How many of you like to play games?  I know I do.  For my “Me Time” today, I spent time with my family.  We played a game called King of Tokyo.  I realize that may not sound like doing something just for me as I suggest in my post “The Challenge” but I assure you it was.  You see, by nature, I am a very competitive person.  I like a good challenge.  Although sometimes I can get a bit too competitive.

Playing a good board game is as much for me as for my kids (who also like a good game).  It’s always been something I have enjoyed from the time I was little.  I remember having a weekly game night with my brother and my parents.  We played things like Pictionary and Scattergories.  I still love those games and miss those times with my brother and parents.  But now, I have the opportunity to pass those onto my kids.

On the other hand, my husband wasn’t raised playing games.  They just didn’t do it.  So it took him a bit to warm up to the idea of doing it on a regular basis.  But now, he loves a good game as much as the rest of us.  There are games that are his favorites and he would play any day over some others.  Yahtzee is his favorite: That little dice game where you get 3 rolls and score points accordingly.

Fast forward to about 6 months ago. My dad was visiting us from out of town.  My brother, who is an even bigger gamer than me, had a couple of new board games.  So he brought them over and we tried them.  One was a game called Splendor which I share about here.  The other, a game called King of Tokyo.

King of Tokyo is what we played this time.  Imagine a game that is Yahtzee meets King of the Hill.  It may sound weird but is actually fun and I have found even our 6-year-old can understand enough to play without much help other than reading the cards to him.  You can try and strategize in this game but there is also a huge element of chance.

King of Tokyo Game Play

I want to share a little bit about how King of Tokyo works so you aren’t sitting, scratching your head going “Huh? What is this game she is talking about.”  To play the game each player picks a monster.  You have a card that counts points and hearts for your monster.  Once you determine who starts the game you go around and roll the 6 black dice.

They contain numbers, claws, hearts, and lightning bolts.  The numbers can gain you points if you roll the right combination.  The claws will attack one or more of the other monsters (your opponents) causing them to lose hearts. And if you lose too many hearts, you’re out of the game.  The hearts do just what you would think.  They gain your hearts back if you have been attacked.  Finally, the lightning bolts earn you little green squares that you can use to buy power-up cards.

Play continues around the table with monsters entering and exiting Tokyo, attacking others, and trying to gain points without dying.  The last man standing or 1st one to 20 points is deemed the winner.

Our Families Game

My 6-year-old began the game.  He hit all three of us with some hearts removed and began gaining power-ups.  He loves to get the lightning bolts!  My husband went next followed by me.  On my first roll, I was set up to receive several points so I took them.  You see, as I mentioned above you can win by being the 1st to 20 points.  So my strategy began.

Next was my 10-year-old and play continued.  I finally was able to knock my husband out with a power-up card causing him to lose all his hearts (sorry dear).  Next, I caused my 10-year-old to enter Tokyo with only a few hearts.  Needless to say, she didn’t survive her brother’s next attack (I told you I was competitive, Lol!).

Okay so maybe I’m not the most loving, sacrificing mom when I’m in game mode.  It came down to my 6-year-old and me.  Several turns back and forth and I finally beat him (yes, it took a bit and he almost had me)  but I was able to get to 20 points.

My Final Thoughts

This game filled my cup as I was able to have fun with my family.  Of course, I won’t deny that winning helps.  But I love taking that time to be with them.  To hear my son say, “I’m gonna get you, mom!”  There is something sweet in those moments.  Something that when he is grown and has a family of his own I can always take with me.

Spending quality time with the people that matter most was the me time I wanted today. It was a little longer than 15 minutes but that’s okay.  So get out a good board game or give King of Tokyo a try and spend some time with your family.  If you do let me know what you played.  Or if you do something different be sure and let me know what you did for YOU today!

Blessings

~Melissa

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