Looking after the grandkids these school holidays? Finding something everyone wants to do can be tricky when there are different ages around the table, but a game gives you a way to spend time together without having to plan an outing or keep a conversation going.

My Nan and Pop taught us chess and Go Fish during the school holidays. I still remember sitting with them, learning the rules, and hearing Nanny remind me that, no, a bishop can only move diagonally. Getting that chess set out of the Styrofoam packaging was always so much fun and created lasting memories.

My family still loves a games night. It can get competitive, and some of us take losing better than others, but that’s part of the fun. A quick card game can fill the gap before dinner, while a longer board game can make a sizeable dent in a rainy afternoon.

Here are six games to try with the grandkids, from easy options for younger children to games that will keep older kids and adults at the table.

Spot it! – Ages 6+ – 2–8 players

Every pair of cards has one matching symbol, and the aim is to spot it before anyone else does. Rounds are quick, the rules are simple and the tin is easy to take along when you’re visiting family or heading away. My four-year-old loves playing too, although younger children may need a little more time to find the match.

Heap-O-Sheep – Ages 5+ – 2–4 players

Players use a little springboard to launch their sheep towards a paddock where they can stick and pile up. It needs very little explanation before everyone starts having a go, which makes it a good choice for younger grandkids. A round is short, but you can keep playing, swap sides or start a family competition to see who can land the most sheep.

Catan – Ages 10+ – 3–4 players

In Catan, players gather resources, trade with one another and build roads and settlements as they compete to reach ten victory points. There is more to learn than in the other games on this list, so it suits older grandkids who enjoy planning ahead and negotiating over the table. My sister married into a family who play it religiously; every branch seems to have its own copy ready to bring out, and learning to play has become a rite of passage for the younger ones.

Brick Like This! – Ages 7+ – 2–8 players

For grandkids who love LEGO, this puts a new spin on building together. Players work in pairs: one person sees a picture of the model and describes it, while the other races to build it from the bricks provided. It’s lively, a little chaotic and especially funny when the builder’s interpretation bears no resemblance to what the instructor had in mind.

Ticket to Ride – Ages 8+ – 2–5 players

Players collect train cards to claim railway routes across a map of North America, trying to connect the cities on their destination tickets. It’s one of our family’s go-to games because the basics are easy to pick up, but you still have to think ahead. There’s plenty of friendly frustration when someone claims the route you were counting on just before your turn.

Articulate for Kids – Ages 6+ – 4–20 players

Split into teams and race against the timer to describe words without saying the word itself. Your teammates have to guess as many as they can before time runs out. We rarely have a family dinner without a game of Articulate, and the kids’ version gives younger players words they can join in with. It also works well when there are lots of people around the table; if the grandkids are older, you can move on to the original version.