Sandcastles

Take the tile now, or gamble that a better one is still coming round.

Over fifteen rounds you build a sandcastle on a five-by-five grid, anchored by a starter tile at the bottom centre. Each round one player reveals tiles one at a time and passes them along; every player has to decide whether to claim the tile in front of them or hold out for something better later in the round. Hold out too long and you take whatever is left.

Sand tiles stack up from the ground and obey gravity; sky tiles float at the top. Scoring comes from windows, matching starfish and the shape of what you have built. Twenty minutes, up to six players, and the tension is entirely in the passing.

Perfect for: Families and larger groups who want drafting without a rules explanation.

2–6 players | 20 minutes | Age 8+