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I Squinted and I love it!

I’m a Squinter.  Are you a Squinter?

My family loves to play games.  I especially love games that are easy enough for my 1st grader, but sophisticated enough to hold my attention.  Our current favorite family game is Sequence, but we get tired of playing it ALL the time.  I periodically buy new games at Walmart/Target/Thrift Store/etc, but my money does not grow on trees.

When I buy a game, I want:

• Fun – nuff said
• Value – I don’t care how fun it is, the game must be reasonably priced
• Longevity – we play the game often for several years
• Wide age range – kids/adults or any combination can play
• Right Brained – Strategy – I think learning strategy is a good skill for my kids
• Left Brained - Art/Imagination -  I want my kids to be creative as they grow up
• Has a winner – life is about winning and loosing.  You have to learn to do both well.
• Well written directions – I’m a technical writer.  Need I say more.

Because I attended BlissDom09, Out of the Box Games asked me to review a few games.  Out of the Box Publishing (OTBGames) is a small gaming company based in Wisconsin.  Leah from OTBgames and I emailed each other several times to choose some appropriate games for me and my family.  The package arrived Friday (very exciting).

Leah sent me Squint Jr, Wallamoppi and Backseat Drawing Jr.  As I have a 1st grader, I specifically asked for age appropriate games.

On a side note, the package arrived when the kids were in school.  I unpacked the games and put them on the kitchen table, then disposed of the box.  When PJ came home form school, he announced he made a 100 on a hard test and wanted to know what his PRIZE was.  I pointed to the games.  His eyes nearly bugged out of his head when he saw 3 brand new games, wrapped in plastic, sitting on his table.  Hee Hee.  Good timing, Leah.

Yesterday afternoon, me and the kids invited my Mom (who LOVES games) over to play Squint Jr.  My kids are 7 & 11 and my Mom is “Grandmother Age”  and I am somewhere in the middle.

PJ was so excited about tearing off  the plastic and playing a NEW game.  I read the direction while the kids set up the game.  The directions were very well written.  Nothing turns me off more than reading directions written by a foreigner with poor English.    The game includes a timer, chips, clear plastic shape cards (used to build the Squint shapes) and 168 Squint cards. 

The squint cards are housed in a plastic holder with a privacy ledge around the card, so only the “builder” can see the card.  The “Builder” builds the shape they see on the squint card using the clear plastic shape cards.  If the other players guess the shape BEFORE the sand runs through the timer, both the player (builder and guesser) earn a chip.  We played 3 rounds.  Whoever has the most chips wins.

My kids loved it.  My 11 year old won and she jumped up and down with giddiness.  What I liked was that  everyone had a shot at winning, including my 7 yr old.  Our game lasted about 20 minutes (perfect in my opinion).  Me and my mom really enjoyed it, too.

Squint Jr retails for $16.99 and is a good value for the money.  I see is playing this for several years.  This weekend, we are having some cub scouts over and I plan to let the little guys play it together.

There were only a few things I didn’t like.  The game is made in China.  I am willing to pay a few bucks more to employee Americans.  Made in the USA is VERY important to me right now.  But, OTBGames is an American Company.  The other complaint is that the timer clogged  a few times during play, but the timer snafu was not a deal breaker for me. 

So, if you are looking for a new family game, I recommend Squint Jr.  It is loads of fun for the whole family.  No joke.

I will post a review for the other 2 games next week.