Word games have always been a fun way to exercise the language skills of all ages. However, they are usually considered to be quite a gentle past-time; but not Bananagrams. Bananagrams makes word play fast and furious.
In a banana shaped, banana coloured bag there are 144 letter tiles waiting for you to tip out onto a suitable playing surface. To get the game ready, you or a group of up to eight players turn all the letter tiles face down and each player takes a “bunch” of tiles (amount dependent on the number of players). The remaining letters stay in the middle.
Shout “split” and the game begins. Each player makes their own grid of intersecting words. When a player makes a grid they shout “peel”, a command upon which everyone must take another letter tile, whether or not they have completed their own grid.
If a player cannot fit a letter into a grid they shout “dump” and put a letter tile back into t the middle and then they must take three out.
Play continues until there are fewer letter tiles left than there are players. The winner is the person with a complete grid but before crowning the champion, make sure there are no made up word in their grid that could disqualify the “rotten banana”.
There are other game suggestions in the instructions and I’m sure a few variations may surface among regular players. Whilst Bananagrams is an excellent educational exercising of one’s vocabulary, its remains most prodigious in terms of the fun factor.
Bananagrams has received critical acclaim, including in Britain the Good Toy Guide’s Gold Award and in the US from the Toy Industry Association, where it received a Game of the Year award. Also, The Toy Detectives declare it Most Wanted.
Available from: I Want One of Those
Bananagrams | £14.99
Recommended for ages 7 years and older | No batteries required
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