Another childhood game I have been relearning and teaching to Eris is Cat's Cradle. With just a length of yard tied into a circle and instructions from the internet, we have been problem solving together to make various string creations. We are currently stumped at going from "Cat's Eye" to "Fish in a Dish," but we will figure it out. There are ways to play alone as well, so it can be another thing for Eris to play with when Mommy's busy and she "doesn't know what to do."
Our favorite modern game at this time is Spot It! by "blue orange games." We received this game in a package last year, and Eris (7 at the time) has really enjoyed it. I have fun with it, too, and Meriel has started to be able to join in some. Each card has eight pictures on it. Each pair of cards will have one set of matching pictures on it. The pictures are identical except for size. The basic game is to find the matching picture between two cards and call it out. It's trickier than it seems. This is a game that is fun and different each time we play it. It can also be played alone. It comes in a little tin, so is easy to transport. I imagine we will be bringing it with us wherever we move in the future.
I wanted to write the instructions for the various games in case we lose them. We let Simeon play with instructions in an attempt to keep him from meddling with the cards. Maybe someone else who has lost their instructions will be able to find these online or if they are curious about the game before purchasing it. I was impressed enough with this game to buy some other games from the same company as Christmas presents, so I will have to let you know how these games are received. They are not cheap ($13-15) but if they are played as much as Spot It has been, the price will be worth it.
The Tower:
Deal one card to each player. Place the rest of the cards in a stack in the middle. Each player tries to find the matching item between their card and the the top card of the middle stack. When a person finds a match, s/he places it on top of her pile and then everyone tries to find a match between the new card on top of the center stack and the card on top of his own stack. The player with the most cards in her own pile when the center pile is gone wins.
The Well:
The opposite of "The Tower." Start with one card in the center and deal the remaining cards to the players. Each player finds the match between the top card on her pile and the top card in the center pile, placing her card on top of the middle stack when a match is spotted. The winner is the one who gets rid of all his cards first.
Hot Potato:
This game works best with more than two people. Decide how many rounds are to be played. At the beginning of each round, each player has one card in his palm. At the same time, each player flips her card over and tries to find a match with another players card and then place the card on top of her card. If a person has more than one card in her palm and finds a match in another players hand, she puts all her cards on top of his. The round ends when one player has all the cards. At the end of the designated number of rounds, the person with the fewest cards wins.
The Poisoned Gift:
Deal one card to each player and place the remaining cards in a stack face up in the center. At the same time, players turn their cards over. Each player looks for a match between the center card and an opponent's card. Upon finding a match, he places the top center card on the other player's pile: an unwanted "poisoned gift." When the center stack is gone, the player with the fewest cards wins.
Triplet:
This is our favorite. Lay nine cards out in a square. Players looking for sets of three matching items, calling out and taking the cards when they find a match. The taken cards are replaced and play continues until no matches of three can be found. Winner has the most cards.
Challenge:
Make up your own variation of play. We've tried a few different ways, some better than others. It's always fun to have a versatile game.
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