5 Games to Play at the Table (No Screens Needed!)
Share
We love eating out as a family. There’s something special about sitting together, enjoying a meal, and catching up on the day. But let’s be honest - kids don’t always share the same appreciation for long waits between courses.
Our rule? No screens at the table. Instead, we pack a few simple games in our rucksack - nothing big, nothing complicated, just quick ways to keep the kids entertained and the conversation flowing.
Some of these games require nothing at all, just your hands and a little imagination. Others, like Cricket Clash, are small enough to slip into a bag and come out when needed. But all of them serve the same purpose: keeping everyone engaged, having fun, and making the wait for food feel like part of the experience rather than a challenge to endure.
Here are some of our favourites.
Fives
A game that takes up no space, needs no equipment, and can get surprisingly competitive. Each player puts out zero, five, or ten fingers in front of them while simultaneously guessing what the total number will be. Closest guess wins, but there’s a catch. The game gets harder as it goes on.
How to play: Each player holds out 0, 5, or 10 fingers. Everyone guesses the total before revealing their hands. The player who guesses correctly removes one hand from the game, reducing the total number available by five. The winner is the first person to remove both their hands.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
An old favourite. Quick to play, easy to understand, and perfect for settling small debates (who gets the last chip?). It’s one of those games that never really gets old, even if you’ve played it a hundred times before.
How to play: Players count to three and choose rock (fist), paper (flat hand), or scissors (two fingers). Rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, paper beats rock.
Dots & Squares
All you need is a napkin and a pen. Start with a grid of dots, then take turns drawing lines between them. Every time you complete a square, you put your initial inside and get another turn. The player with the most squares at the end wins.
It starts slow, but by the end, everyone’s trying to outthink each other, working out where to place the next line to block an opponent and claim another square for themselves.
How to play: Draw a grid of dots on a napkin. Take turns connecting two dots with a straight line. If you complete a square, put your initial in it and take another turn. Most squares wins.
Guess What I'm Thinking Of
One person thinks of a character, an animal, or even someone at the table, and the others have to guess what it is by asking yes or no questions. It’s always surprising how much fun this can be, especially when the guesses get more and more ridiculous.
For younger kids, an animal-themed round works well. For older ones, adding a limit to the number of questions makes it even more of a challenge.
How to play: One person thinks of something. Others take turns asking yes/no questions until they guess it.
Cricket Clash
Of course, we had to include this one. We designed Cricket Clash to be the perfect table-friendly game - small, quick to play, and easy to pack away the moment your food arrives. A full game can be played in under three minutes, making it ideal for in-between courses or while waiting for drinks.
It’s also one of the few games that everyone at the table can enjoy, from younger kids just picking up the basics of cricket to adults who think they know the game inside out.
How to play: Each player draws a batting and bowling card. If the batting card wins, they draw a run card. If the bowler wins, the batter is out. Highest score wins.
Making Mealtimes More Than Just Eating
Eating out isn’t just about the food. It’s about spending time together, talking, laughing, and making memories that aren’t interrupted by a screen. A few simple games can turn waiting time into something just as enjoyable as the meal itself.
Next time you’re out, give one of these a try. You might find yourself looking forward to the wait.