14/04/25
Escaping the Routine: A Fun-Filled Day at FairGame in Canary Wharf |
As adults, it’s all too easy to get swept up in the routine of work, responsibilities, and everything in between. Making time for play—real, carefree fun—often slips down the priority list. So, when the idea of a cousins’ day out started gaining traction in our family WhatsApp group chat, it felt like the perfect opportunity to reconnect. A visit to FairGame in Canary Wharf gave us the chance to laugh, compete, and enjoy each other’s company away from the usual hustle. Between the nostalgia of arcade-style games and the buzz of friendly competition, we were reminded that fun doesn’t have to be a thing of the past.
If you live in or frequent East London, particularly the financial district, you are likely all too familiar with how searingly annoying navigating Canary Wharf can be. Something as innocent as taking the wrong exit from the Tube or train platform can easily add an extra 10 minutes to your walking time. And if you're not familiar with Google Maps or Citymapper, navigating Canary Wharf can be downright painful.
Thankfully, my sister and cousin had been to FairGame before, which was a welcome relief for me, as I'm not the best at following directions.
Undeniably, one of Canary Wharf’s best features is the stunning mix of skyscrapers and dockside views. Taking a stroll along the waterfront is always a great idea, especially when you get to enjoy the sight of towering buildings, boats, and the lively atmosphere with cozy cafés, green spaces, and cool art installations.
The path leading up to FairGame featured bright-coloured, patterned benches with accents of pink, yellow, black, and white. The branding didn’t stop there— as we approached the venue, we were greeted by fun slogans and stickers, giving us a playful warning about the shenanigans we were about to embark on.
Okay, so we've all finally arrived and are now inside the venue. Upon arrival, each of us was given a token. The token had our name, the start time for our group booking, and a QR code that we needed to scan before starting a game. The QR code ensured that everyone got two rounds of each game and allowed us to view the leaderboard, to, you know, secretly hate on whoever was the top performer.
The games we played and my honest opinion:
Bucket Ball (aka Ball Toss): The goal of this game is to get as many plastic balls into the metal bin from a fixed distance. The strategy?
Keep an eye on when the bin lid opens and closes - without stating the obvious, aim for the open lid. And if all else fails, just throw, throw,
throw!
Roll-A-Ball: This classic derby-style group game has each player rolling their ball into holes designated for different speeds.
The faster you roll your ball, the quicker your horse will race across the track. Pro Tip: Be sure to scan your token to start the game—and don’t delay! If you’re too slow, the game will begin without you, and you’ll have to sit out the next round.
Whac-A-Mole: Armed with a foam mallet, you wait for one of the moles to pop up at random, then whack it back down. The strategy?
Hit as many moles as possible—quickly and efficiently.
Skee-Ball: A timeless arcade classic. You're given a set of rubber balls to roll up a ramp, aiming for the holes with the highest point values.
The strategy? Bend your knees, get low, and aim high.
Alley Hoop: To score as many hoops in the basket within a set time limit. The strategy? Focus on finding a shooting rhythm, as the faster you shoot, the more chances you have to score, while bending your knees and using your arms to control the ball's trajectory.
There were a few more games we played, but honestly, the ones mentioned above are the ones I remember most - and enjoyed the most too.
Although I didn’t try any of the food at FairGame, I did spot some tempting options like pizza and burgers being served—perfect for refuelling in between games. I stuck to a classic rum and coke (because let’s be honest, you really can’t go wrong with that) and focused on soaking up the fun with my family. We had such a good time laughing, competing, and watching everyone’s inner champion come out. The staff were super friendly too - always on hand to answer questions or help explain how a game works, which made the whole experience even better. After our session, we met up with more of our cousins and headed for a cheeky Nando’s to catch up properly.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering how I did - I came in fourth place. But hey, I’m a strong believer in saving the best till last - my spirit animal is the Sloth.
