Winter is coming! If you’re a Game of Thrones fan that phrase may bring dread and excitement, but really I’m just talking about cold wet days and early nights. Winter is the perfect season for games! All of the games below are ones which my family has played extensively between grandparents, parents and kids (even the littlest ones) and I can personally attest to how fun they are. The links are to Amazon and they are affiliate links, so if you click them and choose to purchase the game Poor, Fat, and Happy will get a small commission for the sale.
Ok drumroll please! Here are a few games to play with your multigenerational crew:
Phase 10 : the rummy-type card game from the makers of UNO with a challenging and exciting twist! And this version of Phase 10 comes in a decorative tin that’s great for storage and ships in its own container. The object of the game is to be the first player to complete 10 varied phases with two sets of three, one run of seven, or seven cards with the same color. The twist is that each Phase to be completed is specific for each hand dealt. Players who complete one Phase advance to the next, but those who don’t must keep trying until they do. Each deck features ‘Wild’ and Skip’ cards, which add excitement and can help you get out of a sticky situation. A ‘Wild’ card can be used in place of a number card, as well as be used as any color to complete any phase, while a ‘Skip’ card causes your opponent to lose a turn!
Five Crowns : Five Crowns is the perfect game that everyone from friends to the whole family will enjoy playing over and over again! This award-winning game features a one-of-a-kind deck and rotating wild cards that keep everyone on their toes! Each round provides different card hands and different ways to play various combinations to keep your score low and your opponents’ scores high. And the game isn’t over ‘till the Kings go wild!
Catan : Your adventurous settlers seek to tame the remote but rich isle of Catan. Start by revealing Catan’s many harbors and regions: Pastures, fields, mountains, hills, forests, and desert. The random mix creates a different board virtually every game. Skills – Clever trading, strategy, tactical skill, luck.
Qwirkle : Get ready to experience a new level of fun with Qwirkle Color Blind Friendly Family Game, the ultimate family game for kids and adults alike! MindWare’s best-selling games for family is now available in a color blind friendly edition, suitable for all ages to enjoy. Featuring interior shapes on tiles that help differentiate colors, along with an adjusted color scheme that provides additional contrast, Qwirkle is super easy to learn, yet strategic and oh-so-exciting to play. Qwirkle strategy games are sure to keep your family and friends fully engaged, as they build concentration and visual-thinking skills to create lines of tiles that have all the same inner shape/color or all the same outer shape. Score six in a line to reach Qwirkle status and come out as the ultimate champion! These table games for adults and family are crafted with high-quality wood tiles that are both durable and stylish. The Qwirkle Color Blind Friendly Family Game is a perfect addition to your game night games, where fun and laughter are guaranteed. It’s no surprise that Qwirkle fun family games for kids and adults are a favorite of all ages, providing hours of family bonding time and loads of happy memories. There is even version that is friendly to folks who are color blind Qwirkle- Color Blind Version
Ticket to Ride : Ticket to Ride is an award winning, cross-country train adventure game. Players collect train cards that enable them to claim railway routes connecting cities throughout North America. The longer the routes, the more points they earn. Additional points come to those who can fulfill their Destination Tickets by connecting two distant cities, and to the player who builds the longest continuous railway
Bridging the gap between old school board games and new fangled technology, you can bring Alexa into the game, too. The official Alexa skill takes players on a guided experience from setup to the end of the game and features unique sound effects and music. No rules are needed after saying “Alexa, launch Ticket to Ride.” The skill also allows a person to play against Alexa!
Play for fun, play for joy, play for connection!
As the winter chill sets in, cozying up with board games becomes a heartwarming way to bring laughter and joy into our homes, brightening those long, frosty nights. Board games create an oasis of shared experiences and friendly competition, fostering a sense of connection and community that’s especially comforting during the often isolating winter months. The strategic thinking and playful challenges of board games can ignite our minds, offering a delightful escape from the winter blues and sparking joy in each roll of the dice or move on the board. Gathering around a game not only warms our hands and hearts but also reminds us of the simple pleasures in life, encouraging us to cherish the present moment and the warmth of human connection