what a trip!

 The Playful Walnut
Nov 022011
 

Are you good at thinking on your feet? Do you possess a knack for coming up with words that stump your Scrabble partner? If you love playing games that allow you to flaunt your vast vocabulary, then take a break from the virtual Words With Friends and dust off the coffee table for Game Night. Packaged in an eye-catching vintage tin, Road Trip is a fast-moving board game where you get points for moving quickly (no worries about traffic tickets on this route!). Players travel cross-country as they move across the board, taking challenges that demonstrate their language skills. When you roll the Alphabet Dice, you must use that corresponding letter to answer a question. It can be as difficult as saying a word that ends or begins with said letter, or (our favorite) completing a sentence with a word that starts with that letter (how silly you want to be is up to you!).  Just be mindful of those Rest Stop cards; like in the real world, too many bathroom breaks may work against you. Whether you’re playing with family or friends, this crowd-pleasing game is a ton of fun–and it sure beats the license plate game.

In a Nutshell: Hitting the road was never so easy. Just pack your thinking cap!

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potluck party

 The Playful Walnut
Jun 062011
 

When it comes to playing board games, my 7-year-old can be a sore loser. Blame it on an ultra competitive spirit that’s been cultivated over the years, or maybe it’s just plain bad sportsmanship (I don’t like being last either). Nevertheless, I miss the days of playing games like CandyLand when my daughter was content to land on any edible treat, even if it set her back 10 paces. Instead, there should be more games like the new assortment from Peaceable Kingdom that focuses more on cooperative game playing than who gets to the finish line first. One of the games in the line, Stone Soup, is a great way to encourage team building at a young age. Players must work together to cook a pretend soup by making matches of all the ingredients. Easier said than done, though; they must accomplish their task before the fire under the kettle burns out. To make this soup even more delectable, there’s one magic stone card in the deck that can keep that fire from going out…but everyone must be in agreement as to when they’ll use the card. Talk about team work! Aimed at ages 5 and up, Stone Soup is one satisfying meal that’s worth the wait.

In a Nutshell: Tired of hearing “no fair” when the game just doesn’t go your child’s way? With Stone Soup, too many cooks don’t spoil the broth, but rather are just the right number of ingredients for a fun time for all.

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sick day cure-all

 The Playful Walnut
Mar 112011
 

After three days at home with a sick kid, we’ve been going a little nutty over here. Once TV has run its course and activity books have lost their allure, you know it’s time to break out a board game. Well, even if my daughter isn’t yet cured of her virus, she’s been having a blast playing The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game. The concept is simple (perfect for foggy, cold-infected little minds): Each player gets a mini log and uses a spinner to land on a color. Once they have collected one acorn for each of the corresponding colors, they win! The trick is to demonstrate your dexterity with the Squirrel Squeezer (don’t worry–no animals are harmed in the playing of this game), tongs in the likeness of the backyard critter that allow you to grasp acorns off the tree-shaped board. And beware of the masked squirrel who just might steal your acorns, or the blowing wind that threatens to overturn your log. We were able to play several rounds of this game without losing our momentum–and without me checking my watch every 10 minutes. I am human, after all.

In a Nutshell: Yes, sick days can definitely make a kid (and her mom) a bit nutty, but a good game can help pass the time and cure the boredom blues.

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