iron Man. Choose your side and send your forces into the fight while learning essential gameplay lessons.

Making the Most of School Holidays

School holidays are a chance to create fun memories and develop new skills. By choosing the right games and hobbies, you can keep kids entertained while helping them grow in creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. Whether it’s a quick game of Ghost Blitz or embarking on a Dungeons and Dragons adventure, these activities offer something for every child.