Indoor Games

Best Indoor Games to Buy in the UK: From Darts to Arcade Air Hockey

Why indoor games are booming across UK homes

If you’ve noticed living rooms slowly turning into mini game zones, you’re not alone. Indoor games have surged in popularity because they blend social fun with easy accessibility — no booking, no weather worries, just instant entertainment. Whether you want a quick family challenge after dinner or a permanent mancave centerpiece, indoor games deliver. They’re like carrying a pub, a games arcade, or a sports hall into one compact footprint in your home.

Menkind — your go-to for novelty and branded sets

Menkind has built a reputation in the UK for stocking fun, branded, and often novelty indoor games that make great conversation starters. If you like licensed or celebrity-led kits, Menkind tends to be the place to look. From magnetic dartboards inspired by top players to retro arcade air hockey, Menkind focuses on the entertaining and the eye-catching.

Top picks you can find at Menkind

Menkind range includes a variety of popular items for different tastes. Fans of precision play will like the Target Luke Littler Magnetic Dartboard Set or the Target Luke Littler Darts Set, which are designed to mimic the feel of competition gear but with safer magnetic tips for home use. If you’re after a visual wow, the Neon Table Football light-up foosball table delivers a party vibe. For compact pool play, the Winning Table Top Pool is a clever way to get cue action without sacrificing a spare room. Table tennis lovers can opt for the Winning Instant Table Tennis which folds and stores easily. Classic dart players have options like the Target Champion Dartboard and the Target Luke Littler Dartboard & Cabinet Set With Darts, which add a more traditional, pub-style presence to a games room. For retro-gaming nostalgia, Pac-Man Arcade Air Hockey is an absolute crowd-pleaser, combining a classic arcade theme with fast table hockey action.

Other UK retailers worth checking for indoor games

While Menkind is strong on novelty and branded items, a wider shopping search will often uncover better prices, larger choices, or genuine sports-grade equipment. Think of Menkind as the boutique and other stores as the department store or specialist supplier depending on what you want to achieve.

Argos — mainstream and fast availability

Argos tends to stock a broad range across the spectrum: budget tabletop games, mid-range full-size tables, and branded sets. They’re perfect when you want the convenience of click-and-collect and a simple returns process without hunting around twenty sites. Look here for good value models and seasonal offers.

Amazon UK — selection, reviews, and quick delivery

If choice and customer reviews matter, Amazon UK usually wins for sheer variety. You’ll find everything from portable 6 ft table tennis tables to full-size foosball setups and replacement parts. Use reviews to judge build quality — real-life feedback often tells you whether a “full-size” table truly measures up.

Smyths and Toys retailers — family and kids focus

Smyths and other toy specialists lean to family-friendly and children’s versions of indoor games: compact pool sets, soft-tip dartboards, and bright foosball tables designed for smaller hands. These are sensible choices when safety and kid-friendly construction top your list.

John Lewis and specialist sports stores — premium, reliable gear

For higher-end purchases—think tournament-grade table tennis or a solid oak cabinet dartboard—John Lewis or specialist sports stores are worth a look. They often offer more durable materials and better warranties, making them a smart pick if you want your table to last for years.

How to pick the right indoor game for your space

Before you hit buy, measure your space like a surgeon prepping an operation. Games have real footprint needs; ignore them and you’ll end up with a good idea that can’t be used properly. Ask: will the item fit with comfortable play space around it, or will players constantly bump into furniture?

Darts — size, safety, and mounting

A regulation bristle dartboard normally measures about 18 inches in diameter, which is what many home boards imitate. Factor in clear wall space and a dartboard cabinet if you want to protect walls and create a neat look. If kids or pets share the house, magnetic or soft-tip dart sets are safer alternatives and still deliver skill-based fun.

Table tennis — regulation and compact options

A full-size table tennis table follows a regulation size of 9 ft long by 5 ft wide, so you’ll want a room with several feet of clearance around it for realistic rallies. Don’t panic if you don’t have that much room — many compact or “mini” tables drop to roughly 6 ft long and still give realistic play for casual games and families.

Pool and foosball — table sizing for real play

Pool tables come in several standard sizes, with 7 ft being a common home model. If you have a smaller space, consider a table-top or folding pool solution; tabletop pool provides cue fun without permanently committing floor space. Foosball tables vary too; many in-home models measure around 56 inches long and fit nicely into den spaces while offering full-timed footy action.

Budget breakdown — what to expect at each price point

Indoor game prices swing widely, from a tabletop dartboard for under £20 to a professional arcade cabinet for well over £1,000. Here’s a quick mental map to navigate the options:

- Budget buyer: £20–£100 — tabletop pool, magnetic darts, small foosball tables that are perfect for occasional play and younger families.

- Mid-range buyer: £100–£500 — full-size folding table tennis tables, robust foosball tables, better table-top pool and beginner to intermediate dartboards with cabinets.

- Premium buyer: £500+ — commercial-grade pool tables, full arcade cabinets, high-end table tennis tables built to last, and tournament-worthy dartboards. These items are built like small ships and often come with longer warranties.

Materials, durability, and assembly tips

Most indoor games look simple until you try to move them. MDF tops, laminate, particleboard, and solid wood are common, and each behaves differently over time. MDF works fine for mid-range tables but watch humidity and spills. Solid wood and metal frames are heavier but last longer. Assembly can range from a quick 10-minute setup for a tabletop item to several hours and two people for a full-size table, so plan accordingly.

How to get the best deals on indoor games in the UK

Want a bargain without compromising quality? Shop seasonal sales like January clearance and Black Friday, compare prices across Argos, Amazon, Menkind, and specialist retailers, and read recent reviews to make sure a discount isn’t a downgrade. Sign up for email lists from favorite stores to catch exclusive coupons, and consider buying slightly off-season (summer for indoor games often brings the best discounts).

Games for different audiences — who’s this for?

Think about who will use the game most. Families with young kids need durable, safe options. Teen groups and adults may prefer serious foosball tables, full-size pool, or an arcade air hockey setup that creates a proper vibe. If you want a laid-back social focal point, go for something visually striking like a neon foosball table or a themed Pac-Man Air Hockey that doubles as interior decor.

Party and adult-focused games

For parties, choose fast-action table hockey, foosball, or multi-player arcade cabinets — they get people cheering quickly and don’t require a long learning curve. Look for items with rugged surfaces and stable legs so enthusiastic players won’t send the table skittering across the room.

Kids and family-friendly choices

For younger players, lightweight materials and soft edges matter. Magnetic dartboards, low-height foosball, and tabletop pool keep the fun safe and manageable. These options are also easy to store when you need the space back for daily life.

Maintaining and storing indoor games

Regular maintenance keeps your investment playable for longer. Clean ping-pong surfaces with a damp cloth, wax or oil pool table rails if recommended, and replace worn paddles and cues rather than letting them ruin play quality. If space is tight, look for foldable tables or tabletop conversions that mount on existing furniture — they’re like multi-tool Swiss Army blades for the home gamer.

Where to buy spare parts and accessories in the UK

Replacement balls, paddles, darts flights, cues, and nets are easy to source. Amazon UK and sports specialists stock a wide range, while Menkind and Argos often sell accessories that match their own branded games. If you’ve bought a unique or licensed arcade piece, check with specialist suppliers for exact replacement parts — sometimes the right spare makes all the difference.

Final recommendations — match size to playstyle

At the end of the day, the best indoor game is the one you’ll actually use. If you love aggressive rallies, invest in a table with a true 9 ft footprint or a solid mid-range folding table. If you want social, fast-paced fun, a foosball or air hockey table will pay dividends at every house party. And if novelty and looks matter, Menkind branded ranges offer standout pieces that spark conversation while still being great fun.

Quick checklist before you buy

Measure your room twice, choose safe options if kids are regular players, read reviews for build quality, and compare prices across Argos, Amazon UK, Menkind, and specialist stores. If you want long-term durability, consider spending a little more now to avoid ripping out a cheap table in a year.

Whether you go for a sleek Target Luke Littler dart set, a neon foosball table, or a retro Pac-Man arcade-style air hockey table, indoor games can transform evenings from “what shall we do?” to “let’s play.” With a little research and the right retailer, your home can become the go-to hangout for friends and family.

Ready to pick your next indoor game? Start with the space you have, the number of players you’ll host, and whether you want novelty flair or serious play — then shop around the retailers mentioned to find the perfect fit.

Enjoy building your home games corner and may your next match be full of laughs, close calls, and that satisfying sound when the winning point lands exactly where it needs to.