Board games never seemed to work in our house when the girls were younger. One or more of us would usually end up in tears, with most of us feeling exasperated and ready to hide under a duvet.
Initially, I blamed myself. Why wasn't I able to create this perfect harmonious family atmosphere where we could all sit round together playing, and being happy, like so many other families seemed able to? But eventually I accepted it wasn't my fault. It was down to the type of games we were selecting, coupled with the age and ability of our younger daughter. Traditional board games with fixed rules, fast and furious ones that ramped the anxiety levels up or games that needed some sort of skill just didn't work.
Maybe you have a child like mine; one who struggles with demands, struggles to be patient or take turns and struggles to lose at anything (if so, have you heard about PDA, Pathological Demand Avoidance?!).
I think with hindsight I can say that age was a factor in our case - it definitely took a while for us to find some games that we could all play together and really enjoy. To be honest, I'd stopped looking for any as I was so sure they wouldn't work, then Exploding Kittens fell into my lap somehow, followed by Muffin Time and they were instant hits. We learnt that we needed to introduce the humour aspect, and that's what I'm trying to share ideas for here. I hope you find something that works for your family in the list below!
(*All the pictures are affiliate links and take you direct to the product on Amazon; I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases but it won't cost you any extra!)
Non-board fun card game gifts
Exploding Kittens
Draw cards and try to avoid the dreaded Exploding Kitten! Use strategic action cards to skip your turn, shuffle the deck, or defuse the kitten. This is a card game with humourously illustrated cards, and each game usually lasts around 15-20 minutes.
For 2-5 players, ages 7+
For those who already have this game, there is now a NSFW (Not Safe For Work) deck that contains explicit cards - I have to leave it up to you whether that is suitable for whoever you are gifting this to!
There are several more options made by the same company, different but all equally quirky and with humour that might appeal. Check out:
Bears vs Babies
Build outrageous monsters by combining card with parts, weapons, and hats to fight off an army of horrible babies.
For 2-5 players, ages 10+
Power Hungry Pets
Each player starts with one card then draws another. Choose which card to keep and which to play, using it to backstab, steal, or obliterate opponents. The highest card at the end of the round wins!
For 2-6 players, ages 7+
Tacocat Spelled Backwards
The box opens to become part of the game, and it's a bit like play your cards right - higher number card gets to move the counter forward. Great for travelling, quick and easy to play.
For 2 players, age 7+
Throw Throw Burrito
This is lots of fun but needs a good amount of space to be played. Starts as a card game but turns into a 'throwing squishy toys (ie the burritos)' game.
For 2-6 players, ages 7+
Happy Salmon
Like nothing you've played before, this one involves players having a stack of action cards and shouting out what's on them to find another player to share the action with so the card can be discarded. Can be fast and furious; not one for the faint hearted!
For 3-8 players, ages 6+
Herd Mentality
Another great company producing 'quirky' games is Big Potato, and this is one of theirs. Flip over a question and guess what your family and friends are thinking. If your answer is in the majority, you win cows. If you’re the odd one out, you’re stuck with the pink cow of doom. What's good about this is that it can be played with bigger groups.
For 4-20 players, ages 10+
More Big Potato games:
P for Pizza
Another fast paced game that can get noisy, the idea of this one is to shout out a word that links the letter on one card to the category on another. A great stocking filler idea, and compact so good for travel.
For 2-4 players, ages 8+
Sounds Fishy
Another easy-to-play one, all about fast-thinking and bluffing. There's one correct answer to a wacky trivia question on a card and the idea is people invent fake answers to try to fool other players.
For 4-10 players, ages 10+
You Can't Say 'Ummm'
This is definitely not a game I can win at.... super easy to learn the 'rules', which is to find different ways of saying what's on a pair of cards, and the other team can ring the bell if you slip up (so not suitable for anyone who might not appreciate the noise!).
For 4-10 players, ages 10+
Don't be a Dik Dik
This card game comes with the caveat that it contains slightly naughty words so one to avoid if you are conservative or you don't think grandparents will approve! A group card game where you ask other players for cards to make a pair but try to avoid being left with the Dik Dik.
For 3-6 players, ages 16+
Dumb Ways to Die
Another card game, based on a series and song that most people will have heard of. Colourful cards with good instructions on - the idea is to not let your beans die!
For 2-5 players, ages 12+
More or Less
A guessing game that is fun and also (ssshhhh) educational. All you have to do is guess more or less - e.g. does the Eiffel Tower receive more or less visitors annually than Disneyland Paris?! There are lots of expansion packs such as geography, science sport.
For 2 or more players, ages 12+
Dobble
A simple but fun matching game that people of all ages can enjoy - we have the standard and the Harry Potter Dobble games, but there's also animals, fishing, Mr Men and Little Miss, DC Universe, Scouts, Asterix and versions for younger kids.
For 2-8 players, ages 6+
Muffin Time
The aim of this game is to collect and keep 10 cards to win the game - but there's 200 unique cards in play with lots of actions that can thrwart your plans. One of our faves!
For 2-6 players, ages 12+
For a full listing of all these recommended games, please see my Amazon page Card and Board games for all ages.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are always very much appreciated and can really help the conversation go further...