We’re always trying new games over here, from cards to children’s stuff, and I’m sharing a list today of the latest.
Well, my middle-school boys played this first and then introduced it to me. It’s now a family favorite, and I really love the cute cube-shaped birds. Learning to play takes under 10 minutes, and the object is to get the most points by collecting flocks of different species.
Players begin each round with bird cards in hand and a mixed flock of birds on the table from which everyone can choose. Draw cards, build your flock, and score points as you complete them. The game’s over when one player empties his hand. Cards are large, bright and colorful, and you can finish a game in about 20-30 minutes.
We received our free review copy from UltraPRO. CuBirds is fun for all ages, and is only $15.95 on Amazon!
Imhotep – Become Egypt’s Master Builder!
This Parent’s Choice Winner and Toy Insider top pick will indulge your inner Egyptian. I’ve been a history buff since childhood, and love the rich graphics and storyline of Imhotep, which challenges players to become pharaoh’s master builder, just like the real Imhotep.
Over six rounds, players transport stone blocks to end up in the most valuable positions at five construction sites, while thwarting their opponents’ efforts to do the same. To win the game and be named the greatest architect, you must get your blocks to the right place places, in the right order, at the right time. We love playing this one with our children, and it’s suitable for ages 10 and up.
Buy Imhotep with free shipping on Amazon.
Volt – Battle Bots!
This was a gift for our middle school aged boys, but we all like playing it together. Cashing in on the popular battle robots theme, Volt features a battle arena where bots gather for laser-blasting action. In the end, there will be only one operator to rule the arena! This geeky game involves “programming” 3 steps ahead as you anticipate the moves of other robots and aim to destroy them. Volt includes an easy-to-begin training guide but still leaves experienced players with plenty of different modules to make their robot battles even more exciting and merciless. There’s a cool 3D effect to the board game and components are bright and futuristic. It’s perfect for ages 10 and up and game time averages from 30 minutes to an hour.
Buy with free shipping (at an amazing sale price right now) with Amazon Prime.
Laser Chess – New Twist on a Classic Strategy Game
The object of Laser Chess is the same as its predecessor – regicide! Be the first to eliminate your opponent’s king and you’re the victor. But the new spin is that you zap them with lasers! There are five layouts you can choose from so games have some variability. Set-up takes just a minute or two.
Players take turns moving mirrored playing pieces around the board. They end each turn by firing the laser, removing a man from play if the beam strikes the non-mirrored surface. When the laser strikes the king, that’s checkmate. But be careful because it’s possible to leave yourself open to attack or accidentally bounce the beam at your own regent.
Laser Chess includes 26 playing pieces, 2 class one eye-safe lasers, and batteries. Retail price is $43.50.
Colorful and tactile and easy to learn, Sneaky Snacky Squirrel reinforces colors and numbers for children ages 3-6. Spin the spinner and pick up the matching acorn with your Squirrel Squeezer, placing it in your log. The first to collect 5 acorns wins! This is another Parent’s Choice Award winner and a Good Housekeeping Best Toy. Note: We found that the cute little Squirrel Squeezer, which use can use to grip the acorns, is cumbersome so we don’t even use it at all.
Buy with free shipping at Amazon.
Ringmaster – The Big Top Card Game
This fast-paced card game is great when you want to have some fun but not get entrenched in something that will take a long time, or require complicated strategy. Each player wants to build a circus with the biggest attractions so they can attract a greater audience. Cards played can either benefit you or sabotage competing ringmasters.
The artwork is rich and original, the cards are large and sturdy, and everything can be tucked away in the carrying pouch. stars and attractions to dazzle the biggest audience. Caveat: Some of the cards have graphics that are a bit edgy and mature (think creepy clowns and grotesque circus characters). So I would definitely say this is geared towards teens and older, and will appeal to those who are into the “fantastical.”
We received our free review copy from UltraPRO. The Ringmaster card game is less than $10 on Amazon and ships FREE with Prime.
This post was sponsored in part by UltraPRO games, and may contain affiliate links.
These all sound like a lot of fun. My family loves board games, but we’ve played the same ones so many times, they’ve lost their excitement. These look great!
These are all new to me. And I’ve read the post with great interest, as we do adore board games. So nice to know what you liked about these games.
Looks like we have a few new games we have to try! My girls would love them.
We have the squirrel game too and it’s a lot of fun. My kids really enjoy that one. I haven’t heard of any of the others. My kids and I love playing new games though. I’ll have to check them out.
I love board games! Especially on holidays.. Thanks for suggesting these. I will check these out.
We love board games too. I haven’t heard of these ones before. I’ll have to check them out and see if my family wants to try any!
They all look like good idea games. I like simple board games like Sorry!, Monopoly. UNO we love or I should say I love to play with my son.
These look like lots of fun! I haven’t played any of them before.