Game Time
We are a big board game family. The new favorites are What Do You Meme?, Jumanji, Life, and Clue. We also love a group game like Pictionary, Taboo, and Charades. The latter of which is the main game we play when we are camping, in addition to our “conversation games” like Would You Rather. Another classic to consider is Uno, and the 85 trillion versions of this card game they have put out since.
Now that we are at nearly an exact one and a half years away from our big Appalachian Trail adventure, we have started to panic consider what games we can realistically take with us on trail. Hear me out, and let me know what we are forgetting, overestimating, and downright ignoring.
First up are all of the wonderful magnetic travel games that were heavily marketed in the late ‘90’s. Magnetic chess with the inverted checkers board is the O.G. classic that comes to mind. The kids do not play checkers very often and I don’t think they’ve ever played chess independently. We have a large family, and even though these games are a requirement (in my mind at least) to have a successful childhood, it just hasn’t been practical in our home. We look for games that allow at least 4 players (having the younger two pair up with a parent or big sister). Yet, when I think back on my childhood, I’m sitting in my grandparents’ oversized van, driving to the Catskills or Jellystone, I’m playing some nonsensical magnetic checkers with one of my brothers. We’re looking into these now, so, if you have a good brand, please let us know your suggestions. The only magnet game we have as of now is a silly little hangman variety. This won’t be necessary on trail because we are all journaling queens and papers and pens will not be hard to acquire.
The next section of games to consider would be card games. We will no doubt have some Uno. It’s an easy game for the younger kids to understand, especially if they know their colors and you buy a type that has characters or animals in place of written numbers. Thorrin will be 4 when we embark, I think she’ll know most of her numbers, but I don’t want to HAVE to manage game time if the girls could just vibe together while Derek and I wash clothes or make food. I’m Type A as all get out, these things need to have plans and backup plans and backup to the backup plans. This is the way. But now we need to branch out. I have fond memories of learning gin rummy, rummy 500, and hearts. Even Solitare on the calm days would help. I’m imagining each child having a pack of cards. Worst case scenario, the 52 card pick up game will be fun.
The final section that we are currently mulling about is all about prop-less games. Charades, would you rather, what animal am I, kind of energy. We like these because they are free, easy, silly, and still possible in the rain.
Either way, we are searching for any other suggestions. Two of our kids love sports, so a football or something will be included, even though we lack the space. The other two are more artistic, and we will have 200 crayons and journals for them. But we still want to keep up with our normal family board game energy. Have any suggestions? Comment, message us, send a pigeon, I don’t care, I need help.
