What are the best board games for Christmas?
Earlier this month we were sent some board games by the people at Brainbox.
Now, I have to say that Flea loves board games. One of the side-effects of keeping her screen free until she was five is that she developed a passion for board games, and I think it’s a really nice, low-key way to spend time together in the evenings.
Name 5 Board Game Review
Among the bundle we were sent was a game I haven’t seen before, called “Name 5”.
It’s a ridiculously simple game in some respects – players take turn moving a counter round a board, and depending on the sort of spot you land on, you’re asked to name five things in a particular category.
I didn’t have high hopes when Flea set this up and asked me to play – but it turns out that “Name 5” is a fascinating, borderline disturbing insight into the things your kids know, and believe (in some cases wrongly). For example my child can easily name five shapes that have more than five sides. She can name 5 Tolkien characters and 5 planets off the top of her head, as well as 5 internal organs.
5 words that rhyme with “and”? Not so easy. And frankly, the argument about whether “dand” is a word isn’t one I care to repeat any time soon. My favourite answers, though, are the ones that are plain off the wall. Like these:
Name 5 common Household Cleaners
Flea: A maid.
Name 5 ways animals defend themselves
Flea: By penetrating you (turns out she meant digging their claws in)
Name 5 Places People might avoid
Flea: Building sites, offices and kitchen drawers.
The game is actually designed to be played by teams, but had a lot of fun with it, so a big thanks to Brainbox. If you fancy trying out Name 5 for yourselves, it’s just £10 on Amazon right now.
If you’re considering a board game for the family this Christmas I asked Flea and here are her favourites:
Flea’s Best Board Games for Christmas
I asked my child to name her favourite family board games and come up with the 10 best board games for families to try out. These games are tried and tested by the world’s coolest 8 year old so you know they’re good!
Don’t Scramble the Egg
This board game involves a large egg timer (essentially) that ticks as you throw it between players of the game. Your job is to call out a category then throw the egg to the next player. They have to answer a question before the timer on the egg runs out. It’s great fun, silly enough to keep younger family members entertained and I can promise you, it will get the adults really competitive, too! Available on Amazon and eBay at £17.99.
Frustration
It’s a classic for a reason and Flea is endlessly entertained by Frustration, which is so much cooler than when I was a kid! True story: every time we play this game, my Dad loses over and over and he gets really mad. It’s one of my favourite parts of Christmas and definitely why this is one of the greatest board games for families.
Kerplunk
Who doesn’t love threading straws and dropping marbles? This game is cheap and cheerful and easy enough for even little kids to play along with.
Pig Goes Pop
Is Pig goes Pop politically insensitive? Possibly. But it’s a great game for under 6s, with simple rules and a fat pig that goes pop if you feed it too much pizza. What’s not to love? It’s £24.99 but our version of this game lasted years and years.
