We’ve had a few new games this Christmas, which have already established themselves as favourites. Here’s a roundup of our current top games – old and new – for a family games night.   

Kaker Laken Poker (Cockroach Poker)  

Ages: 7+

Players: 2-6

It might have poker in its title but its only resemblance to the betting game is the element of bluffing aka fibbing. Kaker Laken Poker (Cockroach poker) is quite novel in that there’s no overall winner, just one loser. However, this doesn’t mean it is in any way less competitive.

The aim of the game is to force another player to collect four of the same kind of creature (cockroaches, stinkbugs, bats, toads et al) or use up all their cards; both these situations result in them forfeiting the game. This is achieved by making a fellow player guess incorrectly about the identity of the card that’s passed to them. On their turn a player receives a card from their neighbouring player. They can choose to accept the card and decide if the player’s telling the truth or not about the creature on it. If wrong, they add the card to their pile, but if they’re correct the previous player has to add it to theirs. Instead of accepting the card, they can also choose to pass the card on either confirming the previous player’s claim or changing the identity. The subsequent player again decides if what this player says is the truth or not.  

It all gets very duplicitous and is deliciously entertaining.

Kaker Laken Poker

Rolazone/Omshanti  

Ages: 5+

Players: 2 (but can be teams)

My husband has had this game for 20 years or more. He introduced it to me many moons ago then we introduced it to the kids. It remains a perennial favourite. Our friends now know it well; it gets ‘rolled’ out at many gatherings.  

It’s a real game of skill and a sort of modern-day twist on shove halfpenny, but played at each end of the ‘board’ – in this case mat. Two players take consecutive turns to roll their three spherical playing pieces into successive zones. Players then move their score counter up the side for each successful zone they achieve (in order) terminating with the ‘end zone’. Play continues until one player gets all three of their counters to the top.   

It is highly addictive and frequently frustrating.

Omshanti

Ticket to Ride

Ages: 8+  

Players: 2-5

This is a brilliant strategy game for older children and adults but is equally fun for younger children who can play on a more elemental level. The aim is to build railway routes across America. This is done by collecting different types of train cards and claiming sections of track, which connect cities. The more routes completed, the more points earned, with longer routes being the trickiest but most lucrative. Extra points are up for grabs at the end of play for the longest overall track, which can literally be a game changer. Points are deducted for incomplete routes. There are plenty of opportunities for accidental sabotage (or deliberate if that’s the way you’re playing!).  

We got rather addicted to the online version during lockdown 1 then received the original board game for Christmas; it doesn’t disappoint. The gameplay is pretty much identical, but it has the added old school charm of a board game and is more immersive than its digital cousin.

Ticket to Ride

Flipping Hats Game/Hats Off

Ages 4+

Players: 2-4

If you’re looking for a game of silly fun which requires skill, but no brain power then this is perfect.

Each player chooses a colour, and the aim is to get the six small witch hats into the corresponding coloured section. The little hats are launched using a very fun flicking device. The winner is the first to do it. That’s it!

It’s fast, furious and ultra-competitive.

Flipping Hats Game

Vintage Hats Off

Family Fortunes Kids v Parents

Ages 8+

Players: 2+

Most people are familiar with the format of this long-running TV gameshow. We started watching it as a family earlier this year and the girls love it (they’re fans of Gino anyway). It prompted me to get it for Christmas.

The board game is pretty faithful to the show. Play includes four Face Off rounds and two Fast Money rounds with each team trying to get as many correct, and specifically top, answers as they can whilst avoiding the dreaded uh-uh (incorrect answer). Everything is recorded on the wipeable scoreboard.

The kids absolutely love anything that pits them against adults and the questions are tailored well for two different generations. We’ve all thoroughly enjoyed playing it and it is perfect for a family games night.

Family Fortunes Kids V Parents

Let me know of your family favourites in the comments below.

The Entertainer toy shop has loads of new and classic games and is currently doing a mix and match buy one get one half price – board games

The post Five family games we’re loving right now appeared first on The Parent Social.

Travelling with kids

Most parents are well versed in the usual things to chuck in the suitcase when travelling with their children… enough SPF 50, hydration sachets and mosquito repellent to last a decade; a snack supply that’d feed an army and enough baby wipes to clean a thousand bottoms.

While these items are staples when away as a family, there are a few more items you might have missed off the list of essentials. These can take the holiday from survivable to enjoyable!

Travel board games

A simple travel game can result in hours of simple family entertainment… a game by the side of the pool during the day, a family game in the evening to help the kids wind down or even something to entertain the adults after the children have gone to bed. It’s easy to overlook classic board games but you’ll be surprised by how much fun you’ll all have.

Cameras – disposable, Polaroid, underwater

It’s not all about those filtered digital images primed and perfected for Instagram. Taking a different kind of camera can result in a diverse and brilliant bank of memories. You can go old school and actually get them printed or even mount on the wall in a collage to look at every day. Having those off-the-cuff moments captured is something pretty special.

iPad, Kindle, smartphone, handheld games, chargers and other electronic devices 

There’s a strong argument to leaving them all at home; holidays are about family time after all: making memories, seeing actual faces and talking to each other. They are also about having ten minutes to put your feet up and drink a cocktail in peace and quiet… In moderation, devices provide a good downtime opportunity for everyone!

A comfy blanket or favourite cuddly toy from home

A lot of kids experience some element of home sickness while away, especially for the first time. If they’re a bit under the weather whilst you’re away or just feel a bit displaced, having a home comfort they can wrap themselves up in or snuggle with will be a godsend. They’ll be far more relaxed and more likely to drift off to sleep.

A night light

Packing light fittings isn’t usually part of the holiday checklist, but having a gentle glow in the hotel room will mean that your little ones can rest more easily and feel more relaxed. It also means you won’t have to sit in total darkness once the kids are asleep if the hotel room doesn’t feature low level lighting. You can get compact, portable night lights that won’t take up much room in your case.

Empty carrier/ziplock bags

Travelling with kids always results in a lot of washing. Having extra bags for any especially grubby items or shoes (muddy wellies, sandy flip flops etc) will make suitcases full of dirty laundry far more palatable when you get back home. You can even arrange the items into laundry loads, if you want to be especially organised!

You might also like: 

Car Games for Long Journeys 

A Family Break to Venice

Child-friendly City Break: Top Euro Locations

A Great British Family Holiday

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