These are the last two games on loan from my friend.  We’re talking about switching out games since I can’t seem to win any of the games she’s loaned me, but the kids all LOVE that.

Pickle’s Pig Tales

Piggie Tales is a fun game to play together.  This is saying a lot coming from me who doesn’t usually like memory games.

You remember playing “I’m going on vacation and I’m bringing……”  Yeah THOSE games, I hate them.  So I didn’t want to play Piggie Tales because I stink at those games.  But this is a much more fun version.

When it’s your turn you roll the dice and do whatever the square Piggie landed on says.  Usually it’s just add a tile to the story and retell it, but occasionally you change the story around.  After you’ve added the new element to the story you have to retell the WHOLE story and add in your bit.

I like that you have a visual reminder.  I’m a visual learner and it helps me to have something to see to remember where we are in the story.  The kids liked the absolutely ridiculous story they came up with about a talking tree in the middle of their house that no one else would believe.

They thought it was HI-larious.

Side point: This game could be a great way to work on your writing skills, just thought of that and we’re going to pull it out next week and try it.

BANK IT

Bank It is a fun game that works on coin counting skills in a way my kids don’t hate.  What is it about little kids and learning coin counting?

Your goal in the game is to have $10 in the bank, buy one item from each store, and give to charity.  I like that it has all the elements I’m trying to teach my kiddos: Give, Save, Spend.  It also teaches about interest.  The more money you have in the bank, the more money you gain in interest.

I think since getting this game on loan we have played it about 20 or 30 times, in a few weeks.  There is some amount of strategy but not too much.  There’s a high amount of chance.

Here’s my two tips for the game:

1.  As soon as you can get at least $3 in the bank.  That way you can start earning interest.

2.  Don’t feel compelled to buy just because you landed on the square.  The item there might be a lot of money and if you wait until another go around it might be a lower cost item.

3.  Donate to charity as soon as you land on it.  There’s only one square to donate to charity, and you HAVE to do that to win.

My one complaint for this game: I wish the coins looked like real money instead of bright shiny plastic.  Other than that it’s a great game for the skills it covers.