It’s winter, a perfect time to get cozy by the fireplace in a Smoky Mountain cabin, and play a good game.
I’ve got two new suggestions for you.
Spot It
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So, my mother-in-law bought this game for my 7-year-old son’s birthday. So we all played it, and thought it was a lot of fun, a game that grown-ups can actually play competitively with kids. Then we put the kids to bed. And we played again.
And then the competition REALLY started!
Wow, we have gotten an amazing amount of use out of this little game in the month we’ve had it. We’ve played it with three different groups of adults, with rave reviews, playing multiple games every time. We’ve played with groups of mixed adults and kids, with rave results. The kids have played with their friends. It’s the kind of game kids can play all by themselves, too. It’s amazingly versatile, simple to learn and understand, and quick to play. Even my 80-plus-year-old grandma has enjoyed this game!
Here’s how it’s played: The game consists of round cards that each display a variety of items. Every two cards have exactly one matching item. (Don’t ask me how they managed this — it’s been driving me crazy for a month!) There are five different version of play, but here’s my favorite. Deal all the cards out to the players (it really doesn’t matter how many players you have, as long as it’s more than one). Put one card in the middle. Turn the middle card over. On the count of three, have all players turn their top cards over. Players look for a match between their top card and the one in the middle. As soon as they sight one, they call out the item (ex — anchor!), then place their card on top of the middle card. Now, there’s a new card to match. Play continues until one player uses all his/her cards.
Very fun, very fast, very competitive!
The fun continues from there.
Here’s an official product description from Amazon.com:
Put your visual perception skills to the test with Spot It, a fun, fast-paced, and simple card game that everyone aged 7 years and up can enjoy. In a group of two to eight players, you’ll draw cards and match symbols, like light bulbs, snowmen, or puppies, but with one catch–only one matching symbol exists between any two cards. The first person to spot the matching symbol and call it out wins.
Here are two other advantages to Spot It. One, it’s small and easy to transport. Over Thanksgiving, we carried this little game everywhere and played it at a hotel, at a pool, and at someone’s house. Second, it’s cheap! On Amazon.com, it retails for only $11.98! Here’s a link to Spot It on Amazon.
I simply cannot recommend this game strongly enough. It’s that much fun.
Pandemic
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It’s funny. My husband, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law are actually playing this game as I write this. In this unique game, all players band together to try to beat the game. And we’ve lost three times in a row. Which they didn’t like. So they decided to give it one more go while I wrote this blog. Even though it’s 11:30 p.m. and tomorrow is Monday.
That’s a pretty strong recommendation, right there.
Here’s how the game’s played: It’s for 2-5 players. Each player is given a certain role (ex — medic, researcher). The goal is for the players to try to eradicate various diseases before they can take over the world. It’s not simple. But it’s very addicting.
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Outbreaks ensue. Epidemics come way too often. Players build research facilities, halt outbreaks in various cities, and develop cures for diseases. It sounds crazy, but it’s a ton of fun.
We still haven’t beat it, but we’re going to. We’re not going to bed until we do!
Here’s the Amazon description:
Four diseases have broken out in the world and it is up to a team of specialists in various fields to find cures for these diseases before mankind is wiped out. Players must work together playing to their characters’ strengths and planning their strategy of eradication before the diseases overwhelm the world with ever-increasing outbreaks.
This game retails on Amazon.com for $31.82. You can buy it here from Amazon. This is the perfect game for a late-night serious game session. Don’t try to play it in a crowded room with kids running around. You’ll only be frustrated. But for late game nights, it’s amazing. Great gift idea.
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