Panademic

Pandemic board game.

While playing Pandemic, family and friends will take on the role of Medic, Researcher, Dispatcher, Quarantine Expert, and others, to stop an outbreak of four viruses taking hold in major population centers worldwide. Players must work together to stop the viruses while the game cards try to spread each virus more.

What I like about this game is that it shows how difficult it is to work with viruses and how hard health care specialists have to work so they can effectively quarantine and stop a virus. Even if you find a cure to one virus, it can take many turns before you fully eliminate it. As well as feeling the pressure of the real world professionals,  I also like that the game gives a platform for conversation with kids about what can be done to stop the virus and how each level of defense against a virus can help us stay safer.

I recommend this game for players that can read well and that enjoy working together on common goals.

If you would like more resources on viruses and diseases try these titles:

The Viral Storm: the Dawn of a New Pandemic Age by Nathan Wolfe

Understanding Viruses with Max Axiom, Super Scientist by Agnieszka Biskup

Deadly Outbreaks: How Medical Detectives Save Lives Threatened by Killer Pandemics, Exotic viruses, and Drug Resistant Parasites by Alexandra Levitt