Check out our top favourite games and some of our tips.
Monopoly
Monopoly is the classic board game we always end up playing when we can’t agree what to play. Fun for all the family; Monopoly is a game about buying and selling houses, and trying not to land in jail. It’s played with dice, a board, and lots of miniature houses and hotels; so budding entrepreneurs will love it. We have a couple of friends that are so completive they gang up on the rest of us, trying to corner the market. We find great satisfaction when they suddenly land in jail or lose their hotels and have to start again.
How often do we play? – When we all get together; the game usually goes on for quite a while, so we usually play it at weekends.
Good For - Couples, groups, families, older children,
Game of life
This is really what it says on the box; a game about life. It’s played with a board, miniature plastic cars and children. In the Game of Life you buy a car, get married, have kids, pay your taxes and insurance, then retire and see how much money you have - the one who is most successful wins.
When do we play? – At family gatherings, or with friends; we find it hilarious when one of our single friends ends up with four children, a mortgage and can’t pay his insurance!
Good For - Couples, families, older children and girlie nights in
Cards
With loads of card games to choose from, you’ll have your favourites. We play rummy and trumps for fun, but we have friends who are serious bridge players, and some friends who never miss their poker night. Snap cards- Our children loved their first game of snap. We have at least two sets of picture snap cards; one with just pictures and another with pictures of butterflies, tractors etc that has the word written underneath. The kids love playing Old Maid and Go Fish, and we find the adults can join in and still enjoy themselves.
When do we play? – At family gatherings or with friends.
Good For – Everybody from the age of 3+ - groups, couples, boys nights, girls nights, families with young children, perfect for grandma & granddad to play with grandkids.
Top game playing tips
Ease of play –Whenever you’re playing with a novice, choose a game that has easy-to-learn rules. If it’s too complicated they’ll lose interest before the game’s begun.
Make sure all the playing pieces are there before you start. There’s nothing worse than getting halfway round a board game to discover the timer or a vital piece is missing.
Always have plenty of paper and pens handy. Many board games require at least one pen.
Have scheduled breaks. No-one wants to miss anything but will need time out.
