As a family, we love to sit down of an evening, usually after dinner, and play a board game or two. We all look forward to spending this time together and enjoy the togetherness of it. Board games are an excellent way to put down the screens and engage with each other.
In our house, we have games for the kids, family and adults. When we play board games with the kids we mostly use family orientated games but do play ones aimed just at kids as well. When we are playing games, we need to find something that we can also play and without the kids having too much of an advantage other the other (there is a 2½ year age gap between them). This means that for the most part we avoid trivia games as obviously the youngest member of the house just won’t have the same knowledge base. This week, we have been playing a trivia game that is suitable for children but where adults can join in. Most people have heard of the popular family party game 5 Second Rule and we received the child version of this – 5 Second Rule Jr.
Interplay’s 5 Second Rule Jr. is a game for 3-6 players, aged 6 years plus.
In the box is:
- 400 Questions on 200 Game Cards
- 6 Pawns
- 5-second Twisted Timer
- Game Board
- Rules
The basis of this game, as with the standard version, is to give three answers within 5 seconds, such as “name three flavours of ice cream”. This is straightforward and should be easy, but can you do it under time pressure? The winner will be the first to answer enough question cards to cross the finish line on the board.
Set up is simple. The playing board is placed in the centre of the table, along with the question cards and zoop timer. Each player selects a coloured pawn and places in on the start on the board. That’s it, the game is now ready to play.
As with most games the youngest player starts. The player to their right picks a card and reads it aloud. The timer is turned over and the person in play now has 5 seconds to name three things that are associated with the question on the card. As this is a junior version, the questions will be a lot easier and has questions such as “Name three things that are blue”, “Name three things to do on a car journey” and “Name three things that begin with the letter P”. The questions are easy to read and understand, so children from 6 upwards shouldn’t have any issues. If the player can name three things before the timer runs out, they can advance one place on the game board. If not, they stay where they are and play continues with the next player who gets to answer the same question. If you do have children of different ages and the youngest is struggling, the rules do state that they only have to give 2 answers to everyone else’s three. This does make it an all-inclusive game.
As you make your way around the board there are three 5+5 bonus spots. If you land on one of these, you get an extra 5 seconds, giving a total of 10 seconds, to name three things.
Overall, 5 Second Rule Jr. is a fast, fun-filled game with gameplay of around 15 minutes. It is easy to play and the kids love it, especially as there is no real disadvantage for the youngest player as with a lot of trivia games.
Now being in partial lockdown due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with no schools and having to #stayathome, 5 Second Rule is an excellent fun way to pass some time whilst spending some good quality time together.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £13.99
For more information or to buy, visit playmonster.co.uk.
DISCLOSURE: I received this product for free for the purpose of writing an honest and impartial review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
