Two of my kids have now outgrown some of my own favorite childhood board games like Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders — classic versions only, please. (And yes, I admit I do like Candy Land. Don’t ask why.) My kids are now into the kind of strategy board games that take 30 minutes to explain the rules and another 30 minutes to set up the board. They can be a lot of fun, but I don’t always have the time or inclination. So I like to have a few games on hand that we can all play quickly and easily.
This week we’ve been binging on My Big Art Show by Susie Hodge. Game play is easy for my 5-year-old, but there are some complex aspects that keep even the adults interested.
Plus, art! for kids!
Each card in My Big Art Show features a painting in the center. In the top left corner is the movement that painting belongs to — like impressionism, cubism, romanticism. In the top right corner is the theme found in that painting — things like animals or still life.
Your job is to get two matching sets in your hand by drawing cards and discarding others. So, basically, it’s rummy.
The icons make it easy for young kids to follow along even if they can’t read. And the 5-star ranking system for fame and value at the bottom of each card add a layer of strategy for older kids. Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Can earns you 5 stars for fame but just 3 for value. Though some would beg to differ.
The Mona Lisa? That’s a perfect 10.
A nice bonus: The included book has background info on every painting and artist, but also some alternate games to play with the cards. But hey, even if this game doesn’t give your kids a leg up on Art History 101 when they hit to college, it’s still a quick, fun game to play while dinner’s cooking and screen time minutes are tapped out for the day.
You can find My Big Art Show by Susie Hodge at the publisher’s site, Thames and Hudson, or our affiliate Amazon. Also check check your local indie toy store or art museum gift shop!
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