Grandpa Beck's Games = Perfect Gifts!

I'm always looking for games that make great gifts - either for my own kids or for their friends.  But I have some rules for gifting games to others:

1.) The game must be simple to learn. - I've made the mistake of giving complicated games as gifts before.  If I'm giving them to a fellow game-obsessed family, its ok. But if I give it to a family that isn't familiar with modern board games, the instructions can often seem overwhelming. So my current rule is that if I don't know their board game preferences, I stick with games that don't have instructions that may freak them out. 

2.) The game must be visually appealing. - The first thing most people do is look at components.  If they don't look interesting, most people won't invest the time in reading the instructions or playing the games.

3.) The game must be something we enjoy. - I only gift games that we've played and enjoyed.

Thankfully, Grandpa Beck's Games has some fantastic titles that check all these boxes!

Let's take a look at a few, shall we?

Patriots & Redcoats Game Review

As a homeschooling mom and a history buff, I'm always looking for fun games that will immerse my kids in a historical topic.  It can be difficult sometimes, though.  Most of the history games I've found are either mostly helpful in terms of geography - which is fabulous on its own - or they're too advanced in terms of gameplay.  That's why I was thrilled when Green Feet Games contacted me!  They have several games with historical theme that are accessible to kids and play in less than an hour.

Booty Dice Game Review

Sometimes there's nothing better than a simple, fun dice game!  Don't get me wrong.  I love a long, complicated game with lots of pieces. But sometimes simplicity is what we crave!  Especially if we don't have tons of time. Also, I'm arrr-guably a big fan of pirate games (See what I did there?), so reviewing  Booty Dice, by Messy Table Games was a no-brainer!

Horticulture Game Review

If you read my blog regularly or follow me on instagram, you probably know that I'm a HUGE FAN of roll and write games!  I even wrote an entire blog about great roll and write games!  So when I find a new game that fits into the roll and write genre (or its sister genre, flip and write games) I have to try it!  And when it's about plants - another love language of mine - well, that's just too good to pass up!  That's why I'm thrilled to introduce you to Horticulture, by Last Night Games! But first, I thought I'd explain a little more about what a roll and write/flip and write game is to anyone who may not be familiar...

Button Shy Games Review

 As a mom of 3 kids, I'm constantly looking for small box games that I can easily bring to restaurants, waiting rooms, and on trips.  It's great to have a few game options with me, but space can be awfully limited - unless I'm willing to lug around an extra bag.  That's why Button Shy is such a brilliant company!  All of their games are wallet-sized! Literally!  You can slip them in your wallet!  You can't get any more portable than that!  And the fabulous folks at Button Shy were kind enough to send me three of their amazing games for review!

Trio Card Game Review

 As gameschoolers (and a game reviewer), we own a lot of games.  We have big, elaborate games that take a long time to play. We have medium and light strategy games. We have tons of learning games. But we also have lots of small, quick card games.  Sometimes there isn't time for a huge board game.  And a quick card game can scratch that gaming itch in a pinch! That's why I'm thrilled to share Trio, by Happy Camper Games with all of you!

The Finest Fish Board Game Review

Try your hand at fishkeeping. Be one of four players in this puzzly, tile laying game and play a fish owner competing at the National Goldfish Competition. Will your goldfish be voted the most beautiful and win the coveted Best In Show award?

The Finest Fish, by Last Night Games, is a pattern building and tile placement game for 2 to 4 players that takes 30 to 60 minutes. 

Sharks! Board Game Review

I have an elementary-aged homeschooler who is a HUGE fan of all things marine biology, so I jumped at the opportunity to review Sharks, published by The Dietz Foundation. My gameschooling Insta-friend, Kristen Mott, over at family.boardgaming on Instagram created this game!  

Review of Unforgiven: The Lincoln Assassination Trial, by Green Feet Games

 As a homeschooling/gameschooling mom, I'm always on the lookout for educational games. But sometimes the search can be difficult.  A game can be extremely educational, but if it isn't fun enough to play, the educational content isn't of any use - because my kids won't play it. Finding a game that's both educational AND fun is key.  That's why I love sharing the games I've found with you, my readers!  If I can help you find fun, educational games to use with your own kids, I feel like I've done a good deed!

Some educational subjects are easier to find than others.  For example, there are lots of great games that introduce or enforce mathematical concepts.  And any game that includes reading/writing/creating words is a great language arts game (learn new vocabulary words, practice reading and spelling, etc.).  But American History games that are fun and don't take hours to play are fewer and farther between.  That's why I'm so excited to introduce you to Unforgiven: The Lincoln Assassination Trial, by Green Feet Games!

Great Titles From Sweet Bros Games!

The amazing folks at Sweet Bros Games were kind enough to send me several of their games for review! What a treat! Their games are so cute, and they all looked like interesting family themes, so I was thrilled to try them out with the family this past weekend.