Great Family Games

The meeting this month was a quiet one, but I wanted to share a few ideas for games that you and your family might enjoy.

First up is ThinkFun's Chocolate Fix. It's a logic game of trying to arrange the chocolates on the tray when given some visual hints as to where the pieces go. Think simplified Sudoku with chocolate candies instead of numbers. My boys love playing with the candy game pieces, and there's no reading required. The puzzles start out very simple but by the end get easily complex enough for logic-puzzle loving adults.

Another great strategy game is Blokus. Up to four players try to arrange their geometric shapes on the board, blocking other players while trying to keep space open for their own pieces. The rules are simple, but the strategy is complex! There's no reading required, so this one can be played by the children amongst themselves, but the strategy is engaging enough for adults to love.

Just recently, I introduced Quarto to my boys. It has some similarities with tic-tac-toe, but you are trying to get four game pieces in a row that share a characteristic, like height (tall or short), color (dark or light), shape (round or square). The kids love that you choose the piece that your opponent will play next. Another non-reading game that has enough strategy to it for adults to play!

Finally, don't forget old classics like Mastermind or Battleship. And there's always something great about getting outside and playing bocce, croquet, or just tag!

Have a great Holiday season. There's no meeting in December, but do join us in January for a discussion of mid-year burnout!