It’s all fun and games until the kids fight over the iPad. Go old school with travel games that don’t have to be plugged in.
Compact classics
R79
The Purple Cow’s magnetic travel games are practical road-trip classics. In packages the size of a 12-pack pencil tin, choose from great games such as chess, backgammon and tic-tac-toe. Solo business jetsetters will enjoy the challenging Sudoku, while the battleship game provides endless entertainment if you have a companion.
Pollywiggles, 083-309-2587, www.pollywiggles.co.za.
All aboard
R599
Forget tedious Monopoly games, the fast-paced and strategic Ticket to Ride board game is excellent value for money and won’t lose its novelty. Set in the USA, the aim is to collect the right train tickets to get to various destinations on the board without being thwarted by your competitors along the way.
Boardgames.co.za, 082-880-2707, www.boardgames.co.za
Flying fun
R150
Perfect for boring flights. Keep kids busy with the At The Airport sticker kit, which comes with two fold-out airport scenes and five sheets of reusable vinyl stickers. Get their imaginations fired up and instil an early wanderlust.
Nest Designs, 082-747-5443, www.nestdesigns.co.za.
A wordy contest
R200
A smarter, speedier version of Scrabble, Bananagrams is an exhilarating word game without the board. Like Scrabble, you need to build words in a crossword fashion but using only your own set of tiles. Rearrange, change and pull new tiles as competition heats up in the race to complete your anagram first. Available from toy stores.
Find stockists at www.cfs-games.co.za.
Firm favourites
R620
Filled with whistles, spoons, eggs, beanbags and a frisbee, the Sophie Conran games bucket has all the makings of a great afternoon. Play traditional outdoor games such as a three-legged race or an egg-and-spoon contest. Great for beach entertainment or to leave at your holiday home.
In Good Company, 011-447-1628, www.ingoodcompany.co.za.
