With the new social distancing measures in place, most of us are left to stay home with nothing to do. Besides fiddling around with your handphone to perfect your Instagram stories or laying by your laptop to watch Netflix, why not bond with your family through fun-filled card games? We’ve rounded up 5 family-friendly local card games that all of us true-blue Singaporeans would love, whether you like strategy, fast-paced, or adrenaline-filled games. Now, it’s time to get rid of the stay-at-home blues.
The Singaporean Dream
Work your way up to become the ideal Singaporean by bribing, cheating, or sabotaging your neighbours to achieve your goals.
The Singaporean Dream encourages you to begin your life by deciding on which identity you want to adopt. It’s up to you choose your Singaporean personality whether you want to be an ultimate Aunty, a sassy Micro-influencer, or even a regular CBD Office Lady.
Be aware that your path will not be without bumps, as there will always be that player at the table who is planning to steal your money and destroy the dream future you’ve created.
Available on Shopee for S$20
Chope!
Although, there are no packets of tissue involved, this game pokes fun at Singapore’s hawker centre ‘chope’ culture and is almost as intense as the real thing. Before you order your meals, make sure to reserve a table with your ’tissue card’’ to ensure that as many tables as possible are ‘chope-d’. Then, to win the game, collect all of your favourite hawker dishes and snacks in full sets. Just be sure to watch out for pesky black mynahs that will come flying your way, tying to sabotage your game.
Available on Shopee for S$20
Bye Bye Virus
Bye Bye Virus is an educational game inspired by real-life events during the current pandemic. It promises to be playful fun while also tackling the real-world issue of the importance of protecting oneself from the virus.
Collect necessary supplies and follow socially conscious rules to keep yourself protected during a virus outbreak. The game will knock you off your feet, much like a real-life situation, by engaging you with scenarios like panic buying and other obstacles that I’m sure you’ll find oddly familiar. This game is perfect for children, as it allows them to grasp the sense of maintaining hygiene.
Available on Shopee for S$29.90
Smol Tok
Smol Tok is a game made to break the ice between people. Since there won’t be anyone over anytime soon due to social distancing. You can use this game to get to know your family members better. There is no rivalry in this game; the main goal is to initiate conversations. It’s similar to Truth or Dare, but without the dare. Begin by selecting a card, posing a question, and listening to the answers. There are a number of decks available, each with a different theme. The basic deck is about family and friends, while “Breadcrumbs” is about religion, “Dun Tok Chok” is about the Singaporean way of life, and the new “Pillow Tok” is about intimacy. All of which are interesting, but unless you want things to get awkward, it’s better to stick with the basic deck if you are playing with family.
Available at Starknicked at $32.90.
Happy Dim Sum
Welcome to Happy Dim Sum, a restaurant where you and your dining companions will be served delectable xiao long bao, har gow, and siew mai. However, these are dim sums you don’t want to load onto your plate.
Following polite Asian dining traditions, your aim is to fully fill your friends’ plates with these delectable treats in order to remove them from the game. Discover all the hilarious ways you can fill other people’s plates while leaving your own clean from any food. Besides calling for ‘Ah Ma’s’ help, you can fight to be the one who settles the bill in order to force your friends to stack up more food on their plate so you can emerge victorious.
Available on Shopee for S$19.90
Why spend your time binge-watching Netflix dramas or Disney+ movies when there are countless local card games to choose from? Instead, use these games to reconnect with your family and learn more about them. It is normally at those moments when one’s true self and character are revealed. Well, have fun and don’t blame me for any fights that might break out!
