It has been a long 5 months… 5 months of us not going out or socializing. It has been a bit challenging trying to entertain 3 kids at home, kids who have not seen family and friends for months.
I had time to do a little spring cleaning recently and finally sorted out the kid’s toys and games. I did not realise just how many games we had collected over the years but I am so glad that we can finally put them to use – especially over the weekends to bond and reconnect more.
Growing up, games in general, played a huge role in my life especially as I was not exposed to the technology that we have now. I remember playing Mario with my cousin after school (remember the cartridge games?) and spent hours during the school holidays playing carrom board with my neighbours.
This lockdown has taken me back there but now with my kids. As much as we don’t like being at home, I also appreciate the time that I have with my kids and the traditions that we have created as a family.
If you are looking to add a few games to your entertainment itinerary for the next week months, check out the below, you won’t regret it:
1. If you have a Nintendo Switch, these are the games you should check out:
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Paper Mario: The Origami King
- Just Dance
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
2. Operation
I have to admit, I never played this game before.
Use the tweezers to remove Sam’s funny ailment parts! If you touch the sides, the buzzer sounds, and your turn is over.
Age group: 4+
3. Twister
One of my favourite games to play with the kids. TWISTER game challenges you to put your hands and feet at different places on the mat without falling over! Be the last player standing to win.
Age group: 6+
4. Monopoly
An old time favourite that I still love playing when I have hours free and no crying toddler around.
5. Uno
I’m still learning how to play this game, to be honest, but it is an all-time classic.
Players take turns matching a card in their hand with the current card shown on top of the deck either by color or number. Special action cards deliver game-changing moments as they help you defeat your opponents. These include Skips, Reverses, Draw Twos, Wild and Draw Four Wild cards. You’ll find 25 of each color (red, green, blue, and yellow), eight Wild cards, three Customizable cards and one Special Rule card inside the 112-card deck.
Age group: 7+
6. DOS
Just like UNO®, DOS is a race to get rid of your cards before your competitors do. The first person to 200 points is the winner! And in a fun twist, now when you’re down to two cards, don’t forget to yell “Dos!”
Age group: 7+
7. Jenga
Want a game experience that combines friends, skill, suspense, laughter, and maybe a little luck? You gotta get the Classic Jenga game! It’s the perfect game for everyone, with edge-of-your-seat, gravity-defying action.
Age group: 6+
8. Don’t step in it
Be careful not to poop out while playing this hilarious game with messy consequences! Put on a blindfold, spin the spinner, and then take that many steps across the game mat. But watch out! Little piles of compound moulded in the shape of poop have been strategically placed on the mat. Sometimes players will have to add a poop, remove a poop, or even re-arrange the poops along the mat. Who can avoid the number twos to be number one to win?
Age group: 4+
9. Scrabble (Junior)
What a great way for kids to play a favourite word game! With Junior Scrabble™, kid-sized words and colourful pictures make it fun to match letter tiles to words on the grid.
Age group: 5+
10. Toilet trouble
Which flush will cause the gush? Share some hilarious and suspense-filled moments as players take turns spinning the toilet paper roll, flushing the toilet handle, and hoping they don’t get sprayed with water! The number that turns up on the paper roll spinner dictates how many times each player must flush.
Age group: 4+
11. Mouse trap
Mousetrap is the crazy, zany game of catching rodents, using the wildest contraptions. The cheeky mice are ready for action and give Carlos the cat the run around. They love cheese so much; they’ll risk being caught but will Carlos wake from his catnap and catch them out?
Age group: 6+
12. Boggle
This game is perfect to take on holiday!
Earn points by spotting words your friends don’t before time runs out. Shake the grid to mix up the letter cubes. Then lift the lid and flip the timer. Players have 90 seconds to write down as many words as they can find on the grid before time is up.
Age group: 8+
13. Games Hub Family Games
This has the classic games we all grew up with and is also a budget friendly option.
Age group: 4+
Other Suggestions that are highly recommended:
14. Pie face
The simple Pie Face game brings friends and family together for lots of laugh-out-loud fun. First, players load the arm with whipped cream (not included, additional purchase necessary). Then, players take turns sliding their heads through the face mask and spinning the spinner. Players turn the handle the number of times indicated on the spinner and the tension on the arm builds. Then, suddenly someone gets whipped cream in the face!
Age group: 5+
15. Connect 4 shots
Bounce ’em in for the win! The Connect 4 Shots game is fast-paced, rapid-fire fun in a race to get 4 shots in a row! Countdown to start 1-2-3…bounce!
Age group: 8+
16. Pictionary Air
Draw in the air and see it on screen in this exciting take on the quick-draw classic. Download the Pictionary Air™ app to your smart phone or tablet to get started. Point the in-app camera at the illustrator and they’ll appear, along with their sketch, on the screen of your smart device. Cast to your TV for even bigger laughs!
Age group: 8+
17. Egged On Game
Take a crack at the Egged On game, Hasbro’s hilarious twist on the egg roulette challenge. In this game, players pick the right egg or get wet. The Egged On game is a hilarious and suspenseful game in which players take turns picking plastic eggs and pressing them on their heads. Some of the eggs are filled with water and players never know which one they’ve got in their hand. The players who get splashed are out and the “yolk” is on them. The last player left in the game wins.
Age group: 5+
18. Flipslide
Can you master the moves to beat the blocks! Flip to find the colour and slide to match the lights.
Age group: 5+
Hi, I’m Shan. I’m an entrepreneur and a sucker for good adventures. I was listed in Forbes Africa 30 under 30 2019 and just recently launched my start-up – MomSays.
