We're a family that loves to play games. Weekends or weeknights, you can often find us gathered around the dining room table. I love to buy at least one new game for the family at Christmas. I'm stumped this year, so I'd like suggestions from all of you. What's your favorite game, and why?
Some that we already own and enjoy:
Pictionary
Othello
Sequence
Trivial Pursuit
Taboo
Cranium
Apples to Apples
Scrabble
Upwords
Monopoly
Yahtzee
Boggle
Clue
Uno
Risk
Racko
Rummikub
Squint
Thanks in advance!
Wow you all have a lot of games! One that i know my family always enjoys is Balderdash. I dont know if you have tried it before or not but it is a game where there is a completely random word that most people would have no idea about and everyone has to come up with a definition they think is right for the word and everyone votes to see which definition they think is the right one. It gets really funny. You should look into it. Your family would probably love it.
ReplyDeleteScattegories...good old fashioned Battleship.....PIT, the card game....hmmmm...will have to think on this one...Taboo
ReplyDeleteDeby
You have my two favorites on your list already---Uno and Scrabble.
ReplyDeleteGuess Who is a fun game, but it is only a 2 player game along with Battelship.
I will be interested what every one else suggests too.
Julieann
An easy game for all ages is Mexican Train (dominoes). We also like card games such as Rook, Uno, Skip-Bo, and Rummy.
ReplyDeleteGames that include younger kids but aren't totally boring for grown ups are Sorry, A-Z, and my family also likes strategy games like Risk, Settlers of Catan, etc...
I haven't played it, obviously my kids are younger, but my in laws love Blokus.
ReplyDeleteHope this helps!!
Have you tried Dutch Blitz?
ReplyDeleteBecky
We are gamers too~ though right now it is mostly Matt and I! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCranium is a SUPER fun game~but it takes a while. More a WEEKEND game because it is a riot and you can't help but have a party when you open the box.
Zigity is a fun card game-better for weeknights because the games are short and sweet. It is put out by the makers of Cranium.
I have heard a lot about Bananagrams though I have never played myself. It is similar to Scrabble, but players play individual games simultaneously in a sort of race. I am looking to give this game a go for Christmastime. We'll see.
Those are my suggestions.
Wish we lived closer-what a F.U.N gamenight it would be to have our two families hang out some weekend!
I enjoy playing Blokus (Blockus? sp?) at our extended family gatherings. It's a game of strategy, but no reading is required. It probably teaches something mathemtical, as you have to figure out how to place the shapes of your color pieces so that only the edge touches while blocking your opponents' pieces -- but I just think it's fun.
ReplyDeleteI think I have the PERFECT suggestion. I don't even like board games, but I loved this game. Settlers of Catan - you would need to order it online and also get an expansion kit.
ReplyDelete'Sequence' is a great game using cards and counters. I'm not sure if you can get it in the States, but it's really good. :)
ReplyDeleteWe are gamers as well - you have many or our favourites - but others we enjoy are: Settlers of Catan ( I think they actually have a bible version of this online somewhere - maybe Christianbook.com), Wizard, Probe (really old - we found ours on ebay), Dutch Blitz is great (look at any Dutch stores in the area), Phase 10 and Skippo.
ReplyDeleteWe like Imaginiff, Loaded Questions, (both of these are fun with family because you are asking questions about and from each other), and Wise and Otherwise (a game where everyone finishes the ending to an ancient saying, and then you have to guess who wrote which one. Oh my, do we laugh at this one!) Actually, we laugh at all of these games. They are really fun. My mom just asked me to bring these to Christmas dinner. Games are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteCranium Whoonu is SO much fun at family gatherings!
ReplyDeleteWe also like the Cranium Family Fun game, if there are younger players.
Do you have Scattergories? That's a good time, too.
There is the biblical clue "mystery museum", the ungame, and one on the temple (sorta like risk but with only 2 teams....if you want I can look it up)
ReplyDeleteBlockus is lots of fun. 4 people can play at a time and the game changes everytime you play it. It is a strategy game. The kids and I love to play it.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I don't remember if you had it listed buy we like Yahtzee also.
DonnaJ
Hi, I'm Amy. I have been reading your blog for a little while now and I really enjoy it. I would have to recommend Dutch Blitz or Set. Both are card games and so much fun! My kids love them both.
ReplyDeleteEdited for privacy reasons:
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs K,
We have a game that we enjoy alot its called Blokus it's a whole lot of fun also Settlers of Catan is fun.
Kate R
Tracy - we love Settlers of Catan, and Sequence (target has this). They are both "classics" in our opinion.
ReplyDeleteBalderdash (sp?) A dictionary type game
ReplyDeleteI second the nomination for cranium! so so so so fun! also, balderdash. both mentioned before, but both are great games!
ReplyDeleteWe love games!
ReplyDeleteFlinch
Say Cheese!
Settlers of Catan
Life
Clue
We have a closet FULL of games! We haven't had a family game night in a while, thanks for the reminder. The winter months are perfect for inviting friends over to play.
I didn't see Whoonu on your list. We really like it, and we've given several of them as gifts and the recipients have enjoyed it as well. It goes quickly, and is fun to play after a meal but before dessert!
ReplyDeleteCatch Phrase - This is a lot of fun with big groups. We used to play it at every Sunday School gathering. It's compact, and easy. It's also compact so it travels easily.
ReplyDeleteMadGab - I'm terrible at this game but it's so much fun to play. You have to try to guess what the person is saying.
I know it's been mentioned already, but truly Settlers of Catan is a favourite of our entire Dubai church here!
ReplyDeleteIt ca be a bit pricey I suppose but is well worth it.
Great list of games. I love Taboo and Scattegories. My kids love to play Cranium with us, all that running round is funny to them. :0)
ReplyDeleteI know I am a little late...but Dutch Blitz and Phase 10 are two of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteWe enjoy lots of those same games too.
ReplyDeleteWe also have Scattegories, Catch Phrase, Rummikub.
We love love to play games.
Can't wait to see which ones you chose.
I know you've already ordered for this year, Tracy, but I thought I would give you my two cents for next Christmas! :)
ReplyDeleteWe really love the Days of Wonder games: Ticket to Ride, Mystery of the Abbey, Pirates Cove... very involved, long games, but so beautiful and interesting!
Here is the website-
http://www.daysofwonder.com/en/games/
we have bought several for my brothers and sisters, and played with them, and we have the best time! Enjoy!
You didn't mention Perquacky, which is one of my favorite games: an oldie but goodie. From the games you listed, I think it might be right up your alley. It's a bit like a cross between Yahtzee and Boggle. You toss letter cubes and have to form words with certain letter counts within a given timeframe. Lots of fun!
ReplyDelete~Bethany