Pirate Snakes and Ladders and Ludo

The Blurb: Two games in one! Old favourites are given an exciting pirate twist on this double-sided playing board.  Raise the anchor and set a course for the buried treasure in snakes and ladders, or join the pirate fun on the ludo board on the back!

Suitable for 2-4 players.

I absolutely love these and would thoroughly recommend them. It’s a double sided set which we have played with constantly and it only costs £8.99.

The set is bright and colourful and can be played by the whole family although due to the small pieces it’s recommended from age 5. The design is predominantly aimed at boys but Chick had no issues in playing with a ‘boys’ toy!

Would make a fabulous birthday or Christmas present and comes highly recommended from the Brooks household! 

Monopoly Electronic Banking

The blurb: Monopoly is the classic property trading board game. It’s the game about dealing in big money and getting rich quick! Swipe your bank card to transfer money - it couldn’t be easier!

Starting from the famous “GO” space, move around the board, buying and selling properties, building apartments and hotels as you go. Watch out for players landing on your property – they owe you rent! And don’t forget to collect £2,000,000 every time you pass “GO”! That’s right, £2 Million… on your Bank Card!

The places have changed to reflect the real London of today that we all know and love – from Bishopsgate to Kensington Palace Gardens. Choose from a range of new movers including a mobile phone, roller blade, or even a cheeseburger!

I’m a firm believer that every family should own at least one version of Monopoly. It’s great for some good old family rivalry and also for use during power cuts!!!

What I like about this version:

Updated board so Chick recognises the places in London

Updated counters....I’m all for a bit of moving forward

Being able to collect rent from the properties.....bring it on.

Having high rise buildings

Makes it a much quicker game

Collecting £2 million every time you pass go!!! I like having so much money!

What I don’t like:

There is no cash!!! What?? The fun of Monopoly for me is getting everyone else’s wads of cash! A bank card just doesn’t give you the same thrill!! However that may just be me as Chick doesn’t appear to be unduly bothered!

Updated counters....I’m all for a bit of moving forward but I much prefer the dog and the top hat to the skateboard or mobile phone!

The game includes:

·         1 x Gameboard

·         1 x Banker Unit

·         6 x Movers

·         2 x Dice

·         32 x Green Apartments

·         12 x Red Hotels

·         28 x Title Deed Cards

·         16 x Chance Cards

·         16 x Community Chest Cards

·         6 x Monopoly Bank Cards

·         Game Rules & Instructions

The only extra thing that you need is two AA batteries to make the cash machine work. 

Aimed at ages 8+ which I feel is right. Obviously younger children can play with some help and guidance. Available from Toys R Us at £21.99 and thoroughly recommended for Christmas!

Jack and Jill Game Giveaway

The blurb: Race up the hill and be the first to reach the well in this fun Jack & Jill counting and colour matching game. Roll the dice to climb the hill and be the first player to reach the well to win the game. But be careful, spin the spinner and you might fall down to the bottom and have to start all over again!

I’ve always been a big fan of board games, not just for the kids but for the whole family. I’m a big fan of spending quality time together playing. Obviously it doesn’t always end happily especially when I’m a competitive Mum and Chick is an only child ;-)

This game is a perfect board game for younger children. It’s bright and colourful and easy to play. It also has different levels of the game so you play either by colours or by numbers according to your child’s development level. 

Available to buy instore or online from Toys R Us at £8.99.

To enter all you need to do is check out the Toys R Us page on Facebook and have a look around at the amazing reviews in the Toybox and then leave me a comment here letting me know that you've done so. Alternatively you could copy and paste the following on Twitter:

I’d like to win the Jack & Jill game with @TRUToyologists and @AdventuresEM at http://adventuresofanenglishmumreviews.blogspot.com/

Closing date is Sunday, 27th November at 5pm. Good Luck :-)

Shark Chase Game

The Blurb: Are you ready for the Shark Attack? Players scramble with excitement and fear as they roll the dice looking for their colours. The motorised shark chomps and chases all the fish around the game board! Each player tries to out-swim the shark and their friends to be the last surviving fish to win the game!  Suitable for 2-4 players.

This is a really easy game to set up - which is always a bonus. It’s bright and colourful and very easy to play and Chick really enjoys playing this. We’ve played it several times and it’s always accompanied by lots of shrieking and laughter. Chick filmed the video so it’s a bit shaky:

It needs 2 AA batteries so isn’t too expensive to run. It’s aimed at ages 5+ but smaller children could definitely play with a bit of help setting up the game. The only downside from my point of view is the price. I think for what it is £19.99 is a lot of money. Having said that however we have played with it quite a lot and Chick likes it and would give it 4 out of 5.

Available online or instore from Toys R Us. Don’t forget to check out all the fabulous review over on the Toybox before you think about buying the kids Christmas presents.

Labyrinth Game from Ravensburger

The blurb:  With Labyrinth, gain the advantage over the other players by inserting the extras tile to move walls and open passages of the labyrinth. Learn cause and effect, planning, association, recognition and taking turns.

I decided that this year we would again try and share the toys that we were given with Chick’s holiday club and after school club. They played the game and filmed the video: 

The Leader of the club says that she really enjoyed playing the game and so did the kids. She especially liked that fact that whilst the kids thought that it was fun it was great for making them think and for planning the moves ahead. Holiday Club gave it 10 out of 10 as not only have they all enjoyed it but have played it almost every day since I gave it to them!!

Chick says: I really love this game. It’s quite tricky because you have to work out where to put the pieces to get your treasures but its fun.

The game is aimed at ages 8+ but I don’t see why younger children couldn’t join in and play with some help. It’s easy to assemble and once the rules are explained is pretty easy to follow. You can also step it up a gear and employ serious strategy to win!!! Available to buy in-store from Toys R Us.