Spot It!

Spot it! is the ideal game for quick competitive fun on an outing or at home.

Description

 The actual rules and game play to Spot it! are a bit loose but they are all based on a fundamental mechanic.  The game consists of 55 cards, each with 8 cartoonish symbols.  The unique thing about the cards is that each has one and only one symbol in common with any other card.   These symbols may vary in size and orientation, but are otherwise identical.

The variations of games you can play with the Spot It deck are all based on how quickly an individual can spot the matching symbols, thus the name of the game.

You can try out the mechanic with this online demo.

The most common "mini game" we play is to deal each player a card.  The rest of the deck is then put face up in the center of the table.  Players then call out a match between their own card and the card on the top of the deck.  This action wins them the card which they then put on top of the card in hand. Everyone continues play with the new card on the top of the deck.  When all the cards are taken, you compare card stacks.  The person with the tallest stack wins the round.

Variations for Younger kids

Spot it! claims it is for ages seven plus.  We have recently learned that there is a Spot It Junior with fewer symbols per card, but with some simple variations we have never really had a problem playing with our children, even before they were three.  The main variation is to play the game as described above, but to take turns, which ended up teaching taking turns very well at the same time.

Usually you will be able to find the match before your kid, so if they need help, you can point to one symbol at a time and ask if it matches.  We usually would throw in a few red herrings to keep it from being too easy. 

Opinions

It is quick to learn, quick to set up, quick to tear down, and with the metal tin, it travels very well and is safe from most destructive forces, including one year olds.  When nobody else is available to play with you can challenge yourself solitaire style.

This is mostly a game of skill.  Although each pair of cards is selected randomly, this has little impact on the strategy one uses for matching.  Sometimes you will encounter a run of cards in sequence that all share the same one element and this tends to lead to a sweep by that player but it is rare and usually does not affect the outcome of a game significantly. 

An additional benefit for any gamers with kids is that the game play does not deteriorate severely if a few cards are lost.

Also, in a real pinch the tin with cards can double as a rattle/drum/tambourine.

For around $12 this game is worth its weight in gold.

Stats

Price	$12
Age	7+ / 3+
Players	2-8/ 1+
Length	10 minutes
Style	Quick Matching
Randomness	Low
Portability	High
Stopability	High