We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. Judy, Zorro and I continue to practice social distancing as we take time each day for our family walks. This photo was taken the other day in Sugar House and now as I am enjoying my coffee there is almost a foot of fresh snow. This week we are sharing more fun activities to do at home and wish you all the best.
The team at Apartment Therapy have shared a new article, The Very Best Board Games for Families, Adults, Couples, or Anyone, Judy and I will be playing Monopoly later today. Board games and puzzles are experiencing a renaissance as the world is in quarantine as they invite creative and strategic thinking, teamwork and cooperation, and of course, an opportunity to sit down and connect with the people in your home.
Popular Board Games
Catan - In a competition for Victory Points, players control their own civilization and try to spread across a modular hex board as they gain and trade natural resources like wheat, brick, sheep, ore, and lumber. But watch out: Another player might cut off your road, and you never know when the robber might steal some of your gains. “Settlers of Catan, now simply called Catan, is a great family game, and it offers a wide range of expansions and spin-offs,” says Greg May, the owner and founder of The Uncommons.
Ticket To Ride challenges players to build railroad routes across a map (America or Europe traditionally, though others are available) as they collect train cards and routes. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins! While the object is to earn as many points as possible by completing the longest routes, additional points come to those who fulfill their Destination Tickets by connecting two distant cities and to the player who builds the longest continuous railroad.
Carcassonne - Inspired by the French medieval fortress of the same name, Carcassonne is a tile-laying game where players fill in the countryside around the fortified city. Players choose from tiles that depict cities, roads, monasteries, and fields, and each new tile creates an ever-expanding board on which players can add their followers, scoring points by having followers on features as they’re completed. Make the most strategic placements of tiles and followers, and you’ll win the game!
Taboo - The object of Taboo, a fast-paced race against the timer, is simple: Get your team to say the “guess” word without using any of the Taboo words for clues. To add to the fun (and keep you honest), an opponent watches over your shoulder and will buzz you if you slip up. Laura Schocker, Apartment Therapy’s Editor-in-Chief and board game enthusiast, has loved this one since college. “Taboo is my jam — it’s a fun party game and ice breaker,” she says.
Trivial Pursuit - players move around the game board as they answer questions from six categories: geography, history, art and literature, science and nature, and sports and leisure. When you land on a “category headquarters” space, your correct answer will earn you a colored wedge. The first one to collect 6 different wedges wins — only, of course, after correctly answering one final question!
Monopoly - Another one of Schocker’s all-time favorites: Monopoly. To get “rich” and bankrupt your opponents, collect property colors sets to build houses and, if you’re lucky, even upgrade to a hotel. The more properties you own, the more rent you can charge other players who land there.
Azul - An award-winning tile-placement game in which players compete for the highest score by claiming and arranging tiles on their board, Azul is equal parts competitive and aesthetically pleasing. Take turns making your board beautiful and your opponents despair! “Surprisingly brutal for an abstract strategy game with no combat, this gem won awards for a reason,” says Jordan Nelsen, librarian at Kingmakers Board Game Parlour in Columbus, Ohio.
Villainous - Become your favorite Disney villain and plan schemes methodically to rid the land of Disney protagonists before other players. Once you choose your villain, you’ll play within your own story, but you’ll also interact with other players (and thwart your opponents from reaching their own objectives!). “Villainous is a very thematic, mean, and fun game, though it’s more complex than most think when they first discover it,” says Nelsen.
Quick and Simple Board Games
Ghost Blitz - players compete to grab items off the table: a white ghost, a green bottle, a gray mouse, a blue book, and a red chair. Each card in the deck shows pictures of two objects, with one or both objects colored the wrong way. With all players playing at the same time, someone reveals a card, then players try to grab the right object. If one object is colored correctly — say, a green bottle and a red mouse — then players need to grab that correctly colored object. If both objects are colored incorrectly, then players look for the object and color not represented. The first player to grab the correct object keeps the card, and whoever collects the most cards wins. “A speed puzzle game that can be learned in less than a minute, Ghost Blitz can be played as long as you want,” says Nelsen.
Skull - in this surprisingly gorgeous bluffing game, players hold three rose cards and one skull, then add a card to the pile in front of them and announce a challenge and declare how many cards they will flip. Cards that show a rose are safe, but if you expose your opponent’s hidden skull, you lose one of your own cards. Any player who wins two “bets” wins the game! Nelsen loves game for the high stakes: “Saturated with bluffing and bidding, you’ll test your tolerance for risk every round,” he says. “Win or lose, it’s such fun to watch the tension and drama play out in this quick-to-learn game.”
Jenga - is about as simple (and adrenaline-inducing!) as it gets: Remove a block from the tower without toppling the whole thing over. The plain blocks are great for writing messages, too: Schocker used hers as a “guest book” at her wedding for people to sign. “And when I find a marked-up set in a bar I always try to add a feminist message to the mix for the next person to find (like “Ask for a raise on Monday!”)” she says.
Tenzi - The basic object of Tenzi is to roll your 10 dice as quickly as you can to get them all to land on the same number. If you’re looking for a new spin on the easy-to-learn game, try it with the “77 Ways to Play Tenzi” expansion pack, where you flip a card that adds a twist to each round, like making a funny sound after every roll. The game is recommended for ages seven and up, but if you’re over 21, Schocker says it’s even better with an over-21 beverage.
Sushi Go - For a fast-paced, competitive game, try a “pick and pass” card game like Sushi Go, which May says can be played in around 15 minutes. The goal is to grab the best combination of sushi dishes as they pass by, scoring points for making the most maki rolls or for collecting a full set of sashimi — but be sure to leave room for dessert, or you’ll end up losing points! While the game is fun for anyone, May says the approachable, appealing artwork makes Sushi Go a great pick for beginners.
Spot It- The premise of Spot It is pretty basic: Each card features a number of symbols, and each card has exactly one symbol in common with every other card in the deck. If you spot the common symbol first, you win the round. The game lasts about 15 minutes, but each round can be different if you play one of the five mini-games within the set. Dexterity card games like Spot It don’t just challenge your reflexes; May likes them because they’re also portable and inexpensive, making them great for travel or gifting. Plus, the game is based on visual perception, so no language skills are needed!
2-Player Board Games
Patchwork - In this abstract strategy game, players use buttons as currency to purchase patches as they compete to create the best, most beautiful, and high-scoring patchwork quilt on a personal game board. More than 500 Amazon reviewers give Patchwork close to a five-star rating — and if you like puzzle games like Tetris or have a thing for quilting, Nelsen says you’ll probably enjoy this thoughtful and fun two-player game, too.
Santorini - The first player to build a 3-story structure wins Santorini, a strategy and building game ideal for both kids and adults. To start, players use their blocks and builder pieces to move into neighboring spaces on the board. But there’s a twist: Santorini requires increases in difficulty with the addition of extra powers via “god” cards. With thousands of possibilities and unlimited replay value, each round of Santorini brings a new challenge, which is one of the reasons Nelsen is a fan. “Santorini is a quick-to-learn strategy game that can be played over and over again,” says Nelsen. “Think tic-tac-toe, but actually interesting, fun, and deep, combined with Greek legends.”
Scrabble - the classic crossword game, challenges opponents to use their letters to form high-point words on the board. To load up on even more points, place letters on high-scoring premium squares. The key is to know the rules and a few tricks for gaining more points — and, of course, keep a dictionary on hand for disputed words. At the end of the game, the player with the highest score wins. “Of course, Scrabble is a classic, but it’s one of my favorite date nights: at home on a stormy weekend or even out at a bar (I’m so much fun!),” says Schocker.
Connect 4 - Sure, it’s a great family game, but Connect 4 isn’t just for kids! Taking Tic Tac Toe to the next level, Connect 4 challenges players to be the first to get “four in a row” by dropping colored disks into the grid. Things heat up when you block your opponent if they get too close to a Connect 4! “This game is total mindless fun,” says Schocker. “Every time I think I nail a good strategy, the next round ends in a stalemate!”
Jaipur - players take on the roles of two of the city’s most powerful traders seeking to earn their invitation to the maharaja’s court. A blend of strategy and luck, Jaipur is a fast-paced card game that’s equally deep and easy to learn. May says he often recommends the brand new edition of Jaipur to couples on dates or pals looking for a friendly spar!
Quoridor may look fancy, but the goal of the game — which May says he recommends frequently — is simple: try to reach your opponent’s side of the board with your pawn. On your turn, you either can move your pawn or place a wall to slow down your opponent. Quoridor is similar to chess since players move pawn-shaped pieces across the board, but the wooden fences spice things up, forcing players to think strategically.
Hive - the object of Hive is to totally surround your opponent’s Queen Bee with insect-themed pieces (which May says move differently, depending on the insect!) while at the same time trying to stop your opponent from doing the same to you. The first player to surround their opponent’s Queen Bee wins! Since Hive is an abstract game that doesn’t have a board, you can take it anywhere.
Lords of Waterdeep - as one of the mask Lords of Waterdeep, the secret rules of the city, players recruit adventurers to go on quests that can earn rewards and increase their influence over the city. The goal is to expand the city by purchasing new buildings that open up new actions on the board, and either hinder or help the other lords by playing Intrigue cards. “Fans of D&D will recognize the setting and appreciate the theme woven into the game, but any gamer looking for a mid-level strategy game will have a blast with this gem,” says Nelsen.
Small World - a “social war game” in which players vie for conquest and control of a board that’s too small to accommodate everyone. As they pick the right combination of fantasy races and special powers, players must rush to expand their empires at the expense of their opponents. The game requires more than just strategy: Players must also know when to push their own over-extended civilization into decline and ride a new one to victory.
Spirit Island - in this complex, cooperate game, players use their unique spiritual powers to defend their island home from colonizing invaders. Win the game after you work together with other players to destroy all the settlements and cities on the board! “Each player has unique abilities and challenges, and you must trust one another to do their part to succeed.”
Biblios - the point of this game is to take on the role of abbott in a medieval monastery and create the most impressive library collection through two phases: an acquisition round and an auction round. Schocker is a big fan because it can be played just as easily with two players as four. It’s also fast — average play time is around 30 minutes — which is conducive to multiple games!
Clans of Caledonia - is an economic market game set in 19th-century Scotland. Every player becomes a clan at the outset of the game, which sets them up with certain advantages throughout the five rounds of play. If you can maximize your advantages, you get more points (and hopefully win). This game started out as a 2017 kickstarter, and was funded within three hours. “It’s a little complicated to learn the rules, but once you master them, it’s a fun Settlers alternative,” says Schocker.
Board Games for Kids and Families
Celestia - 2-4 players board an aircraft with a team of adventurers to perform many trips through the cities of Celestia, attempting to be the richest adventurer by collecting the most precious treasures. At the beginning of each round, the trip captain rolls dice to discover challenges and must then play the appropriate cards to continue on the journey and reach the next city. As soon as a player earns treasure worth at least fifty points, the game ends and this player wins.
Dixit - an imaginative storytelling game, Dixit challenges players to use the images on their cards to bluff their opponents and guess which image matches the story. Every turn, the storyteller calls out a short phrase or word to match their card. Each player will choose the card that most closely matches that phrase, and then everyone must guess which card the storyteller saw when he invented his brief tale. Correctly guess the storyteller’s card, and you’ll move ahead. The greatest total wins the game!
Sorry! - in this classic family game of strategy and chance, each player gets four pawns to move around the gameboard. Players need to pick a 1 or a 2 card to get a pawn out of the starting area, and then challenge opponents in this classic game of sweet revenge! Be the first player to get all four pawns to home base to win.
Scattergories - if you can think fast under pressure, you’ll love Scattergories, where each player tries to complete a list of prompts (like “things found in the kitchen”) based on a specific letter rolled during the round (L is for “lettuce.”)
Apples to Apples - each player gets seven “Things” cards to pair up with the Judge’s “Description” card. In each round, the judge reads the description — say it’s “Evil” — and every player lays down the card from their hand that matches that description. The judge chooses their favorite “thing” card, and at the end, the player who won the most rounds wins! Apples to Apples can be silly, but Schocker says it’s especially fun because it’s a great test of how well you can read people. Will the judge choose something funny? Weird? On the nose?
Looking to kick up your feet, the Discover Blog has shared 8 Amazing Nature Documentaries to Stream Now. One of the most powerful ways to increase awareness of our planet and inspire us to get involved in efforts to protect it is through nature documentaries. From footage of polar bears roaming the arctic tundra to blue whales migrating across our vast oceans, these films inspire us, challenge us to think with compassion, respect our planet, and be an agent for change. Grab some popcorn, get comfy, and enjoy these eight amazing nature documentaries you can stream now.
"Our Planet" (2019): Netflix Running Time: 8 Episodes (48–53 minutes each)
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, Salma Hayek, and Penélope Cruz, "Our Planet" was shot in Ultra HD in over 50 countries. It will open your eyes to see just how connected we all are. This series showcases how beautiful — but also how fragile — our natural world really is. The filmmakers worked closely with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to raise awareness about climate change and conservation efforts to fix these issues before it’s too late.
"Planet Earth II" (2016): Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, iTunes
Running Time: 6 episodes (50 minutes each)
If you enjoyed BBC’s "Planet Earth," its sequel will take you on an entirely new journey. Ten years after the award-winning original, "Planet Earth II" takes you to new places (and some familiar ones) to show you some of the most amazing survival stories ever witnessed. Filmed from the viewpoint of the animals, this series takes you closer to nature than ever before and offers an intimate look at the lives of some incredible species. "Planet Earth II" also examines how city-dwelling animals thrive on the margins of urban life. Learn about the leopards of Mumbai, India and the hyenas of Harar, Ethiopia as they try to coexist in the human world.
"Blue Planet II" (2017): Amazon, Google Play, iTunes
Running Time: 7 episodes (50 minutes each)
Iconic narrator Sir David Attenborough returns to the seas to take viewers on an unforgettable voyage into the seemingly endless depths of our oceans. "Blue Planet II" is the sequel to the award-winning series "Blue Planet" and takes a serious look at how humans have negatively impacted our oceans through pollution and climate change. Cutting-edge technology allows us to explore the largest ecosystem on the planet — the ocean. "Blue Planet II" also features a fantastic soundtrack developed by Hans Zimmer and Radiohead.
"Free Solo" (2018): Hulu, Disney+ Running Time: 100 minutes
If you didn’t get a chance to see this thrilling documentary in theaters, you can now stream "Free Solo" on Hulu. "Free Solo" took home the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and has wowed audiences all over the planet. The film is a stunning and intimate look at solo climber Alex Honnold as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream of climbing the face of the treacherous El Capitan at Yosemite National Park — without the help of a rope. While less nature-focused than some of the other entries on this list, "Free Solo" is a triumph of the human spirit set in some of the most fantastic landscapes on Earth.
"Night on Earth" (2020): Netflix
Running Time: 6 Episodes (41–53 minutes each)
Samira Wiley narrates "Night on Earth," a groundbreaking nature series that shines light on a world that was once hidden by the veil of night. Take an unprecedented peek into the hidden lives of nature’s nocturnal creatures. From lions on the hunt in Africa to the remarkable creatures and insects that call the jungle canopy home, remarkable video technology allows viewers see what animals are up to after hours. Each episode of "Night on Earth" explores a different habitat and shows us how surviving in the dark shapes animals in different ways.
"Ice on Fire" (2019): HBO Running Time: 1 hour and 38 minutes
Produced and narrated by environmentalist and Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio, "Ice on Fire" is a must-see documentary that sends an urgent warning to all of us on the consequences of climate change. The film explores the possibility of a catastrophic life-altering event caused by arctic methane release and warns us to follow proven, safe, and cutting-edge solutions designed to slow down our accelerating environmental crisis. "Ice on Fire" explores pioneering research behind today’s climate science and the innovations designed to reduce carbon in our atmosphere. These efforts will help pave the way for a decline in the rise of global temperatures and benefit all life on our planet.
"Seven Worlds, One Planet" (2019): Amazon, BBC America
Running Time: 7 Episodes (60 minutes each)
Sir David Attenborough's "Seven Worlds, One Planet" is a sweeping documentary that focuses on the ecosystems on each of the seven continents and how they shape animal behavior and biodiversity. This eye-opening series will take you on a journey through a planet you thought you knew. Using drone footage and hidden cameras, you’ll get to explore 41 countries and witness diverse climates and animal life. From puma mothers prowling for prey in Patagonia to elusive monkeys roaming the mountain forests of China, "Seven Worlds, One Planet" will leave you with a whole new perspective on the world in which we share with our wildlife friends.
"The Ivory Game" (2016): Netflix Running Time: 1 hour and 52 minutes
Executive producer Leonardo DiCaprio introduces a moving documentary that sheds light on the horrific practice of elephant tusk poaching. Ivory is a prized status symbol in some cultures and "The Ivory Game" uncovers the deep-rooted corruption at the heart of the global ivory trafficking crisis. Efforts to stop the madness are working. Since its release, some of the poachers from the documentary have been caught and sent to prison. However, as long as ivory is considered valuable, vulnerable wildlife and a fragile ecosystem are going to be at risk of extinction. "The Ivory Game" calls us to help save the beloved African elephant.
Judy and I love to travel the state of Utah with our dog Zorro and this week we wanted to share Travel Awaits article 9 Utah State Parks That Should Be On Your Bucket List. Utah’s stunning landscape is far from a secret. The state’s “Mighty 5” pack of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches national parks has long been a staple of family road trips and bucket-list adventures. Utah’s splendors do not end at the national parks, they extend into a system of 43 amazing state parks, here are nine Utah state parks that should be on your bucket list.
I love to go skiing! Add a little bit of booze and some warm heating and we're in business.