Jenga - Best Game Ever!



Ranked as number four on a list of the top 10 toys for 7 year old boys, Jenga is a classic game -- not only for the kids who love it, but for their families too. It's the game that brought millions of families together around the dining room table at least 2 decades ago, and it's still going strong. It's a great grab and go game to take on vacations, and it's common to find this in the game closet of every family home.

How can modern kids appreciate a vintage game?

Jenga is tried and true, with 54 symmetrical rectangular blocks for stacking and sliding before they all come tumbling down. Kids these days might be more interested in their electronics and noisy toys, but Jenga is a game that never grows old. It's timeless -- like Monopoly or Candyland! A new circular container acts as a better storage space than the see-through Jenga box of the 90's. There's no learning curves -- the game is basic, simple, and fit for all ages.

This is a concept game, where kids can be taught the essentials to taking turns, sharing, and appropriate gaming behavior. The rules are simple -- just stack the blocks and keep it going without letting the stack fall. It's a question of, "who will make the tower taller?" as each person takes their tedious time, slowly sliding one block away from the others. It's not unusual for the whole family to hold their breath, hoping no one knocks the table or shakes the Jenga blocks' foundation.

Sometimes, when there aren't many people to play, it's fun to spice the structure up a bit with creative construction. Instead of making one large tower, you can start with 2 smaller towers and play double-time -- which is also a fun way to get smaller children involved (those 6 and under). For lone game nights, the Jenga pieces can act as LEGOs, stacking and connecting to form interesting buildings and new architecture.

There are instructions that accompany the Jenga game; however, it's a better experience when the game is explained from a previous generation with experience in playing. It's like an inside secret for the ultimate gamers before the age of too many electronics. This vintage classic is for families who want to keep the good ole' days of game night alive. Even the rambunctious 7 year old boys of the household will appreciate it.