Games like Nine Arches (but different)? Other suggestions?

April 16, 2024 12:35 PM

I am looking for non-screen activities to do with a parent and a 12 year old kid.

I saw a game Nine Arches at the bookstore that seemed perfect... until it didn't. I tried to research it and as far as I can tell, game play is drawing vague cards (it talks about being tarot like) you look up in a concordance, contemplate, and then come up with a real-world action you want to do that reflects, metaphorically, the card(s) you drew.

There's no way we have time for all that.

(j/k of course we have time for that -- but it really wouldn't be fun for this group)

Is there something *similar* that comes to mind? A game that takes place "in the real world" but is 10,000x more concrete? For example, it would be awesome to be assigned the task of "try a kind of food you have never eaten before." Or "get or make a snack for the person on your left." Or do some other random thing that a 12 year old kid can accomplish in a normalish house, or just outside the house, and/or with a very minor family trip.

Any unrelated drive-by ideas for active bonding and experiences you want to toss into the mix are welcome too.

posted by Number Used Once to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (4 answers total)

Maybe something like the Hero's Journal SideQuest decks? I haven't bought them but I see them advertised and think they're pretty neat.

I like volunteering with my kids, especially when we can do it for a long enough period of time to establish some sort of relationship with others in the group. We volunteer for the local animal shelter and the Society of St Andrew.
posted by dawkins_7 at 1:01 PM on April 16

You're literally asking for tasks, so you definitely want "Taskmaster". You can get inspired by the TV show, but they also sell a boardgame.
posted by toucan at 1:11 PM on April 16 [2 favorites]

Are you already aware of geocaching? Because it ticks a lot of your boxes. All you need is a smartphone (or a GPS unit, if you want to avoid distracting screens). Unless you live in a very rural area, there are likely multiple geocaches within a short distance of your home.
posted by mekily at 1:30 PM on April 16

If you search “52 activities” on Amazon etc you will get lots of decks that work well for just random shuffle and pick or trading. I used two by Usbourne to prompt fun activities when my kids were younger.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 5:33 PM on April 16