Guest Author - Megan Romer

Akaba is a board game made by HABA games, a German game company and designed by Guido Hoffman. In Germany, families play board games on average about 4 nights a week, far surpassing the American average. Board games are so popular that game designers become celebrities! Akaba was designed to be played by the whole family (up to four players or teams), ages five and up (the box says 5-99, although I think most centegenarians could manage it as well).

Don't be scared off by the game box, which is written primarily in German, there are instructions inside in English, as well as French and Dutch. The game board is made of a high-quality cardboard and has some wooden components, there is almost no plastic involved (which has made Akaba popular among families whose children are in Waldorf and Montessori schools).

The game board is set up like a large old-fashioned Arabian bazaar and each player's playing piece is a lightweight foam "flying carpet". Players take turns using a "bellows" (which we joked looks a lot like those bulb pumps that you use to suck mucus out of a baby's nose) to blow their pieces around the board into different market stalls. In each stall lies a present. Players must collect presents for their whole family in order to win.

There are some rule variations listed to make the game a bit trickier for older players, but I recommend trying the basic game (which is very simple and fun) before trying the harder versions, just to get a hang on how to move your flying carpet. After playing the game, consider winding down the evening by reading a fun Arabian tale, such as "Aladdin" or "1001 Arabian Nights".

AKABA AT-A-GLANCE

GAME BOX INCLUDES: Game Board, 4 Flying Carpets, 1 Bellows, 26 Wooden Bazaar Walls, 20 Family Cards (5 each of 4 colors), 30 Present Tags, 2 Wooden Dice (with colors instead of numbers), 10 Magic Lantern Discs, Game Instructions in German, English, French and Dutch

YOU'LL NEED: Nothing

SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $35.99 (available at Maukilo.com, or do a search online)

TRY IF YOU LIKE: Monopoly Junior, Active Children's Games, Eurogames

PERFECT FOR: A fun themed family night, including Middle Eastern food and a good story.

RATING: Five Magic Lamps out of Five