Loteria

Loteria feels like a fun Mexican party at the kitchen table. Think of bingo, but with cheerful pictures full of colour. Someone draws a card and sings out the name that goes with it. Everyone else looks for that image on their own board and covers it with a bean or a token. Whoever fills a row or their whole board shouts "LOTERIA!" as loud as they can. This game has been around for more than a hundred years and is played in Mexico at markets and parties by young and old together. The drawings are all lovely and tell you something about Mexican culture and stories. Under every picture you see the Spanish name, and that is what makes it extra fun. Children pick up words and recognise figures while they play, and everyone can simply join in. You can play with just a few people, but with a big group it really gets lively. Up to ten players can take part at once, so bring everyone along. Short, cheerful and easy to set up. A game takes about ten minutes, and before you know it everyone is asking for another round.