Spain is famous for its touristy attractions, exotic beaches, and delicious foods. But, despite having so many sights to explore, the Spanish people indulge in playing some exciting tablero, or board games. For this reason, you will find many Spanish versions of games commonly played in other countries. Since the board games are in Spanish, you can even use them to learn Spanish or polish your language skills. You can play these board games with your friends, family and even children as they are all quite family-friendly. These games are readily available online through platforms such as Amazon and stores, so you won’t have trouble locating them. So what better way to explore the Spanish culture and learn the language while you’re at it than through some of the most fun los juegos de mesas on the market?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you play any board game in Spanish to improve your Spanish-speaking skills?
Although beginners can use most Spanish board games to pick up on Spanish tenses and phrases, a few games are counterintuitive if your main aim is to improve your language skills. For example, monopoly, Payday and games similar to these are unsuitable for language acquisition since they involve reading prompts and require your brain to translate the sentences. This shifts the focus from language learning to translation, and you can easily forget the basic rules of the home language. Instead, playing games that do not require reading prompts and translation is best. This way, you can improve your Spanish vocabulary and pick up new words in a fun way without forgetting the basic grammatical rules of the language.
Spanish Scrabble
Players: 2 to 4
Ages: 8+
Game Time: 50 minutes
Complexity: Medium
Release Year: 2018
Board game description
The Spanish version of the classic board game scrabble has the same rules as the original game. The difference is that Spanish letters are included in this version, and the letters have different values according to the Spanish language. As with the English version, players must gain points by making words in a straight line on the board. All the letters have points, and the word is scored by summing the points on the word. Additionally, some of the tiles on the board have bonuses; if you use them, you score higher. The game continues until all the letters have been used up or there is no more space on the board. At this point, scores are compared, and the player with the highest value wins.
Pros:
- Great game to pick up Spanish words
- It helps improve Spanish vocabulary
Cons:
- Not fast-paced or thrilling
- Some children may get bored with it
Final Thoughts
The Spanish version of scrabble is a great way to improve your vocabulary and test your skills. If you’re still a novice learner, the game may be challenging to play, but with a bit of practice, and frequent dictionary perusal, you can enjoy the Spanish version of the game as much as its English counterpart. The game does not involve comprehensive strategy or planning, although you must plan how to maximise the points you gain by using bonus tiles. But that does not mean it does not have a healthy amount of competition. This game can be competitive and keep you engaged for a long time.
Loteria
Players: 2 to 10
Ages: 4+
Game Time: 10 minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year: 1887
Board game description
Loteria is a classic Mexican card game similar to western Bingo. Like Bingo, players get a card with a grid showing 16 of the 54 cards in the deck. Next, one player is selected to draw a card from the deck of 54 cards and name the illustration or hold it up for other players to see. At which point they will cross it out from their grid. The game is won when a player crosses out all 16 card illustrations on their grid or crosses out cards horizontally, vertically or diagonally. The first one to do so will be the winner.
Pros:
- Short game
- Family-friendly
Cons:
- Does not involve strategy
- Relatively slow paced
Final Thoughts
The Spanish Bingo Loteria is a great way to enjoy games night with your family and friends. The game is not fast-paced or overly competitive and has a fun yet calm vibe. For this reason, it is a particularly favourite card game for the elderly and niños! But, since the illustrations are named in Spanish on the card, Loteria’s cards can also be used to improve your Spanish vocabulary and learn new words!
Kloo’s Race To Madrid
Players: 1 to 4
Ages: 6+
Game Time: minutes
Complexity: Low
Release Year:
Board game description
Kloo’s race to Madrid is a game that combines racing, cards and learning in the most exciting manner. Players must use colour-coded cards to learn new words and make grammatically correct sentences. Each correct sentence gives the players points that they can use to advance their car on the race track. The race track goes through all the major cities of Spain and includes numerous historical sites before it ends at the capital city of Madrid. The longer the sentences are made, the more points players collect and the faster they can advance their car on the track to win the race. The cards contain words, phrases, tenses, nouns, verbs, and much more to help you improve your Spanish language skills. Additionally, the game has four decks of cards with the themes of shopping, clothes and everyday words that help you learn new words and phrases that are useful for daily conversation.
Pros:
- Effective for learning grammatically correct sentences
- A fun and family-friendly game
Cons:
- It can be a bit complicated for young children
- Intellectually challenging
Final Thoughts
Kloo’s race to Madrid is an award-winning game that teaches young children, and even adults, the Spanish language in a fun way that is easy to grasp. Not only will this game keep you entertained for a long time, but it is also particularly useful for helping you improve your Spanish quickly. Additionally, the game’s competitive nature keeps you engaged, and since you will be playing with friends, it will be easier to improve your Spanish language skills.
Conclusion
There are numerous Spanish games in the market that you can play as a good pastime and a Spanish learning tool. The games range from low to high in complexity, so you can play board games that are relatively easier as a beginner and then build your way up. The list above contains the best board games for Spanish learners in the market, but there are many more that you can choose from as well.
