CHRISTMAS '09
Games They Will Love This Holiday
Published December 3rd, 2009 in tween, Teen, Collector's, Hobbyist, holiday, preschool, strategy, holidays, give, gamed, Great, this!, Parenting, to, Game, Edition, Top, for, Gifts, Games, Room, Family, Party, Play, ToysNot only do you need to find gifts this holiday season, you also need to find things to do when families come visit and for holiday get-togethers. Here are a few suggestion to get your family having a great time together, and to get your holiday party rockin'!
Games also make great gifts. Don't forget, when you give a game as a gift, you are giving a family time together, giving kids a way to learn, and you are giving more than just a toy that will be tossed aside: you are giving memories.
*A tactile wooden block game, Quirkle is the surprise hit of the season. It takes about 45 min to play, for ages 6 and up and will accommodate 2 to 4 players.
*Quiddler is another hit this holiday season and is special because it can also be played in a solitaire mode. The challenge is to combine the cards in your hand into a word and it can be played by ages 8 and up and with one to eight players.
*Apples to Apples: For ages 12 and up, this party game comes with over 1,000 cards and is all about making comparisons. This game requires at least four players making in a great party game.
*Ticket to Ride has been out for a few years but is really gaining momentum as one of the most sought after games in the store. This games is a strategy game where you plot your adventure across the United States before other people can reach their destination. For ages 8 and up the game takes two to five players and from 30 to 60 minutes to play.
For an Adult Party:
*Loaded Questions- Adult: Just as it says, this is a game of adult-themed questions. It takes from four to six players and says that it "Might make your cheeks as red as the box top!" I will leave the rest to your imagination!
*Partini - If you are looking for an adult game that is a little more on the less suggestive side, Partini is a great one. It has been described as a more grown up Cranium. It takes three or more players and comes with 35 coasters, 430 cards, and "1,000 belly laughs".
*Mental Floss Trivia Game - With over 1,500 questions, you'll never get bored. From the great magazine "Mental Floss" comes this fun trivia game that "Turns trivia on its side!", for ages 18 and up.
Great Games to get Tweens and Teens Out of your Hair, and Playing Nicely in the Basement:
* Killer Bunnies is a great game for ages 10 and up. It is non-violent and has lots of add-on card sets to keep the fun moving.
*Got a houseful of boys age 8 and up who want to conquer the world? Well, we've got the perfect game (not that girls can't play too- they can!). Dominion is a strategy game great for teaching kids to rule with tiny iron fists.
*While the boys are ruling over their fiefdoms with Dominion, the girls can play the hottest game from the hottest movie of the moment, Twilight New Moon the Board Game. Be warned, you might have to break up an argument over Team Jacob or Team Edward!
Great for a Houseful of Rowdy Preschoolers:
*Giraffalaff Limbo - Music and laughter combine to make this fun game great for active little ones that really need to get up and move.
*Melissa & Doug Monster Bowling - bring the fun of bowling home with this soft and easy game for preschoolers.
*What's in Ned's Head? - Sure to produce squeals of "Gross!" this game challenges kids to use their sense of touch to discover what is in Ned's funny head.
*Mouse-ke-Tag - A great active game with three different ways to play, this game will get them moving to the music and hunting for their favorite friends.
Great for Taking On a Holiday Trip:
*Easily one of the most popular games in the last two years, Bananagrams has taken the game world by storm with a highly portable word game that is fun for the whole crew.
*Want to play scrabble but don't have the room for the whole board game, or the time to play a long game? Scrabble Slam is your answer for portable fun that you can play in 20 min or less.
* While you do NOT want to play this game *in* the car, this is an easily packed game that will have everyone attempting to get a better score than grandma. Bop It has be resurrected for another whirl on the game circuit and is better than ever. Warning- it is very addictive!
Great for Playing on the New Flat-screen:
*Relive your your youth with the Scene It? 80's Trivia Game. Put on your leg warmers and be ready to answer questions about Madonna, Wham! and Mary Lou Retton.
*Quick! What was the name of the family dog on the Simpsons? Be ready for this and other fun questions with the Simpsons Scene it? DVD game.
*Twilight fans will love this DVD game that features hundreds of questions about the movie. Recommend for ages 13 and older, this game will be a great gift for any vampire-phile.
*Fun for the whole family, the Ice Age: DVD Game combines board game and DVD play into one fun game.
Great Eco-Friendly Games:
*Boreno & Sumatra and the 8-in-1 Compendium are two great sets from the World Wildlife Fund. All the games are made form The Forest Stewardship Council certified materials and help kids learn about endangered species and environments.
*Wonderworld Eco-Friendly Chicky Memory Game - A great first game, this wooden game is made from rubber wood.
*Xeko is back with a new version. With this card game, you can learn all about the ecosystems and endangered species of China.
Kids' Games You Haven't Heard of But Should Check Out:
*Lucky Sock Dip from Haba - For ages 4 and up, this game from Haba is all about color matching.
*What Time is it? Time Telling Game from eeBoo. eeBoo makes some beautiful games with high quality workmanship- and they are also fun and educational.
*HaPe Cagola - This is a balance game made out of eco-friendly bamboo. Not only is it fun, it is a really great looking toy.
*Bedtime Card Game- Night Night Kisses by Djeco. Over the years, I have found that games are a great wind-down activity right before bed for my preschoolers. This one is perfect, as it is all about a bedtime routine.
Party and/or Family Games You Probably Haven't Heard of But Should Check Out:
*Bezzerwizzer- An Amazon.com exclusive, this is a hit European game that is just now making it to our shores. Billed as a game of trivia and tactics, this looks like a new party standard. (For a limited time you can also get $10 off at checkout with the code: ZWAPHERO)
*Carcassonne - is a "simple, clever tile laying game that brings new challenges with every turn". Another hit European game, this is fun for the whole family.
*Memoir '44 is a historically accurate card game that has 17 unique historical scenarios and lots of expansion packs for more play.
*Elemento - This Chemistry-inspired game was invented by a a 12 yr old (!!!) and can be played by anyone 9 and up. Learn about chemistry while having a great time with the set of 121 cards .
Hope this list helps you in your search for great holiday gifts! Don't forget to keep checking out Top Holiday Deals in Toys and Games page for discounts and deals that change everyday!
--Laura M.
