Top Toys for Christmas 2011: bananagrams

Scrabble is one of my favorite word games, but with the complexity of the board, the variability of the value of tiles and the sheer frustration when someone uses the ‘space’ that you had planned to use it becomes a very difficult and very time consuming game.

Enter Bananagrams: This easy to play game is more akin to creating a crossword than trying to calculate the best value for a word and competing to get the highest score. The aim is simple – using your own tiles you can create your own ‘crossword’ of intersecting words using any of your tiles – you do not take turns, but simply try and use all your letters before any other player (note you will pick up more letters along the way too!).

It thus becomes a game that relies more on speed and flexibility rather than strategy and high valued tiles. With a multitude of different rules, you can make the game more or less complicated as you see fit – for example you could have a rule where players only use words with five or less letters.

This game is a great one to play with children and can be used as a learning aid for simple spelling – you might want to make it easier for your kids by letting them take less letters giving them a chance against adults.

The game requires no board, no paper or pencil, but simply enough room to lay all the tiles face down. It can be played in a matter of minutes and is a great fun family game and especially good when travelling.

With a grab and go pouch it is quickly and easily stored. It’s a great introduction to word games!

Game Features:

• With the speed and flexibility it’s a great way to slowly introduce spelling to your children.
• Comes with 144 tiles
• Great for two or more players – can be played on your own.
• Great for travel
• Suitable for 7 years and up – the tiles could be a choking hazard.