The Most Popular Board Games For Kids

What are the most popular board games for kids? There are many popular games in the market and fortunately many of them are geared towards learning skills such as counting, learning new vocabulary or history and geography.

In the list of the most popular board game manufacturers china for kids, we include Chutes and Ladders. Chutes and Ladders is a classic counting game, designed for younger children. This game encourages kids to count, add and subtract. How did the game come to existence? It was played widely in Ancient India and was based on a moral law called "the ladder to salvation". The ladders represented virtues such as humility, generosity, faith etc, and the snakes represented vices. The game reached Victorian England late in the 19th century and developed into a game to teach good morals to young children. It came to America in the 1940s where it also became very popular. Overall Chutes and Ladders is an excellent tool that helps kids practice counting.

Another of the most popular board games for kids is Monopoly. Parents may not realize it but this board game can help children run additions, subtractions and multiplications. There is also a junior edition which is designed for younger children. Kids enjoy playing with money and this can enhance their math skills in no time.

There are also games that can help children acquire new vocabulary. Apples to Apples is word board game designed for children ages 8 and up and which received numerous awards. It encourages children to read and memorize new vocabulary. In the Apples to Apples word board game, each player is dealt seven red apple cars on which is printed a noun. The judge lays down an adjective for everybody to see. Then players scramble to find a card that best matches the judge's card. The judge then decides who has the best result. The game is very entertaining and kids can enhance their vocabulary skills in no time.

There are games focused on geography and history which are very popular. For instance, Brain Quest Around the World can help children learn about cities and countries. In this game, children answer questions about different cities and explore the world. There are also games infused with history themes. They are usually focused on a particular time period or historical event (for instance, history of the USA, Ancient Rome or Ancient Egypt). These are great games especially if you looking to get those history grades up!board game companies

Why Board Games Are Great For Families

When families get together for a night of family fun, there is nothing like playing one of the many board games available that caters to families. Many of these games made just for you and your family offers hours of fun, for every member of the family. When choosing one of these games, you will need to find the games that match your family's age groups. If your family has older children, you will want games mostly for teenagers. If your family has mostly younger children, you may buy games that have juniors in their titles or that are specifically geared to younger children.

One game that you may wish to purchase is Clue, this game gives you clues to solve a crime and you must find out who committed the crime and how they did it. You can buy the adult version of the game, if your children are older. You can buy Clue Jr. if your children are younger, as it is much easier to play. Families love coming up with scenarios for solving the crimes and being the top crime fighter of their families.

Another fun family game is Monopoly, which comes in many different versions of the game. If your children are older they may prefer the original version of Monopoly. Collecting property and money, learning the ins and out of the real estate and banking games brings families hours of fun. Other forms of Monopoly include versions that have cartoon Characters and fun topics to play. Monopoly has brought thousands of families tons of fun for many years and will continue to do so for a long time to come.

There are many other games in addition to these that are great for families to enjoy, game that teach lessons to children and foster great skills in these young people. Some games focus on math like Yahtzee, spelling skills like Scrabble, or reading and vocabulary skills. Others focus on decision making and strategies like Chess and historical events like children's versions of Trivial Pursuit, all of these games are great ways for families to come together and enjoy their time together while helping their children learn valuable skills.

In addition to the skills children learn, board game companies also bring people together, families spend quality time together in friendly competition. Laughter and conversation makes strong families stronger. Parents get to connect with their children on a personal level. Children get to enjoy fun times with their siblings. Fathers find common ground with sons and mother's bond with their daughters. Every time the family sits down to play one of these board games families spend quality time together.

Lastly, family board games are easily available, you can find them in department stores, in the mall and online. Where ever you look there is a board game manufacturer designing another state of the art board game. There are high tech board games, children's board games, board game factory that teach you something such as sports, trivia, and problem solving and spelling, all in the name of family fun. Finding a way for your family to come together is not hard at all. You can quickly make tonight family-game night.

Welcome to LongPack Board Game!

This board game manufacturers business is owned by LongPack Co., Ltd., a printing and packaging company located in Shanghai, China. LongPack have more than 10 years experience in printing and packaging field. We have our own printing factory and assembly factory. In the past 10 years, we have provide our packaging solution to more 500 companies all over the world.

Board game is one of our main business. Based on the experience of printing area, we have a strong technical and sourcing team for board game accessory, like dice, coins, and other customized wooden parts, metal parts, plastic parts. Our team can give you the best proposal in term of quality and cost, which can help you launch your game with low cost and sound quality.

Our Mission: To be your preferred board game partner in China .

Our Value:

Responsibility

As your board game partner to look for board game suppliers, we share and accept responsibility; we strive to maintain open communication with and be proactively responsive to our customers, suppliers and one anther.

Customer Satisfaction

We recognize that our effectiveness and profitability are based on our integrity, dedication and, most importantly, our passion for customer satisfaction.

People

We acknowledge each individual’s uniqueness; we respect and appreciate their contributions to the productivity, safety, creativity and growth of our company.

How to Choose an Electronic Chess Board Game

There was a time when if you wanted to play a game of chess, you would have to search for someone to play with that was as experienced as you. Now, times have changed and there is a huge variety of electronic chess board game products available that will really change the way that you play the game. Whether you want to play while on an airplane, while lying in bed, or while just about anywhere, you can find an electronic chess board game that suits you.

What Should You Look for in an Electronic Chess board game manufacturers?

The first thing that you will need to decide if you want one that is purely electronic or one that actually has pieces that you place on a board. If you will be traveling, a board without pieces is always better, although some people find it difficult to play like that. Another decision you will need to make is how you will be moving the pieces. Some electronic boards require that you use a stylus, while others now allow you to simply use your finger on a touch screen. The choice is really up to you.

Different Games

One of the features that a lot of people really enjoy in an electronic chess board game is that you can play against someone (the computer) that is set at an equal level to you. Most games have a variety of playing levels in addition to different games that you can play. You can play in a normal mode, a tournament setting, speed chess, or an infinite game that never ends. This can really be a lot of fun for someone who has been playing their entire life and is looking for variety.

Where Can You Buy an Electronic Chess Board Game?

If you have been to your local toy store or electronics store, you will notice that there are only a few of these types of games that you can choose from, and that is why more and more chess players are choosing to shop for their new game online. When you shop online not only will you get the best variety of different games, but you can also read what real-life users have to say about them.

Is This Game for Everyone?

Although you can play chess on your laptop or tablet computer these days, there is something about having a dedicated chess game that really makes it all that much more fun. If you spend a lot of time traveling or you just don't have people to play against, you will find that this is the ideal way to improve your game, have fun, and pass the time. These games are great for when you are on vacation or on a train or a plane, or you just have extra time to spend learning your game. They are easy to use, they generally have very long battery life, and they will provide you with years' worth of enjoyment while you continue improving your chess game.

Introduction to Board Games

No matter if you're young or old, there are many games which bring a lot of fun to your family. A lot of families like playing activities involving cards. Others get hours of fun playing classic board games for all the family. Board games are a great way to spend a few hours with your family. It is easy to keep everyone happy as there are so many it's impossible not to find one you all can enjoy. When you find the perfect one for your family, you will be surprised at how quickly the hours pass by playing a great board game. You will definitely have a great time playing but we can't guarantee there won't be fights though!

The history of board game manufacturers china date back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians who enjoyed a game called Senet. Every society and civilization has a history of board games. Boards were made by etching the guides or grids into stone, leather or wood. These days most boards are rectangular or square in shape and made from modern materials such as plastic. They can be easily folded up for easy transportation and are perfect for taking on family holidays.

A player uses pieces or counters to move on a pre-made board. Before starting the game, each player must choose their preferred piece. There are genres to cater for all tastes. Rules can be extremely complex such as those found in strategy games or very straightforward with only one or two key rules.

Each board game has its own conditions for winning but the majority share some basic rules. Some games are based purely on strategy where you must out think and outperform your opponent. On the other hand, there are games involving rolling dice which are all down to luck. Many original games were battles between two armies and most modern games are still based on defeating your opponent using the number of counters, attaining a position or receiving points.

Of course, learning anything new takes time and it depends on the game how long. Mastering some board games can literally take years but in general all have simple, basic rules. On the other hand, there are some games which have complicated rules but can be easy to play. A great advantage to playing is that beginners can often just jump straight in after learning the main rules. For beginners, it is common to develop your own strategies whilst playing.

A few great examples that most families will either have or have heard of are chess, checkers and monopoly. All three are simple to learn for everyone including children, but can become more complicated the more you learn. In the case of monopoly, close games can last for hours and seem never ending. Creating a timer in order to have a definite finishing time is a great idea for people concerned about a never ending session. Take care of any cheating, not unheard of in fun, casual family events. It's your turn!

Top 5 Board Games for the Family

Looking for a birthday or early Christmas present? Then you should consider buying a board game, after years of being pushed aside as video games became so popular sales for these types of games are now slowly rising again. This is partly due to the recession, as families have had to tighten their belts and watch the pennies expensive video games are being overlooked in favor of board games that can be good fun and are much cheaper.

There are hundreds to choose from and they each have a quality and uniqueness of their own, the human interaction involved in a board game remains their biggest draw. Here are just some of the most traditional and fashionable you will find in the shops today.

One of the most classic board games of course is Monopoly which has been around since the Great Depression, and is a game that most of us probably remember from when we were young, and might still be a fan of! It is definitely one of the most successful board games of all time with more than 500 million units sold since it hit the stores.board game manufacturers

Scrabble is another game that everyone has heard of and knows how to play. It provides endless hours of enjoyment in wordplay helping players to learn new words and definitions, as well as developing memory skills, building up language skills, and exercising the mind muscles.

It doesn't take long to get good at Scrabble, just time and practice will soon have you spinning off potent word combinations, and become adept at recognizing patterns that can up your word scores. It's important to keep the brain sharp and functioning at its optimum particularly as you get older, Scrabble is a word game that can boost stimulation in a fun way, and even helps to increase the thinking process, and thus intelligence.

Chess can take years to master with its rules and challenges, but is still enjoyed by millions all over the world. One of the most intellectual and competitive games played between two people it's a fun game and is well-known for its ability to improve brain function. Suitable for all age groups, particularly with kids it's even been incorporated into school curriculum in various countries and you can even get chess computers now.

Chess-playing students demonstrate a high level of progress in their overall academic performance, and it's proven to improve concentration, language skills, logical thinking, problem-solving proficiency, self-discipline, the capacity to take decisions more analytically and logically, and much more. Luxury chess sets are available from websites that specialize in sets and other board games.

There are some new names amongst the bestsellers too, Settlers of Catan is one of the most popular games of all time and has won multiple awards world-wide. The game entails players racing against each other to build cities and is all the rage with all ages as it is a game that requires both skill and luck.

Dixit won the Game of the Year award in 2010 for its originality and creativity. Players start with a hand of cards of which each shows a distinctive and witty abstract painting. A player chooses one picture and describes it to other players, and if you want to know more you have to buy the game! This kind of board game can really stretch your child's creative skills and imagination.

The health benefits of logic puzzles, word games and backgammon sets are acknowledged as being beneficial to brain function as well as all the social skills it can help kids with. Regular play encourages the brain to form new patterns and complex neural networks naturally so enhance your child's growing up years and check board games out today.

James Bennett writes articles for Chess Sets about Backgammon Sets and Luxury Chess Sets. For a typical chess game each player starts with 1 King and Queen, two Bishops, 2 Knights, 2 Rooks and 8 Pawns placed in specific positions on the checkerboard. One side is usually represented by light color pieces commonly known as the white the other side features darker pieces usually described as the black. Buying your chess set from Chess Sets means you are buying from UK stock and can expect a rapid delivery. Unlike the competitors Chess Sets offer free shipping of all products to all of the UK including the highlands and channel islands, providing an extensive assortment of premium quality yet inexpensive chess pieces such as Chess Computers, chess timers and Lewis Chess Sets.board game companies

Bohnanza Board Game

Bohnanza is AWESOME. It is probably the most instantly enjoyable "board game suppliers" out there. I put board game in quotes, because it is essentially a card game - and it is all about trading. Each game takes about 45 minutes to an hour to play, depending on the speed of the players.

Bohnanza is a trading game. You get cards, which represent beans, and you can plant your beans in your fields, which return you gold once they are harvested. You are only allowed to plant beans in two fields however (you can buy a third later on in the game), and you can't plant more than one variety of bean in a certain field.

The decision to plant a certain bean in your field is a crucial game-changing choice. Once planted, you are dedicating yourself to the acquisition of that certain bean variety, and you will try to trade for those beans during the game with other players.

There are 12 or so different varieties of beans (depending on the amount of players, you add or remove some of the rare bean types). Some bean varieties require four of its beans on a certain field before you can harvest a gold piece for them, while others are instantly worth a single gold with a single bean.

Once a game of Bohnanza begins, it becomes it's own little economy. All you hear for the next hour are trade offers being thrown around the table from all sides, which causes rifts, battles, and overall a lot of fun. While playing, you need to be aware of what kinds of beans are currently in demand in the market (around the table). If you can successfully plant beans that are low in demand each time you plant a new variety, you will often be successful.

I struggled to rate the replay value of Bohnanza simply because it is enormously high for the first 30 or so times you play the game. I set it at 3.5 stars because after you play the game over and over and over, players begin to recognize that a trade is either beneficial or not - and you don't often see a mutually beneficial trade happen. This resulted in a number of stalemates in games between highly experienced players. That said, overall, you can't afford NOT to try Bohnanza out. It's easy to learn and immensely enjoyable. It is 10/10 fun. (3-5 players)

Bohnanza as a card/board game is instantly gratifying and a ton of fun. For a comprehensive ranking of Bohnanza and many other great games, check out this Best Board Games [http://www.lpboardgame.com/] site.

How To Make Your Own Board Game

Making your own board games does not only help you save up, it also develops your resourcefulness and creativity. Making homemade board games is twice as exciting as playing the game itself. It is also very economical. So why buy them when you can create your own? You can even get a lot of benefits from making your board games yourself. Now, how do you start making them?

First of all, you have to gather your materials. It is important to take durability into consideration when selecting your raw materials. The more long-lasting the material is the more games you'll be able to play with it.

Chess, Checkers or Go

If you are making your own chess board game manufacturers, you must decide what to replace your chess pieces. Stones and beads are the popular choices for board game pieces. In chess, since the king is the biggest piece, reserve the biggest stone for that. Stones, in fact, were first used as pieces in games like Go. For chess, if you are using beads, choose the largest one for the king or use a distinct color for each piece. And since the Queen symbolizes femininity, reserve the pink bead for her. Almost anything can be used to serve as playing pieces. If you have a figurine collection, you can use them as well.

If you know how to carve, you can use leftover wood to create your board pieces. Then use paint or varnish for a finishing touch. Coins can also be used as markers. The lists of possibilities are endless!

Different board games need different game pieces. Some may require a dice as well as a deck of cards and poker chips. For your convenience, it may be better to purchase these items instead to make sure they're uniform. While you're at it, you may need to purchase some permanent markers, scissors and a ruler as well to make your playing board.

Rudiments: Boards

You can make your own board game suppliers from different things. You can use an illustration board or spare plywood to draw your playing field. If you want your game board to be portable, you can even use a cloth, which you can easily fold after playing.

Just make sure that the material you use for your game board can easily be laid flat. If not, you'll be spending most of the time leveling it while playing the board game. If you love the game, it is best to invest your creativity in it, as well as some money, time and effort. A nice board for your playing pleasure will affect your mood while on the game.

Packing It Up

Now you have your board game set. However, you are not done yet. You also have to consider other important things such as the storage of your entire board game set. If the board you made is small and convenient enough to store in a portable box, you can bring it anywhere you fancy. If you made a large one, look for a cool, dry place where you can store and easily retrieve it.

If you store your board in a hot place, the markers may fade right away. If you are using cloth for your board, do not fold it when storing it. Roll it up or keep it flat in an envelope so that no crease will disturb your game pieces once you start the next game.

Making your own playing board and pieces will help you play your favorite game without spending too much. Moreover, your improvised board game set will be uniquely your own.

For many of us, one of our favorite memories is of the simple games of our childhood...pickup sticks, dominoes and board games. Games like Sorry, Monopoly and Parcheesi kept us entertained for hours.

Many people today collect vintage board games for the very reason that those games hold a sentimental value for them. At the same time, collectors also value the financial investment they make in their collections. If you're a collector, it's quite likely that you enjoy both of these benefits.

You probably love the games of yesteryear because they remind you of your childhood and hold a fascination for you as well. You also likely recognize that these games, like any other antiques, can be very valuable and protecting your investment is an important part of being a collector. Following are some tips related to the hobby of antique board game collecting. These tips will help you make good buying choices and assist in protecting your investment.

Mint Condition Vintage Games

Of all the vintage board games that can be found in the antique market, those which are in mint condition garner the highest prices. Mint condition games are undamaged. They are in their original boxes and the boxes are also in perfect or near perfect condition.

Mint condition games additionally contain all of the components that came with the original game. Not a single piece can be missing if the game is truly mint. You should expect a mint condition board game suppliers to cost a pretty penny.

Buying Pieces and Parts

It's extremely common for pieces or parts of games to get lost over the years. For this reason, many of the vintage games offered by vendors will be marked down due to their incomplete nature. Many collectors decide to purchase multiple games in order to get one complete game which contains all of the components and parts necessary for rounding out the vintage board game.

If you decide to go this route with items in your own collection, just make sure that the different ones you buy all coincide according to the model or manufacturing year so your final, complete game contains all the right pieces and parts in the right design for creating a full set.

Protecting Your Collection

Any antique collection must be stored in the proper manner to maintain the condition of each item in the collection. The same is certainly true for a vintage board game collection.

Most games come in cardboard boxes. The game boards themselves are usually made from heavy or thick cardboard or paperboard, as well. These materials can be damaged quite easily by moisture. It is therefore critical that you store your vintage games in a cool, dry place.

Light exposure can also play a role in deterioration of board game components. Keep your vintage board games out of direct sunlight to avoid this problem.

Many collectors also have their prized possessions valued by an appraiser. The appraisal process will help you decide what the entire collection is worth so you can purchase an insurance policy to cover the value. You never want to think something will happen to your vintage board games, but having an insurance policy will at least allow you to work on rebuilding the collection if something does.

Amazing Aggravation Game Board

Aggravation board game manufacturers is definitely one of the most popular classic board games that have wowed families from different walks of life for over four decades. It has practically evolved with time. But despite the many technologically advanced gadgets that are now proliferating in the market, this board game remain stable and still gets a fair share of the market in its genre. This is one classical game that has been enjoyed by families all these years.

Despite the proliferation of computer games and PSP's, aggravation game board still has its ample followers. They cannot simply trade the entertainment provided by this board game to that of the now becoming popular technologically advanced gadgets. Many families especially in the United States and some parts of Europe still stick to the fun that this game provides them.

Many household are now sporting this kind of game in their patio. Most of them are using it both for decorative purposes and as entertainment stuff for visiting relatives and friends to enjoy. But recently, this aggravation board game companies has been becoming versatile. It is not only use for entertainment but also to decorate some areas of the house.

You need not have to worry about leaving this game outside your house for the kind of material it is made of more than good enough for it to wither all kinds of weather and endure the traffic that it has to deal with. This game board is indeed an amazing decorative piece for everyone to behold and enjoy. It is even a perfect tool to spark a wonderful conversation among friends and relatives who may drop by your house for some reason.

This is why it is truly important for you to buy this amazing entertainment stuff from store or manufacturers known for good quality products. There are many stores online and offline having this stuff sold at fairly reasonable price. Having nicely crafted types of this game board need not cost you a fortune. So, try to decorate your patio or garden and maximize the versatility of aggravation game board.

Baseball As a Board Game

Often, board games will take a fantastical situation and allow people to experience it through the use of a board, some tokens, and potentially dice or cards. Other games will simply take an idea and allow two people to have a battle of wits using the materials that the game provides. Most people stop right here and don't even consider all of the other possibilities that board games can present.board game suppliers

No one thinks that board games can be based around other games, which already exist, just not in a board game format. The world of sports is ripe for the picking when it comes to making an innovative, fun board game. The game of baseball, in particular, offers players a range of opportunity when it comes to enjoying a fun, thrilling game, perfect for those rainy days when you are stuck inside with nothing to do.

Baseball and board games actually have a long history throughout America, with both growing into popularity around the beginning of the 20th Century. There have been many different baseball games manufactured over the last 100 years, yet many people never seem to realize this fact. Baseball greats throughout history have actually made endorsements of many of these games, with Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, and Roger Maris all having baseball board games with their names attached.

One recent board game, which offers a strong entry into the category of baseball board games, is the game Triple Threat Baseball. It offers players with two different options when beginning a game. One can either play in the Rookie League or the Big League, each providing players with a different level of strategy to encounter.

Rookie League is, as the name suggests, easier and more geared for children and beginners to the game. The Big League game, however, is more complex, offering players the chance to have to make decisions around the many different layers of events happening in a professional baseball game.board game companies.

The game doesn't provide for statistics for individual players, which can be both a blessing and a curse. The lack of statistics will allow the game to flow much more smoothly, granting players the opportunity to get into the flow of the game. It can also be a point of disappointment for any players who want to pretend that they are managing real players in their team, as everyone will be on the same footing.

Great Play is another creative baseball board game, one that works well without the necessity for either dice or spinners. This game works between two players, one playing the offense and one playing the defense.

The entire game works on the strategy used when playing tokens in the outfield. Cards are drawn by the offense, determining how well their batter hit the ball and specifically where it landed. Based on how well the tokens in the outfield are placed, it is determined whether the hit was a run or an out. The player who scores more runs in the end wins the game, just as in baseball. The game offers players a great opportunity to think about the strategy in baseball, giving the second best thing to playing the actual game.

Where Can You Get a Cornhole Game Board?

Any home improvement expert with a jigsaw has usually built their own cornhole game board at one time or another. This is actually a very easy product to make - it is a board, on a slant, with a hole in it. But although you can make them, when you start shopping for them online, you will see that there is a much bigger variety of them than you could ever imagine.

What Is a Cornhole Game Board?board game companies| board game factories

If you have never seen this type of game before or never played it, don't feel bad. This is not as common in some parts of the country as it is in others. If you grew up in the Midwest, then you probably played this all the time, but if you grew up in one of the larger urban areas, then this isn't really the kind of game that you would play.

A cornhole game board is a simple piece of board, which is usually made out of wood. It is built on a slant and has a small hole toward the top of it. The idea is to throw small bean bags into the hole. This sounds simple enough, but it can be frustrating, and just because you are a good athlete doesn't mean that you will have an advantage. That is what makes it the ideal game for all families - it is a very level playing field.

Where Can You Buy a Cornhole Game Board?

Again, because this is not always a typical game to play, you may not find it in your local game or toy store. Some people like to build their own, but it can be time-consuming. The good news is that you can buy these online in a variety of price ranges and styles, so you should have no problem finding one that is ideal for your family.

What Should You Look For?

The first thing to keep in mind if you are going to buy a cornhole game board is where you will be playing with it. If you will only be bringing it out once a year for a Fourth of July party, then you probably don't need one that is super sturdy. On the other hand, if you will have this board up in your backyard all summer long, then you will want to choose one that is much more built to last.

What About the Bean Bags?

When you buy a cornhole game board, you will usually get the bean bags with it, and some sets even have a cornhole score board, too. This can make the game a lot more fun and certainly more challenging. The bean bags are small, and certainly small enough to fit into the hole with ease, and they are lightweight enough that any family member can play with them. There are usually two colors, with three or four bags of each color included in a set, which is enough for two people or two teams to have a great game of toss.

DIY Kids Board Game: How to Create Your Own Monopoly Game Board?

Our modern lifestyles have made everybody else busy so that families seldom spend a quiet weekend together. It has become genuinely rare for families to have weekend get togethers for the conduct of leisure activities such as cooking, barbecues at the backyard, or simply to lounge and bond. In addition, when occasions arise, a DIY kids board game will add more meaning to time spent like a simple craft that can be conveniently handled by the Lexmark C544DN or any equally reliable home color laser printer.

Usually, the popular board game Monopoly is the DIY kids board game that appeals to most families across the country. What makes it so popular is that the game involves all members of the family with its entertainment and educational value. Monopoly drives kids and adults alike to make a run at perceived real estate investment potentials; making a lot of money, and becoming wealthy. However, there are pitfalls along the way that makes the game really consummating. The Lexmark C544DN home color laser printer is the appropriate device to create the Monopoly DIY kids board game. Since all the pieces involve real estate properties and play money, printing in color will add more depth to this trading game. Below are the steps to producing and printing this DIY kids board game.

Monopoly has undergone several variations, so anyone can actually create a theme that will fit the level of competence of the family members. For reference, there are 22 properties like railroad and utilities. Name each from the least to the most expensive.

Divide the board into 40 spaces with each side having 11 spaces, including the corner spaces. Give names to each property or include pictures to mark each of them. Allocate spaces for "go", "jail", and "parking".

Create and allow the color laser printer to print property cards based on rent, prices, and community chest cards that include rewards and penalties written on them. Use the Lexmark C544DN to print the currency that will be used in the trading sequences, the highest at $500 and the least at $1.

Remember to be creative, particularly when dealing with hotels and residences that will be relevant to the game.

Add the finishing works on the board game and together with two dice, your family can now start to play.

board game suppliers| board game companies

Are We Living in a Board Game Economy?

In the Game of Monopoly, there is a little fellow running around the game board with a top hat and tails, holding a cigar and fists full of money. He is, perhaps, the original one-percenter. We, on the other hand, trudge around as an old shoe, wheelbarrow, dog or iron trying to buy properties while avoiding a series of taxes: Luxury Tax, Income Tax, Electric Company Tax, and Water Works Tax.

The "Banker" gives us $1500 to start out in life but aside from holding all of the bank's money, the banker also holds title deeds, houses, and hotels. The Banker pays all salaries and bonuses, sells and auctions all properties, and collects all taxes, fines, loans and interest. Hmmm. Is the Monopoly Banker the US Government? Suspiciously enough, he never goes broke because he simply issues more money.

Now we "try" to become wealthy in this game but we never seem to land on Boardwalk or Park Place and when we do, we can't afford to buy them... so we're resigned to setting up little green houses on Baltic and Oriental Avenue where we earn virtually no income.

After most of our money is lost to taxes, doctor's fees, street repairs, being elected Chairman of the Board, and paying rent for those two, bright red hotels on Marvin Gardens... we have to wait to land on or pass "GO" to get another $200 just to make ends meet. Is this a Government Hand out?

Now we could always land on CHANCE and/or the COMMUNITY CHEST which includes everything from winning second prize in a Beauty Contest and getting a Bank Dividend... to paying a Poor Tax and going to Jail. But neither can save us as we look around the board at all the pricey rents and glance back at our abundance of white $1's and pink $5's. When we owe more than we can pay to either another player or to the Banker, we are in fact bankrupt!

So who really wins in this game?

Well you and I don't because we invariably wind up broke. The owners of Boardwalk and Park Place don't because they have filled their properties with expensive hotels, and there is no one left that can pay their expensive rents. And the banker doesn't because he is sitting on three utilities and four railroads and has handed out so much money that his fat stack of orange $500's doesn't really add up to a whole lot.

Clearly, the little guy in the top hat and tails knows something that the rest of us don't. His real name is Rich Uncle Pennybags. You see, Rich Uncle Pennybags bought gold back in 1933 when it was just $26 an ounce. Since then gold has increased over 6411%. Pennybags bought bullion just before the infamous Gold Recall in May of 1933. Some say he saw it coming. That was the same year they started construction on the Golden Gate Bridge. A coincidence? You decide.

Pennybags bought more gold through the years and made more money. He does not trust Bankers. As a matter of fact Uncle Pennybags does not trust paper money. He deals in tangible assets... things you can hold, feel, stack, and put away as a store of value. And, while the world was chasing paper money and real estate, Pennybags was acquiring bullion and rare coins.board game manufacturers china

Carcassone: The Tile Based Board Game

Carcassonne is a tile-based board game factory designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede and published in English by Z-Man Games, who just recently acquired the rights from long time publisher Rio Grande Games. The game's name is derived from a fortified town in the south of France which is known for its city walls and beautiful countryside. Since its release in 2000, its popularity has spawned well over a dozen expansions, mini-expansions and spinoffs, not to mention multiple digital incarnations on PC, iOS and others. Carcassonne is also available as an Xbox Live Arcade game.

Game play consists of two to five players building a countryside with the 72 tiles included in the base version of the game. Players take turns randomly selecting a tile and placing it adjacent to the starting tile, or one of the other tiles in play. Each tile has different elements on it such as city walls, roads, fields and chapels or cloisters. Players must orientate the tiles in such a way so they compliment any other tiles they touch, so roads have to connect to roads, fields to fields, and walls to walls.

Once per turn the player is also allowed to claim a feature on the tile they played, whether it's city, chapel, road or field, by playing one of their tokens. Once that particular element is completed, points are scored, and the token comes off the board and can now be used again. Roads are completed by connecting two locations, and are worth one point per tile. Cities are finished completing a surrounding wall, and are worth two points per tile, three if there's a pennant on the tile. Chapels are completed by being completely surrounded by eight tiles on all sides and corners, and are worth eight points. Tokens that are played on fields are scored at the end of the game, and cannot be recovered and reused, so token conservation is an important strategy to learn.

Although the game play is relatively simple, several other strategies will become evident as well after a couple of games. For one, there is a limited number of each tile layout so it pays to know the tiles, or to at least have an idea of what pieces are more likely to come out compared to others. Also, not every tile combination is represented in the game, so it's possible to block your foes, or yourself, from completing a city or road, essentially stranding any tokens place there on the board for the remainder of the game. It's also possible to share roads or cities. While players can't place a token on a feature that's already been claimed, it is possible to connect two claimed roads or cities with a well placed tile. Watch out though, if your opponent has more tokens in a field or city than you do, they'll get all the credit for it.

Once the last tile is placed, the round is scored. Players earn points for any claimed elements, even if they're unfinished. Roads are still a point per tile, but unfinished cities are only worth a point per tile, instead of two. Unfinished chapels are worth one point per tile surrounding it. Fields are only scored at the end of the game. If you control a field at the end of the game, you get three points for every completed city that field touches.

The game is a Spiel des Jahres award winner, which means 'Game of the Year' in German. It's an award that mainly focuses on family style games, eschewing collectible card games, role playing games, and other complicated, or conflict based games. It's easy to understand why Carcassonne is a stand out in such a field. In fact, its broad appeal and simple mechanics are two reasons why many consider Carcassonne to be an ideal 'gateway game' to introduce new players into board gaming as a hobby.

Come into Slackers today and check out Carcassonne and our selection of its expansions and spin-offs If your cardboard allergy has been acting up, come in, pick up an Xbox Live points card and download the Live Arcade game instead. Either way you play, this game comes highly recommended.