Barbie Board Games: A Discussion and List

Anyone who loves Barbie and board games might find themselves wondering, as I did, what Barbie-themed board games are available. A simple search revealed the short list of Barbie-themed games that I review here on this page. However, the more I looked the more games I found and so you will also find on this page a longer list of games at the bottom of this page. This list may help you if you are seeking a particular game from a specific time period. Most of the games on this page (including on the list) are vintage but there are a couple of new games that were released along with the hit Barbie movie in 2023.

THE BARBIE GAME QUEEN OF THE PROM (1961 and 1994)

First up is the game with a blue cover shown above called simply, The Barbie Game. It was released by Mattel in 1960 and could well be the first game ever made. Beware that there are two versions of Queen of the Prom as it was re-released in 1994. Both are vintage games but have a decidedly different appearance.

The description of the game on the box of the newer version reads, “You are Barbie. Win if you are the first crowned Queen of the Prom. To win you must have a steady boyfriend, a prom dress and be elected president of a school club. Midge, Skipper and Ken share the fun.”

What fun it is to see the original game in this 1960s television commercial:

TAKE A PERSONAL APPEARANCE TOUR WITH BARBIE GAME (1980)

This vintage 1980 game was released by Whitman. The description on the back of the box reads, “Travel with Barbie by car and plane on her tour and visit movie studios, grand openings, charity telethons and more. If you are first to appear three times and then reach the awards presentation, you win.” It evokes all of the excitement of a glamorous life in the 1980s. 

DREAM DATE (1992)

The Barbie Dream Date game was released by Golden in 1992. In this game, “…girls play the Dream Date Game with Barbie and Ken! Ken picks out beautiful gifts for Barbie and might take her horseback riding, snow skiing or maybe even to a ball! Players collect gifts for Barbie, moving around the board and taking photos of their dates. At midnight, the individual with the most gift and date cards wins!” The cover definitely reminds me of the 1990s.

BARBIE DRESS UP GAME (1993)

Another Golden release, this game was created in 1993. In this one you “play with a Barbie doll trying to be the first player to collect all of Barbie’s fashion accessories without getting a broken heart.” This game would be especially fun for anyone who loves fashion.

MONOPOLY BOUTIQUE AND MONOPOLY MOVIE (2007 AND 2003)

Monopoly has released hundreds or more likely thousands of board games on every theme you can possibly think of. Monopolyland says estimates range between 300 and 7,000 games and that the largest known collection of Monopoly games claims to have 3,500 games. Anyway, when I looked, I could find two Barbie versions. 

The first version was the Barbie Boutique Edition from 2007, which was packed in a pretty pink box. Finding a description of it proved difficult though pictures show that it was beautifully presented in a jewelry-style box.

The second version was official movie merchandise that was released in tandem with the movie Barbie. It is widely available and the box reads, “You can be anything with Barbie…Follow your dreams around the board. Buy famous streets, build DreamHouses and draw Dream Closet and Dream Career cards for extra twists. Flex your unique skills, dream a bit, own it all and be anything!” I expect a lot of people received this version of the game for Christmas in 2023. If you are interested, you can find Barbie Monopoly on Amazon by clicking here.

A LIST OF BARBIE BOARD GAMES

As I was reading about the games mentioned above, I kept discovering more new, used and vintage Barbie-themed games. I guess that is not really surprising given the length of time that Barbie has been around. The gaps in years tells me that this list is not likely complete but here’s my list, not definitive, but definitely long, arranged in chronological order: 

Queen of the Prom Game (1960)
Keys to Fame Game (1963)
Skipper: Barbie's Little Sister (1964)
The Barbie World of Fashion game (1967)
Miss Lively Livin’ (1970)
Take a Personal Appearance Tour with Barbie. (1980)

Charms the World (1985)
Barbie Meets Ken in the Game of Their Dreams! (1987)
Just Us Girls (1989)
Shopping Spree Card Game (1991)
We Girls Can Do Anything (1991)
Dream Date (1992)
Fun Fashions Memory Game (1992)
Butterfly Princess (1995)
Dress Up Game (1995)
Sparkle Kingdom Game (1996)
Go Shopping! (1999)
Enchanted 3-D Game (2001)
Barbie Says (2002)
UNO: Barbie (2002)
Barbie of Swan Lake (2003)
Rapunzel (2003)
The Nutcracker Playset Game (2003)
UNO: Barbie California Girl (2004)
The Princess and the Pauper Game (2004)
Guess the Look! (2004)
Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses (2006)
Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus (2005)
World of Models (2008)
Race to the Party Game (2010)
Shopping Day (2011)
Charmed Travels (2011)
Fashion City (2011)
Gems! (2012)
Bring The Bling Game (2012)
Shop with Barbie (2013)
UNO: Barbie The Movie (2023)
Monopoly: Barbie Movie (2023)

WHERE TO BUY VINTAGE BARBIE GAMES?

If you are searching for any of these games, new, used or vintage, I suggest following this link to eBay's collection of new, used and vintage Barbie board games. There you will find many of these games in assorted condition. New games that are out of production will likely cost more. However, if you shop carefully, you can likely find a used game that is in good condition. 

Have I missed a Barbie game that you used to play?

See you
At the toy store!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

MORE BARBIE READING

Barbie Mega Bloks Sets

For Barbie enthusiasts who love to build, there's a collection of fun Mega Bloks sets.

Barbie in my eBay Store

Discover what's in store! 

My Barbie Doll Memories 

I was a child when Barbie was released. Discover a few of my earliest Barbie memories.

The Perfect Barbie Movie Gift Idea

Uncover my pick of the best Barbie movie gift idea.

Alfred Hitchcock Barbie Doll

Discover the movie fashioned after Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds movie!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Deck the Halls: Embrace the Festive Spirit with Christmas Area Rugs

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to transform your home into a winter wonderland than with the magic of Christmas area rugs? These versatile and festive floor coverings are not just accessories; they're the secret ingredient to elevating the holiday ambiance in your home. 

Why Decking the Floors Can Be Fun

Instant Cheerful Transformation:

Rolling out a Christmas area rug is like waving a wand and turning your home into a festive haven. The vibrant colors, playful patterns, and iconic holiday symbols instantly infuse a sense of joy and merriment into any space.

Warm and Cozy Atmosphere:

There's something inherently cozy about the holiday season; a Christmas area rug takes that coziness up a notch. The soft, plush textures underfoot create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making your home the perfect retreat from the winter chill.

Express Your Style:

Christmas area rugs come in various styles, from traditional designs with classic motifs like snowflakes and reindeer to modern, whimsical patterns. This allows you to express your unique style while keeping with the festive theme. Whether your taste is timeless or trendy, a holiday rug suits every preference.

Kid-Friendly Fun:

If you have little ones running around, a Christmas area rug can become the focal point for holiday activities. From playing board games to opening presents, the rug serves as a designated festive zone that adds extra excitement for the kids.

Easy Seasonal Decor:

Only some have the time or energy to transform their home into a winter wonderland. A Christmas area rug is a quick and easy way to inject holiday spirit into any room without elaborate decorations. It's a hassle-free option for those who want maximum impact with minimal effort.

Take a Look at the Christmas Rug Product Page

Yearly Tradition:

Investing in a Christmas area rug can become a delightful annual tradition. Each year, as you unroll the rug and place it in its designated spot, it becomes a symbol of cherished memories and a reminder of the joyous holiday seasons.

Perfect for All Spaces:

Whether you're decorating the living room, bedroom, or kitchen, a Christmas area rug can seamlessly fit into any space. Choose a size and style that suits the room's aesthetic, and watch as the holiday magic unfolds.

Consider adding a festive flair to your home this holiday season with a Christmas area rug. These rugs enhance the visual appeal of your space and create a warm and inviting atmosphere that embodies the true spirit of the season. 

So, why wait? Roll out the festive carpet and feature some Christmas art on the floor.

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

Check Out a Selection of Fun, Decorative Christmas Area Rugs Here

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

National Scrabble Day – Holiday Review

 National Scrabble Day is celebrated each year on April 13, which is the birthday of Alfred Mosher Butts who invented this iconic board game. 

Scrabble Game

The game of Scrabble is based on the crossword puzzle and anagrams and was originally called Criss Cross. It was developed by an architect named Alfred M. Butts in 1931. The game was later redesigned and renamed Scrabble. First sold in Great Britain in 1954, this popular game is now found in three out of every five American homes. The games range from a Junior Edition to the standard game, a deluxe game and even travel-sized games. 

Scrabble is a word game played by two to four players. You score points by placing tiles, that each contain a letter, on a game board which has a grid of squares. Many of the letters are worth one point, while certain letters are worth more points. There are extra-point squares on the board for doubling or tripling a letter or a whole word.

Scrabble is a fun game for kids through adults. A board game that is a family friendly strategy word game. It also makes a great party game.

A Personal Scrabble Game Story

We were playing Scrabble one evening at the home of friends. Hubby Bob had a 7-letter word which would have given him 50 bonus points, in addition to the points he would earn from his letters. Playing all 7 letters in a single turn is called a BINGO. There were three places on the Scrabble Board where he could have played his Bingo on a Triple-Word Score, giving him 3X the points. 

Believe it or not, there were 3 players ahead of Bob before his next turn and, naturally, we each took those triple-word places ~ not having a clue that Bob had this 7-letter word. 

Bob's word was BAZOOKA, which would have scored him 22 points for the points on the letter tiles, times 3 for the triple-word space, PLUS the 50-point bonus for a total of 106 points! 

B3+A1+Z10+01+01+k5+A1=22 

Of course now there was no place left on the board to play. Obviously, it was a big disappointment not to be able to play such a great word, but Bob eventually did play KAZOO for 18 points. The rest of us DID hear about it for several minutes as the game continued. And it became a favorite story every time we'd get together to play games. LOL.

Summary

So, on April 13, or any day, get out the Scrabble game and have a wordy good time! 

More Scrabble-Related Reviews:

• 5 Fun Scrabble Decoration Ideas by Brite-Ideas
• Games Day by Wednesday Elf

National Scrabble Day

April 13

*National Scrabble Day Holiday Review written by Wednesday Elf

A Variety of Scrabble Games

 Hasbro Scrabble Deluxe Edition (Amazon Exclusive)Check Price Scrabble Board Game, Word Game for Kids Ages 8 and Up, Fun Game for 2-4 Players, Classic Crossword GameCheck Price Scrabble Score Pad: scrabble score sheets:100 score Pages _ Perfect size at 8.5 x 11 in / 21.59 x 27.94 cm/A4.Check Price WS Game Company Scrabble Deluxe Travel EditionCheck Price

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Best Gifts for Christmas 2023 - Recommended by Our Contributors

Shopping for Christmas gifts is not always easy, especially if you have a long gift list.  The contributors of Review This Reviews would like to help you quickly check those names off your list so you can move on to celebrating Christmas with less stress.

Each contributor has selected one gift to recommend here. There are gift selections for women, men, children, and there is even a gift suggestion for pet owners included! 

We have a larger selection of choices featured on our Christmas Gifts Pinterest board, if needed.

We invite you to sit back and enjoy shopping from the comfort of your own home! 

 

FAST CLICK INDEX - Click the Category Title to Jump to Specific Section 

BOOK LOVERS     NATURE LOVERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS     TOOL ORGANIZERS     FOOD GIFTS     CHRISTMAS DECOR     EXERCISE ENTHUSIASTS     COFFEE LOVERS     OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS     MUSIC LOVERS     FOR THE COOK     GARDENING ENTHUSIASTS     FOR PET OWNERS     FOR CHILDREN     MORE GIFT SUGGESTIONS                

Best Gift for Readers

 Kindle Unlimited Gift SubscriptionCheck PriceYears ago, my daughter gave me a Kindle Paperwhite.  

Even though I was hesitant to set aside physical books, once I started reading books on my Kindle, I found I really liked how lightweight and thin it was compared to an actual book. It is so easy to slip into my backpack, tote or purse and take my entire collection of books with me anywhere I go. This is especially awesome when we travel.  

My mother-in-law lives in a small apartment on a very fixed income. She doesn't have room or money for an extensive book collection. The Kindle made the perfect Christmas gift for her. We included a subscription to Kindle Unlimited with her Kindle and we can renew it every year, if desired. Since she loves the Kindle & the subscription, I expect this is something we will do for years to come. Kindle Unlimited allows her access to thousands of books for free. It is like owning your own multi-level library full of your preferred genres of books!

I love the Kindle Paperwhite for reading books, but if you want colored images on your e-reader, I recommend the Kindle Fire. Great for Cookbooks, Magazines, video games & more.

  Gift choice from Sylvestermouse - To Read Her Full Review, Click Here 

 Wild Bird 24 oz. Wire Tube Nugget Feeder Check Price

Best Gift for Nature Lovers & Photographers

My husband and I enjoy spending time sitting at our kitchen table and watching the birds in our backyard. 

I have several feeders in our backyard, but my favorite is this wonderful feeder that holds suet nuggets. This feeder attracts a variety of birds, particularly different woodpeckers and nuthatches. 

I keep it up and full year-round and set up my camera to photograph the wide variety of birds that visit this feeder.

  Gift choice from Mbgphoto 

The Best Gift for Those Who Like Tool Organization

 Grypmat Pro, Original Flexible Tool Tray Organizer, Industrial Strength, and Heat Resistant Silicone-Polymer Mat, Non-Magnetic, Grips To Any Surface With Easy Clean Up, Seen on Shark Tank (Trio Pack)Check PriceGrypmat is a trademarked, silicone tool organizer that sticks to surfaces and keeps your tools near you while you are working. It holds tools, bolts, screws, and other items and prevents them from rolling away or getting lost while protecting your work surface.  

In December 2020, I gave my best friend a Grypmat. I was so glad to give a gift that has been so useful and enjoyed by him. My friend fixes anything and everything; automotive, HVAC, and major home repairs just to name a few of his specialities. I had witnessed times where he dropped tools into areas that are difficult to reach so I bought a Grypmat for him. He said he loved it then. I recently asked if he still uses it and he gave an emphatic yes. He said, "I like that it's chemical resistant and hasn't bloated, weakened, or stained." My friend was so excited to talk about it that he offered to send me photos of his current project using the Grypmat. I declined. I am taking his word for it that he recommends and uses the Grypmat.  

The mats come in a couple of different colors and three different sizes. You can purchase just one mat or a set of three. It is a plus that Grypmat is a Veteran-founded company founded by former Air Force F-16 Mechanic, Tom Burden. Be careful to purchase the Grypmat instead of a knock-off. The imitations are not the same quality.

  Gift choice from Dawn Rae - To Read Her Full Review, Click Here 

Best Gift For Shipping Food

 1 lb Glazed Pecan Tin | River Street SweetsCheck Price

Ship a Special Treat! 

 

Glazed Georgia Pecans are a tasty treat for the holidays. Handmade at River Street Sweets candy store on the river walk along the Savannah River in Savannah, Georgia, these glazed pecans make a great stocking stuffer/Christmas Gift.

For more variety, check out their pecan pralines or fantastic fudge.

 

Gift choice from Wednesday Elf - To Read Her Full Review, Click Here

Best Gift For Christmas Decor

 12Pcs Ivory Resin Nativity Figurines Set Christmas Ornaments GiftsCheck Price

Oh yes, we will celebrate Christmas and for us it's such a wonderful time of year. As we are aging our ways of celebrating are changing somewhat and that's not a bad thing. So how do you share Christmas and still Transition to a New Way to Celebrate?

 

A lot has to do with mind set and ours hasn't changed too much. It is still for us a more "Spiritual Celebration" than one of lots of gift giving and running around in a crazy frenzy.

 

We no longer put up the Natural Christmas tree as we are seldom home to enjoy it. We are the ones who do the travelling from one family to the other!

 

So, is Christmas still fun? You bet it is! With a little imagination and less money than an artificial tree would cost, we decorate and make our home Christmassy but without the mess!

 

And our Focus is on “The First Christmas Story”. Merry Christmas Everyone!

  Gift choice from Olivia

Best Gift For Exercising

Are you a desk jockey? 

 Cubii JR1, Under Desk Elliptical, Bike Pedal Exerciser with LCD Tracker Screen, Adjustable Resistance, Work from Home FitnessCheck Price

 

If you spend most of your day sitting down, then yes, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but yes you are. 

 

Most of us who sit all day, be it at a desk or not, generally don't get the exercise we need. My mother bought me the "Cubii" - an under the desk bike pedal, and it gets an "OMG I Needed That" rating! It keeps my legs limber and moving on and off throughout the day, as I work. It's also the best frustration workout! Peeved at something, pedal it off. In fact, I'm using it right now while typing this. 

 

Yep, 5 Stars!

  Gift choice from Brite-Ideas - To Read Her Full Review, Click Here

Best Gift For Coffee Lovers

 Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve & 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer, For K-Cup Pods or Ground CoffeeCheck Price

My husband loves our Keurig K-Duo Plus Single Serve and Carafe Coffee Maker. 

It was the perfect gift for our two-person household and is one that he uses every day to make his cup or two of coffee. He uses two refillable pods, which make the Keurig a more economical and environmentally friendly choice. 

I love that it brews one cup of coffee for Chris or a whole pot when our family is home for the holidays. 

For small households like ours or homes with few coffee drinkers most of the time, this is the perfect coffee maker. 

  Gift choice from Treasures by Brenda

 

 

 Fire Starter - Natural Pine Fire Starters for Fireplace, Campfires, Grill, Wood & Pellet Stove, Chimney, Fire Pit, BBQ, Smoker - 60 Pack w/10 Min Burning Time - All Weather & Odorless FirestarterCheck Price

Best Gift for Outdoor Enthusiasts

These eco friendly fire starters by Gerossi are fast, convenient and oh so easy to use!  

The gift all love to receive, but rarely purchase for themselves.  

These little fire starters are a game changer to start smokeless fires whether at home, the park, the campsite or in your yard!  

Perfect for backyard fire pits, barbeques, tabletop fire pits and old fashioned campfires.

  Gift choice from The Savvy Age 

Best Gift For Music Lovers

 Shokz (AfterShokz) OpenMove - Open-Ear Bluetooth Sport Headphones - Bone Conduction Wireless Earphones - Sweatproof for Running and WorkoutsCheck Price A good set of headphones is a must for anyone who enjoys listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc. My husband and I love our Shokz bone-conduction Bluetooth headphones, which are extremely lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time. They deliver superb sound quality and leave our ears uncovered so we can hear a phone ringing or a car approaching.

 

Shokz OpenMove Open-Ear Bluetooth Sport Headphones have the same bone-conduction technology and sweat-resistance and cost less than half the price of the top-of-the-line Shokz OpenRun Pro model I own (see link to my previous in-depth review)!

 

Gift choice from Margaret Schindel - To Read Her Full Review, Click Here

 Ninja AG301 Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry, Roast, Bake & Dehydrate, Black/SilverCheck Price

Best Gift For the Cook

The Ninja Foodi Indoor 5 in 1 Grill will be the perfect addition to your kitchen. We've had ours for a couple of years now and wonder how we ever got along without it.

 

The grill feature grills meats to perfection in no time at all. We love using the air fryer for all kinds of meals and snacks. You can read my full review of the Ninja Foodi

 

  Gift choice from Sam - To Read His Full Review, Click Here

 Wolf-Garten RR1500 Bypass Secateurs, 28.1x3.62x2.5 cm, RedCheck Price Best Gift for Gardening

Wolf-Garten By Pass Secateurs are a treasured practical gift that I use frequently in the garden for a variety of small and large pruning tasks.

 

They have a scissor like cutting action perfect for younger growth. The plants benefit from the sharp blades that cleanly cut branches and stems and the light comfortable grip and ease of use means we can use these secateurs for longer. The bright colour looks good and means I do not lose them in the garden! Still going strong after significant use, these secateurs make a thoughtful and practical gift.

  Gift choice from Raintree Annie - To Read Her Full Review, Click Here

Best Gift For Pet Owners

 HOVONO Double-Compartment Pet Carrier Backpack for Small Cats and DogsCheck Price
I really love my Hovono Double Compartment Pet Carrier because it has so many uses! 

Not only can I take more than one of my cats to the vet at a time, I can also take my two kitties hiking with me! 

It can also be used as a backpack for camping, the large double compartments will hold all the equipment you need. 

The best part is knowing that if I need to leave my home in an emergency, I can pack both my girls and leave with them safe and comfortable. I highly recommend this! 

  Gift choice from Tracey Boyer

Gift Recommendations for Children

 Kids Toy Tin Tea Set & Carrying Case
Recommended by Sylvestermouse Collectible Funko Wizard of Oz Plushies
Recommended by Treasures by Brenda Sleepy Time Gifts for Kids
Recommended by Wednesday Elf Family Game Night - Here to Slay
Recommended by Dawn Rae Battleship Classic Board Game
Recommended by Sam

MORE CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS

(if the Pinterest board is not showing on your browser, please visit it by Clicking Here

)

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

World Lion Day – An Animal Awareness Holiday Review

 World Lion Day was begun in 2013 by Derek and Beverly Joubert, a husband-and-wife team with a passion for big cats.  It was started as an awareness holiday to protect the remaining big cats living in the wild.

World Lion Day is celebrated yearly on August 10.

Lion Facts

• Lions are the second largest big cat in the world. Only the Asian tiger is larger.
• Lions weigh 300-550 pounds and are admired for their speed and muscular strength.
• Today, lions are only found in the wild in Africa and certain sections of Asia when once they were found all over Africa and the Eurasian continent. This is mostly due to loss of their natural environment.
• Lions are not currently on the endangered species list, but are considered 'vulnerable' because their number has been reduced by fifty percent over the years.
• Researchers estimate that there are only 30,000 to 100,000 lions left on the planet.

The Three Purposes of World Lion Day

1. Raise awareness of their plight and the issues that the species faces in the wild. 
2. Find ways to protect the big cat’s natural environment (such as creating more national parks and reducing the areas in which people can settle). 
3. Educate people who live near wild cats on the dangers and how to protect themselves. Big cats and humans can live in harmony together, if they understand how to do so.

Places to See Lions Other Than in the Wild

Zoos – many zoos today designate wild areas where the zoo lions can roam outside in a simulated natural habitat. This way they do not need to be caged, yet people can safely see them.  

Photo by Sylvestermouse

Sylvestermouse shares a fantastic photo of two such lions – Fred and Savannah – when they were living at the Memphis Zoo. Her interesting article with facts on the African Lion, and on Fred & Savannah, can be found on her Amazing Wild Animals website.

Wildlife Parks, such as Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kansas (near Wichita) which is a family-friendly destination where parkgoers can have up-close and hands-on interaction with the animals. 

Plush Lion

Luke, the crocheted plush lion

Children who wish to have a lion of their own could safely do so with a cuddly plush lion. :-)

Luke the Lion is a plump round roly-poly kind of Lion who is soft and fun to hold. He's a very friendly little lion who seldom ever roars, and likes to do 'quiet' things, like reading and playing board games.

Luke the plush lion is handmade in crochet and can be found in the Etsy Shop of Coastal Crochet Crafts.

Summary

So, celebrate this “King-of-the-Jungle” on August 10 each year. An interesting and fascinating animal awareness holiday. 

For more Holiday Reviews, check out

ReviewThisReviews: Holidays

*World Lion Day holiday review is written by Wednesday Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Summertime and Playtime Go Together For the Whole Family

For most of us Summertime is just what we need to get us moving a little bit more!  That being said, it's also a time when family's get together more often for BBQ's and some fun!

We spent the last weekend at my son's cottage and had some really good time with two of our three grandchildren.  The third one was busy at a Horse Show.  

So we made the most of the time we had with the two younger ones!  

Cottage life is so different from everyday life in the city.  It's time to relax, enjoy the outdoors and just reconnect with our loved ones.  

My son makes sure the kids have more outdoor time and less "electronic" time especially when at the cottage.  Plus sometimes the power goes out, so there is no electricity to run those hand held games.  That is exactly what happened when we were there.  No power, so we had to make our own brand of fun.  

Enter Granddad's great idea for a fun time without the need for power.  

We are always looking for things that the kids can do while at the cottage.  Things that make them think, explore, observe and best of all move out into the wilds!  Board games are great, but sometimes you just need to get some of that pent up energy released!  

We found a great way to do just that with a Badminton Set that is so easy to set up and take down again.  

No need to bang in posts or mark out where those posts should go.  Just set it up and you are ready to go! Of course I'm talking about recreational badminton and not professional status.  This is meant for fun only!  

Do you want to see how easy this set is?  Well I'll tell you I was impressed with how quickly this was done!  Granddad checked out the instructions just to see if there was a hidden surprise in there.  Like some difficulty that was NOT expected.  Well I'm happy to report that there were no hidden surprises of any kind and it was as advertised, easy to set up!

 

 The net is pressure fitted onto the frame and stands up on it's own in minutes. Just put the base together (everything slides together), attach the net and you are ready to go! Grab a racket and shuttlecock and you are ready to play.  Make up your own rules if you really want to have some fun!  (Like first one to get a rally of 10 or more hits, gets the first popsicle)  You get the idea....

The beauty is that all you need is a flat surface to set up on and when you are done, it goes back into the box as quickly as it was set up or you can make it into a self caddy.   Not only good at the cottage, but if you go camping or to the beach this Badminton set is a great take along.  It comes with 4 rackets and 2 shuttlecocks, the net and the frame.  It has instructions as well, but even a child could put this together in minutes.  

What has us so excited about this set, is that even in our apartment, we could take this set outdoors and play on the grounds around our building.  I bet that when our neighbors see us having some fun, they would be interested in joining us for some great outdoor fun and exercise time.  

Badminton when played at a recreational pace is not so tiresome that us "older" kids can't join in the fun.  It might even do our older bones some good to get them moving about!  Just think about all the stretching and bending to get our joints moving!  Of course after all this playing is done, you can relax with your favorite beverage (you deserve it now)!

Don't let this summer pass you by without making some time for some fun in the great outdoors.

Play on everyone and enjoy the summer months!  

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Family Game Night - Reviewing Here to Slay

 Here to Slay is a strategy card game. I had never heard of the game prior to a recent visit with my youngest son and grandchildren. And when my son asked me to play, my initial reaction was "oh gross". But I gave it a try and I loved it. We had so much fun that we are planning on figuring out how to play long distance video chats.

Here to Slay

My first thought was one of dread. I fully expected this game to be a copy-cat version of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). I am not cut out for playing D&D. It just doesn't compute for me. Role-play and creating your characters is too much for me. I've had young people at work try to "teach" me. Or, when we don't have access to the actual game, these hopeful students would give me watered down role-play versions via asking me "what would you do" scenarios. My answers were always based on what I would really do - which is always very mundane. For this reason, I thought I'd try Here to Slay once then gently guide us back to the other board games we had been playing.

But once we got started, I found that I LOVED Here to Slay. As did my son. We had a great time. One of the many good things about the game is that it doesn't take a long time to get through it. So we played round after round and enjoyed each game more as we became accustomed to the rules.

How to Play

As we read through the brief How to Play we felt thoroughly confused. And I thought the one page (front and back) of instructions clearly was not sufficient. But it was! It is a strategy game with many different options and outcomes but really very simple.

"In this game, you'll assemble a full Party of Heroes to slay dangerous Monsters while working to avoid the sabotage of your [friends] enemies. You'll also equip items to your Heroes, harness powerful mage, and use roll modifiers to tip the adds in your favor."

We played with just the 2 of us. Which was fun. But the game can accommodate up to 6 players. The more players to battle, curse, and steal their heroes the more fun (and strategic) the game would be. 

Each play chooses a Party Leader card. Each Party Leader has a special skill/power. I chose the Leader that had a bit more strength against fighting the monsters. My son chose the Leader that had a bit more power during each roll. 

During each turn, the player has 3 "actions". During those actions, you could choose to draw cards, battle a Monster (which takes 2 of your 3 actions) or roll to have one of your Heroes do something against your opponent.  

To win the game you must either slay 3 Monsters or gather a party of Heroes that represents at least one each of the 6 classes (Fighter, Guardian, Ranger, Thief, Wizard, Bard). During each turn you have to try to build your Party of Heroes or do something to try to set back your opponent. 

There are challenge cards and modification cards. These cards can make your rolls of the dice stronger or your opponents rolls weaker. Or, you can challenge your opponent and if you win the challenge roll of the dice you can in effect take away their turn.

I am probably making it sound more difficult than it is. Perhaps some visuals will help. 

There was a handy and very helpful direction card to keep next to me. To remind me of what my turn (my 3 actions) could consist of. It also reminded me of the 6 different party classes - an easy reminder of the different Heroes I was trying to collect.

These were my favorite Party Leader and Hero cards so far. The Divine Arrow Party Leader added one point to each of my rolls against the Monsters. And Wiggles the Hero allowed me to steal my opponent's Hero card - if I was able to roll a 10 or higher.

If you have children (or grandchildren) who like strategy and/or role playing card games but you aren't as enthused about them this may be a wonderful compromise. If you are competitive and like to steal things from your opponent or block their play, you will love this game. I was a skeptic. But it turns out that the game was so much fun that I have been trying to figure out how to Face Time or Zoom with my camera pointed at my table. 

                                         

Related Reviews:

If you are more imaginative than I am, you may want to take a look at Wednesday Elf's Dungeons & Dragons - Fantasy Role-Playing Game Review. In that review she shares how she is familiar with the game. Two years ago she wrote, "D&D is here to stay". Ms. Elf was not wrong about that. As I mentioned above, there have been quite a few students I work with who play the game today (and try to get me to play despite my imagination limits). 

You can see her review here. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON: