Beer Explorer

What are the best games to bring to a brewery to play with your kids and family? If you have kids, you know the importance of being prepared before venturing out with your kids to a brewery. See our tips, here. A part of that preparation is having activities to keep your children occupied and happy while at a brewery, and games are a great way to not only accomplish this, but also to have a fun experience with them while you simultaneously get to explore the local craft beer. Many breweries have their own collection of games to choose from, and you can see our articles on what parents can expect at the top breweries in each state to know whether they provide games or not. However, whether they have games or not, it’s helpful to have your own collection of some great games to be able to take with you that you know you and your kids will enjoy. Below is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some of the games that we, personally, have most enjoyed when traveling to breweries with our kids and families. We hope it will aid you as you explore breweries with your own loved ones. Happy beer exploring!

1. Rummikub – Travel Edition 2-4 players. Recommended ages 8 and up but we’ve played with 5-year-olds. This game is great for teaching basic math skills. It’s easy to learn and fast moving, it’s different every time it’s played, it combines luck and strategy, and it changes quickly so every player has a chance to win until the very end. Here’s how it works: Players take turns placing numbered tiles in runs (consecutive numbers of the same color) and groups (three or more of the same number in different colors), Rummy style. It’s easy to learn but packed with strategy – the “board” changes all the time as players adjust the tiles on the table. The Joker tiles add to the fun and can be played as any color or number. Be the first player to play every tile on your rack to win. Rummikub is ideal for people of different ages to play together, and reinforces STEM and STEAM concepts such as sequencing, pattern recognition, and planning skills. This set includes 106 playing tiles with bright over-sized numbers, 4 plastic tile-holder racks, and complete instructions. Our kids seriously enjoy this game and it has been a great one to take to the brewery to play with them. 

2. Play Nine 2-6 players. Recommended ages 8 and up but we’ve played with 5-year-olds. This game was one of my son’s favorite games for quite a while, and both the Beer Explorers have had our kids play this game together at a brewery, in fact, and it worked great. Play Nine teaches math skills as well. There’s plenty of strategy mixed with a little luck-of-the-draw as you pit your wits against everyone else to post the lowest score.

3. Five Crowns 2-7 players. Recommended ages 8 and up. This one is slightly more advanced than Play Nine, but quickly became the next favorite among our kids. It’s also great for adults and one that is great to play over a beer. Players are dealt more cards each round while jokers rotate throughout the game, adding to the exciting gameplay. After 11 rounds, the lowest score wins. 

4. Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese,Pizza 3-8 players. Recommended ages 5 and up. This one is a fast-paced game. It is described as a social card game and is addictive. You must race against each other to slap a match between a card and spoken word. Kids love this one as well. Just make sure your beer is a safe distance away from the cards, as the game involves slapping hands on the table!

5. Connect 4 2 players. Recommended ages 6 and up. This one is such a classic it really needs no introduction, but it is an easy favorite for us and our kids to play at breweries. If you’ve never played it, here’s how it works: players choose yellow or red discs. They drop the discs into the grid, starting in the middle or at the edge to stack their colored discs upwards, horizontally, or diagonally. You must use strategy to block opponents while aiming to be the first player to get 4 in a row to win. The Connect 4 game is a great choice for a date, a rainy day activity, anytime your kids want a fun game to play with a friend, or certainly a brewery visit.