The 60s were the golden era for many toys, especially board games. Many of the games we know and enjoy today were first introduced in the ‘60s as entertainment for children and the whole family. The board game business boomed during the era as families grew bigger and parents became more generous with their children. As more and more games were invented, they became the perfect way to spend downtime with the family.
Here are some of the board games from the 60s that you would enjoy:
The Game of Life
Released in 1960, the Game of Life simulates the travels that go through each stage of life, from schooling to retirement. It takes you back in time to 1950s New York to experience the marvelous world of Mrs. Maisel. The game requires the players to chase their dreams by choosing a path to fame and fortune, and it also offers the possibility of jobs, marriage, and children along the way.
The game is a fun way to widen your imagination as it takes you through the ups and downs of life while trying to make it big in New York City. You can end up being filthy rich or in a rotten basement apartment.
This board game has a wide range of interesting components, such as a base, dial, pointer, and cardboard insert. There are 108 cards with 90 events, 48 pegs, 6 college careers, 6 apartments, 6 cars, and 6 comedy show posters. You also get a money pack with insurance certificates, promissory notes, a money tray, and playing instructions.
Stratego
Do you want to play a game of battlefield on a board? It doesn’t get any better than Stratego. Released in 1962, this game will let you play an army with six bombs, and your mission is to protect your flag and capture the flag of the opponent player. This game makes you use your strategic thinking skills to secretly plant bombs and place your army men and flag on the board game. But since you and your opponent are on the same mission, you must also plan a defense against his attack.
This is a two-player game on a board of 10×10 squares. Each player controls 40 pieces that represent individual officer and soldier ranks in an army. Stratego is a game simple enough for young kids to play, but it comes with a depth of strategy that makes it also appealing to adults – making it a fun game to play with any member of the family.
Mouse Trap
Mouse Trap is one of the first mass-produced 3D games on the market. The goal is to build a working mousetrap, and then players have to take turns in trying to trap the other players’ mouse-shaped game pieces. First published in 1963, Two to four players can play mouse Trap.
Loved playing it as a child? You can still introduce this game to your little ones as this classic from 1963 is still being produced today. The game is suitable for kids aged 6 and above, and you can use it for a family activity or at children’s play dates and sleepovers.
Operation
Operation is a battery-operated game of skill that requires you to use hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills to remove body parts of the “patient” in return for money. It’s a great game for children who are dreaming of being surgeons or doctors one day. The game can be tricky, as the pieces of the ailment fit neatly in the spaces provided on the board.
The game is like the old-fashioned electrified wire loop game that consists of an operating table, a picture of a patient, and a large red lightbulb for his nose. On the surface of the table, you can see several openings, which reveal cavities filled with fictional ailments. The goal is to remove these ailments using a pair of tweezers without touching the edge of the cavity opening.
Trouble
Trouble is a fantastic board game in which players compete to be the first to send four pieces all the way around the board. The pieces are moved according to the roll of the dice in the bubble at the center of the board, which is called the “Pop-O-Matic.” You have to head to the finish line and try to move as far as you can on the game board.
Released in 1965, this classic game is still popular among board game enthusiasts. The gameplay, concept, and board in Trouble are derived from the Indian board game Ludo. It’s a lot similar to a game called Headache, which was also produced by its maker: the Milton Bradley Company.
Twister
Who doesn’t love Twister? After all, it’s the most physical of all board games because it requires you to be there, moving on the board itself. This classic is probably the most-loved game worldwide, perfect for parties and fun get-togethers. In this game, the last person standing becomes the winner.
The game first appeared in 1966, and it’s still a favorite. Twister leads to funny, awkward, and precarious positions that can test everyone’s flexibility, eventually leading a player to fall down and get eliminated. This game comes with a mat with large, different-colored circles in four rows and comes with a spinner with matching color sections. After each spin, you have to put your hand or foot on a correct dot according to the color on the spinner.
Ouija
Pronounced as “wee-ja” or “wee-gee,” Ouija is a classic board game also known as a spirit board or talking board. The participants use a planchette as a movable indicator to spell out messages during a séance. You can ask a question in the game and wait for the board to show you the answer.
If you’re into spooky stuff, Ouija is the perfect board game to play. This game comes with a sturdy wooden board and a plastic message indicator. The board is marked with the letters of the alphabet, the words “yes” and “no,” and the numbers 0-9. Occasionally, it also comes with “hello” and “goodbye,” along with other symbols and graphics. Ouija is only suitable for two players aged eight and above.
Though the board was invented way before the 60s, it experienced a new wave of popularity in 1967, the year after the Parker Brothers bought the game from the Fuld Company. At that time, two million boards were sold and outsold Monopoly.
Acquire
If you like playing businessman, this game is for you. Acquire is a merger and acquisitions-themed game that has been around since 1962, and the challenge is about imagining, building, and planning a super city called Saxon City. It’s played with tiles that represent hotels that are arranged on the board, as well as stock certificates and play money. The game aims to earn the most money by collaborating and merging with corporations, expanding your corporation, and making alliances.
This business-minded game is suitable for two to six players, and the set includes 100 building tiles, a game board, 168 stock cards, 11 corporation banners, 7 headquarters buildings, 6 information cards, a stock market tray, a money pack, and a game guide.