Teen Ink

   It is
difficult to find a board game that is fairly newand innovative. Most
are boring. Who wants to play them?

For people whoget
stuck with family members at parties, I have come across a game that is
easyand will still be fun even after playing it several
times.

The game:Cranium. The object: get around the
board as quickly as possible whilesuccessfully passing team goals. The
players: at least two teams of two or more.The catch: Cranium boasts it
is "The game for your
wholebrain."

To play, teams take turns
picking cards out of four stacks ofcategories. One category makes your
team sketch (like Pictionary), sometimes withyour eyes closed, or sculpt
with clay. The second category challenges your teamby testing your
knowledge of uncommon information through true or false questionsor
multiple choice. The third category's activities have you spelling
challengingwords (maybe even backwards!), unscrambling words, guessing
definitions orfilling in blanks. The final category makes your team hum
or whistle a tune, actout a clue (think Charades) or impersonate a
celebrity. Sounds simple,right?

This game would make
an excellent gift. I laughed at my friendtrying to imitate a volcano,
and was stumped when asked to name a leaf picturedon the card. Cranium
guarantees satisfaction. I suggest it for
everyone.