Let's All Be Civilized - A New TOS Review!!

This year at the TOS Homeschool Crew we seem to be having a trend toward games.  Today's review is on a game from Gridley Games.  We were chosen to review Civilize This! which is a travel game as well as an expansion game to the Wise Alec Family Trivia Game.

The Product:
Civilize This! is a fun, educational history game which can engage children and adults of all ages from the history buff to the beginning learner of history.  It is also created to be able to be added to the original Wise Alec family trivia game in order to elongate the laughter and fun while throwing in some more interesting questions and facts from history.  All you need is at least 2 players and off you go travelling through the periods of time. (It is recommended for ages 8+, but my almost 6 yo was able to answer a few from the categories that we have covered in history.)

Civilize This!  is broken down into three time periods - one for each set of cards: Ancient (red), Medieval (green), and Modern (yellow.)  Each card has a 3 point or a 7 point question that can be asked.  Then you also have Wise Alex cards (purple) which are give you an action to do, a brain teaser, a tongue twister, or a fun "miss your turn" card. The Wise Alec cards also have points on them.

At the start of the game you need to either set a point limit or a time limit and decide who goes first.  After that you will just roll your die and whatever color it lands on is the time period your question will be asked from, or you will have a Wise Alec card.  If the question is answered correctly, you get the points.  If not, no points are awarded.  Then your turn is over.  The game is over when the point total has been made or the time runs out, whichever was your chosen path.  There are alternate ways to help level the playing field which are included in the rules.

Our Experiences:
When we first got this, we were actually on the way out so we "tested" it out in the car.  We decided to modify the game completely and since I know my kids had really studied the Ancient time period we just asked questions from there.  We also didn't do a point system, but the kids didn't care.

Audrie answered only a few and was getting frustrated at herself, but I had to remind her that we studied the Ancients 2 years ago when she was only 4.  I thought she had done WONDERFULLY and that's all that mattered.

Arianna on the other hand was smoking.  She answered MANY of the questions correctly and even before her father (who at our house knows EVERYTHING about everything.)  She was impressed with herself.  Stephen was impressed with her too.  I was flabergastered that  she had remembered anything from 2 years ago!

However, doing the game as originally instructed wasn't as successful.  That has more to do with that we are just now getting into the modern times.  We do love the fun and silly Wise Alec questions which cause the laughter to explode in the room. We tried a few times, but since then we have decided we'd just leave the modern time period cards out until we have learned more this year.  Once the new year comes, I'm sure we'll be adding those back in the mix.  Until then, we will continue having fun, learning new or remembering facts from our lessons and have fun on family game nights.

My Thoughts:
I expect that this game will become well loved AND it's a great review of history!  What parent wouldn't want to play a game where you can get both of those results?  I know that I have loved playing this game and that we will continue to play it for years to come.

I also love the mobility of the game.  It comes in a very sturdy cardboard box that has a magnetic closure on the lid, and a specific place for the playing cards and die.  The rules are printed on the inside of the box so you have no papers to keep track of or lose.

I am very interested in the orignial Wise Alec game as well as the other 2 expansion sets.  You can read other reviews on this game as well as one other expansion set - Nature Nuts over on the Homeschool Crew site.  If you are interested in purchasing Civilize This! or any of the Gridley Games, make sure you check out their retailers.

*** I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse 2011-2012 Crew and receive free products and services in exchange for a thorough and honest review. Though I am compensated with free products, I am not compensated in the form of money for any of my reviews. My reviews will always reflect my honest opinions, findings, beliefs and experiences with the products and services that I receive.***