Christmas is always game season in our house and this year we love nothing more than sitting down as a family and doing battle.
This year, we have discovered some new favourites to add to our collection and we are looking forward to challenging each other over the Christmas break.
Exploding Kittens
I have to admit that I was a little unsure of the name of the game at first, but Exploding Kittens is so much fun to play.
It is a bit like UNO, except instead of numbers, there are goats, magical enchiladas and kittens that can kill you.
The kids loved discovering each picture on the card and what they could do with it.
You start with dealing a hand of cards and putting the deck on the table to draw from. If you draw an exploding kitten card, you explode, you die and are out of the game, however, this is where the fun starts as in your hand are cards you can use to defuse, skip a turn and even steal cards from your team mates.
Our first game we were learning to play, but after that the kids got strategic in their play which made it more fun and exciting.
As well as the card game, there is also an Exploding Kittens app, available on App Store and Google Play. For those of us locked down for Christmas, it means you can still play with family and friends either online, or make it more fun by playing over Zoom.
If you want to change game play, you can also buy fun expansion packs, which really change the strategies:
Barking Kittens gives you 20 new cards that refresh Exploding Kittens gameplay and add even more fun strategies to absolutely demolish your nemesis.
Imploding Kittens gives you another 20 new cards and a human sized “Cone of Shame.” The first player to forget whose turn comes next will become a human direction indicator and must wear the Cone of Shame for the rest of the game.
Monopoly For Sore Losers
Monopoly is a game the kids love to play, but for some reason Daddy is always the banker and always wins. Well this year we are turning the tables on him with Monopoly for Sore Losers.
Say goodbye to the frustration of losing while playing Monopoly with this hilarious twist. This version of the Monopoly game turns losing on its head and celebrates it instead.
Players earn cash by doing the typically frustrating things in the game such as going to Jail, paying rent on a property, or going bankrupt. And those who really start sinking can make a comeback using the large Mr. Monopoly token that gives players advantages over everyone else.
Finally, someone other than Daddy has won!!
Throw Throw Burrito
If you want a game that is going to get raucous, then Throw Throw Burrito is the one for you.
The object of the game is to try to collect matching sets of cards faster than your opponents while simultaneously ducking, dodging, and throwing squishy airborne burritos. The cards you collect earn points, but if you get hit by a flying burrito, you lose them.
The game is for 2-6 players and includes 120 cards, 7 tokens, and 2 cute foam burritos which are soft enough to throw at your little brother without having to feel guilty!
Just make sure your ornaments are packed away safely!!
Poetry for Neanderthals
A family-friendly competitive word-guessing game where you can only give clues by speaking in single syllables.
In the box are 220 cards, 1 inflatable NO! Stick, 1 sand timer, 2 point slates.
Poetry for Neanderthals is a family-friendly party game similar to Taboo where players earn points by getting their teammates to guess words and phrases. The catch is that the “Neanderthal Poets” are only allowed to use single syllable words. If they use any words with more than one syllable, the other team gets to bop them with a 2-foot inflatable club. The team with the most points wins!
On a Scale of One to T-Rex
If you want a game that is loud and funny, then this is the one for you.
On a Scale of One to T-Rex is a card / charade game. The group is given three cards to act out (not a secret) and each player is given an intensity level card to act out (secret). Players must find another player acting at the same intensity level.
A Game of Cat and Mouth
A Game of Cat and Mouth is a fiercely competitive, magnet-powered, highly addicting, Pinball’ish game!
A Game of Cat & Mouth is all about fast-flinging and quick thinking with a touch of precision. In Exploding Kitten’s first two-player game, the first player to land all of the balls of one colour onto your opponent’s side wins! It’s like air hockey, but instead of air and hockey, it’s cats and rainbows!
This is so much fun and Sebby is an absolute demon at it!!
What is your favourite game to play at Christmas?
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which are at no cost to my readers, but help towards the running cost of my blog
I love a game but an obscure game is even better. These are some brilliant choices. I really love the twist on monopoly x
We love Exploding Kittens but I didn’t know there was an app. The kids will be so excited!
Oh wow, these sound like really fun games. The Throw Throw Buritto sounds like fun. I’m sure my kids would love that.
Some great games! We love exploding kittens, but I didn’t know there was an app so you could play virtually, that’s such a good idea x
I like the monopoly for sore losers as that’s something I can get on board with lol.
These sound like great Games
. Grouch Couch is one I’ve not heard of before. It sounds like a lot of fun. x