Up until a few years ago, my mom had a notebook that we used to keep score for every card game we played. We even had the name of the most recent 500 Rummy champion on the cork board. We take our game play seriously.

It might sound silly but one of the things that I miss most about my dad is playing Double Solitaire with him. No one else will play with me, I’m too fast It’s been 4 1/2 years since I’ve played that game.

During this time while we are staying home more, playing cards has been a great way to overcome boredom. Sometimes it gets boring playing games with only two players, which is where Ron and I often find ourselves as empty nesters. Bicycle cards sent us several new decks of cards, including some cool prints and even waterproof cards, perfect for near the pool!

Bicycle cards has created this awesome How to Play app which is available for Apple and Android. The app has instructions to tons of card games, which is great if you want to brush up on some rules or learn a new game. The Discover feature is pretty cool because you can put in how many players and the age group who will be playing and it suggests card games for that particular group.

So far we used the app to re-learn how to play Kings Corner. I remember playing it as a kid with Nana Sellenger, but I couldn’t remember how to play at all. I read the instructions and Ron and I have played several times recently. I even beat him 5 straight games in a row on my birthday

You can get the app for free and if you need a new deck of cards you can order them right from their website. Learning a new card game or two will help you pass the time at home and then you can share your new favorite games with your friends and family when you gather together again.

The post Bicycle Cards are a Great Way to Overcome Boredom appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Jungle Speed is the fast and furious game of quick thinking and lightening fast reflexes.  Think classic card games Spoons or WAR, embellish the cards with abstract shapes and colors and add a call to action to race opponents to a totem.  Each player must be spot-on, in between outbursts of laughter and action!  Jungle Speed features easy-to-learn play for entertaining and animated fun for the entire family.

It’s good for the brain, too! Recent research shows that board games, such as Jungle Speed, are positively impacting on children’s cognitive development skills and brain motor function.  The game play also helps kids develop valuable skills in patience, cooperation, concentration, teamwork and perseverance.

GAME PLAY

• Each player, in turn, reveals the top card of their draw pile. As players become more familiar with the symbols, they flip cards faster.  Players are looking for identical cards.  Colors do not matter, only symbols.
•  If two cards are identical, those players must make a grab for the totem.  The faster player then gets to dump off all their cards to their unfortunate adversary.
• To add to the difficulty, certain symbols on the cards are almost identical, which can trick a player into grabbing the totem by mistake.
• Just when players think they’ve got it down, one of three special cards can temporarily change the rules and keep them on the edge.  Players may be called to make a grab at once, look for matching colors and not symbols, or even simultaneously flip cards.
•  The first person to get rid of all their cards wins the game!
• Players:  2 to 10
•  Price: $19.99/ Ages: 8 and up/ Availability: July 2011

We have played a few time with players ranging in age from 9-47. The tricky part about playing with younger kids is getting them to grab for the totem. My nephew kept sweeping his arm across the playing area and smacking other players  in the process. The similarities in the patterns on the cards make the game challenging for all ages. We enjoy Jungle Speed and I’m sure it will be enjoyed for years!

Would your family enjoy playing Jungle Speed? I have a game to give away to a lucky reader!

Mandatory 1st Entry: Leave me a comment telling me your family’s favorite game to play together.

Bonus Entries: to be completed after the Mandatory 1st Entry-Leave a separate comment for each.

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**this giveaway is now closed**

The post Jungle Speed Game Review & Giveaway appeared first on The Mom Maven.