UNBORED Games: Serious Fun for Everyone

by Joshua Glenn, Elizabeth Foy Larsen, Tony Leone (Illustrator)

UNBORED Games has all the smarts, creativity, and DIY spirit of the original UNBORED ("It's a book! It's a guide! It's a way of life!?? -Los Angeles Magazine), but with a laser-like focus on the activities we do for pure fun: to while away a rainy day, to test our skills and stretch our imaginations-games. There are more than seventy games here, 50 of them all new, plus many more recommendations, and they cover the full gambit, from old-fashioned favorites to today's high-tech games. The book offers a gold mine of creative, constructive fun: intricate clapping games, bike rodeo, Google Earth challenges, croquet golf, capture the flag, and the best ever apps to play with Grandma, to name only a handful. Gaming is a whole culture for kids to explore, and the book will be complete with gaming history and interviews with awesome game designers. The lessons here: all games can be self-customized, or hacked. You can even make up your own games. Some could even change the world.

The original UNBORED has taken its place as a much beloved, distinctly contemporary family brand. UNBORED Games extends the franchise -- to be followed by UNBORED Adventure -- in a new handy flexibound format, illustrated in full color throughout. Soon, there will be a whole shelf of serious fun the whole family can enjoy indoors, outdoors, online and offline.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Middle Grade, Games, Reference, Family, Self Help

357 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2014

Reviews

[Cass (all too tired)]

A fun collection of games and activities to keep everyone entertained made for everyone (but especially people with kids). I love the amount of games that were put into this book because there's something for everyone. This is just a fun way to get everyone to interact and get off their devices and hang out together. I would recommend this to those who need a variety of games and have friends/kids who like different things. One thing I would say is, most of these games could be found by just googling "games to play ___" but it's nice to see them all in one place. Also, don't read it all in one sitting like I did, it gets really boring really quickly when read straight through.

[LibraryDanielle]

Super awesome. Lots of fun and interesting games plus adaptions.

[Stef]

Any kid (or fun-loving adult) who reads and then tries the activities in this book must be a pretty cool person. This book will hopefully stimulate and inspire, as it lists tons of fun things to do and explains how to do them, with suggestions promoting positive interaction with friends and family and using one's brain/imagination. The variety of games are appropriate for multiple environments and number of players (e.g., outside, on your own, etc.). I envision anyone having the kind of fun listed here -- which range from having a dance-off, building a bean bag toss, and games that de-stress and promote activism -- being totally well-rounded and really fun and interesting to be around. Also, I'm eternally grateful for this book teaching me about the super fun app that is Kingdom Rush!

[Alisha]

Awesome variety of games that would be fun for the whole family to play! Games for both inside and out. This would be a great way for parents to get more interactive with their kids and to get them off of the TV/video games/computer for a little while.

I won a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Debra]

This is definitely a resource I will go back to again and again. It presents various ways to play games, invent games and tells of several games that would be appropriate and interesting to various age groups. It also has a section on video gaming and computer apps that can bring family together.

[Sharon Buxton]

C. nonfiction, games, a few good suggestions

[Starasia]

There were some new games I would definitely try. It also has suggestions for apps. There’s a lot of unnecessary filler and don’t buy this book. I am sure you could google something to do instead.

[Elle]

“Indoor outdoor online offline” - a good variety of games to explore!

[Bob]

Neat games.

[Karen]

Plenty of good ideas for kids with summers to fill with things to do. Well organized. Family oriented. Some of the apps mentioned are a bit out of date.

[Helen]

Although this was a quite complete book of games, I really couldn't find any that I could easily play with my friends. It was disappointing, that way.

[Sierra]

I received this book from First Reads.

This book is an absolute delight! I was a bit wary that it was going to be solely geared towards children and I would have some disconnect because I am not a child (an obvious fact no doubt) and that any games in here would be something that I would not be able to appreciate.

Turns out this book is not geared completely towards children and that there are many games in here that I plan on trying out! Many types of games are covered; solo games, co-op games, group games, the best (various genres) board games and even apps for both kids and app that adults can play with kids.

As a board game player, I approve of games listed. I liked that co-op games were discussed, that is a type of game that I personally enjoy and wish there were a lot more of when I was growing up. As someone who had siblings, I wish there were more cooperative games available because I have a feeling us kids would have had a lot less squabbles over who won what and how.

The solo games are interesting to me because that while I may be an adult, I plan on utilizing some of them with my partner and friends. Some games know no age and that is a wonderful thing.

I would recommend this book to anyone of any age but yes, specifically with children. It's a good book if you are hoping to give your children ideas for games and since there are board games and apps listed so that adults can play games with children, it's a good reference and basis to get ideas of how to find a common game to play with them.

Also, the cover is GORGEOUS and I am in awe of the color and design. Kudos to those who designed it, I am happy it gets to sit on my self forever more.

[Storm]

I received my copy through a Goodreads First reads Giveaway.

Games are great, aren't they? Personally I LOVE Role Play games, often on Forums or Instant Messages over the internet. I love game system games (Playstation, anyone?) MMORPGs (Maplestory!) and even regular old Computer Games (The Sims!). Honestly, I love all kinds of games! but sometimes, a game gets a bit... boring. You play it so often, or run out of ideas, and end up going 'meh, I'll think of something later'.

Also, with a quickly growing Niece, I have a feeling I'll be seeing her doing the 'meh' thing as she grows up and gets into games.

I can't wait to break out this book for her and find something fun to play! There's so many cool game ideas, and a lot of them sound super fun! from board-games to outside games to online games, this book's got a little something for everyone, no matter what kind of games you like to play. :3

[Krissy]

I received a free copy through goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. There were really cute drawings and I loved that it included so much history. There were several puzzles included as well, not my thing but a great addition. The book equally focused on lots of different types of games and had games from many countries. The parlor games were probably my favorite. I was surprised at first to see a detailed explanation of larping, but they don't discriminate. I was really glad to see several online games or apps listed. I don't play those but would like to, so I'll start with one they've recommended. Glad there's a index too so I can easily locate all the computer games mixed throughout the book. I didn't know google earth had games, that's definitely something I'll look into. I really liked reading variations of childhood games like tag and jump rope.
This is a great resource book that you can pickup anytime you're bored.

[Debbie Payne]

I received Unbored Games as a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for n honest review. It has been awhile since I read through the book and I had actually thought I had already reviewed this book. Oops...Sorry for this oversight.

I am definitely giving this book a five-star rating This is just a wonderfully put-together book and I wish I had had this book while I was working in elementary school as well as during those days that my children would have loved many of the fun ideas this guide. They are all grown-up, but all of us, even myself and my husband still like to play games. When I get to become a grandmother, I will definitely use many of the games in this book and now I have a good idea for buying this book to give as a gift to a young families who would appreciate all the choices this book offers. Good luck to Joshua and Elizabeth for creating this book. I think it will be very well received.

[Allie Moore]

I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Highly Recommended!!

First Impressions before reading: The book is very inviting! It is fairly sturdy, so you can get a lot of use out of it. Cool illustrations!

Thoughts: Wow this book is jam packed with games. Everything from paper football to creating your own Duct Tape Adventure! There is definitely something for everyone in this book. I would not only recommend this for families with young kids, but for anyone that is young at heart!

Example of a game:
First sentence - "The Book Game" " One player picks a book; she is that round's designated Reader. The Reader shows the others the book's cover, reads the description from it's back cover, then copies the book's first sentence onto a slip of paper. Each of the other players takes a few minutes to dream up a possible first sentence for that book...."

[Leah]

Looking forward to a Spring Break filled with whining, moaning and complaining? Not if you have a copy of Unbored.

From the first pages I was hooked. The gamer's manifesto is a list of ten reasons why playing games (board, active/outside/, video) is good for you. Then it moves from finger games (who knew this was a thing), to board games, interrupts with reviews of the best video games (if screens make you crazy, ask your kids to show you their favorite apps), Japanese card games and moves outside to physical games.

There are new games, and old games I knew once but forgot long ago (one potato, two potato to pick who is 'it' in a game of tag). This is the sort of book every family should own and pull off the shelf at least once a week.

[Sasha]

First I would like to say that I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity and honor in being able to read this book. This book was an awesome book. Lots of interesting and fun games. Any fun loving adult or kid any kid who loves reading and trying the activities in this book will have a fun time with this. This book should stimulate and inspire, as it has tons of fun things to do and explains how to do them, it has suggestions that will promote positive interaction with family and friends. There is a wide verity of games that can de-stress and promote a fun and interesting times. This is a fun book that adult or children will enjoy.

[Naomi Brist]

Unbored Games is jam packed with fun games of every kind for the whole family. This book has it all board games, puzzles, outdoor games, role-playing , historical facts about games and even excerpts from literature where games are being played. I really love the CO2 smackdown and the Guerrilla Kindness, showing many positive things can come from gaming. I've discovered many many games my family will be playing for years to come. After reading this I have realized anything can be turned into a game and that is a mindset I will treasure.

[Cindy]

*received for free through Goodreads First Reads

Interesting guide to many and varied forms of keeping yourself entertained, including board games, computer games, etc. Some are old stand-byes like rock-paper-scissors (with variations given to make it interesting) and some I've never heard of before. Seems more geared towards kids and people with kids and hardly any solitary games (most require at least two people).

[J. Ewbank]

This book is excellent for children and families who want to and love to play games. It gives variations on old games and plenty of new games for the family. I consider it an excellent addition to our books of games. Received it from Goodreads giveaways.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" "To Whom It May Concern" and "Tell Me About the United Methodist Church"

[Read Ng]

This was a GoodReads giveaway.

A very well put together book with numerous family games. More importantly, it reminds gamers that part of the fun of having fun is modifying (or making up) rules on the fly to make the gaming a better experience for all.

I would strongly recommend this book for younger families.

I was surprised to see paper football in this book. I used to play this myself when I was much younger. That game must be much older than I like to admit.

Have a GoodReads.

[Liz Heinecke]

Love that the intro says "Each time you play a game, you enter a world in which grownups aren't in charge....." Can't wait to play Circle of Doom and Hair Dryer Ping Pong with my kids. (And I'll be looking for an excuse to play Doughnut on a String.) It will make a great birthday/holiday gift. I'm bringing my copy up to the cabin!

[Valerie]

This was an interesting read. As someone who's always looking for fun games to play with my tweens and Girl Scout troop, I enjoyed the suggestions. Was it enthralling? No. BUT...I appreciated the work that went into making the book and compiling the information in one spot for me! ALSO, I appreciated gathering a handful of "new" games to play with my gals!

[Amy]

Perfect for all of the competitors in my life, including my husband's father's family in particular, as well as the darlings at school who can not get enough of games! Charming illustrations and design. Now to read UNBORED, the field guide to serious fun, which looks like a seriously joyful way to beat the winter blues.

[Jon]

This book book provides all sorts of games, from parlor games, to outside games, to apps for kids, with most featuring hacks to make the games more interesting (why I wouldn't you put one of the musical chairs far away to make the race for the final chair more exciting?). This is a really good book for creative game play.

[Sharon]

This is full of fun and has many, many possibilities for everyone. games to make you think, get exercise, help others, learn new skills, learn to be ecology conscious and many other things- including some on the dreaded (by parents) computer.
My daughter (a teacher) liked it so much, she asked to take it for her school classes and plans to use regularly.

[Plaguedoctor]

I received this book in the goodreads giveaway.

This was a fun book with lots of ideas for makeshift games, video games, out door games, school games, etc. Anything you can think of this book has.

Great book to give kids to entertain themselves or perfect for the adult who's still a kid at heart. This book is great fun for the whole family.

[Jules]

Fun for the whole family! My kids pull this book out every couple of days to try a new game to play. And I finally learned how to play the card game Mao! There were many kids who played that when I was in high school, but I could not figure out how to play. Now I know!

I won this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway.

[Pam Mooney]

I love this book! The variety is huge for me so that it works for all ages and personalities. I especially appreciate the guidance throughout the book. The games and projects are so well described that there is no question or alternate interpretations! A winner in my book! A good read.