Best Games of 2007

If you liked Cranium, you have to try out the new version, Cranium Wow. With a brand new look which is super trendy, Cranium Wow aims to become a best seller this holiday season. The Cranium Wow game aims to promote teamwork, build social skills and discover hidden talents. The object of the game is to work on the activities from all four areas before the timer runs out and reach Cranium Central, the center of the board. The activities include answering questions, sculpting objects, sketching pictures, and many more fun-filled tasks. The game includes approximately 600 cards (4 card decks) and there are 15 activities based on which one would have to be completed in order to move forward.

GameWright’s Luck of the Draw is another one of GameWright’s excellent quality board games. The Luck of the Draw is a hoot and has tremendous potential to really liven up any gathering. If you have artistically challenged people in your group, it's even better! The aim of the game is draw your masterpiece based on a subject card that you pull from a stack. Your drawing has to be completed in 45 seconds. The players have to vote on which category, among 100 different categories such as neatest, tallest or prettiest drawing, fits the drawing. You will have fun with this one and don’t have to be an artist to win. Meant for ages 10+ and priced at $14.

I love Hot Spot! Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for games of logic. The game pieces are built like robots and the game itself revolves around the concept that robots move in a straight line. The goal is to get the red robot to the “hot spot” which is the red spot on one corner of the board. There are other blue and yellow robots that the robot can jump over to get to his goal. You have to figure out the most economical way to get to the Hot Spot. The board is designed as a carrying case, so that when you're done playing, you can pack all cards and pieces back inside the case, making it easy to cart around. With a MSRP of $16.99, it is easy on the budget as well.

Briarpatch's I Spy Eagle Eye Game expands on the immensely popular I Spy series of books. The aim of the game is to match one of the objects from the cards in your hand to the ones on the game board. Whoever finds an object first rings the bell and wins the round. This game promises to be a lot of fun for two or more players. Although this product is intended for ages 5+, even 3-4 year olds will enjoy playing this I Spy game.

When you think of a game like chess, what comes to your mind? Seriousness, patience, silence – none of which will appeal to a child. So, how do you get your child to develop an interest in chess? Try WonderChess which will keep your child interested by virtue of the little “surprises” that are in store for him/her. The chess pieces open to reveal “prizes” which can be anything you want (and which fit inside, of course). Kids look forward to capturing the pieces and claiming their prizes. This little addition to the game of chess really goes a long way in capturing the interest of the child. If chess is not your thing, then try WonderGo, based on Go, an ancient game of strategy, which has the same “prize” pieces concept as WonderChess.

I grew up with Nancy Drew and her thrilling mysteries, and I was pretty excited to try out this DVD game. One of the things which appealed to me instantly is that this game does not require a computer. Simply insert the DVD in a DVD player, grab the remote and get ready to play. The mystery revolves around Blackmoor Manor, an old English mansion. Players have the opportunity to find clues and interact with other characters in the Manor to solve the mystery. There is a junior level for newbies and advanced level for seasoned ‘Senior detectives’. Players can use their remote to interact, move and play the game. The detailed environment and cast of characters makes you feel like you’re really in Blackmoor Manor.

Hasbro’s iconic board game Monopoly regularly comes out in different themes, all with the same concept. However, the Pink Boutique Edition of Monopoly is unlike any other edition. The Pink Boutique Edition is clearly meant for little girls, ages 8+. Lots of things in this game have been changed, so either you love it or you hate it! Instead of houses, you can buy malls, go on shopping sprees, even pay cell phone bills. The houses and hotels have been replaced by colorful malls and boutique-shaped tokens. Similarly, the Chance and Community cards are replaced with Text and Email Message cards. Best of all, this pink board is stored in a pink box that doubles as a jewelry box as well. Even the monopoly money is redesigned. Priced at $29.99.

This simple game is so much fun that I spent hours playing it with my children. The object of the game is to find 5 of the same type of cookies from the realistic and rather yummy looking cookie cards. You can do this by tossing the dice and passing cards to your neighbor, swapping with an opponent, or by stealing the milk. And in case you roll “Toss All”, be ready for the cookie grabbing and throwing frenzy that will derive squeals of laughter and excitement from your kids. Playing time is approximately 15-20 minutes. This game is meant for 3-8 players of ages 8 to adult.

Good games for preschoolers are hard to find. That's why I was excited when I came across the Thomas the Tank Engine Making Tracks game from Briarpatch. Simple enough for preschoolers to follow, the Thomas the Tank Engine game involves building a train track all the way to the train shed. Two to four players (above the age of 4) can play this board game. The kids have to spin the spinner which tells them the section of train track they are allowed to pick out. If the track happens to fit the spot they're at, they can build up their track. Otherwise the next player gets a chance to play. The track pieces are constructed in such a way that they insert right into the board.