Your Summer Gaming List

The long-running joke in our household is that my oldest, my teenager, lives like a vampire in the summer months. He enjoys the cold dark basement, doesn’t get any sunshine, and sometimes appears in the evening hours after the sun goes down. All jokes aside, he is definitely the gamer in our family and while screen time and gaming online is great, the rest of us in the family prefer good old board games and other games that we can play either as a family or that our kids can play with their friends, even on the deck, so they can enjoy all the best that summer has to offer.

We received a selection of games from a brand called Asmodee. They may not be as well known as many of the classic games seen on stores shelves (and undoubtedly in cabin cupboards) but they’re new, fresh ideas, and might soon become a family (or cabin) favorite! Here’s a brief summary of each.

Azul (2-4 players, ages 8+) MSRP: $49.99

In the game Azul, players take turns drafting colored tiles from suppliers to their player board. Later in the round, players score points based on how they’ve placed their tiles to decorate the palace. Extra points are scored for specific patterns and completing sets; wasted supplies harm the player’s score. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Spot It (2-8 players, ages 6+) MSRP $14.99

Test your observational skills and hone your reflexes with the award-winning gameplay of Spot It! Classic, a game of lightning-fast choices for a group of two to eight players. With dozens of awards and possible versions married to elegant gameplay, Spot It! has become a global phenomenon. One great benefit of this game is that it’s easy to learn, so you can bring it out on a road-trip or with a group of friends and have everyone playing in no time.

Timeline Classic (2-6 players, ages 8+) MSRP $14.99

While other versions of Timeline are focused on certain elements (events, inventions, discoveries, etc.), Timeline Classic is a highly engaging version that encompasses multiple themes in one convenient package.
Was the pencil invented before Washington crossed the Delaware? Find out in this incredibly engaging educational trivia game. Each card has a different historical element. on it, and on the opposite side of the card is the date in history when it occurred. Players start with one randomly drawn card in the middle of the table to form the timeline, and on your turn, you place a card before or after it – depending on when you think this happened. Leave the card in place if you are correct or discard it and draw a new one if you’re wrong. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins!

Rhino Hero (2-5 players, ages 5+) MSRP $19.99

Rhino Hero is out and about again. The super hero from the animal world fearlessly scales the highest houses looking for burglars and rogues. He is as strong as a lion and as smart as a fox but also as heavy as a rhinoceros. So even the most robust multi-story buildings may start to wobble. Can you help Rhino Hero accomplish his wobbly mission and build a skyscraper as tall and solid as possible?

Get Packing (2-4 players, Ages 6+) MSRP: $34.99

Get Packing is a new game segment mixing brain teaser and party games. How quickly can you pack your bags? Do you really want to take a trip? Get Packing is a puzzle that will send your neurons on their way to vacation. Take all the items named on the card, place them in the suitcase. Be the fastest in packing your luggage to win.

Of all the new games we received, Get Packing is our favorite! I have to admit, it’s kind of satisfying to watch my kids frantically try and pack these tiny suitcases out on the deck while a timer counts down and they scream in frustration when someone else wins. Because, moms + packing.

I have all these games featured above (Azul, Spot It, Timeline Classic, Rhino Hero and Get Packing) set aside for one very lucky winner (total prize value is $134.95). To enter to win, just fill in your name and email address in the form below and click BEGIN! Then, leave a comment on this page sharing your thoughts on the games above – are you familiar with any of them already or do you see one that your family would definitely like?