Game On
We know it’s been a long winter, and it’s not over yet. Weather has played havoc on us in all parts of the country and Mother Nature’s been working hard to remind us who is boss.
If you are looking for a way to while away what’s left of the season, help is at hand with two very helpful (non-board) games for families. And what better time to haul out the games than now when you might have nice long family breaks ahead of you this month.
The brand new Endangered Species Memory Game by SOS (Save Our Species) is a beautifully presented memory card game suitable for all members of the family (ages three to 103). Co-founders Julie Bredin and Anouk Bikers established SOS with a vision to inspire people to improve the effects of their footprint on our environment. Players turn over each brilliantly colourful and sensitively rendered drawing of the world’s endangered species by artist Anouk, then refer to a second card with a background description and fun facts on the endangered animal. Our testers began playing the game with the aim to win but by the end were more interested in learning about the particular species they had acquired. This is a game that any family who has ever taken a trip to the zoo (or plans to do so) will enjoy playing and learning.
The Chatterbox is another innovative game suitable for all ages designed to get families chattering. Players can keep score or not; they can be sitting at the table over dinner, around the fireplace or in the car. The forum is not what’s important here, but rather the discussion that results from the game. The Chatterbox was created to help families communicate and learn important life skills, such as dealing with people or money, in a fun and interesting way. Remember truth or dare? It’s like the truth part but with cards and questions like: “Do you ever hear your parents using words you are not allowed to use?” (our personal fave) or for the younger set, “Have you ever spilled your drink and said someone else did it?”. You can ask about favourite activities and family experiences as well. This game empowers busy families to sit down and discuss life instead of letting it pass us by too quickly.
We’re not saying that good old Go Fish doesn’t help with math skills, but there are some great new enlightening alternatives available to engage your kids and teach them a thing or two at the same time. And that’s a game we like to play.
Endangered Species Memory Game
www.sostogether.com
The Chatterbox
www.chatterboxgames.com
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Tested by Ryan (age 10) and Michael (age 8) H., Toronto |  |