Mille Bornes

While shopping at Target this weekend I found Mille Bornes with the card games. It looks a little different than my copy and doesn't seem to have the French words on the cards.

Here's how you play: The object of the game is to reach exactly 1,000 miles. On your turn place a distance card to reach your goal. There are also five different types of hazard cards to slow down or stop other players during their trip(flat tire, out of gas, accident, stop light, and speed limit.) There are five safety cards to protect you from the hazards for the rest of the game. There are also remedy cards to cancel the effect of the hazard card that your kind opponent placed on your pile to keep you from winning.


You can also play this as teams, helping each other out to win the game. My kids love this game and it's easy to understand as you play.

Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition

Monopoly. Who doesn't know how to play?? Who doesn't love the game? The Electronic Banking Unit is enticing, but I just didn't like it. Maybe it's because this version of Monopoly is too much like life. No paper money. Just swipe the card to make all transactions. I just never knew how much money I had, but was always willing to say, "I'll buy it!" Fun game, still love Monopoly, but I want to handle the money when I play.

Phase 10 Twist

While we are talking about Phase 10 I'll add the latest, Phase 10 Twist.

Similar to the classic Phase 10 game, you still complete specified sets or runs during each round of play. A few changes to the game include a gameboard that you advance your marker at the end of each round. This means you don't get "stuck" on a phase until you complete it. You ALWAYS move at least one place at the end of each round. If you complete the phase you move two, and if you "go out" you get to advance three spaces. To give the game the Twist, you have the opportunity to choose one of three phases to complete during the round if you land on the designated Twist. If you choose to take the Twist card, you can double your moves at the end of the round. If you don't complete the phase during the round you move back one. Having the Twist spaces, always moving your token to a new spot at the end of the round, and three discard piles makes this game move quicker and quite enjoyable.

No more Classic Phase 10 for me.

Skip-Bo

Trying to get rid of your "stockpile" of twenty cards is the object of the game while counting to 12 sounds super easy, but surprisingly this game seems to take forever. There are four piles that everyone builds in sequential order to twelve throughout the game. You may have up to four discard piles. During your turn you may use cards in your hand or discard pile. It's a little complex to explain, so click here to read the full directions and see a diagram. My school age children enjoy playing the game and I bought it with them in mind. Playing one round can take 30 minutes. Great game, but not my first pick.