Gift inspiration for teens.
Across the Board: Baseball Game
America’s Favorite Pastime! Hit a home run with this patriotic version of our handcrafted baseball game! Fun for rookies and major league players alike, this game is easy to learn and fun for hours! Available on Amazon
My kids LOVE strategy games but sometimes things can get a little "too competitive" among siblings. We've found cooperative strategy games to be a great solution!
We recently tried the award-winning Castle Panic ($34.95) and the expansion of The Dark Titan ($19.95, second edition). This game took about an hour to play with fabulous artwork and easy-to-learn rules (referenced in a clear instruction manual as needed), we fought monsters as a family defending the castle. My teens loved it so much that they've invited friends over to play as well.
For fans of RPG games, Catan, and other strategy games, this blends the story-telling and excitement of an RPG with a much simpler framework for a great afternoon game.
In addition to Agranok, the expansion of The Dark Titan introduces the Dark Sorceress, Elite Monsters, and a Boom Troll, which can be conquered with the new Cavalier, Boiling Oil, and Support Tokens, such as the Supply Wagon!
The games come with variations so you can easily play them over and over with a brand new experience each time. Our family gives this game two thumbs up! Available at Firesidegames.com.
Okay, Genius
This is a great party game for a group of friends. During each round, the "genius" in the group is asked ridiculous questions. Players try to guess what they will say and score points for guessing the closest answer. Share your "correct" take on absurd topics and prove your brilliance. Everyone gets a shot at being the Genius in this thought-provoking game. Available at Okay, Genius.
The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom from Thames & Kosmos
For LOTR fans, the newest game from Thames & Kosmos is a must-have. Frodo’s journey to Mount Doom is fraught with peril. Luckily, his loyal friends protect him on his way. With a clever choice of dice, players work together to move the figures across the gameboard. Will Frodo reach Mount Doom? This is a cooperative (perfect for family time when you want it to be strategic but less competitive) fantasy board game, players will win — or lose — together. Available in Early August 2023 at thamesandkosmos.com
Legends of Andor: Eternal Frost from Thames & Kosmos
Another exciting strategy game, perfect for families to play together - Thames & Kosmos brings Legends of Andor: Eternal Frost. An unnatural cold is spreading across the land of Andor. Pick your hero and work together in search of the source of this dark magic. Your path leads you to a land you have never seen before, far away in the East. Here, too, a vast snowy landscape awaits you. Your adventures draw you closer and closer to the secret of the “Eternal Frost” until finally, you face an incredibly strong adversary! Only by working together will you be brave enough to face this dark menace. Available in Late July/Early August 2023 at thamesandkosmos.com
Perfect Gifts for Book Lovers
For the teen who loves to read and has favorites to read over and over Out of Print is a wonderful new literary-lifestyle brand praised for emblazoning iconic book cover art on apparel, accessories, home/life and gaming goods – literally gifts for everyone starting at $6. Prints include "Don't Panic" from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy to our classic Book Nerd, Shelfie and Curl Up with a Book graphics. Gifts include socks, totes, pouches, jewelry, tee/sweatshirts to mugs, journals, pins, playing cards and bookmarks. Even better, Out of Print has donated over 5 million books to communities in need and supported a variety of literacy initiatives. Please visit our website: www.outofprint.com to see curated gift options.
Koosh Comet
Take your Koosh game up a level with the Koosh Comet! The long tail is perfect for swinging around and sending flying through the sky! This addition to the Koosh lineup is perfect for anyone ages 3 and up—throw it around solo are get all your friends and family in on the action! Available at Koosh Comet
TeeTurtle - Casting Shadows Game
Casting Shadows is an immersive strategic board game from the creators of Unstable Unicorns and Here To Slay! It is set in an enchanting world that’s been overtaken by dark energy. Throughout the game, you’ll collect resources, learn new spells, summon a companion, and - if you’re lucky - unlock your Shadow Form, all in the quest to become the ultimate Shadow Caster. The last player standing after this supernatural showdown wins the game! Available on Amazon
5 Second Rule Relay
Our family loves game time, but sometimes we want something that can be played quickly with minimal setup. This game is perfect for just that - we enjoy it as a bedtime game often. Using the all-new Relay baton, you can play the classic 5-Second Rule game as a family. It should be easy to name pizza toppings—but can you do it under the pressure of 5 seconds counting down, after another player puts you on the spot? List one thing in your category, then hand off the electronic baton to any other player—you decide who has to answer next! Time’s not on your side, so just say what comes to mind and risk ridiculous answers slipping out! For 2 or more players, ages 8 and up. Comes with 700 Questions on 350 Cards, 12 Life Cards, 12 Pass Cards, Relay Baton, and Rules. Available here.
Taco Vs. Burrito
Our family LOVES to play games together and we LOVE to try new games. Taco Vs. Burrito is our FAVORITE new game to try this year by far (for all of my kids ages 11-17)! This fun card game was designed by a 7-year-old, which you'll quickly see when you discover the rather funny (and disgusting) combinations you create in this game. The goal is to build the "most valuable" taco or burrito before the game ends. Cards help you to gain or lose points. This fast, easy-to-learn game, is tons of fun and simple to play. Each game lasts about 15 minutes, making it a favorite "before bedtime" game in our house. If you love games like Sushi-Go or Moose in the House, you'll love this. Purchase online here.
Pando
Our family loves playing games and Pando is an excellent and easy game you can play over and over. Billed as the "trivia game about us," you guess and learn random facts about one another. Readers ask three trivia questions on each card about themselves and guessers must correctly answer all three to score a point. Turns are taken around the table so everyone can answer. Some questions are general (favorite movie), others are thought-provoking (what superhero attribute would you like to have), and some are more specific. Note that the game is intended for ages 14+ as some questions are a bit grown-up. Our family chose to alter or eliminate a few questions that were a bit ruder than we enjoyed (see sample questions on the back of the box at the purchase link). Purchase Pando online here.
Head Spin
Head Spin is a great logic game from Project Genius that takes about 15 minutes to play. My girls LOVE to play games before bedtime, but you don't want to crack open Monopoly or Catan right before everyone heads to bed for the night. We have a collection of short games for a quick round of fun in the evenings. Head Spin is a great family game that encourages code-breaking and puzzle-solving. Each game comes with a deck of cards with color-coded puzzles to solve and a spinner for each competitor to "lock in their answers." You award points for the fastest correct answers. For escape room enthusiasts (such as us), this is a go-to for a quick brain teaser or puzzle to solve. The original set comes with two spinners, but you may purchase a 4 player expansion pack. Purchase from Project Genius. Tip: Project Genius offers a variety of fabulous brainteasers for all ages!
Doozy Dice
Voted the BEST NEW DICE GAME OF 2022, Doozy Dice is an easy-to-learn dice strategy game enjoyed by all ages (in our family grandma liked it BEST). There are 26 doozy combinations you roll and attempt to get. The combinations are demonstrated on cards (shuffled each time), and each player attempts to get five of the combinations in each game with the fewest number of rolls possible. It is reminiscent of Yahtzee, but the combinations add to the fun as it is truly a new game every time you play. Purchase Doozy Dice online.
Spoof
Spoof is a fun bluffing board game where payers make up answers to questions such as "_______ is the national bird of Japan." The key is that each answer must be only one word. Players then guess which answer is correct and points are awarded both for correct guesses and for fooling friends. This game takes about thirty minutes to play making it a nice simple game for family night. Purchase online here.
Double Ditto
Double Ditto is an easy-to-learn game that is GREAT for parties and family gatherings and can be played with groups (which can be hard to find!). Players write two answers to each prompt (i.e. Dangerous Jobs = Coal Miner and Marine). Unlike Scattergories, you want to have the same answer as others. You play 12 prompts each game and compare answers at the end to award points. The game goes quickly and is tons of fun. Purchase online here.
Don't Go Boom
Don't Go Boom is a creative card game where players attempt to earn the lowest score by totaling up the points on each player's minefield cards. Each card is worth a set point value and accomplishes different goals - look out for the Big Bad Bomb! This game moves quickly and holds attention well. Designed for ages 7_ and 2-6 players, this game can be played in about 25 minutes. This excellent game from Inspiration Play is available online here or on Amazon.
Playfinity's Backyard League Gaming Baseball
Playfinity’s Backyard League Gaming Baseball combines the game of catch with technology. The ball is connected to iOS and Android devices through a mobile app via Bluetooth. The Backyard League Gaming Baseball is the same size and weight as a regulation MLB baseball. It allows players to track different stats about each throw they toss and catch, such as speed, airtime, height, and transfer speed. Once players have tried all six games at least once, they’ll unlock the application’s League Mode, which allows them to compete against other players around the world by playing games and comparing stats. The Backyard League Gaming Baseball is designed for kids 6-14, and it offers 70 hours of playtime on a single-cell battery. Available at https://backyard-league.com/ and Amazon.
GiBoard Kids
GiBoards recently introduced a fun new collection: GiBoard Kids! These aren’t just any GiBoards - these are GiBoards sprinkled with heaps of creativity and a whole lot of playfulness—perfect for our tiniest adventure lovers. GiBoards are a fun, challenging, and safe-balance trainer. This modern take on a balance board is eye-catching and never boring! Strengthen your posture, fitness, and creativity - all while looking pretty cool doing so. The never-ending freestyle tricks and movements you can do are great for confined spaces, rain or shine. Made of high-grade, durable maple from sustainable cultivation in America, see why we people everywhere are adding Giboard to our wish list. Picture this: your little ones soaring through the galaxy on our Astronaut GiBoard. And for those energetic kiddos, they've got the cutest Monkeys GiBoard or a Play GiBoard for endless giggles and silliness! Or no matter the age, catch the wave of excitement with our Waves GiBoard! Available online at GiBoardUS.com.
Farkle
Farkle is the classic dice game that anyone can play. Roll the dice, take risks, and aim for the high score in this fast-paced, easy-to-learn game. Available at Farkle.