Top 5 Tips for Keeping Kids Safe on Facebook

For parents that don’t use the Facebook, the amount of time teens, tweens, and even younger kids spend on the preeminent social network can be daunting. You might wonder if it’s safe for them to utilize this tool as a means of communicating with “friends”, many of whom could be strangers or even predators. Here are just a few and very easy ways to ensure your kids behave safely while using online social networking sites. (sponsored post) Continue reading

Forsooth Role Playing Game Review

Shakespeare’s stories have survived centuries of cultural change and yet still remain relevant. It is a true testament to Shakespeare’s ability to write stories about our human nature that we continue to republish his work, create movies from his stories, and pay scholars to ponder his words. It was only a matter of time before geeks got their hands on his work and made it a game. Honestly, surprised it took this long. Continue reading

Teaching Kids How to Recycle Old Electronics

The Electronic Revolution has often created conundrums for concerned parents, and yet the benefits to be gained from the many electronic gadgets heavily outweigh the possible drawbacks. Now our homes and lives are filled with electronics, but what do we do with them once the devices have outlived their usefulness or powered down for good? We have a few suggestions… (sponsored post) Continue reading

Pixel Lincoln Game Review (prepublished version)

Great Scott! Dastardly ne’er-do-wells have tinkered with the very fabric of time and space! The balance of existence is at risk and only one man can save us! Calling President Lincoln; you are needed! Equipped with only his wits, surprisingly amazing athletic ability, and a beardarang that defies logic, Lincoln boldly brings the fight to the enemy! If he succeeds, we are saved! If he fails, say good-bye to reality and what promised to be an important political career. Continue reading

Five Great Games That Teach Your Kids How to Handle Money

If our generation were asked what we wish our parents would’ve taught us while growing up, there would probably be an astounding number of people who would answer “money management”. With your kids, you now have an opportunity to “right some of the wrongs” that you experienced when it comes to the subject of handling money. One of the best ways to pass on this knowledge is to do it in a way that is both memorable and fun. For many children, this would be through playing games. (sponsored post) Continue reading

Five Easy Educational Games for Long Summer Car Trips

So, you’re gearing up for a family road trip, eh? You’ve got the iPods. You’ve got the cell phones. You’ve even got a couple of videos to take along. But back when you were growing up, you didn’t have these things to entertain you. No, you and your family had to find ways to pass the time by communicating with one another. It was a positive experience and you’d like for your kids to share it. Plus, just because they’re on summer break doesn’t mean that their brains should be. (sponsored post) Continue reading

The Great Fire of London 1666 Game Review

It was a simple and silly mistake that lead to the Great Fire of London in 1666. A baker carelessly left his oven fires burning and unattended. The flames escaped their coals and caught the baker’s house on fire. The fire spread quickly and soon engulfed Pudding Lane. The alarm was raised and the news spread quickly. When the ill tidings reached your ears, you quickly moved your family to safety and then focused on more pressing matters. Specifically, saving as much of your property as possible and doing it in a way that could win you favor in Londoners’ eyes. Truly, the ambitious make use of all opportunities. Continue reading

Halfling Heist Game Review

The Cockatrice Corral is known for two things: its outstanding menu that has culinary snobs feinting out of pure joy and the very high probability of anyone stepping through the door getting into a fight. It’s the food that keeps the clientele coming back, despite the very real chance they might leave with fewer teeth thanks to a lucky punch from another tavern patron. For a small band of Halflings, a visit to the Cockatrice Corral means a free meal, but not without risk. Being small has many advantages, but it also means you can be easily stepped on. The things some Halflings do for a really good Snot Goblin Stew… Continue reading

The Settlers of Catan Game Review

The small island of Catan is rich with natural resources. There is grass for the sheep, mountains for ore , deep forests for wood, hills for clay bricks, and the fertile soil makes for bountiful wheat harvests. You and your people have sailed across the waters to arrive at this small island with plans to make it your new home, but you are not alone. Others have also arrived with plans to settle this land and make use of its riches. Continue reading

Ace of Spies Game Review (prepublished version)

Espionage is a game where betrayal is a given. This makes it a lonely game for all to play, as there are no friends you can trust. The only thing you can depend on are your enemies because you know where they stand. No, it’s your supposed friends you have to be careful for. That nice waitress at the corner cafe and the kindly old man who feeds pigeons in the park could all be agents. The only way to survive is to be quicker, smarter, and more paranoid than everyone else. Welcome to the game, agent. Continue reading

Scallywags Game Review

I very much like this game. When I play it with my little geeks, it is an exercise in memorization and watching my children learn the subtle art of risk vs. reward, bluffing & misdirection, and ganging up on Daddy. When I play with casual gamers, it is a fun and relaxed game where we all laugh and roll our eyes at each other as we steal points and make bad decisions. When I play it with my Gamer Geek friends, it turns into a bloodbath and sharp words are exchanged at the table. Three very different game experiences with the same game. Games that can be played with such a wide group with different levels of experience and provide very different but always rewarding game play are rare. Continue reading