The Savvy Five: Board Games

There is no better time than the holidays to slow down for a little while and get in some good play time with your kids. So put a log in the fireplace, warm up some cocoa and open up a great board game. With our SavvyFive board games, not only will your family have fun, but you might even sneak in a little bit of learning, too (and you may even want to wrap a few of these up and slip them under the tree).

Gobblet Gobblers
Who Will Love It: The box says ages five and up, but even our toddler fell in love with the colourful wooden pieces and played with it for hours!
Why It Made the List: As easy to understand as tic-tac-toe, but with a strategic twist (big pieces can gobble up smaller ones), your younger kids will have fun trying to outwit the grown ups. ($24.95)
Good to Know: These fun games are all wooden (which we love) and the company plants two trees for every one they use in producing their toys. We love all of Blue Orange’s games (check out Chickyboom and Pengoloo too). Please be aware that some pieces are small, so keep an eye on the little ones.

Apples to Apples Junior
Who Will Love It: Kids who like to giggle and be silly and grown ups who like to make learning a ton of fun. This game is best for kids who can read.
Why It Made the List: Players have to make the most entertaining comparisons between words and everyone gets a turn at judging whose description is best. You are guaranteed to laugh at some of your children’s choices and they are guaranteed to learn lots of new words. ($28.95)
Good to Know: Apples to Apples even sells a pack of customizable cards that you can run through your laser or inkjet printer to make a game that is all about your family’s favourite people, places and things. It also makes studying for that big spelling quiz more fun. ($9.75)

Blokus
Who Will Love It: Kids who like playing with blocks more than reading a book.
Why It Made the List: Although this game requires a lot of strategic thinking to win, Blokus does not have many rules, requires no reading and can be played in around 20 minutes, making it perfect for younger kids (five and up). You’ll be surprised at how quickly your children will start outwitting you! ($33.95)
Good to Know: Blokus also comes in a 3-D version and with triangular pieces if your family loves it and wants new challenges.

The Game of Life
Who Will Love It: Older kids (7 and up) who may have contracted a bad case of the ‘greedies’ over the holidays.
Why It Made the List: The game is as much fun as you remember, but what you might not recall is what you learned while playing it. The Game of Life teaches realistic lessons about financial planning, decision-making and how expenses can add up! We loved watching our kids get frustrated with debt and learn to save their money. ($22.95)
Good to Know: There are lots of cards and tiny ‘people’ included in this game, so it’s best for families out of the ‘little kid’ stage.

Canada-opoly
Who Will Love It: Patriots-in-training who like to count money.
Why It Made the List: What’s not to love about a game dedicated to the best country in the whole world? Based on the Monopoly board game, Canada-opoly gives players the opportunity to purchase famous Canadian landmarks (want the chance build your very own ski lodge in Banff National Park?). We loved that our kids recognized many of the landmarks on our recent cross-country car trip after playing this game. ($29.95)
Good to Know: If you have younger children, team them up with a parent so they can play, too. Sometimes parent/child teams work well so the kids can learn the rules of the game.

A crackling fire, some warm drinks and fun with your kids. Those are the games we like to play.

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