5 to Find: Family-friendly games
BY JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT World Scene Writer
Thursday, November 15, 2012
11/15/12 at 4:10 AM
"Wanna play?" Sue Burdock asked.
Having walked into a kid's boutique brimming with toys, it seemed rather silly to say no. So we rolled a handful of yellow dice and learned a new game.
Burdock won - which isn't a total surprise considering she has all day to hone her game skills as the owner of Kiddlestix, 3815 S. Harvard Ave.
After beating us at Tenzi, which is an American Specialty Toy Retailing Association Best Toys for Kids 2012 winner, Burdock showed us a wall with dozens of games for various ages. It was really hard to narrow the selection down to a handful.
Same went for the Go! Calendars & Games kiosk on the lower level of Tulsa Promenade. Longtime Monopoly fans, we were sidetracked by Nintendo, World of Warcraft and "Sooneropoly" versions before spying a couple others we can't wait to play at Thanksgiving.
With the holidays practically upon us, and some families gathering together to ask the Lord's blessing that they don't strangle one another, we rounded up several games for various ages - perfect opportunities to turn family quantity time into quality fun.
Tenzi
2-4 players, ages "7 to 97"; $14.95, Kiddlestix
Billed as "the world's fastest game," it starts out with everyone getting 10 dice. Someone says "go," and everyone rolls as fast as they can until someone gets all their dice on the same number. Then you start with another game, and another, each with different rules.
Furt
3-8 players, ages 13+; $29.99
This crazy board game, somewhat reminiscent of Cranium, consists of 326 cards among six categories, such as "Truth or Fiction?" (roll a die and reveal something about yourself), "What The?!" (roll another die and perform the "top secret" card) and "Straight-Faced" (don't laugh while other players assail you with hilarious, nonsensical words). It's a guaranteed hour or more of hilarity.
Psych-A-Doodle
2-6 players, ages 6+; $29.99, Go! Calendars & Games
Each round starts with a half-finished doodle, and you have to add to it. Four categories include "Taboodles" (don't draw the three things secretly listed on a card) and "Meet Your Match" (the turn-taker's doodle must match as many other players' doodles as they can).
Hedbanz for Adults
2-6 players, ages 14+; $24.99, Go! Calendars & Games
Maybe you saw Ellen DeGeneres play a version of this on her TV show. Basically, you have to figure out if the clue card attached to your headband is a person, place or an object - without looking at the card, of course.
Suspend by
Melissa & Doug
1-4 players, ages 8+; $16.95, Kiddlestix
Deemed one of the "12 Great Games for 2012" by GoodHousekeeping.com, this hanging-balance activity comes with 24 notched, rubber-tipped wire pieces to suspend from a tabletop stand. Not as easy as it looks - balance shifts with each added piece as the sculpture you form transforms. Think of it as Jenga and Pick Up Stix on a high wire.
Original Print Headline: 5 to Find: Games for family time
Associated Images:
Tenzi
STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Furt
STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Psych-A-Doodle
STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
Suspend by Melissa & Doug
STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World
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