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‘Build or Boom’ a Constructively Destructive Fun Game for Kids

March 16, 2017 by Niel Vuolo

kids play build or boom board game proto toys
“Build or Boom” is a building game. Players race each other to build increasingly more complicated structures. The first person to complete their structure can slam on a dynamite shaped plunger which blows up their opponent’s structure. (Photo: Niel Vuolo)

We heard the wind and snow whipping around outside, tapping on our windows and skylight. The snow was piling up faster than it could be shoveled … at least faster than I could shovel it. There was no use to shovel at this point anyway, as meteorologists forecasted for several more hours of heavy snow.

Not wanting my children to be little vegetables in front of their screens, I went for the ace up my sleeve. We went to the dining room, sat at the table and I took out Proto.Toys’ new game, Build or Boom. The kids were very much on board.

Build or Boom is a building game. Players race each other to build increasingly more complicated structures. The first person to complete their structure can slam on a dynamite shaped plunger which blows up their opponent’s structure. Quickly, my kids went at it.

A sample card and structure from Build or Boom.
A sample card and structure from the game, “Build or Boom.” (Photo: Niel Vuolo)

It was difficult to place the pieces at first — a combination of adrenaline, anticipation and very smooth plastic makes it tough for anyone unless he or she has nerves of steel. But after a few moments, everyone got the hang of it. My 8-year-old girl, a whiz at building things, easily completed her structure but before she was able to blow up her 6-year-old brother’s building, he blew hers up.

Was he finished? No. Did an argument ensue. Yes. Did a timeout happen? Yes.

After I shoveled our stairs and walk while the kids played in the snow, we tried Build or Boom – Round Two. This time it was a bit more civilized. My children went through many of the 30 cards in the set: some were very tricky and I couldn’t even get them to stay in place. The kids would play a bunch more times, and there isn’t a better sound than hearing some silence, followed by the sound of plastic pieces hitting a table then joyous giggles coming from the other room.

The game is beautifully designed from the packaging to the play pieces themselves. It is for kids 4 and up, but I don’t think a 4-year-old would be able to build some of the structures on the cards. But I am sure they would like the BOOM portion of the game.

Build or Boom is available for purchase online for $29.95. If the 30 cards it comes with are not enough, a 25-card expansion set is also sold.

Disclosure: Proto.Toys supplied us with a copy of the game to facilitate the review but all opinions are the author’s. A version of this post first appeared on Great Moments in Bad Parenting.

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Filed Under: NYC, play Tagged With: games, review, toys

About Niel Vuolo

Niel Vuolo is many things: a stay-at-home dad to two awesome kids, a writer, and a lifelong Mets fan from Queens, N.Y. Follow his adventures on his blog, Niel In Real Life and on Twitter at @NielInRealLife.

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