Unless you have not been paying attention, you know very well by now that Father Geek is all about sharing our geeky passions with our children. We have also said, time and time again, that it is never too early to start doing so. Case in point, my recent visit to see my family in Washington. Continue reading
The designers of the Angry Birds: Knock on Wood game have created a fun translation from the video game and kept the theme intact. The components are well made for the age group and it has provided a decent level of fun for my family. I recommend this to anyone with little geeks who are also familiar with the video game or are looking for a worthwhile action/dexterity game. Continue reading
I really enjoy this game, and my kids do, too. The Omega Virus is a paragon of board game production value, through and through. The game is competitive. Only one player can defeat the virus, but if no player manages to do that before the time runs out, everybody loses. They just don’t make ‘em like this anymore. Continue reading
I thoroughly enjoy playing this family-oriented game. It is easy to explain, fun to play, and yet rewards those that concentrate on what is going on. Another huge bonus to the game is that it passed the mother-in-law test over the 4th of July holiday weekend and my 4 year old has fun playing the game with me. Continue reading
Our final review of 2011 Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year) nominees examines this game of bubble, bubble, toil and (above all) trouble! Magician’s Kitchen is a dexterity game with magnets – enough said? Sure, it sounds cool, but you know what would have been even cooler? Lasers! Magnetic lasers, even! Still, there is enough meat here for children, but not quite enough to keep adults engaged. Continue reading
The second of three reviews of Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year) nominees looks at Monster-Falle (“Monster-Trap”). This riotously fun cooperative dexterity game requires players to work in pairs to trap monsters, and there is no question that this will be a strong contender for the award. The additional dimension of cooperating with your neighbor makes this game a rare gem, indeed. Continue reading
While the production quality for these action figures cannot be argued, I am hard-pressed to call it a “kids toy”. These figures are destined to a place in my office where I worked out a pose with the Ultimate Warrior military pressing Randy as he begins his signature move, “The Ultimate Smash” — cuz you know, that’s just awesome. Continue reading
In the first of our reviews of the 2011 Kinderspiel des Jahres (Children’s Game of the Year) nominees, we look at this game about racing worms, with some betting thrown in for good measure. It is a simple game, with vibrant components and quick play, and is suitable for pre-schoolers. Continue reading
Castle Keep is a simple tile-laying game that plays like a multiplayer jigsaw puzzle. Although no Carcassonne, it has a short playing time and is suitable for pre-schoolers. Bet you can’t play just once! Continue reading
If you have not had the opportunity to participate in a White Elephant Gift Exchange, many would consider you lucky. I have participated in many a gift exchange thanks to working for a large international corporation with employees from many different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Since the White Elephant Gift Exchange is a silly little game at its core, it stands to reason that you could improve it, which someone did. Continue reading
Taken as a whole, it is simply incredible how many creative people are bent over their keyboards and devising ways to chuck dice and get treasure using pen and paper. If we could get even half of them to focus on world peace, I doubt we’d have wars in 20 years. And while that might sound like an unobtainable goal, I think it is well in bounds to suggest that the games listed will allow me to taste the thrill of the dragon hunt once more! Continue reading
My wife and I were of the same mind in regards to how television would not play any role in the upbringing of our children. We were high on our mighty horse and pontificated the benefits and righteousness of only using art, literature, and music to stimulate and accelerated the rapid growth of our children’s minds. Three children later and I now know better. Continue reading
