Top Board and Card Game Picks from #ChiTAG

This year, we once again popped into the Chicago Toy and Gaming Fair (ChiTAG) for the power of play and magic of invention (and to check out what the kiddos would gravitate towards this holiday season.)  Here's a few of our favorite finds for 2012:

My adventure began with the always engaging Bananagrams.  Found out that the bananas have been busy producing some sweet new fruits including the clever FRUITOMINOES (like dominos, but, yep, with fruits) and ZIP-IT, a high-speed, two-player game where opponents race to build word grids. All highly likeable and good for mega-fascinating hours of fun play time.

The next magnet proved to be Speed Stacks, which drew quite a crowd and plenty of interest from my little superheroes.  Found out that Speed Stacks were originally purposed for school physical education programs but due to popular have now made their way to the mainstream market.  The basic games is a challenge of speed and dexterity encouraging hand-eye coordination and right and left brain cooperation.  Could also make for an interesting party night activity (just say'n) and is certainly a win with the little 'uns.

The surprise game of the day that drew my sons' undivided attention was Albert's Insomnia.  It was interesting (and I was delighted) to see an intense math game have this much appeal and it didn't take long to figure out why.  Albert's Insomnia draws the game player in with a few easy math hooks then gradually get more and more challenging until every player is completely immersed in the game play, discussing options and solving complex patterns.  Anything that encouraging math and problem solving skills is a win with me - you can bet it in the Christmas stocking this year!

A total thrill moment of the day was to discover human-sized Morphology set. As you may recall, Morphology made our Hot Toys for 2012 list and is definitely ranking tops on our preferred family game night go-to game.  I totally want a life size play set and rumor has it, that might be a future possibility... let's hope!

Perplexus, voted best game of ChiTAG in 2011, had no problems grabbing attention again this year, only this time there's a new twist.  Perplexus Twist has players encountering traps, cliffhangers and dead ends then having to twist their way out by realigning the tracks within the shell. We agree with the company, this is a great new dimension for the Perplexus Family of toys.

And (no surprise to me) I had to pry my sons away from the Top Trumps station near the end.  Top Trumps have been a favorite for many years and the universe continues expand with goodies.  ChiTAG featured a special Chicago Top Trump edition but the Star Wars Trumps still remain our favorites and the new DC Universe Heroes and Villains certainly caught our undivided attention.