These great games, perfect for older children and adults, are easy to find in big box stores such as Target and Toys R Us.
1. A to Z Electronic Version
Image courtesy of Fundex
For 2 to 4 players, ages 8 and up.
In this word game, players are given a category (such as "words that rhyme with night") and they race to find as many answers as possible within the time limit, with a point given for each one that starts with a different letter of the alphabet.
In this word game, players are given a category (such as "words that rhyme with night") and they race to find as many answers as possible within the time limit, with a point given for each one that starts with a different letter of the alphabet.
2. Backseat Drawing
Photo © Erik Arneson
For 4 to 10 players, ages 12 and up.
This is sort of a backwards version of Pictionary. The player drawing the item is also trying to guess what it is. Another player is describing to him what should be drawn. So if the word is "Saturn," for example, the player might be told to draw a circle with another circle around the first circle. Plenty of laughter generally goes along with this drawing game.
This is sort of a backwards version of Pictionary. The player drawing the item is also trying to guess what it is. Another player is describing to him what should be drawn. So if the word is "Saturn," for example, the player might be told to draw a circle with another circle around the first circle. Plenty of laughter generally goes along with this drawing game.
3. Blokus 3D
Image courtesy of Educational Insights
For 2 to 4 players, ages 7 and up.
This is the latest entry in the Blokus family of strategy games, which also includes the original Blokus, Blokus Trigon and Travel Blokus. Blokus 3D, formerly known as Rumis, is a three-dimensional challenge in which players try to position their blocks so that as many squares as possible are visible from above. All of the Blokus games are excellent.
This is the latest entry in the Blokus family of strategy games, which also includes the original Blokus, Blokus Trigon and Travel Blokus. Blokus 3D, formerly known as Rumis, is a three-dimensional challenge in which players try to position their blocks so that as many squares as possible are visible from above. All of the Blokus games are excellent.
4. Pictionary Man
Image courtesy of Mattel
For 2 or more teams, ages 7 and up.
The classic game of Pictionary is given an interesting update with this game. When a player gets their assigned word from the bottom of Pictionary Man's foot (the words are stored electronically), they then draw right on Pictionary Man (and possibly also on two accessories) and use charades to get their teammates to guess the correct word.
The classic game of Pictionary is given an interesting update with this game. When a player gets their assigned word from the bottom of Pictionary Man's foot (the words are stored electronically), they then draw right on Pictionary Man (and possibly also on two accessories) and use charades to get their teammates to guess the correct word.
5. Pictureka!
Image courtesy of Hasbro
For 2 to 8 players, ages 8 and up.
This party game features fanciful drawings which players must quickly scan to find objects before their opponents do the same. Pictureka!'s nine game board tiles are laid out in a grid, and then one player chooses a card which determines whether everyone needs to find a matching image or an object that fits into in a particular category. Some cards allow players to change the game board so that no one can get too comfortable with the status quo as they search.
This party game features fanciful drawings which players must quickly scan to find objects before their opponents do the same. Pictureka!'s nine game board tiles are laid out in a grid, and then one player chooses a card which determines whether everyone needs to find a matching image or an object that fits into in a particular category. Some cards allow players to change the game board so that no one can get too comfortable with the status quo as they search.
6. Snorta!
Image courtesy of Mattel and Out of the Box Publishing
For 4 to 8 players, ages 8 and up.
This party game (originally published by Out of the Box Publishing in 2004, but a new edition was released by Mattel in 2008) comes with 12 plastic animals and eight plastic barns. Each player chooses an animal at random and, after everyone sees it, hides that animal in his barn. Cards are then played face up by the players, until a pair exists. When that happens, the two players involved try to be the first to make the noise of the other's hidden animal (not necessarily the animal on the cards). This is a real laugh-out-loud game.
This party game (originally published by Out of the Box Publishing in 2004, but a new edition was released by Mattel in 2008) comes with 12 plastic animals and eight plastic barns. Each player chooses an animal at random and, after everyone sees it, hides that animal in his barn. Cards are then played face up by the players, until a pair exists. When that happens, the two players involved try to be the first to make the noise of the other's hidden animal (not necessarily the animal on the cards). This is a real laugh-out-loud game.
7. Tiki Topple
Image courtesy of Gamewright
For 2 to 4 players, ages 10 and up.
Players start with a secret tiki card (known only to them), which shows the three tikis they can score points for. The nine tikis are laid out in a column on the board. Players also have a small deck of action cards (each player's deck is identical) that can be used to manipulate the order of the tiki column or remove tikis. When only three tikis remain, points are awarded based on the secret tiki cards dealt at the start of the game. Tiki Topple won a 2008 Mensa Mind Games Award.
Players start with a secret tiki card (known only to them), which shows the three tikis they can score points for. The nine tikis are laid out in a column on the board. Players also have a small deck of action cards (each player's deck is identical) that can be used to manipulate the order of the tiki column or remove tikis. When only three tikis remain, points are awarded based on the secret tiki cards dealt at the start of the game. Tiki Topple won a 2008 Mensa Mind Games Award.
8. Yahtzee Free for All
Image courtesy of Hasbro
For 2 to 6 players, ages 8 and up.
This is a wild new version of the classic dice game in which players roll dice to match cards with the standard Yahtzee dice combinations, then try to steal cards from their opponents. If you enjoy dice games, Yahtzee Free for All is definitely worth buying.
This is a wild new version of the classic dice game in which players roll dice to match cards with the standard Yahtzee dice combinations, then try to steal cards from their opponents. If you enjoy dice games, Yahtzee Free for All is definitely worth buying.
