2) Dixit
Source: Amazon
Verdict: Dixit is voted the favourites of both kids and adults and I have to agree that the game play is truly unique. The colourful fantasy illustrations will attract kids in an instance, at the same time foster their creativity, storytelling 5) and requires a little bit of strategising. This is because in order to win the game, your story or description must not be too obvious for everyone to guess your card correctly (or you’ll score 0), but at the same time it must not be too vague that nobody votes for your card.
Game play: Each player will draw six beautifully illustrated cards. Some illustrations are provocative while some are fantasy. At every round, each player will take turn to be a storyteller. He/she will have to choose a card without revealing it, and describe the card. It could be a poem, story, song, sentence or even a single word. The other players will then also choose a card of their own that they think best fits with the storyteller’s description and pass it to the storyteller without showing it to the others. Once everyone has chosen their card, the storyteller will lay all of them face up in random order and each player (except the lead player) will vote for the card that best suit the description. Storyteller and players who found the correct answer score 3 points. However, if everybody or nobody finds the correct card, the storyteller scores 0. Other players will also score 1 point for every vote for their own card.
Age Suitability: Age 6 and above
Number of Players: 3 to 6
Game Time: 30 minutes
3) Splendor
Verdict: Splendor is one of the more mysterious game of gem-collecting and card development. Players play as a wealthy renaissance merchant, acquiring mines, means of transportation, shop and creating jewelries to become the best-known merchant. If you’re wealthy enough, you may “attract” noble visits which will help you increase your prestige points. While the story line of the game is already interesting, your kids will have tonnes of fun playing this game but at the same time, they will learn about business and trading.
Game play: Players have to accumulate points by acquiring precious stones and trade them for development cards. The development cards are used to acquire more gem stones to create jewelry, and then “attract” nobles to score points. The first player that earns 15 points win the game. At each turn, player can only perform one action; collect gems, buy and build a card or reserve one card. If you choose to collect gems, you can either take 3 different colour gems or 2 gems of the same colour.
Age Suitability: Age 10 and above
Number of Players: 2 to 4
Game Time: More than 30 minutes
4) Organ Attack!
Verdict: This hilarious game play will bring joy and laughter to you and your family! The rules are really simple and you don’t need any medical knowledge to master the game. The game blends medically accurate terminology with lame potty humor. While having a good laugh attacking each other’s organs, your kids will also learn true facts about organs and various ailments. However, do note that this game may not be suitable for players who are sensitive about medical conditions as he or she may have a sick family member at home.
Game play: All players each have a set of organs and the objective of the game is to remove your opponents’ organs before they remove yours. Players use related afflictions, immunity and tactical cards to attack your opponents while protecting themselves. For example, you could give gallstones to an opponent’s gallbladder. The last person to survive with at least one organ wins.
Age Suitability: Age 10 and above
Number of Players: 2 to 6
Game Time: More than 30 minutes
5) 7 Wonders
Verdict: This addictive game can be quite complex with large number of mechanics in it. First time players may find it difficult to understand the rules of the game at first. The best way to learn it is to just play it and learn along the way. Younger children may take a couple of games to grasp as 7 Wonders require a lot of strategy-thinking. Many parents have commend that their children learn a lot and even memorised all seven ancient wonders in the world.
Game play: In a nutshell, players are leading an ancient civilization to become a world power. Players can develop their civilization as military powerhouse, establish merchant state, or master science & technology. The game is divided into 3 rounds (known as Ages). At the beginning of the first Age, players has 7 cards in their hand. They must choose only one, play the card and then passes the remaining cards to the player on their left. With that one card in their hand, they can either:
- Discard the card to get 3 additional coins from the bank
- Activate it if they can meet the requirements. Do not that, the same card cannot be played twice
- Use it to construct a piece of wonder on the game board if they can meet the requirement
The process repeats until players are left holding two cards, whereby one card is then selected for a final action and the other is discarded. The player who has the most developed civilization after the third Age wins the game.
Age Suitability: Age 10 and above
Number of Players: 2 to 7
Game Time: 30 minutes
6) Codenames
Verdict: Codenames is a challenging game, suitable to train your children’s critical thinking and English vocabulary. The game is basically about 2 rival spymasters who know the secret identities of 25 agents. Their teammates know the agents only by their Codenames. They must guess them based on a one-word clue given by their spymaster, without running into an assassin. Be prepared to crack your head, thinking of just one word to link as many words as you can for your teammate to guess in the fastest time! My personal favourite, if you ask!
Game play: Split the players into two teams to compete to see who can make contact with all of their agents first. The starting team has 9 words to guess while the other team has 8. At each round, the spymaster of the team can only give a one-word clue and the number of words that is related to the clue. While guessing the words, players must avoid choosing those that belong to the opposing team and also the assassin. Once you run into an assassin, you automatically lose the game. The team who can guess all their words first wins the game!
Age Suitability: Age 12 and above
Number of Players: 2 to 8
Game Time: 15 minutes
There you have it! Our recommended card games to play with your kids and teens. Which are your favourites? Let us know your picks in the comments below! If you love these games, you’ll also be interested to explore “Board Games to Play with your Kids & Teens” and “Fun Activities to do with your Kids at Home“.
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