Christmas Gift Suggestions
Jay
I'm looking for suggestions for games, puzzles, books, and other off-
the-beaten path things to do to give as Christmas gifts and to also
stash in the RV for when we take road trips.
We have the usual games (checkers, chess, cards) and many common board
games (Life, Scrabble, Monopoly etc), but are looking for something
cool, new, and different.
I found a few things on the Mental Floss site, but am looking for other
suggestions that you have had fun with in your families.
My kids are 14 & 10.
Thanks!
Jay
the-beaten path things to do to give as Christmas gifts and to also
stash in the RV for when we take road trips.
We have the usual games (checkers, chess, cards) and many common board
games (Life, Scrabble, Monopoly etc), but are looking for something
cool, new, and different.
I found a few things on the Mental Floss site, but am looking for other
suggestions that you have had fun with in your families.
My kids are 14 & 10.
Thanks!
Jay
Renee M
>> We have the usual games (checkers, chess, cards) and many common boardgames (Life, Scrabble, Monopoly etc), but are looking for something
cool, new, and different.
Some of our favorites:
Party games best played with 4+ people: Quelf (hilarious!!!), Apples to Apples (or Apples to Apples Jr), Cranium (mix of trivia, pictionary, charades, and other party games)
Strategy: Settlers of Catan. The regular board game requires 3-4 people to play. If you want 5-6 people to play, you need to get the regular game + an expansion set. There are also expansion sets for the game itself to add to the gameplay. We love getting together with friends to play this game. When my husband Ryan and I are at home, we play the Settlers of Catan card game which is for 2 players. I like the card game better than the board game, honestly.
Cards: Zombie Fluxx. Ryan and I play this frequently. It's called Fluxx because the rules and goal of the game change while you're playing. The zombies add extra fun in the form of anti-goals. A similar deck is Monty Python Fluxx, if your kids prefer Monty Python to Zombies. :)
I'm sure I'm forgetting something. These days we play Catan and Fluxx mostly... (except with our kids, but we're still in Candyland there.)
Definitely check out BoardGameGeek.com. It's a terrific site, although you can end up sinking a lot of time into it if you like games. :) Games magazine also just published their "Games 100", which has some interesting looking titles. One of the best things to do would be to shop at a local game store instead of a toy store, if your area has them. (we have Uncles Games and some independently owned stores around here that are great for carrying top game titles that toy stores usually don't have)
-Renee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
Our favorite game overall ever has been Five Crowns. It's a card
game from the company that made Set. You can google it. We're on
our third deck.
Personally, I don't like Life, Scrabble or Monopoly at all. But I
did see a Beatles Monopoly game at Macy's yesterday, and instead of
streets, there were albums. That might be fun for Christmas!
Ravensburger is a company that makes some very good games.
If you have kids who like mysteries and puzzles and deductive
reasoning, consider Clue or Scotland Yard.
Sandra
game from the company that made Set. You can google it. We're on
our third deck.
Personally, I don't like Life, Scrabble or Monopoly at all. But I
did see a Beatles Monopoly game at Macy's yesterday, and instead of
streets, there were albums. That might be fun for Christmas!
Ravensburger is a company that makes some very good games.
If you have kids who like mysteries and puzzles and deductive
reasoning, consider Clue or Scotland Yard.
Sandra
Margaret
I really like this website for games: http://www.funagain.com/control/main
One thing I love is that they break things up into categories (two
player, strategy, family games, etc.) and have recommendations in each
area. There are also awards in those areas every year and they have
the award information. They are a wonderful resource.
Reading your list of games, there is a big area of games that you
haven't explored yet and that site is a good place to start. Lots of
very cool German games that are very different from games like
Monopoly and Life.
Some that I have enjoyed in the last few years:
San Juan (2+ player version of Puerto Rico which is 3+ and is supposed
to be even better - but San Juan is GREAT)
Blink (quick little card game)
The aMAZEing Labyrinth (loved it as a kid and it is still fun now)
Bohnanza
Settlers of Catan
Queen's necklace
Margaret
One thing I love is that they break things up into categories (two
player, strategy, family games, etc.) and have recommendations in each
area. There are also awards in those areas every year and they have
the award information. They are a wonderful resource.
Reading your list of games, there is a big area of games that you
haven't explored yet and that site is a good place to start. Lots of
very cool German games that are very different from games like
Monopoly and Life.
Some that I have enjoyed in the last few years:
San Juan (2+ player version of Puerto Rico which is 3+ and is supposed
to be even better - but San Juan is GREAT)
Blink (quick little card game)
The aMAZEing Labyrinth (loved it as a kid and it is still fun now)
Bohnanza
Settlers of Catan
Queen's necklace
Margaret
On Tue, Nov 18, 2008 at 5:54 PM, Jay <jay.ford79@...> wrote:
> I'm looking for suggestions for games, puzzles, books, and other off-
> the-beaten path things to do to give as Christmas gifts and to also
> stash in the RV for when we take road trips.
>
> We have the usual games (checkers, chess, cards) and many common board
> games (Life, Scrabble, Monopoly etc), but are looking for something
> cool, new, and different.
>
> I found a few things on the Mental Floss site, but am looking for other
> suggestions that you have had fun with in your families.
>
> My kids are 14 & 10.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jay
>
>
Jill Parmer
> I'm looking for suggestions for games, puzzles, books, and other off-We've had lots of fun with Gobblet, Rush Hour, and Mad-Libs, Killer
> the-beaten path things to do to give as Christmas gifts and to also
> stash in the RV for when we take road trips.
Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot. Here's a good website
for a discounted game of the day http://www.pozy.com/index.php
<<< Personally, I don't like Life, Scrabble or Monopoly at all.>>>
I don't like that one either, too slow of a game for what we like,
but one time we played it with a 20-sided die...the bank ran out of
money. :-)
~Jill
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
On Nov 18, 2008, at 5:54 PM, Jay wrote:
Fluxx, Apples to Apples, Wise and Otherwise, Bananagrams, Set, Rumis,
Blokus, Settlers of Catan, Hive, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Five
Crowns, Pente, Othello, Abalone, Mastermind, Quiddler, Taboo.
-pam
> We have the usual games (checkers, chess, cards) and many common boardSome of our faves:
> games (Life, Scrabble, Monopoly etc), but are looking for something
> cool, new, and different.
>
> I found a few things on the Mental Floss site, but am looking for
> other
> suggestions that you have had fun with in your families.
>
> My kids are 14 & 10.
Fluxx, Apples to Apples, Wise and Otherwise, Bananagrams, Set, Rumis,
Blokus, Settlers of Catan, Hive, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Five
Crowns, Pente, Othello, Abalone, Mastermind, Quiddler, Taboo.
-pam
Robyn L. Coburn
We have some great card games from a company called Game Wright. Jayn's
favorites are Sleeping Queens and Rat-a-tat Cat.
http://www.gamewright.com/gwintro.html
Robyn L. Coburn
www.Iggyjingles.etsy.com
www.iggyjingles.blogspot.com
favorites are Sleeping Queens and Rat-a-tat Cat.
http://www.gamewright.com/gwintro.html
Robyn L. Coburn
www.Iggyjingles.etsy.com
www.iggyjingles.blogspot.com
Katy JENNINGS
<<<I did see a Beatles Monopoly game at Macy's yesterday, and instead of
streets, there were albums. That might be fun for Christmas!>>>
That sounds awesome.
I am thinking about Python-opoly for Christmas, looks fun.
http://tiny.cc/XPdx5
We have had tons of fun with the Simpsons Clue.
http://tiny.cc/3pSWH
We have 3 versions of Scrabble, regular, special edition, and travel. It
gets played weekly at our house... a while back Pam (I think) mentioned
Bananagrams. I thought I would look it up sometime, then the next weekend I
was in Hastings and there it was. So that game is going in Richard's
stocking for Christmas.
http://tiny.cc/22lVX
Katy
streets, there were albums. That might be fun for Christmas!>>>
That sounds awesome.
I am thinking about Python-opoly for Christmas, looks fun.
http://tiny.cc/XPdx5
We have had tons of fun with the Simpsons Clue.
http://tiny.cc/3pSWH
We have 3 versions of Scrabble, regular, special edition, and travel. It
gets played weekly at our house... a while back Pam (I think) mentioned
Bananagrams. I thought I would look it up sometime, then the next weekend I
was in Hastings and there it was. So that game is going in Richard's
stocking for Christmas.
http://tiny.cc/22lVX
Katy
Angela Shaw
I haven't read all the replies, but one thing that came to mind that we've
enjoyed a lot over the years is Rush Hour Traffic Jam by Thinkfun. Although
it's a one person game, we always take turns and enjoy challenging each
other. We love a lot of the games by Thinkfun.
I also love Amazing Labyrinth and Master Labyrinth by the puzzle making
company Ravensburger. Makes my brain hurt sometimes. =)
Angela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
enjoyed a lot over the years is Rush Hour Traffic Jam by Thinkfun. Although
it's a one person game, we always take turns and enjoy challenging each
other. We love a lot of the games by Thinkfun.
I also love Amazing Labyrinth and Master Labyrinth by the puzzle making
company Ravensburger. Makes my brain hurt sometimes. =)
Angela
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=- One of the best things to do would be to shop at a local game
store instead of a toy store, if your area has them. (we have Uncles
Games and some independently owned stores around here that are great
for carrying top game titles that toy stores usually don't have)-=-
OH YES. Definitely.
When I was writing, I was picturing someone going into Active
Imagination (in Albuquerque) and asking for board game advice, but
the pictures in my head didn't seem to translate into e-mail. <bwg>
The games at toy stores tend to be more mainstream, less artsy.
Buying online is also a possibility.
We've done well with thrift store games. Once you know what you're
looking for, you might not have to buy it new.
Labyrinth got a lot of play here when it was new to the house.
Encore has been played a LOT, and I probably didn't think of that
because I've been playing it online (not as fun in writing as
singing, but still fun!).
http://sandradodd.com/music (halfway down that page)
http://lyricsgame.blogspot.com
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
store instead of a toy store, if your area has them. (we have Uncles
Games and some independently owned stores around here that are great
for carrying top game titles that toy stores usually don't have)-=-
OH YES. Definitely.
When I was writing, I was picturing someone going into Active
Imagination (in Albuquerque) and asking for board game advice, but
the pictures in my head didn't seem to translate into e-mail. <bwg>
The games at toy stores tend to be more mainstream, less artsy.
Buying online is also a possibility.
We've done well with thrift store games. Once you know what you're
looking for, you might not have to buy it new.
Labyrinth got a lot of play here when it was new to the house.
Encore has been played a LOT, and I probably didn't think of that
because I've been playing it online (not as fun in writing as
singing, but still fun!).
http://sandradodd.com/music (halfway down that page)
http://lyricsgame.blogspot.com
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Lyla Wolfenstein
thanks for the boardgamegeek site! wow.
has anyone played:
Titan
or
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilisation
thosee look interesting, but they are spendy...i'd love some feedack
or even anyone selling these??
thanks, Lyla
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
has anyone played:
Titan
or
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilisation
thosee look interesting, but they are spendy...i'd love some feedack
or even anyone selling these??
thanks, Lyla
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Bernadette Lynn
One of my favourite games as a child/teenager was Carroms -
http://carromgear.com/store/index.php?cPath=27
I'm not recommending the website, it looks very expensive , it was just one
of the first I found on Google. It looks like the sets are much cheaper in
the UK than in the US but I might be looking in the wrong places.
Bernadette.
2008/11/19 Jay <jay.ford79@...>
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/U15459
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
http://carromgear.com/store/index.php?cPath=27
I'm not recommending the website, it looks very expensive , it was just one
of the first I found on Google. It looks like the sets are much cheaper in
the UK than in the US but I might be looking in the wrong places.
Bernadette.
2008/11/19 Jay <jay.ford79@...>
> I'm looking for suggestions for games, puzzles, books, and other off---
> the-beaten path things to do to give as Christmas gifts and to also
> stash in the RV for when we take road trips.
>
> We have the usual games (checkers, chess, cards) and many common board
> games (Life, Scrabble, Monopoly etc), but are looking for something
> cool, new, and different.
>
> I found a few things on the Mental Floss site, but am looking for other
> suggestions that you have had fun with in your families.
>
> My kids are 14 & 10.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jay
>
>
>
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/U15459
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Jay Ford
Thanks, everyone!
We do have lots of games that are not the standard ones (Set, Apples to Apples, Taboo, Rush Hour) and more that I can't think of, but yes, games like those is what I was going for. Lots of links and things to google now.
Thanks again!
Jay
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
We do have lots of games that are not the standard ones (Set, Apples to Apples, Taboo, Rush Hour) and more that I can't think of, but yes, games like those is what I was going for. Lots of links and things to google now.
Thanks again!
Jay
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
We played KUDUUK today at park day - it is a great game, really fun.
Simple - lots of interaction, strategic thinking enough for the more
serious game players, but not burdensome to those who are not so
serious.
I got it hanging in the toys section of the 99 cent store.
However, there are two versions - the original version sold at
Starbucks and is more sophisticated. The version I got was sold
elsewhere and the rules are simplified (the game was bought by Mattel
and they simplified it).
I've played both and both are fun. I like the more complicated version
better - but the simplified version is still really good and has the
advantage of being quicker to learn so it works well for family get-
togethers and other spur-of-the-moment game playing.
-pam
Simple - lots of interaction, strategic thinking enough for the more
serious game players, but not burdensome to those who are not so
serious.
I got it hanging in the toys section of the 99 cent store.
However, there are two versions - the original version sold at
Starbucks and is more sophisticated. The version I got was sold
elsewhere and the rules are simplified (the game was bought by Mattel
and they simplified it).
I've played both and both are fun. I like the more complicated version
better - but the simplified version is still really good and has the
advantage of being quicker to learn so it works well for family get-
togethers and other spur-of-the-moment game playing.
-pam
On Nov 19, 2008, at 7:57 PM, Jay Ford wrote:
> We do have lots of games that are not the standard ones (Set, Apples
> to Apples, Taboo, Rush Hour) and more that I can't think of, but
> yes, games like those is what I was going for. Lots of links and
> things to google now.
Pamela Sorooshian
Spelled it wrong - it is KUUDUK.
-pam
-pam
On Nov 19, 2008, at 8:10 PM, Pamela Sorooshian wrote:
> We played KUDUUK today at park day
BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
Hey Jay I just got an awesome catalogue on the mail full of interresting things and games:
WWW.MINDWARE.COM
lots of games that sound awesome. Me and Naruto my 6 year old want everything out of it.
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
WWW.MINDWARE.COM
lots of games that sound awesome. Me and Naruto my 6 year old want everything out of it.
Alex Polikowsky
http://polykow.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingmn/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
katestavisky
Just today at a friend's we (two adults and a 9 y/o) played a Mindware
game called "Quirkle" -- it was really fun and I'm thinking of getting
it to have at home.
Kate
--- In [email protected], BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
<polykowholsteins@...> wrote:
game called "Quirkle" -- it was really fun and I'm thinking of getting
it to have at home.
Kate
--- In [email protected], BRIAN POLIKOWSKY
<polykowholsteins@...> wrote:
>interresting things and games:
> Hey Jay I just got an awesome catalogue on the mail full of
>everything out of it.
> WWW.MINDWARE.COM
>
> lots of games that sound awesome. Me and Naruto my 6 year old want
>
> Alex Polikowsky
> http://polykow.blogspot.com/
>
elwazani
--- In [email protected], Jay Ford <jay.ford79@...> wrote:
pigs is one I carry in my purse and all of us can play it (and work on
mental addition while we ar at it) Beverly
>We have a game called in a pickle and we like it a lot pass the
> Thanks, everyone
>
> Jay
pigs is one I carry in my purse and all of us can play it (and work on
mental addition while we ar at it) Beverly