Great Board Games for Family Game Night!

A classic game night is the epitome of a cosy evening spent indoors, filled with laughter and friendly competition. Whether you’re looking to refresh your game cupboard or considering board games as thoughtful gifts, exploring the right options can enhance these lively gatherings. From strategic board games that challenge the mind to light-hearted party games that bring out the laughs, there’s something for everyone. Let’s delve into a selection of excellent games that are perfect for family game night, ensuring hours of entertainment and cherished memories with loved ones.

The game of life

College, marriage, kids, insurance! What a way to learn about being an adult while adding fun to the mix! In the Game of Life, each player navigates through various life stages using a plastic car on the game board, from choosing a college to settling into retirement.

Advertisements

The goal of the game is to traverse life by making wise decisions, aiming to retire first and with the most wealth. It’s an excellent game for teaching children about life’s lessons in a fun and accessible manner. Playing this game as a family not only promises enjoyable moments but also ignites meaningful conversations.

Product Details:

• Number of Players: Two to four
• Recommended Age: 8 and up
• Playing Time: 30 to 60 minutes

Monopoly

The first official Monopoly game was released in 1935, and it has been cultivating real estate moguls ever since. This board game involves both risk and chance as players purchase and trade properties while trying to avoid jail.

Players can buy properties if they have the necessary funds and can generate income by charging rent to other players who land on their properties. The objective of the game is to bankrupt your opponents, which can be a lengthy process. The strategy is to acquire enough properties in the same area to create a monopoly, making it difficult for other players to afford rent, ultimately leading to their bankruptcy.

Product Details:

• Number of Players: Two to six
• Recommended Age: 8 and up
• Playing Time: One to two hours

Cards Against Humanity

When playing Cards Against Humanity, forget about maintaining decorum. The game features black cards with open-ended prompts and white cards filled with a mix of humorous, risqué, and bizarre phrases.

In each round, a player takes on the role of the judge and selects a black card to present to the group. The other players then choose one of their white cards that best complements the prompt and hand it to the judge. The judge mixes these submissions and reads them aloud, ultimately picking a favourite based on their appeal.

This game is strictly for adults, designed to provoke laughter. You can enjoy it just for the fun or keep score with points for each round’s winning card to find out who excels at pushing boundaries.

Product Details:

• Number of Players: Four to 20
• Recommended Age: 18 and up
• Playing Time: 30 to 90 minutes

UNO

To play this engaging family game, all you need is an Uno card deck. It doesn’t require any additional pieces like marbles or spinners, making it easy to clean up and perfect for travel.

The Uno deck consists of 108 cards, with 25 cards in each of four colours and eight special action cards, such as Skip and Reverse. Players match cards from their hands to the card in the centre of the game by colour or number. They draw new cards from the deck until none remain. When a player is down to one card, they shout “Uno!”—a highlight of the game. Winning also traditionally involves a celebratory dance, adding to the fun.

Product Details:

• Number of Players: Two to 10
• Recommended Age: 7 and up
• Playing Time: 30 minutes or less

For more entertainment news, click here.

Experience the Joy of Creativity at the TOGETHER Arts & Community Wellbeing Day

Mark your calendars for an enriching day of arts and culture at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) this May.

The NRCG, in collaboration with artist and educator Claudie Frock and the Ballina Shire Council Community Recovery Team, is excited to present the TOGETHER Arts & Community Wellbeing Day.

This special event is scheduled for Saturday, 11 May 2024, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and is set to transform the NRCG & Ignite Studios creative precinct into a vibrant hub of artistic and cultural activities.

Advertisements

Event Highlights:

• Natural Fibre Weaving: Join Tania Marlowe and Deb Cole from Jugan Dandii for a session of gentle natural fibre weaving.
• Pop Up Play Space: Experience the fun with Roundabout Theatre’s Lollipop Ladies in a colourful game’s installation in the NRCG green space.
• Collective Collage Workshop: Dive into a creative collage-making session with Claudie Frock & Mia Zapata.
• Inclusive Gallery Movement Tours: Move and groove through the gallery with dancer and performance artist Katie Cooper-Wares in the DANCE THE ART tour.
• Youth Virtual Reality and Digital Storytelling Workshops: Engage with cutting-edge technology in art workshops led by Sean Spencer from Social Futures Computer Clubhouse.

TOGETHER is designed as a free, fun, and accessible event where community members of all ages can engage with some of the region’s most imaginative artists and facilitators. This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals and families to explore their creativity, connect with others, and enjoy a playful day in the heart of Ballina.

Accessibility and Additional Information:

• Auslan Interpretation: The event will include Auslan interpretation to ensure accessibility.
• Wheelchair Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible by wheelchair.
• Sensory Friendly Space: A quiet space will be available for those who might need a break from the sensory stimulation.
• No Bookings Required: There is no need to book in advance. Feel free to turn up and participate in any of the creative sessions that interest you.

This program is supported by both the Australian Government and NSW Government through the Community Recovery Program and represents a key arts and cultural initiative of the Ballina Shire Council.

For any accessibility queries or further information, please contact Ella Millard at Ella.Millard@ballina.nsw.gov.au.

Join us for a day of creativity and community spirit at the Northern Rivers Community Gallery & Ignite Studios Creative precinct located at the corner of Cherry St and Crane St, Ballina. Come along, and let’s create and connect TOGETHER!

For more entertainment news, click here.

Rising Tide Northern Rivers Gains Momentum with Film Nights and Action Initiatives

Rising Tide Northern Rivers, a dynamic climate defence movement, has officially launched in Hastings Point and Lismore, galvanising local communities to address Australia’s significant contributions to the global climate crisis. As one of the world’s largest exporters of coal and gas, Australia faces crucial challenges, which Rising Tide aims to confront by targeting coal exports, especially through Newcastle, the world’s largest coal port.

The formation of Rising Tide Northern Rivers was inspired by a significant turnout at the World’s Largest Blockade of the Port of Newcastle in November 2023. Over 2,000 activists, including more than 100 locals from Northern Rivers, participated in the 32-hour blockade using hundreds of kayaks. This monumental event led to Australia’s largest mass arrest for climate action, with seven locals among the 109 detained.

At the movement’s Hastings Point launch, attendees took to Cudgera Creek in kayaks, discussing motivations behind their climate activism and exploring strategies to expand the network. The Lismore launch featured heartfelt welcomes from Uncle Roy Gordon and musical contributions from Terri Nicholson and Paul Paitson, who performed songs echoing themes of resistance and environmental stewardship.

Advertisements

Emma Briggs, who attended the Lismore event, expressed her commitment to challenging the ongoing reliance on fossil fuels within Australia. “Despite international promises to move away from coal and gas, domestic practices remain largely unchanged. It’s crucial that we implement the environmental safeguards we needed decades ago,” she stated.

Upcoming Events: Rising Tide Northern Rivers continues its outreach with upcoming film screenings of ‘The First Wave: The People’s Blockade’. These events aim not only to educate and inspire but also to support crucial environmental campaigns:

• Brunswick Heads Picture House: Join us on Sunday, 5 May at 5:00 PM for a screening that will benefit the Save Wallum campaign. Tickets are available in advance through the Brunswick Heads Picture House website.
• timbre in Lismore: Another opportunity to engage will be on Friday, 24 May at 5:00 PM. To attend this event, please RSVP at The First Wave Lismore Screening.

These film nights are excellent opportunities for community members to come together, learn about the impacts of coal and gas, and take actionable steps towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Rising Tide Northern Rivers is at the forefront of local climate action, urging residents to join in their ongoing efforts to protect our planet.

For more entertainment news, click here.