Perfection

I have to admit I saw this game a year or so ago and thought it looked overpriced and dumb. I don't know what made me buy it this year. Maybe a lower price or older children or perhaps desperation for a game to put under the Christmas tree.

Surprisingly, it's been quite popular at our home.  The younger children place the peg shapes in their spots before turning on the timer and watching everything POP out when the timer stops.  The other members of our family have enjoyed playing to game either alone or competitively to see who can finish the board in the best time.  I have watched and played this game dozens of times and I still jump when the board POPS up.  Great game. 

Scrabble--a different way

I was recently taught a different way to play Scrabble. Each person draws seven tiles. When the game begins you create your own Scrabble game using those tiles. When you (or someone) has used all the tiles they say "Draw." Everyone draws another tile and incorporates it into their Scrabble board they have created. You can clear your board and start again, with all the same tiles, at any time during the game. Game continues until all the tiles have been used. When game is over tally score by counting points for tiles of each word.

I really liked this fast moving game. No waiting for someone else to go so that you can decide if you can go, long words don't really matter, no one sees what you create, and you can start over at any time.

I have since realized that this Scrabble game is just like Bananagrams. You can read their instructions here.