A Parents Guide to Game Buying

by Patrice Hughes

Deck the halls with boughs of holly!

Fa la la la la la la la la!

'Tis the Season to be jolly... 

Yes, the Holiday Season is here!

It is a very “special” time when parents begin the task of trying to figure out what to give the kids... something that won't end up scarring them for life or turning them into a master auto thief.

And it certainly doesn't help to have the kiddies bombarded with commercial after commercial as they watch their favorite TV shows. 

As a parent, I learned very early on that games are always a good choice. They are great fun, stimulate the mind, present problems to be solved, and, hopefully, help to foster a good attitude regarding winning and losing.

And they make excellent “babysitters” on an afternoon of crummy weather! 

Games are a vast and, at times, complex world all their own.

Board games, card games, video games, DVD games and games that rely totally upon the imagination... it can seem endless and very confusing.

I must say, that with all of today's technological advancements, it is really cool to see that game manufacturers are still producing some of the ones that we parents knew as kids. Candy Land, Pick Up Sticks, Trouble and Monopoly were staples on many a rainy afternoon.

A good game, I believe, is always a good game. 

For older kids, the choice of games has changed rather dramatically from when I was growing up. Role playing games, like Dungeons and Dragons, and table-top miniature games such as Warhammer 40K, have become cornerstones for the avid gamer. They excel at fertilizing the imagination and stimulating creativity. Collectible card games (Pokemon for ages 6 and up, and Magic the Gathering for ages 10 and up, are just two that are on the shelves of Sci-Fi City) promote the development of strategy and a sense of wonder. These tend to cross the age lines of demarcation, as well, with older kids and even adults becoming enthusiastic players and traders. 

In addition to enhancing the lives of your kids, games offer a unique opportunity for parents to get involved with what the kids are “into” and doing in their spare time. A family game night can be the perfect chance to have fun and let go of daily cares and stress for a little while. Yes, children of all ages love it when you, the parent, actually take the time to learn about the game they like, even if they won't admit it. And they are even more impressed and inspired when you, the parent, PLAY with them. 

So, in the hustle and bustle of this Season of Cheer, take some valuable time to invest in your kids. Learn how to be a Pokemon Master... slay an evil Orc with a Cone of Fire... put a big plastic bug together bit by bit... own Boardwalk... or remember what it was like to be in high school (or at least the Disney version of those crazy years). 

I thought it might be cool to give you all a rundown of some of the games that are available at Sci-Fi City. They are listed with their suggested age levels. As we all remember, most games are best played with 2 to 4 players, but some can accommodate up to six or eight...

Please be sure to read the provided information on the game, and, if you have the time, get an idea of the rules before playing it with the kids. 

Games are good fun!

So gather around and PLAY! 

By the way, I will be providing the occasional “Parent's Guide” to selected games in the near future.

So, if you have any questions about a game - board game, card game, or role playing style (video games, not so much) - please, feel free to send your inquiries my way.

You can email me at: gamewise1@gmail.com . 

Happy Holidays!

Patrice 

Some of the games available at Sci-Fi City: 

Battleship (ages 8 and up)

Guessing, and and "blowin' up your opponent's battleship!"

Blokus (ages 5 and up)

Patterns, tiles, strategy...cool stuff! 

Blokus Trigon (ages 9 and up)

More tiles and strategy, a bit more complex than regular Blokus! 

Candy Land (ages 3 and up)

Pretty colors, easy, and a great board game introduction to little kids! 

Connect Four (ages 7 and up)

A beginning strategy game.

Cootie (ages 3 and up)

Gotta build that Big Bug first! 

Cranium (ages 13 and up)

Key words for this are "creativity", "puzzle", and "acting out"! 

Cranium Family Edition (ages 8 and up)

Geared for smaller kids and letting everyone compete - and be silly! - on an even footing. 

Don't Break The Ice (ages 4 and up)

Classic dexterity game! 

Monopoly Classic Edition (ages 8 and up)

Planning ahead, learning about value, and waiting for one's turn! (Also, check out the large variety of themed Monopoly games - from "A Christmas Story" to "Disney", there's something to appeal to everyone!)

Pick Up Sticks (ages 4 and up)

Another dexterity game - You gotta love this one, even if you are all "growed up"! 

Trouble (ages 4 and up)

Fun for all ages - Let's see who finishes first! 

Tsuro (ages 8 and up)

Abstract strategy and building pathways - a great new game! 

Twister (ages 6 and up)

Color recognition and simple, physical fun! 

Yahtzee (ages 6 and up)

Numbers, dice and high scores!