Traveling last Christmas, I was on the prowl for fun stocking stuffers that would keep little-fingers busy on the plane. Flexipuzzle hit the jackpot.
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However, both games use simple letter tiles to mix and spell words of every size. Of the two, Bananagrams is best for mixed age groups. The traditional rules of the game requires players to use their tiles to create any combination of words, as long as the words are linked. At our house we have altered the rules to say that player under ten - need not connect all their words. This seems to level the playing field and keeps the fast action game - fun for everyone in the family.
I say 'old' because it was published in 1971 and now can only be purchased through eBay (or received as a gift from dear family friends who are cleaning out their basement). This game combines map skills, mathematics, social studies, and even the dark side of politics (one brother is continually bribing the other brother for better cards). In the end, you tally your electoral votes and hope that the best man (or woman) wins!
Most favorite gift of our 9 year old birthday boy:
When our youngest read about this game in his Sports Illustrated for Kids magazine, he was immediately sold. After playing the game with him, so was I. This boy loves football and this game brings the different components right to your fingertips. Now, while I am not a huge fan of 'football', I did find the board game entertaining. You need just enough strategy and just enough luck to score the touchdown. Although charades is a classic group game, I must admit I've never been a fan. One person frantically racks their brain (and body) to act out a given term, while the crowd passively sits and watches. Then I heard about Reverse Charades. Pure genius! This version turns the classic game upside down and has just one person guessing, while everyone else is involved in the 'acting'. 
I made my own list of items/titles, cut them into slips and brought them out for our neighborhood Solstice party. It was hilarious fun! Favorite moments of the night: One neighbor stepping into a barrel to throw themselves over Niagara Falls; The neighborhood kids channeling the Beatles; and perching on a chair in an attempt to reenact the 'I'm the King of the World' moment from Titanic. Here's my list (Feel free to use it at your next party!): 
Every year at this time, I begin making plans for summer. We usually allow each boy to participate in one camp or class over the break. In the past, our sons have enjoyed Lego Robotics, Tennis, Science Camp, Soccer, and Crafts programs. Then last year, my oldest boy tried something totally new: An Online Class.  Gamestar mechanic is an online community for video game builders and players. Designed for children ages 7 to 14, the online platform allows participants to work through a series of 'quests' to learn the principles of game design while also following a future-fiction story line and play related video games. As players progress through the various components, they earn the ability to incorporate new characters and features into their own game designs. This learning series focuses on deign principles - not computer coding. Therefore, a child with basic click-and-drag skills can make a computer game and share it with friends in just one session. As explained by Gamestar; "Registering an account at Gamestar Mechanic is free and includes access to your first game design Quest, the ability to make and publish your own games, and access to the Gamestar Mechanic community." Access to the 'Complete Quest' (with 100 quests) is just $19.99, and additional specialty-theme access passes are available for $1.99 each (which makes this a great idea for birthday or Christmas presents). It doesn't wrap neatly or fit under the tree, but it certainly offers unique and fun learning. Here are few games created by my son:  The World of Elkton  The Museum Robbery  Glacier Exploration For those interested in taking the full on-line course this summer (which pairs young game designers with professionals), sign-up information is here. Geared specifically for 10 to 14 year-olds, the 6 week course provides access to the main-frame program as well as specific modules that provide more in-depth learning about game design.
Our family was invited to preview the on-line class for free last summer when it was first launched. My son had a great experience, calling it: 'Awesome!' I was happy to see him try something new and participate in a new platform. We give it 5 stars for summer fun! Plastic tumblers (full of dice) are the perfect toy to leave near the couch for impromptu math games. Here's a few family favorites: 1) Shake your tumbler and empty your dice on the cushion. 
2) Tally the dots on all your dice. 
3) The person with the highest sum - wins! 
This is a great game to support developing addition skills. You can encourage your child to "add up" the dice by placing them in groups of ten. You can also adapt this game to practice odds and evens. I.e...Winner of the round is the person with the most "odd" dice rolled during a turn. Easy, cheap, and quick - it's a math game fun for all! 
 I'm throwing a Super Bowl party this weekend. For those who know me, I realize this sounds strange. It's a little-bit like a vegetarian hosting a pig roast. But I'm a mother and mothers do crazy things for their children. So... I'm currently preparing for kick off. My youngest boy has a passion for football. I'm not sure where it started, but it inspires him to run, and catch, and watch TV, and read anything remotely related to the sport. Of course, it's this last part that won me over. This will be a Super Bowl/Family Party to celebrate my son's recent birthday. We'll have family, the football game, lots of food, AND games. I figure you have to have games at a party. Right? (Again... I'm a bit out of my range here, but I'm trying to go with it. Super Bowl experts: send me encouragement!) As part of the preparation, this week my son and I sat together at the computer and came up with two games. I'm actually looking forward to Sunday. I know he'll be watching the game and I'll be watching him, but we'll both be cheering! Here are the free game print-outs if your crew wants to play too:
 Browsing the games available, I gasped when I saw Lemonade Stand. This old-time game was available on the chunky apple computer that sat in the corner of my fourth grade classroom. Now updated to fit the hand-held computer (but still similar in format) this game asks players to become the proud owners of their very own lemonade stand (rain or shine). Check the weather; decide just how much sugar you want to use; set your price. Then sit back and hope sales cover all your costs. On a good day, they’ll be a parade and you’ll sell out of your refreshing drink. On a bad day, the feds may come and close you down for failure to have a business license. I like the fact that the game relies on a bit of luck and a bit of strategy – and reading! Of course, at our house it also involved a bit of writing. See the review my boys wrote HERE. A recent fun find at the toy store: Don't You FORGET IT! 
I'm not sure what I love about this game most: 1) It reinforces my 1st grader's developing math skills. 2) It fits in a small, easy-to-carry bag for travel. 3) It involves both strategy and chance. 4) I have yet to win, but know I will ... if I just keep playing!  The rules
are easy to understand and can be adapted to fit a variety of ages. Players roll, add their dice, and try to avoid the dreaded FOR~GET~IT. Your kids will be adding, carrying, and estimating probability - before you even know it! |
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