JuniorBookWorm.com

Blokus

The game Blokus should come with an addiction warning. It is a terrific game for children and adults. The addiction warning should only be for grown-ups. I think besides Monopoly, children rarely dwell over one game. The same is true with Blokus. They will tolerate playing it two or three times in succession. But when my partner and I play it, the plants die from not being watered, he grows a beard and our children plead for our attention. My friend Anne, who recommended the game, said she played it every night at the beach this summer, after the children went to bed. To understand how to play, check out the Blokus website.
It is easier to learn than chess and it is not always the genius in the room who has the advantage.

The Happy Puzzle Company

   

The Happy Puzzle Company is a new great find. All our local toy shops have closed down, save the lovely but very pc Cheeky Monkeys toy shop on Kensington Park Road. But if you are not looking for wooden toys and dress up clothes, you might not find what you are looking for. 
    The Happy Puzzle Company has a large range of games and puzzles. They are particularly good at family games, games you can entice your teenagers to play. My good friend Joelle once schooled me and my husband. She said, you will never regret having played too many games with your children. I think that is one of the best pieces of parenting advice I have been given.
    Even if you do not want to drag a board game on holiday, there are lots of fit in your pocket card games and brain teasers. They also have a good selection for the only child, the classic Rush Hour and Chairs, games they can play on their own.
    One word of warning, their check is tricky. If you do not confirm your selection after you choose it, it will not stay in your basket. So click, click again and keep shopping from there.

Downfall the Game

I have learned many things from volunteering in the children's ward at St Mary's Hospital in London. But probably the most useful bit of information is how important old fashioned game playing is for kids. As a result, I have tried to bring about a renaissance in my household. I hope to bring one about on this site too.
Downfall was the first game that I bought. I had never heard of it before I started playing it at Mary's, but it has been around for quite a few years. Its best feature is that it is easy to learn to play and hard to master. Our six year old likes it as much as our eleven year old. My husband and I have yet to play it against each other but we both secretly look foward to it.
    Downfall is played between two people. Each person's go affects both players. It is a blind race to bring your pieces from the top to the bottom.
    There has been a restyle which I find makes the game less stable. So, if you can find an older model on ebay or in a charity shop, grab it.