Games provide a fun and interactive way to learn and bring people together, and we enjoy incorporating games into our homeschool and family life. We particularly like games that are creative, fun for multiple ages, and humorous. So, I was excited to review a new game, Poetic License by Arena Games, which claims to be “a whimsical word drafting and poem crafting card game for three to five preferably preposterous poets.”

Poetic License is a game in which three to five people draft three-line poems using the word cards provided. The game sells for $19.99; it includes over two hundred playing cards in a sturdy box. During the game, players must use word cards with the correct number of syllables to create their, usually humorous, haiku. Each player begins each round with eleven cards from the word bank. These cards each have one word: a noun, a verb, an adjective, an adverb, or a wild (which can be used for any word the player chooses). In addition, each card is labeled with the number of syllables the word contains. Any player can use the parts of speech cards- articles, pronouns, conjunctions, interjections, and prepositions- to construct their poem. The poem creation phase of the game is not timed, but there is a point incentive for completing before other players.

Once all players have completed their poems, the game moves to a narration phase. This was our favorite part of each round. Each player reads their poem as dramatically, humorously, or creatively as possible during this phase. A video on the product’s website demonstrates how this can look and sound, but it’s up to each player. Those who enjoy drama and humor will love to perform and laugh through this phase. Those who are more reserved will have an opportunity to push themselves and laugh along.

After every player reads their poem, players vote for their favorite poem and presentation using snap cards- point cards. Voting is done with cards face down, so players do not see how others are voting. A second complete round comes next, with all the same phases as the first round and new cards from the word bank. The game ends after the second round of poem creation, narration, and voting. The player with the most points at the end wins.

Poetic License is recommended for ages nine and up. We played it with a younger child, and it was a wonderful way to have fun while practicing reading, syllables, and parts of speech. Along with this game’s learning opportunities, I appreciated how every family member could have fun and laugh together while playing it. This game is fun for poets and non-poets alike. The first time we played it, it took us a little longer because we were learning the rules. But, after that, each game lasted around thirty to forty minutes. The game was easy to learn to play, and each player had access to a rules reference card. The size and ease of playing make this an excellent game for taking anywhere. It would be a great game for family or teen game nights.

Families looking for a game that multiple ages can play, learn, and laugh with should consider Poetic License. Our family will continue to play this game regularly and bring it to gatherings to play with others.

-Product review by Sarah Roth, The Old Schoolhouse® September 2022