Games to enjoy with the family during the holidays
August is synonymous with vacations and relaxation, but beyond the destination, what really matters is how we share that time with our family. Whether in the village, the city, the beach, or a mountain getaway, every corner can become the perfect setting for creating unforgettable memories.
Today we bring you a selection of creative games for children , ideal for any occasion, that foster imagination, spark creativity, and fill summer days with laughter. Because it doesn't take much to have fun... just the desire to play and be together.
Games that develop the imagination
Nothing beats letting your creativity run wild with simple materials. Organize an afternoon of impromptu theater : a scarf can be a cape, a cardboard box can become a castle, and a pencil can be a magic wand. Brainstorm characters together and let each child create their own costume with whatever they have on hand.
You can also play 'The Magic Box' : one person thinks of an object, for example a spoon, and the rest have to invent different imaginary uses (an antenna, a microphone, a spaceship...).
Another classic that never fails: storytelling . You start with a sentence like "Once upon a time..." and each player adds a part. The story can end in laughter.
Easy arts and crafts activities
Crafts for children during the holidays are a great way to develop motor skills and encourage self-expression. Collect leaves, stones, or flowers from the surrounding area and use them to create natural arrangements. At the end of the holidays, you can organize a mini-exhibition of the artwork they've created: drawings, macaroni necklaces, finger paintings, or even decorated family photos.
If you're away from home for several days, you can create a vacation journal together. In it, they can draw what they experienced, stick on stickers, write new words, or make lists of things that made them laugh. It's a precious memory for them... and for you.
Movement and exploration games
A fun scavenger hunt can be adapted to any location—whether it's a bedroom, a garden, or a corner of the park.
This game encourages observation, problem-solving, attention, and spatial orientation. Prepare simple clues—written, illustrated, or in the form of riddles—and hide small objects or surprises. The excitement of finding each clue will keep you motivated and make the time fly!
You can also play 'color hunt' : someone names a color and the rest have to find an object with that shade.
Another option is to create a homemade challenge circuit : jumping jacks, crawling under a chair, doing a spin, and dancing. For these games, it's best if the little ones wear comfortable, lightweight clothing that allows them to move freely.
Quiet games for relaxing moments
For quieter moments—after lunch, during a nap, or at sunset—there are also ideas to share without leaving the couch. Create a story together : one narrates it and the other illustrates it, or play "story without an ending," where each night someone else invents how the story continues.
Another fun idea is clothing bingo : draw a grid and fill it with common summer clothes and accessories, such as striped T-shirts , patterned dresses , baby outfits , patterned hats , or ruffled skirts . Then, go for a walk, look through family photos, or open your vacation suitcase to find and cross them off.
These types of games not only stimulate observation and visual memory, they also help children become familiar with the clothes around them and express their tastes.
You don't need a special place or a lot of resources to create magical moments. With these children's vacation games, every day can be a new adventure that brings the whole family together. And the best part is that many of them can be adapted to any age or location, whether you're at the beach, in the countryside, or right in the city center.
