Multi-Arcade Emulation Engine.

It makes your machine think like an arcade console. Then download the ROM files for lots of classic games. Enjoy a happy afternoon engaging in Asteroids / Galaxian / Galaga / Space Invaders / Scramble / Phoenix tournaments.

What's also good about this is that it gives the old 'uns a chance to lord it over the young 'uns who lack the hard-learned skills on these games.

... Monopoly or Triv. I've only played 'Taboo' once but with a group who've had a few post-prandial sherries, it was a lot of fun.

It's great for spelling and if you don't pee yourself laughing.you will still have a great time
playing this game.

for the suggestions- i shall investigate immediately

Is good if you have mixed age groups as kids can guess chocolate bars from photos etc. while there are supplementary questions for the older players. Quite expensive but we've played it lots.

Good family fun, with a bit of everything: pictionary, charades, word games, trivial pursuit, sculptorade, etc. etc.. All my family like it, even my mum who *hates* board games.

'Humbug' It's basically a load of cards with song titles on them and you have to hum the song so your team can guess it. Much, much better than that sounds!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cheatwell-Games-Humm-Board-Game/dp/B0006Z86M8/re...

Has been a regular Christmas day game for many years, entertaining family ranging from 10 years to 80+. The rules are simple - Players are given a word and have to describe it to their team. That's it. Sounds dull written down like that but is generally entertaining enough for a few hours.

Bought it for our 9 year old last Christmas and a great family game. Also, if you have the time, take some close up photos of household objects and get people to guess what they are.

A small and very simple game for ages 6 and up.

About 8 of you can play. One is nominated as 'the catcher', the rest are given a plastic mouse each to hold by its tail on a little pad. All the mice clustered together on the same little spot held by giggling kids/adults.

The catcher, poised with his catchers cup, throws a die with a different colour on each of its 6 sides. If a blue or a red is thrown he has to slam the cup down over the mice and catch them.

The ones holding the mice have, of course, to try and pull them out of the way. If anyone flinches and pulls their mouse off the little pad at the wrong moment then a forfeit is paid.

It may not sound it but it can be an all out laugh riot. Cheating, misdirection and outright intimidation are deeply ingrained in it. We love it.

Hard to find in toyshops these days but sold online easily enough for less than a tenner.

is my all-time favourite, though I have been known to throw wobblies when my cunning plans have been thwarted.