CHRISTMAS '09
A Win-Win Game in Time for the Winter Olympics: Guest Blogger Wendy Smolen
Published February 2nd, 2010 in Wendy, Whimsy, toywhimsy.com, Smolen, Sandbox, 30, Great, Summit, winter, Parenting, Fun, Wii, Toy, Games, Party, Room, Family, Toys
So, you didn’t get tickets to the Olympics? You can still get your family in the game with the latest version of Family Party: 30 Great Games Winter Fun. This E-rated Wii game will have your clan racing down the slopes, sliding along the luge, tossing snowballs, skating on thin ice and boarding with the pros. Made for playing with up to 4 (customizable) athletes at a time, it’s a seamless way to surf from the real games to the fun games when everyone’s tired of sitting on the same couch. (And if you don’t have 4 players, the Wii-guys fill in the empty slots.) The games themselves are pretty authentic. In speed skating, for example, putting your hand down when taking those sharp turns keeps you from tipping over. A snowball fight is a virtual free-for-all. I tried to tube down a hill at better-than-breakneck speed and found myself tumbling. But none of this hurt, and I didn’t end up with one black and blue mark. The games are all short spurts -- you can probably even play a round or two during an Olympic commercial. It’s great for young kids and squabbling teens. Besides, Vancouver is probably too cold to be standing outside watching others work up a sweat. Family Party: 30 Great Games Winter Fun is available now. -- Wendy Smolen
Guest Blogger Wendy Smolen is co-founder of Sandbox Summit®. She has been professionally evaluating toys for over 15 years. Her three children have literally gone from crib to college proving (or dis-proving!) her theories on play.
