Hello and welcome! Thank you for taking the time to visit the Adams 12 GT Parents Group website. This website was built and is maintained by parents of GT students in the Adams 12 school district to share information relevant to parents, students, administrators and others who are interested in GT resources in the Adams 12 school district. Please email us at info@a12gifted.org to let us know your thoughts.
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Viviane Del Pizzo
2022-2024 President, A12GTPG
Become involved in your student's education!
Board Games
Recommended by A12GTPG Parents
There are so many wonderful board games available now with new ones coming out every year. Are you looking for a new board game or card game but have no idea what to pick? Did you discover a new game that you love and want to share it with others? This is the place for you!
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Below you will find board game recommendations submitted by GT parents from our community. We hope you see something you like!
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Fun for the Whole Family
Dixit
Recommended by: Mike
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 30 minutes
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Description: An unusual and unique game of something like visual charades. Each player has a hand of cards with surreal images, the player whose turn it is describes their choice in a way that some of the other players will be able to identify it, but not all. The other players also select one of their cards that they think matches the clue.
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Why do you like this game: Surreal imaginative puns that can be used make it lots of fun for imaginative kids, harder on those who are very literal.
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Llama Drama
Recommended by: Mike
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 10 minutes​​
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Description: A fun fast-paced card game with a bit of strategy involving your Llama's powers and chance. The goal is to be the first one out.
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Why do you like this game: Reliably 10 minutes of family fun!
Sushi Go
Recommended by: Mike
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 10 minutes​​
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Description: A hand-building card game to build the perfect sushi lunch that is a lot of fun whether playing strategically or just being goofy.
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Why do you like this game: Reliably 10 minutes of family fun!
Forbidden Island/Desert
Recommended by: Mike
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
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Description: Cooperative games where the group of players must use their special abilities to overcome a changing board that is accelerating toward ruin.
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Why do you like this game: Can be a nice change with all the kids winning or losing together.
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Set
Recommended by: Michelle
Age Range: All Ages
Play Time: 20 minutes
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Description: This is a simple game of visual perception. The goal is to build sets based on color, shape, number, and shading as described in this video.
Why do you like this game: It's both a single & multiple player game. From the packaging: "Not only is it fast-paced fun, it also builds skills and exercises the brain! Because it has a rule of logic, and because players must apply this rule to the spatial array of patterns all at once, they must use both left brain and right brain thought processes!" My daughter started playing this game in Kindergarten and still plays it as a Freshman in High School. As a parent be prepared for your kid to kick your butt at this game!
Hanabi
Recommended by: Mike
Age Range: Grades K-8
Play Time: 30 minutes
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Description: A game where you are trying to build a sequence of cards, but you can only see your opponents/teammates cards, not your own. On your turn, you can give other players specific clues, or act on other players' clues.
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Why do you like this game: A cooperative memory and deduction card game
Spy Alley
Recommended by: Joanne Bliss
Age Range: All Ages
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
Description: Each player is assigned a secret spy identity at the beginning of the game. Your goal is to move around the board, collect your required items, and get back to your embassy square, all without letting the other players guess your identity! There are two ways to win this game: get to your embassy with all of your items OR be the last one standing after all other spies have been eliminated.
Why do you like this game: This game has all the deductive reasoning of Clue but more fast-paced and direct game play. It is not too difficult for my 7-yr-old but has enough complex reasoning to keep my 12-yr-old engaged. It's one of the few games that we all enjoy! It is definitely more fun when the players are actively trying to deduce the spy identities of the other players.​​​
Younger Elementary
Outfoxed!
Recommended by: Rachel
Age Range: Grades K-2
Play Time: less than 30 minutes
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Description: In Outfoxed, you and your fellow detective chickens need to solve the case of the missing pot pie! You gather clues as to who the suspect might be, and try to stop the sneaky fox before they leave town!
Why do you like this game: This is a great 2+ player game that involves logic and strategy for young learners. It’s a fun and silly take on the classic game Clue.
Grade School & Up
Azul
Recommended by: Carolyn Chen
Age Range: Grade 3 to Adult
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
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Description: Build a mosaic through careful placement of this game's beautiful tiles. More information.
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Why do you like this game: It's fun, competitive, and strategic!
Photosynthesis
Recommended by: Carolyn Chen
Age Range: Grade 3 to Adult
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
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Description: In this green strategy game, you plant and shape the forest game board to win points. More information.
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Why do you like this game: It's fun, competitive, and strategic!
Sagrada
Recommended by: Carolyn Chen
Age Range: Grade 3 to Adult
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
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Description: Compete to build the most beautiful stained-glass window, like a stained-glass Sudoku. More Information.
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Why do you like this game: It's fun, competitive, and strategic!
Throw Throw Burrito
Recommended by: Sunshine
Age Range: 3rd grade to Adult
Play Time: 30-60 minutes
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Description: This is a dodgeball card game similar to the game Spoons. If that doesn't make sense to you, watch the video and you'll understand.
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Why do you like this game: It's a fun family game that gets everyone laughing. It's good for hand eye coordination and focus.
Carcassonne
Recommended by: Carolyn Chen
Age Range: Grade 3 to Adult
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
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Description: A modern classic tile-laying game with easy-to-learn rules and endless strategy. More Information.
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Why do you like this game: It's fun, competitive, and strategic!
Potion Explosion
Recommended by: Carolyn Chen
Age Range: Grade 3 to Adult
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
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Description: In this fun, family-friendly game, you mix and match marble "ingredients" to get a potion explosion. More information.
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Why do you like this game: It's fun, competitive, and strategic!
Scotland Yard
Recommended by: Carolyn Chen
Age Range: Grade 3 to Adult
Play Time: 30-45 minutes
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Description: Play as a Scotland Yard detective tracking Mr. X through the streets of London. More Information.
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Why do you like this game: It's fun, competitive, and strategic!
Kill Doctor Lucky
Recommended by: Karen E
Age Range: Grade 3 to Adult
Play Time: 60-90 minutes
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Description: In this notorious game, an inversion of Clue, you hate Doctor Lucky. Maybe he left you out of his will. Maybe he killed your pet rock. Whatever the reason, you want him dead. Unfortunately, so do the other players. Players move around the mansion, collecting murder weapons (to make the murder attempt stronger - doubly so if the weapon is used in an appropriate location); failure cards (to thwart opponents' plans); and movement cards (to try to get together with Doctor Lucky in a secluded location for his inevitable demise.) Players try to convince others to use up their failure cards first, the better for when their own attempts come.
Why do you like this game: SO MUCH FUN! An inversion of the game Clue, but better!! Skills involved: math, logic, creativity, strategy, and humor. If you love the game Clue, you must give Kill Doctor Lucky a try!
Rummikub
Recommended by: Kerstin Benson
Age Range: Grades 3-12
Play Time: 20-40 minutes
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Description: You have numbered tiles and you try to get rid of all of them by laying down groups of three or more or runs of numbers. You can use what is in your hand or what other people have played.
Why do you like this game: This is a fun 2 to 4 player game (we own two sets and can play up to 8 players) it involves some logic and strategy and we enjoy it. It's a classic game that I played with my grandparents.
10 Days in the USA
Recommended by: Rebecca B.
Age Range: Grades 3-8
Play Time: 30 minutes
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Description: Pick up and rearrange the tiles to make a connected 10-day trip across the United States.
Why do you like this game: It teachers the location of the states in a fun way.
Tweens & Up
Disney Villainous Board Game
Recommended by: Karen E
Age Range: Grade 6 to Adult
Play Time: 1-2 hours
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Description: In this epic contest of sinister power, take on the role of a Disney Villain and strive to achieve your own devious objective. Discover your character's unique abilities and winning strategy while dealing twists of fate to thwart your opponents' schemes. There are also expansions available!
Why do you like this game: Great family game - you can help each other as you try to obtain your objective or be a true villain and help only yourself, while sabotaging your opponents!! Skills involved: math, logic, strategy.
Munchkin (plus Expansions)
Recommended by: KarenE
Age Range: Grades 6 - Adult
Play Time: 45-120 minutes
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Description: Munchkin is a satirical card game based on the clichés and oddities of Dungeons and Dragons and other role-playing games. Each player starts at level 1 and the winner is the first player to reach level 10. Players can acquire familiar D&D style character classes during the game which determine to some extent the cards they can play. Fast-playing and silly, Munchkin can reduce any role-playing group to hysteria. And, while they're laughing, you can steal their stuff. More info on how to play Munchkin
Why do you like this game: The starter kit (Munchkin Deluxe comes with a game board, dice, and pawns) stands on its own quite well - but when you add in the various expansion packs (there are sooooo many. CAUTION: be sure to read the details for each of the expansion packs you may consider for your family. Some of the expansion packs can be a little "naughty".) you broaden the scope and visualization of the game and can make it all your family's own. This game is so much fun - hilarious!! - and will either bring your family together or cause division (in a fun way). You can help each other along the way, or go rogue and stomp your way to the top! Much like Dungeons & Dragons, Munchkin is what you make it. The game is flexible and forgiving and.... oh, just try it! I (mom) was never a big fan of Dungeons & Dragons, but Munchkin is great for the whole family - even me!!
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