This summer, we were proud to be part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, running sessions across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Sheffield, Barnsley, and Lancashire. HAF is a government initiative that provides children who receive free school meals with access to enriching activities and healthy food during the school holidays. It’s about more than just filling the gap, it’s about giving children opportunities to learn, play, and thrive when school is out.
For many children, the summer break can feel long and isolating. HAF helps change that by creating spaces where children can stay active, be supported, and have fun with others. It means that families get a bit of extra support, and children have safe, welcoming spaces to enjoy their time off school. We’ve been delighted to continue contributing by bringing something a little different to the mix: tabletop games.
Why Tabletop Games?
Whether it was board games, card games, or stacking games, the aim was simple, give children the chance to switch off from screens, use their imaginations, and have fun together.
We love tabletop games because they offer so much more than entertainment. They:
- Encourage children to work together and support each other.
- Teach patience, turn-taking, and resilience, important life skills.
- Give children the chance to think creatively and solve problems.
- Help break the ice so that new friendships can form naturally.
This summer, we saw children who were quiet at the start of the day grow in confidence, joining in conversations, and celebrating victories with new friends. Tabletop games gave them a chance to be creative, strategic, and most importantly, happy. By the end of each session, it wasn’t about winning or losing, it was about the friendships made, the teamwork practiced, and the confidence children found in themselves.
Games That Made an Impact
Across our sessions, children played a variety of games, both co-operative and competitive. Some favourites included:
Diamant: quick, fun game of bluff and daring in which explorers push their luck while exploring a caves in search of treasure.
Oh my Pigeons: be the first to fill your bench with pigeons!
Tsuro: Find your way wisely to succeed by staying on the board.
Skippity: Use tactical moves to collect the colours you need, and stop your opponents plans.
Pengoloo: Go on an eggs-pedition, an enchanting memory game for children.
Sleeping Queens: Use strategy, quick thinking and a little luck to rouse these napping nobles from their royal slumbers.
Hues and Cues: a competitive game, where everyone’s playing against one another, trying to score the most points. But you need to help your opponents out sometimes.
The response from the children was overwhelmingly positive. Many told us they’d never played games like these before, but by the end of the sessions, they were asking where they could play them again. For the companies behind these games, it’s clear their creations made a real difference, helping children enjoy their summer while developing valuable life skills.
A Big Thank You
We want to say a huge thank you to the families who came along, the children who threw themselves into the games with such enthusiasm, and to the HAF Programme for making it all possible. And of course, a special mention to the games publishers and designers, your creations were at the heart of what made these days so enjoyable and impactful.
Because at the end of the day, a game is more than just a way to pass the time, it’s a tool for learning, connecting, and growing.
This summer showed us once again that a simple board game can bring people together, create memories, and help children grow in confidence. We can’t wait to do it all again next time!
