Usually when you hear the brand name, Ravensburger, you think puzzles. They are known worldwide for their quality puzzles. However, they also have a fine selection of family games and that is what has been on the games table for us recently. Ravensburg kindly sent us a copy of Labrynth to play so we can see the other side of their products. Labrynth is a game of strategy and could almost be considered a math class…but shush! Don’t tell my children that!
This post contains affiliate links through which we may earn a small commission.
At the moment my children are into wizardry, with everything on their mind from incantations to making their own magic wands to outfits using things they already have, so this game fits in very well with that theme. I am certain that my children will continue to play this game as they grow and learn new strategies.
When we opened the box we found:
- a foldable board game board
- 24 treasure cards to punch out
- 34 maze tiles to punch out
- 4 game pieces
- and the directions, of course
I punched out the pieces that needed to be punched, and set the game up on the table for the children to play. They weren’t quite sure what to make of it at first, but they were interested.
After Phil came home from work one day the children wanted to share the game with him. Later that evening Phil came while I was working and told me that is a really good game! He really enjoyed it and wants to play it more. Excellent! I love to see Phil and the children spent good time playing with and against together.
Kallista wasn’t so sure. She hadn’t done so well on her first few games as it took her a little while to pick up the strategies involved in playing. She said initially, “I was a bit let down by it.” Of course, you and I know this is the way games go: sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t. The morning I took these photos, however, Kallista was in the lead which helped her mood. She was very happy and now she loves the game! Funny how that goes, isn’t it?
How to play Labrynth
Shuffle up the maze tiles and place them on the board. Shuffle and divide the treasure cards amongst the players and put them face down (for younger players, they can be kept face up). Then each player takes turns trying to move to the treasure on their card. Before you can move; you must take the spare maze tile and use it to slide a row of the maze across the board. You can move your character as far as it will go, in any direction, until you come to a dead end. With each turn, the maze route changes…try to find your treasures while attempting to stop your opponents which is made more difficult as you don’t know what they’re searching for!
What Kids Think About Labrynth
I’ll let Tristan (9) give you his thoughts, first:
I like it. It definitely gets your mind going!
Kallista (7) says,
Sometimes it gets annoying and I get all huffy. Sometimes I get really happy and get on the winning side! I think it would be a good game for other people but it takes a lot of time to get through the whole game.
I love their honesty! I can see Kallista’s point about becoming frustrated…but that’s all a part of the learning and game-playing experience, and is a good lesson to learn in life; that not everything will always go your way. She’s learning to bee supportive and happy for the winner, and not to gloat when she wins. And while the kids are playing, they’re learning that plans change and you have to change your planning along the way if you want to collect the treasures in life (although they may not yet make that connection themselves).
Board games are just plain fun, and ones that also have the added element of using the brain are the ones that I really enjoy, and I am happy to see the tradition continue with my children. Thank you Ravensburger for keeping families entertained while while exercising their grey matter.
Ravensburger Labyrinth is available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk and fine retail outlets.
Follow Ravensburger through their website, Facebook, and YouTube.
