Not that we need a reason to talk about pandas (possibly the most adorable animals on the planet), but did you know they’re officially off the endangered list? Celebrate the successful conservation efforts by playing one of these delightful panda-themed tabletop games on your next game night.
Adorable Pandaring
All you need is 5-10 minutes to play this micro card game. It might not sound like a lot of time, but Adorable Pandaring packs a lot of cute pandas in those few minutes. Players are on the hunt for bamboo cards, and the first player to nab 5 wins.
Only adorable pandas earn the most bamboo; the cutest cubs are indicated by the Panda Law card, which changes per round. Play your panda cards right to use their powers to bamboo-zle your opponents.
3-5 Players, Ages 10+
Pandánte: 2nd Edition
Okay, we can say some more. Pandánte is a gambling game, complete with panda cards and tokens, that encourages players to lie and call each other out on those bluffs. Power up your hand by buying “snacks,” and the better your hand is–or the better you say it is–the cheaper the snacks are. There are even optional cards and different game modes, so you can set the challenge level for different players.
2-6 Players, Ages 13+
Pass the Pandas
Can’t wait to get your hands on adorable pandas? This dice game is quick, simple, and suited to players of all ages. The first player to pass all of their dice to the other players is the winner. Roll a panda, pass it on. If bamboo is rolled, the next player must match that amount of bamboo or they take all of those dice. If the dice shows water, it’s discarded, and blank dice are kept until the next turn.
Games are just about 5 minutes or so, so this is a fantastic filler for game night or a fun option for kids (or grownups) with short attention spans.
2-5 Players, Ages 6+
Takenoko
Bamboo is the name of the game in Takenoko. Literally, “takenoko” means bamboo in Japanese.
An adorable panda (is there any other kind?) is roaming the grounds of the emperor’s palace on the hunt for food, and it’s up to the hapless royal gardener to keep the bamboo growing. You’ll be the panda, gardener, and emperor in Takenoko, doing your best to earn points by planting and eating all that delicious bamboo.
Landscape management might not sound like an enjoyable thing to do in a game, but Wil Wheaton described Takenoko as one of his favorites in the TableTop episode featuring it, so you know it’s fun.
2-4 players, Ages 8+
Of course you have a favorite panda-themed game. Tell us which one in the comments!
Featured Image: Sirlin Games
Other images: Asmadi Games, Sirlin Games, PlayRoom Entertainment, Geek & Sundry, and Asmodee