I thought parents might like more options for fun games to play indoors with their kids, since Winter is still here and still cold.
UNO
Always a favorite, UNO is a simple game to learn and play for all ages. And with the dozens and dozens of variations of the game, from UNO Attack to the themed decks, there is an UNO game out there for everyone! Zigity
Zigity is a game from Cranium, makers of many new and innovating (and fun!) games for families. Zigity is sort of a new twist on UNO, where you play cards from your hand but have to match one of four different categories. You might have to add up to 11, or build a little puzzle, match an instrument or even spell a word. Fun and fast, this game also has some cool “see-through” playing cards. Whoonu
Also from Cranium, this is a fun game for friends and family to play together. The object of Whoonu is to see who knows who best. Play rotates around the table. Each player has cards with different words or phrases, and each round focuses on how well you know one player at a time. You have to look at the cards in your hand and decide which of the four this player would like the best. The chosen player then has to go through all the cards and rank them by most favorite to least favorite and the other players get points depending on where their car ended up. Play then moves on to the next person. Easy to learn and fun to see how well we all know each other. Last Word
Last Word is from Buffalo Games. Fun, fast paced game, good for parties and energetic kids. Each player has to have one category card. You take turns flipping a letter card and, if you have a word for your category that matches this letter, you hit the timer and yell it out. All players can then shout out words that begin with this letter that fit that category, and whoever has the last word before the buzzer rings gets to move one space on the board. The timer is random, so you never know how long you have to shout your answers. Go Fish
An oldie, but always a good one. And very easy to play with little kids. Just need a deck of cards and off you go! Deal out a set number of cards (more for older kids, less for younger kids), then place the rest in a messed up pile. Proceed to make matches by asking other players for cards. When someone has no more cards, the game is over. Person with the most matches wins. Old Maid
Similar to Go Fish, Old Maid uses a deck of cards, but missing one Queen. Cards are dealt out and players then choose a card from an opponents hand. If it matches one in their hand, they place the match down and go again. If not, play proceeds to the next person. When someone is out of cards, the game is up. Whoever has the Old Maid (the odd Queen card), loses. Sorry
Another classic game, Sorry is very easy to learn and play. Be the first to get your pieces back to your home base. But watch out! The other players can send you all the way back to start! First to get all four home wins. The games aren't very expensive, come in various themes (such as The Simpsons) and can even be played in electronic editions now. Candyland and Chutes & Ladders
Two more inexpensive board games, these are geared more towards younger kids. Be the first to reach the end, simple enough. They might not admit it, but sometimes my 9- and 12-year-od children will play a round or two for fun. Clue
A more involved game, it is easier for older children to play. Be the first to solve the mystery by figuring out which cards your opponents have and which cards are in the case book envelope. Can fill up an hour easily and works the brain cells a little more. Also has themed versions these days, such as Alfred Hitchcock and Scooby-Doo. Battleship
This is an old hide-and-seek game gone modern, with election versions offering sound effects to enhance the drama. Still fun and easy to learn and play. Sink your opponents ships before they sink your's! Oh no! You sank my battleship!
Connect Four
Another classic, this game is a variation on tic-tac-toe. Get four in a row before your opponent does, but also try and block your opponent from doing the same. Inexpensive and fun, little kids will like when you move the lever and all the pieces fall out. Monopoly
Finally, there is the old favorite Monopoly. This game is known far and wide, and comes in so many variations and themes these days that you can play a different version every day! This classic is fun and can take up a good chunk of a rainy or cold morning. Tweaking of the rules can allow younger children to play as well as shorten the time the game takes to finish up.
So, there you have it. A good assortment of new and old games, some quick, some longer, but good family fun. And heck, if you don't have any of these available, get a paper and a pencil. Hangman or tic-tac-toe are always free and fun! Most of all, just enjoy playing together!
