Which Jenga games are best?
The first few blocks are easy to pull out and place on top. As more blocks are removed from the tower, the entire structure gets unsteady until it finally falls down. Jenga is an easy game for all ages to play and a classic source of family fun.
If you’ve got a classic Jenga game at home and are looking for a distinctly different version, take a close look at the . This 54 block Jenga game is also an LED light show with Chill and Psycho modes.
In this article: , and
What to know before you buy a Jenga game
The idea behind all Jenga games is the same. The name Jenga applies to a certain brand of a category called stacking games, all of which follow the same basic pattern.
Jenga is a STEM game
This simple game of stacking blocks to build a tower is one of the earliest STEM games. One of the core STEM subjects is Engineering, and one of the main branches of engineering is Structural Engineering.
Structural engineering
This branch of civil engineering applies the laws of physics and mathematics to design the skeletons of artificial structures.
Some of the many things structural engineers learn are how to calculate loads and stresses. Of course, structural engineers know a lot about gravity and balance too.
Over time, players learn some of the strategies that keep them in the game longer, like removing the loose blocks that are not contributing to the tower’s structural integrity. Other strategies include removing inner blocks first by pushing them out the far side and taking blocks from the top or middle of the stack. These are less likely to destabilize the structure than the ones at the bottom that are bearing more of the load.
What to look for in a quality Jenga game
Because so many are versions of the same thing, entrepreneurs have come up with variations on the theme.
Party Jenga games
You can find several versions of the classic game that still have all the same blocks and the same tower but add an element of social play. Some games come with questions and challenges and dares. When players successfully add one of these question blocks to the tower, they get to ask the question or assign the dare to the player of their choosing.
Adult party Jenga games
These follow the same formats but with spicier twists on the game. This category includes questions and dares with romantic themes for couples and drinking themes for playing in sports bars.
Light shows
The latest twist on Jenga games is stacking games that provide a light show. Instead of wooden blocks like the classic game, some blocks are made of transparent plastic. Blocks are added to a base that sits atop a base with a dozen LED lights that take on different colors and patterns. Another light show game is the that glows in the dark.
Special editions
You can play the Jenga Godzilla edition or the National Parks version, which has more than 100 educational national parks facts and trivia so you can learn something new while you build.
How much you can expect to spend on a Jenga game
You can find small Jenga games from $10-$20. Most well-made games will cost from $20-$50. Oversized and specialty games can cost as much as $100.
Jenga game FAQ
Do all Jenga games have 54 blocks?
A. That’s the classic design, made up of 18 floors of 3 blocks each. The number was worked out by structural engineers as the optimum number for a balancing game. A few pocket Jenga games will have fewer blocks.
What does Jenga mean?
A. Jenga comes from the Swahili word Kujenga, meaning the activity of building.
What’s the best Jenga game to buy?
Top Jenga game
What you need to know: Family game night takes on a whole new twist when you turn out the lights with this LED block stacking game.
What you’ll love: The 54 transparent blocks have LED bases, allowing you to play Jenga in ways you’ve never played before. In Chill mode, the tower lights up with a soothing sequence of rainbow colors. Turn on the Psycho mode, and the LEDs flash randomly. Traffic mode works like a traffic light at an intersection — you can only remove a block when it is green.
What you should consider: The lights come from the base and are powered by 4 AA batteries, which are not included.
Top Jenga game for the money
What you need to know: The classic tumbling tower game can be played like a regular Jenga or an adult party game.
What you’ll love: This game comes with words and phrases printed on each of the blocks. There are 54 blocks with Truth and Dare questions, challenges and tasks to perform. This game is great for dates, newlyweds and couples celebrating anniversaries.
What you should consider: This is an adult game that while not crude, won’t be appropriate for young children.
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This giant Jenga game stacks to over 4 feet tall.
What you’ll love: The premium hardwoods used in this giant Jenga game are precision-crafted. Each block is 6-by-2-by-1 inches, over eight times the size of the original tabletop Jenga game. At setup, the tower is almost 2 feet tall. The 54 pieces come in a giant carry bag for easy transport and storage.
What you should consider: This Jenga game is best played outdoors.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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