Like most households we have a closet full of board games. We don't have an established 'family game night' that we commit to every week, or even every month, but we play our fair share of board games throughout the year. Gathering around the kitchen table for a fun night of board games is a great way to disconnect from technology and reconnect with family. It's a great way to unwind and, sometimes, act like a kid again!
I'm always looking for new board games (as if our closet shelf has any more room!) and even thought there are a plethora of games available, it's not always easy to chose one that will work for our family. I have to be mindful of Kayla's abilities as I don't want to frustrate her with a game that is going to be too hard for her to process ... especially fast-paced games because she takes longer to process what is happening.
I've heard of the Hedbanz games before, and seen pictures on Facebook of friends playing the game with their families, and I was intrigued. I had an opportunity to review this game via Izea and Spin Master Games. I was supposed to purchase the original Hedbanz game, but I accidentally bought Hedbanz Act Up! instead. Truthfully I'm glad I bought that version because I think Kayla would have a harder time with the original version and the concept of asking specific/detailed questions in order to figure out what was on her head band.
Hedbanz Act Up! seems to be more easily modified to her level. The object of this game is the cards that go on your head band fall into the categories of Person, Place, or Thing. The game is similar to charades. You roll the die and person who has a head band color that matches the color rolled on the die is your 'partner' - the one who acts out what is on your card and you have 20 seconds to guess what it is.
This is a fast paced-game, but it didn't seem frustrating to Kayla because everyone had their own turn and 20 seconds to guess their card - sometimes we guessed it and sometimes we didn't. Sometimes Kayla guessed it and sometimes she didn't.
Sometimes Kayla didn't know what the word on someones card was, or have an idea on how to act it out, but I would just take her to another room to tell her what it was/suggestions on what to do.
You're not allowed to talk or make noises while you're acting out the clues and I was worried that Kayla would say something while she was acting it out to give it away, or that she would blurt out what someone else's card was - she proved me wrong on both fronts and did great at keeping quiet (which isn't always easy with her impulsive nature).
Both of the kids really enjoyed the game and had a lot of fun. I was impressed that Lucas was able to guess his very first card within seconds of me acting this one out. His first guess was scientist quickly followed by laboratory.
However he disappointed me when he was not able to guess Spiderman after 20 seconds of me shooting webs out of my hands. Say what?! I guess my spidey moves need a little work.
I anticipate this is a game that will get played often in our household!
A couple of other games for a family game night to look for are Would You Rather and Quelf. These games can be purchased at several retailers like Wal-Mart, Amazon, Target, ToysRUs, and KMart.
Lucas enjoys when we play our version of "Would You Rather" but I'm not very creative at coming up with would you rather 'this' or 'that' - so this game might find itself under the tree this month.
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