Backseat Drawing
by Amanda Nettgen
(USA)
Backseat Drawing
Board game manufacturer:
Out of the Box
Number of players:
4-10 (possible with 2)
Ages:
12+
Quick verdict
From the people who brought you the popular Apples to Apples comes Backseat Drawing - and no, it doesn’t have anything to do with giving criticism from the rear of a vehicle. It’s a cross between Pictionary and Taboo.
The game and gameplay
There are only two teams in Backseat Drawing
To play a round, have both teams’ Director take a peek at whichever Challenge Card is up (easy or hard). Once they’ve established a good mental picture, both Directors simultaneously start describing how to draw whatever was listed on the drawing card to their respective Artist.
Directors may only say shapes (e.g., line, dot, oval), directions (left, right, angled), and sizes (inches, larger, longer) to describe what the clueless Artist needs to draw. The remaining contenders shout out guesses only.
There’s no time limit in team play; the first team member to accurately guess what is being drawn wins the point for his group. After cycling through everyone being Directors and Artists a couple times, it the team who accumulates seven points first who wins (sorry, not a trip to the Louvre).
You can modify the game play to be suitable for just you and one other person. Collect some sort of timer (a sand timer from one of your many board games, perhaps?) and score points based on how well you can give directions.
Just keep it fair, Artists, and don’t pretend you don’t know what you’re drawing. Your stick figures aren’t that bad.
Other Party board games you might enjoy!
Apples to Apples
Balderdash
Cranium game
Cranium Hoopla
Cranium Party Playoff
Guesstures
Jenga stacking game
Loaded Questions
Mad Gab board game
Girlfriend's Intuition
Partini
Pictionary
Pictionary Man
Poser the party game
Scattergories game
Scene It? Squabble
Smash or Trash
Taboo board game
The T-shirt game
Women Fighting Men
The Worst-Case Scenario Survival game
What's a DAME to do?!
Wits and Wagers
Adult party game ideas
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Pros and cons
Backseat Drawing is super simple to understand how to play, but not quite as easy when it comes to remembering that you can only describe shapes!
Both the instructions and cards come in four languages, so if you and hubby desire to learn more French, for example, pay attention to that aspect.
I can see how this game might be frustrating, however. Certain things are just really hard to communicate into picto form, especially when trying to detail them to someone else who hasn’t any idea.
The verdict
Pictionary fiends may appreciate the twist on the traditional drawing venture. Back Seat Drawing
