Have you ever wondered how many possibilities there are in board games? Do you always have to stick with the instructions included? From what I’ve observed, the instructions aren’t everything. Today I’ll prove that, using REGIPIO’s memory game ANIMALS. Let’s get started!
METHOD 1 – Classic
This is a classic memory game following the instructions – after all, we have to start somewhere ;0. Put all the cards out, face down. Then, turn over two cards, trying to get a matching pair. We say the name of the animals out loud. The person who collects the largest number of pairs wins.
METHOD 2 – Questions and answers
Put all the cards out, face down. One player picks up a card at random and checks what it shows. The other players then have to guess what the picture on the card is. In turn, they ask questions such as “Is it a bird?”. At any moment they can try to guess the correct answer. The person who identifies the animal on the card gets to keep the card. That person then draws another card and answers the other players’ questions. The person who collects the most animals wins.
METHOD 3 – What is that?
The game is played in pairs. You also need a stopwatch. Each round lasts 3 minutes. In each round, one player chooses a card with a picture of an animal and describes it so that their partner can guess what animal it is. At the end of the round, the players change roles. The person who correctly identifies the most animals wins.
METHOD 4 – Circus madness
The object of the game is to master the use of verbs such as: CAN, FLY, WALK, SING, etc. Put the cards out on the table, face down. Each player draws five cards and places them in front of themselves. Each player then in turn takes on the role of circus ringmaster. He describes the animal and what it does, e.g.: “This is the crocodile John. He can walk the tightrope and count to twenty.” At the end of the game, the players choose the champion of the circus – the animal that has the most amazing skills.
METHOD 5 – At the zoo
Each player chooses 6 cards at random. It is important that no 2 of the 6 animals are the same. We imagine we are zookeepers. It’s time to feed the animals. Each player has to serve at least two things that the animals chosen would like to eat: “My turtle likes to eat grapes”.
METHOD 6 – Spelling
In turns, the players draw animals cards and spell their names. Each player who does so correctly gets to keep that card. If a player’s answer is incorrect, that card goes back on the table. The person who collects the most animals wins.
METHOD 7 – Crossword
First we prepare a crossword containing the names of animals. Instead of definitions, we hand out the animal picture cards. I made my crossword in Excel, although you can find various types of crossword creators on the web (e.g.: http://www.puzzle-maker.com/CW/) – but more on that another time.
METHOD 8 – Hide and seek
Before play begins, we hide animals cards around the room (some can be scattered on the floor). The children have a few minutes to look for the cards. Then the children sit in a circle and set out the cards they found in front of themselves. They try to make pairs, asking other players to exchanges cards: “Can I have a + [name of animal], please?”
What about you? Have you found a 9th way to play ANIMALS yet? I’ve got my fingers crossed.
About Memory Game
Age: 10+ Number of players: 1-10 Memory game is one of the best methods to improve concentration and exercise your memory skills. On top of that, Memory game has one more crucial benefit: you actually learn English words without noticing it. The game is a lot of fun and helps you memorise new words in a quick and enjoyable way. During the game, players get really absorbed in finding pairs that match and raising their scores.
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