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Hand Games 21: New Hand Games for Friends & Families Paperback – December 9, 2023

by Don Eskridge (Author), Zak Eidsvoog (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
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21 New Hand Games for Everyone!

If you like hand games but are tired of Rock Paper Scissors, these games are for you!

Here are 21 new hand games to play with your pals. Flip to any page, read the rules and you’re ready to go. Featuring fresh takes on classics as well as totally new designs, these games are a cinch to learn, play and teach, and they work great just about anywhere. Let’s play some hand games!


What is a hand game?

I bet you’ve played a hand game. At least Rock Paper Scissors, right? Players throw hand signs in the air, cancel each other out and the last player remaining wins. Easy! So, there’s one.

Maybe you tried Thumb Wrestling: rivals lock hands and their thumbs go sumo on each other. Or a variety of cute but challenging rhythm & clapping activities? All valid, all hand games!

Have you played any others? Perhaps tried out variants or even made your own games, looking for a fresh experience? Did you ever wonder if there’s more, and you just missed it somehow?

I wondered, and with some research found that there are indeed more hand games. …But not enough! And not many that evoke the design ideas we see in today’s board and video games.

So, I made new games! Completely new hand games for you, me and everyone. 21 games that require just your hands and maybe your voice. Simply read the rules and you’re ready to play anywhere - you’ve got the equipment on hand.

Inspired by the world of play, you’ll see games based on classics as well as totally new ideas, from simple guessing to social deduction. They are also easy to learn and play: all games play ages 8 and up and take just 5 to 15 minutes.

Here is among the oldest and newest, most portable form of play possible. Learn, play, share, and check out the final pages for tips on making your own games. This is just the start. I hope you enjoy these 21 hand games.

- Don Eskridge
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 18 years
  2. Print length
    54 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.13 x 8.5 inches
  5. Publication date
    December 9, 2023
  6. ISBN-13
    979-8989295302
  7. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

From the Publisher

21 Fully Illustrated Games with Easy-to-Learn Rules and Diagrams

Full two-page layout

Designed with easy-of-learning and play in mind! It's never been easier to get into hand games.

21 New Hand Games for Friends & Families

If you like hand games but are tired of Rock Paper Scissors, these games are for you! Here are 21 new hand games to play with your pals. Flip to any page, read the rules and you’re ready to go. Featuring fresh takes on classics as well as totally new designs, these games are a cinch to learn, play and teach, and they work great just about anywhere. Let’s play some hand games!

Every game takes just 5 to 15 minutes, plays great with ages 8 and up, and many games play from 2 to up to 8 players!

There is game for everyone in Hand Games 21.

New and Simple Hand Games in a Variety of Genres!

Bluffing Games

Hand grabbing wrist

Players winning a game

Happy dancer on a boombox

Bluffing and Outlasting

You need hands and guts to build an empire. Read the room and make bold bets to earn it all! Some games in this genre:

  • Cash & Slash: Double Guessing!
  • Fair Split: A Split-The-Pie Brawl
  • Ruletto: Risky Betting
  • Mirror Shield: A Magical Melee

Real Time Action

Time and space are not on your side in these games of physical moves and quick calls. Dodge!! Some games in this genre:

  • Number Stomp: Spot the Sign!
  • Wrist War: Blind Wrist Nabbing
  • Table Tank: Hand Tank Royale
  • Air Pong: Invisible Ping Pong

Co-op Challenges

Think as a team: clap, wave, and reveal numbers to communicate hidden ideas and win it together! Some games in the genre:

  • More! Clapping Deduction
  • Who & How: Guessing Friends
  • Starbase N: Coop Rocket Dash
  • The Guardian: Mysterious Riddles

And Many More!

More game genres included, such as Working the Logic and Social Deduction! There's a game for everyone here. More titles include:

  • I'm Good: Choose Good or Evil!
  • Scapegoat: Betray the Target
  • Hidden Ally: Foil the Master
  • Dance Party: A Spotlight Stealer
Wizarding students dueling

Modern Twists and Great Variety

  • Modern Twist on Classic Games: Experience a modern take on classic hand games and totally new experiences, with innovative twists that will keep you and your friends entertained for hours.

  • Variety of Games: Discover a treasure trove of hand games, from fast-paced showdowns to strategic challenges – there's something for everyone in this collection.

Mystery person surrounded by faces and hands

Interactive Fun plus Cognitive Benefits

  • Interactive Fun for All Ages: Bring generations together with interactive hand games that transcend age barriers – perfect for family gatherings, parties, and friendly competitions.

  • Educational and Cognitive Benefits: Not just fun and games – engage your mind with these hand games that offer both entertainment and cognitive benefits, making learning enjoyable.

Fruit about to be picked from a bowl

Easy to Follow, Super Portable

  • Easy-to-Follow Instructions: No more confusion! Our book provides step-by-step instructions for each hand game, ensuring that everyone can jump in and start playing right away.

  • Portable Entertainment: Take the excitement with you wherever you roam! This compact book is your go-to companion for on-the-go entertainment, whether you're traveling or waiting for your coffee.

Future-scene of computer gamer

Connecting Through Play & Illustration

  • Social Connection: Break down social barriers and connect with others through laughter and friendly competition – these hand games are the perfect icebreaker for any social setting.

  • Beautiful Illustrations: Immerse yourself in a world of vibrant and captivating illustrations that bring each hand game to life – a treat for the eyes as well as the hands!

Two-Page Layout of the game 'More!'

All Types of Games Await!

Easy to learn and a blast to play.

Portable and engaging. One of the oldest and now newest forms of play.

Hand Games 21. Enjoy!

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CPJQ38QH
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orange Machine Games (December 9, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 54 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8989295302
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 18 years
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.13 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 15 ratings

About the author

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Don Eskridge

Don Eskridge

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Don Eskridge is an author and game designer, best known for being the creator of The Resistance and Avalon series of social deduction card games. These have been published in over twenty languages and are played worldwide, including at the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica.

With the success of this series, Don continued game design work as a freelance designer and publisher. He has developed for major IPs such as Dune and Stratego, with the releases of Dune: Betrayal and Spies & Lies: A Stratego Story respectively.

Hailing from Oklahoma in the United States, Don has lived in Chicago, Dresden Germany, and most recently on the island of Jeju in South Korea. He remains active in the design community and is regularly working on new games.

In 2020 during the pandemic lockdown, Don had the idea to create new hand games for families to play, even when there were no games on hand. Thus Hand Games 21 was born, a set of free hand game images released online in 2021 (thus the 21).

This project developed into what would become his first book release in the form of Hand Games 21: New Games for Friends & Families, published in 2023. Don is thrilled with this release and hopes to see the hand games genre continue to grow in breadth and depth.

Don is always available to chat about making new experiences for everyone. Check his personal website or the Hand Games 21 website to get in touch.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
15 global ratings
Versatile, quick and fun for any occasion
5 Stars
Versatile, quick and fun for any occasion
This is another very clever game from the designer (we love The Resistance), we've played most of them with the kids and if we had a social life would be perfect for adult gatherings as well.
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Top reviews from the United States

kmerk
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Useful for a Wide Variety of Audiences
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Full disclosure: I playtested several of these games before publication.

Games that require no materials other than your hands is so clever and, dare I say, handy? Once everyone knows the rules, setup is a breeze and gameplay is quick and fun. There is a wide variety of themes and kinds of gameplay, and you get a lot of games for a really reasonable price.

You should get this book if....

...you love games, and you want a lot of shorter, innovative games. Done! On their own, these are great filler games, but it's easy to play one after the other and suddenly this book becomes your game night.

...you are an educator, and you want games that can be played by students in small groups that are easy to teach and learn. I taught 80 6th graders how to play Mirror Shield while on an overnight trip, and that kept them happily occupied at their dinner tables. The next night, I ran a competition with the winner from each table competing in the center of the room. Amazing! No extra equipment needed!

...you are an industry trainer or administrator, and you use games to engage your audience. These games can be used for many purposes from getting to know others to teambuilding to tools culture building and problem solving.

...you are a game designer, and you want to do a deep dive into these games as a creativity exercise.

...you teach game design, and you want to have your students design their own resource-free games as an innovation challenge.

...you are a at restaurant with your family, and you want fast, easy games that can be played easily (and quietly as needed) as you wait for your food to arrive. This one sounds specific, but my family has favorites that we play whenever we go to a restaurant.

Have fun!
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Daedalos
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy and fun! Surprisingly creative.
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
I'm used to board games with a lot of set-up time, so it's nice to have some options for small or large groups that require no pieces, no set-up, and no clean-up! Variety, depth, and good artwork made this an easy purchase to keep on hand for fast games to bust out with friends.
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Thomas R
5.0 out of 5 stars Why didn't anyone do this before?!?
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
I've followed Don Eskridge since the Resistance (because it's an amazing game). I didn't know what to expect with this book, but once I got it I understood what he was doing and I couldn't believe no one had thought of this before!

The book itself is slick and colorful. I liked reading through it, and I think my 14 niece who loves puzzles and games would enjoy it.

But the real magic is what the book is doing. It teaches you small, fun, funny games to take out into the world and play. So that whenever you find yourself standing in line with friends, or sitting at dinner waiting for your food, you can whip out a Hand Game and entertain everyone with play! It's like doing magic tricks except better because with magic it's mostly about the magician, but with games, everyone gets involved! It's like a book of jokes, but it's games! So everyone is playing with you, learning the game from you AND once you play with someone a few times, they can take it out into the world and do the same thing!

It's a brilliant concept, and Don Eskridge has executed it brilliantly here. The book makes the games easy to understand and get down pat so they can be brought out whenever you want. I'm looking forward to deploying them wherever I go!
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Lauren
5.0 out of 5 stars Versatile, quick and fun for any occasion
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
This is another very clever game from the designer (we love The Resistance), we've played most of them with the kids and if we had a social life would be perfect for adult gatherings as well.
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Lauren
5.0 out of 5 stars Versatile, quick and fun for any occasion
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2024
This is another very clever game from the designer (we love The Resistance), we've played most of them with the kids and if we had a social life would be perfect for adult gatherings as well.
Images in this review
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3FeralAlphas
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun games, easy to learn
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Fun games, and easy to learn! The illustrations are crisp and engaging. The instructions are easy to follow. Even my 6 year old is loving it.
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Laura M Eskridge
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, fun, portable
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love these games. I play them with my 8 year old daughter, with my high school students, and with my friends. They are easy to learn and just good to have in your back pocket whenever you need to entertain a group.
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Moores
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for fun with family and friends!
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023
Wow! I was looking for some fun games to play with my family - over the holidays or really anytime - and the games in this book are perfect for this!

The actual hand games themselves are short so if the people I’m playing with don’t like one (unlikely), we can always quickly switch to another quickly and easily. What other games can you do that with?? Certainly not Agricola, no offense Uwe.

As far as the book itself - the layout makes sense and is easy to understand, the pictures are beautiful. There are even some game design tips at the end! So cool. I’m proud to have this book on my shelf amongst Don’s other great work.
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Randall W OConnor
5.0 out of 5 stars A laughing good time, and great for families
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023
We took this to a dinner with a bunch of friends and their kids, and after the meal was done, we ended up playing several of these, each eliciting a laugh and a bunch of repeated plays. Our toddler also left the dinner shouting "Mirror shield!" over and over. And based on everyone's response, I expect we might play this even when the kids aren't around!
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