Favorite Books here.
Teen Gift Ideas here.
After reading my favorite toys post a week ago, Jeff informed me that I "forgot" to include all of the games the kids love. I put "forgot" in quotations because I think I might have done that accidentally on purpose subconsciously. I am not a game person-I can play a few: Scrabble, Candy Land, Zingo. Pretty much that's it. I just don't have the patience, or the attention span, or maybe it's the lack of competitive spirit. I am terrible at logic and deduction and all that fancy stuff.
So here's a guest post written by my husband, game nerd extraordinaire, who never ever takes a pass. Most of these games are for the five, six, or seven year old and up crowd, and quite a few are one-player for when Jeff's not around.
Here's Jeff:
I grew up playing games, cards and puzzles. Sarah grew up reading books.
- Our kids have viewed tutorials on YouTube to help solve the cube. Isaac can solve it in under a minute and Andrew under three minutes. I tried to solve it 25 years ago without any technological assistance, but never did, until YouTube!
Boggle
-Our kids got onto a big scrabble kick this past year. Andrew liked Boggle better. You make up as many words as you can in three minutes. We play together at night before bed and help each other try to set a new record for words found. We sometimes re-shake it if the letter that come up are too tough.
-Our kids got onto a big scrabble kick this past year. Andrew liked Boggle better. You make up as many words as you can in three minutes. We play together at night before bed and help each other try to set a new record for words found. We sometimes re-shake it if the letter that come up are too tough. 
LONPOS Rectangular and Pyramid Puzzle
-This is really two puzzle/pattern games in one. Each puzzle is gradually more difficult. The pyramids are fun to build.
-This is really two puzzle/pattern games in one. Each puzzle is gradually more difficult. The pyramids are fun to build. 
Rush Hour
-We have Rush Hour and Rush Hour Two. You just have to drive the red car out of the game by moving the other cars out of its way. I think I have played this game more than the kids.
-We have Rush Hour and Rush Hour Two. You just have to drive the red car out of the game by moving the other cars out of its way. I think I have played this game more than the kids.
Solitaire Chess
This is also a puzzle game where you use chess pieces and moves to capture and remove all the pieces until there is just one piece left. You do not have to know how to play chess to play it, but you do have to know how the different chess pieces move. Like Rush Hour, the easy cards help you learn how to play and get you hooked.
This is also a puzzle game where you use chess pieces and moves to capture and remove all the pieces until there is just one piece left. You do not have to know how to play chess to play it, but you do have to know how the different chess pieces move. Like Rush Hour, the easy cards help you learn how to play and get you hooked. 
Monopoly Deal
-A fast way to play a game of Monopoly using playing cards. I think this was the "in" game sweeping the country last year-our kids learned it from friends out in Colorado, and as soon as we left their house, they all begged us to stop and get a deck. It has been worth every penny.
-A fast way to play a game of Monopoly using playing cards. I think this was the "in" game sweeping the country last year-our kids learned it from friends out in Colorado, and as soon as we left their house, they all begged us to stop and get a deck. It has been worth every penny.
Qwirkle Cubes
- This is a great game where both adults and kids can have fun together. We have both Qwirkle and Qwirkle Cubes, unless Qwirkle found its way into one of Sarah's 40 black bags.
- This is a great game where both adults and kids can have fun together. We have both Qwirkle and Qwirkle Cubes, unless Qwirkle found its way into one of Sarah's 40 black bags. 
Our kids still play this game four years later. It is hard to not get addicted to attempting to beat your time again and again.
Guess Who Mix and Mash
-Andrew is Mr. Game. He is Jeff Junior. This is one of his favorites.
-Andrew is Mr. Game. He is Jeff Junior. This is one of his favorites.
Chess, Checker and Backgammon Set 
- It folds up and latches, and all the pieces fit inside which is why Sarah bought it.
- It folds up and latches, and all the pieces fit inside which is why Sarah bought it. 
This year we bought a new chess set, as the chess playing moved to the low table on the porch that was constantly getting bumped by younger siblings. For Father's Day we bought this magnetized version and a timer (to prevent the constant arguments over who was taking to long.
I was excited about Life of George. That seems like something my 10 year old would love! However, when I went to Amazon and read reviews, it says the app isn't available anymore and without it the game is worthless. It's frustrating that Amazon is still selling a game that cannot be played!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Felicia! I should have checked that first before I kept it on the list!
DeleteSanta brought Monopoly Deal last year (it was the pickle present-whoever finds the pickle gets to open the pickle present from Santa, which is always a use together gift, usually a game) based on your recommendation. It was a huge hit with the kids and me!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED Boggle growing up- I always won, so maybe thats why I liked playing it so much ;)
ReplyDelete