They sell boxed Bunco games at Target and WalMart, but they’re catered to a very girls-night-out crowd (the dice are hot pink, for pity sake) and look pretty cheaply made.  I was sure I could come up with something better so I ran to the dollar store and grabbed a few packs of dice, colorful pens (for scorekeeping), and some cheap prizes.  I whipped up the scorecards on my computer while my husband set up some folding tables in the basement.  In less than 20 minutes (and for about $12) our Bunco game was set up and ready to go – just in time for the guests to arrive.

Overall, the game was a big success.  Since the game requires players to switch partners every round, there were tons of opportunities to mix; so every player got a chance to pair up with (and trash talk) every other player.   Additionally, there’s really no strategy to Bunco (it’s an easy-to-learn, pure luck game) so my 6 year-old daughter had just as much chance of winning as her Grandpa did.  In fact, it was my 8 year-old son Jack who beat us all and was promptly crowned the ‘King of New Years’.  The effect was exactly what I was hoping for – a few hours of laughter and fun for adults and kids alike.

After the party, I started thinking about how many other ways I could use Bunco.  For example, there are several new couples in our ward that I’m anxious to invite over and I think this game would be a great way to laugh and get acquainted.  It would also be a fabulous mutual game – perfect for combined young men/young women activities because the partners get to switch all the time.  And of course, it makes a fantastic girls night game.  The group I was part of in Ohio had monthly Bunco nights – each month at a different house.  It was a monthly get-away that we all looked forward to!

Some people think that Bunco is limiting because it’s traditionally only played with 12 people.  However, we’ve played it with as few as 8 and as many as 24.  You just need to adjust the number of game tables and teams per table to your specific number of players.  You can even play with odd numbers if you play with a “ghost” (read the comments area for more details) or skip the ‘team’ idea completely and have everyone roll for their own points.  Trust me, there are ways to make it work for any type of party.  All you need is a group of energetic players and a Bunco Kit of your own and you’ll be good to go.

The good news is that now you don’t have to settle on that obnoxiously pink kit that’s available in the stores.  I spent the last few days re-designing the Bunco Kit I hurriedly made on New Years and it’s now available in my Etsy shop.  It’s colorful, coordinated, and perfect for any of the Bunco parties I described above.  Best of all, it’s available in two forms –  the ready-to-go pre-cut set (handmade by me) or a printable set (to be handmade by you).  Whichever option you choose, you’ll have everything you need to get your party rolling in no time (sorry, I just couldn’t resist that pun).

I hope you guys love it as much as we did!  Good luck.  Let me know if you have any questions or if you come up with any other clever ways to use this great game.  I’m always looking for new party ideas.  Just thought I’d pass it on.

Not one to give up easily, I decided to create my own game.  I took inspiration from the cards I liked and then racked my brain to come up with more questions.  In the end I had 100 clean, laughter-inducing, conversation-provoking questions that were perfect for my girls’ weekend.

On the night of the party I passed around the questions and had each friend draw three – one to answer themselves, one to ask to anyone in the group, and one to put back.  We started the game around 8 pm and we were still playing it at 3:30 am.  The ladies loved it!  We laughed about prom dress descriptions, commiserated about house-cleaning woes, and shared stories about our lives that would never have come up in regular conversation.  It was exactly what I was hoping for.

A few months later, I created several more sets to use at a Relief Society (a LDS womens’ group) dinner.  I placed a set at each table and had the women play while they ate.  The effect was fantastic.  Women of all ages and backgrounds were able to laugh and relax together.

After the dinner, several of the women asked me where they could buy their own copy of the game.  That’s when I decided to make it official and add ChatterBox (titled after the nickname of my oldest daughter – who has been a fountain of questions from the time she could speak) to the MeckMom Etsy store.

As of today, you can purchase both the boxed set (handmade by me) or a printable set (to be handmade by you) in my Etsy shop.  The sets come with my original 100 questions but if you’d like to customize your set by adding a few questions of your own, just let me know and I’ll add them in for you.

I know I’m a bit biased, but I really do love this game.  If you’ve got a mom, sister, or good friend on your Christmas list this year, I highly recommend giving this game a try.  It would make a perfect gift!  Or better yet, buy one for yourself and share the fun at your next baby shower, girls night, or women’s meeting.  I’ve even used them at visiting teaching appointments and presidency meetings.  You just can’t go wrong when you get women talking.

I’m planning to create more sets in the future –  a group date set for teens is in the works and a family reunion set will be coming soon.  I may even create a supplement pack (25 more questions) for the Women’s Edition since it’s been so popular.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Remember, if you want to win your own boxed set of ChatterBox you still have a few days to enter the “Best of MeckMom – Chatterbox Giveaway”.  Just comment on your favorite MeckMom idea on last week’s Talk To Me Tuesday post to enter.  The deadline is Tuesday night (Nov 10th) at midnight CST.  Thanks everyone, for your support.  I hope you enjoy ChatterBox as much as I have.  Just thought I’d pass it on.