How a Backpack Transformed My Family Vacation into 15 Unforgettable Game Nights
Fifteen days of sun, laughter, grilled corn on the barbecue… and board games. Lots of board games. That was the theme of our recent family vacation — but what made this particular trip truly unforgettable wasn’t just the company or the games themselves. It was something as simple, yet as transformative, as the right bag.
Let me explain.
This year, our family gathering was bigger than ever. More cousins, more children, more personalities — and with them, more varied tastes in games. What was once a casual selection of two or three boxes quickly became a logistical challenge: how do you satisfy everyone's tastes and pack efficiently? In the past, I’d thrown games into IKEA bags or stacked them haphazardly in the trunk, hoping for the best. But this year, I decided to try something different — and it changed everything.
We brought the May The Game backpack.
The Problem with Packing for Players
Anyone who travels with board games knows the pain: boxes dented in transit, cards lost between seats, or worse — arriving at your destination only to realize you left the perfect game behind. For families like mine, where everyone has their own preferences, the stakes are even higher.
My mother is into creative, open-ended games — think charades, mime, or storytelling. My partner prefers fast-paced party games filled with laughter and improvisation. My cousins lean toward short competitive challenges. And me? I love a bit of everything, especially introducing others to new games.
Which means we need options — lots of them.
But lugging 20 games around isn’t practical… unless you're equipped for it.
Enter the Hero: May The Game Backpack
Designed by gamers for gamers, this backpack promised to carry more games than I thought possible. I was skeptical at first. Was it just marketing hype? But when I packed it for the first time — nearly 20 games, ranging from tiny card sets to full-sized boxes — I realized: this wasn’t just a bag, it was a mobile game library.
Every evening, after the kids went to bed, I’d unzip what my family started calling my "treasure chest" and ask, “What should I introduce you to tonight?” Some nights it was Top Ten, other nights Just One or an old favorite like Dixit. Sometimes we pulled out a big game I'd been saving as a surprise. No one got bored. No one felt left out. The right game was always there, waiting for the right moment.
That’s the magic of choice — of being prepared to turn any moment into a memory.
A Game for Every Mood
What really struck me during those nights wasn't just how many games we had, but how often we played the right game at the right time.
And that, I believe, is the secret to great hospitality — whether you're running a hotel, a holiday rental, or even just hosting family at home: matching the moment to the mood.
Think about it: games aren't just about mechanics or winning. They're about creating shared experiences. A clever bluff in a social game. A creative twist in a storytelling round. A surprise win that makes everyone cheer. You’re not just playing — you’re connecting.
And to make that magic happen, you need to offer the right experience. Which means you need options. Not dozens of the same kind — but diversity. Games for introverts and extroverts. For kids and adults. For quiet nights and raucous ones.
Hospitality, in that sense, isn't so different from hosting a game night. You're curating a mood. You're creating space for people to connect.
Why This Backpack Stands Out
Okay, I know what you're thinking: “It’s just a bag.”
But no — it’s not just a bag. It’s a system. A logistics solution. A UX experience disguised as luggage. Here’s what made the biggest difference:
Space, intelligently used: I fit 7 large boxes (think Nemesis or Gloomhaven) without breaking a sweat, plus plenty of smaller games on top.
Organization: Internal straps and pockets kept everything exactly where it belonged. No scattered tokens, no crushed corners.
Durability: Fully loaded, the bag hit over 15 kg, and it didn’t even flinch. Reinforced stitching, padded straps, and a back panel that felt custom-made for long walks.
Surprisingly comfortable: Even packed to the brim, weight distribution made it a breeze to carry — even when walking across hot parking lots with a toddler in the other hand.
It’s the kind of product where you can feel that it was designed by people who actually live and breathe games.
What Others Are Saying
I’m not alone in loving it. From game nights to conventions, other players are echoing the same praise:
“Perfect for taking to game night.”
“Can carry a ridiculous number of games and still feels comfortable.”
“Way better than random totes or plastic bins.”
Sure, some folks find it a bit big for casual use — but if you’re serious about gaming, travel frequently, or just hate choosing which game to leave behind, this backpack earns its place.
The Real Lesson: Experiences Need Tools
Here’s what I realized after this vacation — and what I think matters far beyond games.
Experiences are shaped by tools. Whether you're hosting a game night or welcoming guests to your hotel, the tools you have determine the memories you create. The May The Game backpack didn’t just solve a storage problem — it enabled 15 days of laughter, bonding, and discovery. It gave me the flexibility to adapt, to surprise, and to delight. And isn't that the goal of every great host?
In hospitality, we often think of tools as invisible. A good mattress, an efficient check-in, fast Wi-Fi. But what if we also thought about tools that create play? What if we stocked our lobbies and lounges not just with brochures and espresso machines, but with thoughtfully curated game libraries — stored in the right way, easily accessible, ready to spark a moment of connection between strangers?
That’s what I’ve taken from this trip — a reminder that the small things, like a well-designed bag, can become catalysts for unforgettable moments.
Looking Ahead
I know one thing for sure: I’m never going on vacation again without this backpack. And if you're someone who loves games but hates the packing dilemma — this might just be the solution you've been waiting for.
Because every evening has the potential to become a story. Every round can bring people closer. And sometimes, the secret to a perfect night lies not in which game you play… but in being ready to play any game, whenever the moment is right.
