As the holiday season approaches, families are gearing up for gatherings filled with laughter, joy, and of course, games. Whether you're looking for a new card game to enjoy with the kids or a challenging board game to test your logic skills, there are endless options to choose from. Gwen Ottenberg, owner of Imagine That Toys in Wichita, has been a game enthusiast for over 25 years and has some fantastic recommendations to make your holiday season even more fun.
When it comes to selecting games for family get-togethers, Ottenberg emphasizes the importance of finding games that are engaging for both kids and adults. "Games that are great to play with kids; where you don’t have to dumb down to play with them is even better. I think that’s a real category," she says. From single-player games to multiplayer party games, there is a wide range of options to suit every preference.
One of Ottenberg's top picks is Prime Suspect, a problem-solving logic game designed for ages 8 and up. In this game, players must arrange suspect cards into a grid using directional clues to determine the prime suspect. With 45 case cards ranging from easy to difficult, Prime Suspect offers hours of brain-teasing fun for the whole family.
For younger children, Ottenberg recommends Kitty Litter, a fast-paced matching game that comes in a unique packaging resembling a kitty litter container. Players race to match colorful tiles with adjacent colors, with the added twist of sending tiles to other players with a Cat Scratch match. This game is not only entertaining but also helps develop cognitive skills in young children.
If you're looking for a challenging puzzle game to test your logic skills, IQ Circle and its variants offer a stimulating experience for players aged 14 and up. With 120 challenges ranging from easy to expert, players must fit all the pieces onto a plastic game board to complete each challenge. Variations include IQ Square, IQ Hexagon, and IQ Pentagon, providing endless opportunities for strategic thinking and problem-solving.
As the holiday season approaches, consider adding some of these exciting logic games to your family's game night rotation. Not only will they provide hours of entertainment, but they will also help develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and cognitive function in players of all ages. So gather your loved ones, grab a game, and get ready to put your logic skills to the test this holiday season!