the Review Source
Games and puzzles for Families - great for gifts and for family entertainment!
With the economy as it is families will be looking for affordable entertainment and ways to spend time together . . . one of the best options is to build a big selection of games and puzzles to use as a family and to give to others as gifts! Games and puzzles tend to be quite affordable and once you have them you have unlimited opportunities for entertainment and togetherness! When gift-giving opportunities arise in the coming year, give a gift of a game or a puzzle to the entire family - you could add popcorn, or cookies for more fun, but games and puzzles make excellent gifts! Consider some of the following -
Hasbro/Parker Brothers
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Clue Express |  |
Battleship Express | ||
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Sorry Express |  |
Scrabble Express | ||
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Ages - 6+ 2-4 players |
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Favorite Features -
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20 minute games
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game pods keep everything together
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rules are easy to follow - similar to full-size/full-length games with a unique new twist
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several have options for two ways to play
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encourages deducing, paying attention, counting, strategy, color recognition, reading/spelling
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Favorite classic games in new, fresh and unique shorter versions! Collect all five - Monopoly Express is also available and was reviewed in our '08 Holiday Gift Review - or select just your favorites! Great games to have on hand at grandma and grandpa's home! Extremely well done!
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Cranium Ages
- 6 to adult |
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Favorite Features -
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20 minute game
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unique, fun game for the entire family
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encourages strategy
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Cranium Ages 3+ |
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Favorite Features -
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game is a book with a spinner built in
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Opps 'n Daisy dolls included
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encourages color/shape/pattern recognition, counting, matching, pre-reading skills and imagination
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Use your imagination to involve kids in finding more items in the book and get them up and moving like the animals they will find! Extremely well done!
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Cranium Polar Bear A-B-C |
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Cranium Duck Duck 1-2-3 |
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Ages 3+ |
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Favorite Features -
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10 minute games
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simple and fun with activity
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Polar Bear game encourages word identification, spelling, fine motor skills and letter/sound recognition and Duck game encourages counting, fine motor skills, color recognition and working together
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These games are a fun must-have for any young family! Little ones will learn while they play and have fun! Great way for parents - and grandparents - to interact with their toddlers/preschoolers! Tremendously well done!
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Cranium Ages 4+ 1-6 players |
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Favorite Features -
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active fun for all
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encourages color/object/shape recognition, creative movement, musical/rhythmic expression, listening skills and playing together
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This game is full of active fun! Kids will learn as they move, spin, dance their way through the game! Extremely well done!
Endless Games
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Bullies! Ages
6+ |
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Favorite Features -
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unique bull shaped "dice"
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simple game
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encourages math skills
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Unique game will have kids trying again and again to get the best rolls!
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Headbanz for Kids! Ages 7+ 2-6 players |
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Favorite Features -
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15 minute games
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bilingual cards - English and Spanish
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encourages reading, thinking, language and drawing conclusions
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This game will have kids thinking and laughing as they figure out what "they are"! Tremendously well done!
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Hooked on Phonics Ages
- 3-6 |
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Favorite Features -
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active learning game
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encourages letter name/sound recognition, simple spelling, first letter rhyming and word play
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two levels of play
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Kids will move a lot as they learn their letters, sounds and how to spell!
Find it Games
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Find it Ages 8-98 |
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Favorite Features -
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lots of options for individual or family play
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encourages paying attention
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almost impossible to put down!
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This is an absolute must-have for any family! We reviewed the Original, On a Bird Watch and Sports Find it's and love them all! Put this on your list for each family on your list - add some home-baked goodies and you have a gift the recipients will enjoy now and for years to come! Unique, fun, engaging and an excellent balance of easy to find objects with difficult to find objects - you can't go wrong with Find it! Tremendously well done!
Buffalo Games
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Audubon |
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Favorite Features -
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500 pieces
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crisp, clear photo - beautiful
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made in the USA
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includes bonus poster and information about cardinals
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Photomosaics - Cars Mater & McQueen |
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Favorite Features -
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300 pieces
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includes a bonus poster
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made in the USA
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Unique puzzle with thousands of mini movie cells that combine to make the puzzle picture!
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Old World Map |
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Favorite Features -
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2000 pieces
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includes a poster
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made in the USA
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view of the world from 1587 - 1638
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Great puzzle for families to work on for an extended time - also allows them to talk about and learn how the view of our world has changed over the years! Ideal puzzle to preserve and hang on your wall!
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3-D |
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Favorite Features -
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530 numbered pieces
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includes a holder for completed puzzle
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made in the USA
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Unique and challenging puzzle - even non-fans of puzzles will find this puzzle interesting! Fun to display when completed - sure to generate conversations!
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Nacho Loco Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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bi-lingual in English and Spanish
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encourages logic, strategy and math
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Monster Maker Ages
6+ |
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Favorite Features -
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includes a booklet - meet the monsters - for added fun
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encourages strategy and reading skills
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Visual Eyes Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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unique, fun and challenging
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great group game
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encourages thinking and writing skills
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I've never seen a game like this! The dice are unique and the challenge to think creatively certainly makes this a game sure to involve a lot of laughing!
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Likewise Ages
12+ |
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Favorite Features -
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unique
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encourages thinking and creativity
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This game is one families and friends will enjoy because not only do they have to think of an answer, but they have to know the people they are playing with so they can think of an answer they think the others will also choose! Fun and sure to involve laughing!
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Ruin Ages
10+ |
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Favorite Features -
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most unique and very fun
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encourages strategy
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Interchangeable game board - not your typical game, but certainly one sure to be a family favorite!
University Games
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Beware of the Dog Ages
5+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages counting, color/number recognition and fine motor skills
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unique and fun
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Children will find this dog is one they enjoy trying to take bones from!
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Brown Bear Brown Bear Ages 2+ |
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Favorite Features -
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story and puzzle in one
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sturdy board book/puzzle on a link - easy to take along for fun on the go
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encourages recognition of colors and animals
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| Origami Page-A-Day Calendar |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages fine motor skills, day/date and following direction
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wide variety of origami projects
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clear drawings for each step of each project
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each project folded on he page from previous day
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Fun for the entire family or a great gift for the family member with a desk!
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impossible puzzles |
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Favorite Features -
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Cow Country and Something Fishy puzzles
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750 pieces
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no edges and five extra pieces make these incredibly difficult puzzles
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cookies and milk hidden in the cow puzzle and a cat hidden in the fish puzzle
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Unique, challenging, frustrating, but extremely rewarding puzzle project for the family to work on together!
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Secret World Puzzles - Ages 5+ |
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Favorite Features -
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100 pieces
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finished puzzle has 30 images hidden in puzzle - shown around the edges of the puzzle
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includes a magnifying glass to help find the hidden images
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Fun for children - able to put together in a short amount of time and then children can have the fun of finding the hidden creatures! Unique twist on puzzles!
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Dangerous Book Ages 8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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everything you need for 10 tricks
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includes diagrams, props and directions
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encourages following directions and fine motor skills as well as creativity and showmanship
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Elementary age boys will love this magic kit!
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The Official Handy Game - Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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boys learn and show their expertise in many areas - codes, nature, brain teasers, magic tricks and more
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fun for boys and their dads
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Boys should be able to be boys and do the things boys used to learn and do as they grew up! This game incorporates information from The Dangerous Book for Boys and puts it in a fun game format!
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Fancy Nancy Dress-Up Game Ages
3+ |
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Favorite Features -
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no reading required
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colorform fun
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encourages taking turns and being "fancy"
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This is the perfect game for little girls who like to be girls!
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Kids on Stage Bible Charades Ages
3-8 |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages confidence and communication
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easy to learn and play
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fun for the family
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Fun way for a family to review Bible lessons!
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The Very Hungry Ages
3+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages color, counting and fine motor skills
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children will enjoy watching caterpillars become butterflies:^)
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Fun first board game for little ones and their parents!
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Five Little Monkeys Ages
3+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages counting, strategy and fine motor skills
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no reading required
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children are able to act out taking a bath, putting on their pj's, brushing their teeth and going to bed
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Active game for little ones from the favorite poem - Five Little Monkeys! Fun for the entire family!
Blue Orange Games
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Pengoloo Ages
4+ |
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Favorite Features -
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wooden pieces add a nice quality to this game
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encourages color recognition, counting and memory skills
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plays in 10 to 15 minutes
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Very nice game - fun wooden penguins - just watch to be sure children do not put the wooden eggs in their mouths as they could be a choking hazard.
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Double Shutter Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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plays in 10 to 20 minutes
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encourages math and strategy
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contained game - play anywhere and on the go!
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Quality game with wooden parts all in a tin! Great way for families to review math with children and make numbers fun!
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Bendomino Ages
5+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages strategy, color/number recognition
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simple classic game with a "twist"
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quality bendomino tiles with a nice weight to them
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Anyone on your list who enjoys dominos will love this game! Great fun for the entire family!
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Chicky Boom Ages
4+ |
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Favorite Features -
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illustrated, easy to follow rules
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average game takes about 10 minutes
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encourages taking turns, strategy, math skills and understanding "balance"
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solid wood pieces painted bright colors combine for a quality game
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Fun game for the family to enjoy together! Tremendously well done!
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YamSlam Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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quality construction with shaped play tin, chips and die
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easy to play and definitely fun to play
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encourages strategy, math skills and decision making
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Similar to the classic favorite, Yahtzee, this game is sure to be a hit with all who play! Tremendously well done!
Serendipity Puzzles
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Family Puzzles |  |
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Favorite Features -
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each puzzle includes large pieces for children and small pieces for adults
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"green" puzzles made from recycled paper/chipboard and soy ink as well as fair-labor standards
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made in the USA
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especially liked -
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The Yellow Brick Road - 399 pieces
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Snow in the park - 550 pieces
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Choose me - 1000 pieces
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Perfect for a family gift! Include backing paper so families can preserve their creations!
Discovery Bay Games
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Barista Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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classy looking quality game
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dice/card game all about coffee!
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encourages strategy
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Fun choice for the coffee lover on your list! Add a bag of your favorite coffee for a great gift! Tremendously well done!
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Scoop Ages
- 8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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easy to learn and play
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unique, quality game with dice and cards
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encourages matching skills and paying attention
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advanced play option
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This is a very fun, fast-moving game for the entire family! Include gift cards to a local ice cream shop for a game the entire family will love! Tremendously well done!
GameWright
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This Big! Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages counting, decision making and strategy
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rules in English and Espanol
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easy to follow, fun to play
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Attractive design, fun game plays in about 15 minutes! Extremely well done!
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Too Many Monkeys - Ages
6+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages number sequencing and probability
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rules in English and Espanol
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Sure to involve lots of laughing, this game plays in about 20 minutes! Extremely well done!
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Walter Wick Ages
4+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages matching, visual discrimination, counting and paying attention
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no reading required
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easy and fun to play
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rules in English and Espanol
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Fun game for families with young children to all enjoy together. Takes about 10 minutes to play. Tremendously well done!
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Polar Derby Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages probability, addition, strategy and choices
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rules in English and Espanol
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unique design and fun to play
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Unique game takes about 20 minutes to play! Kids will love the design and pieces to this game! Tremendously well done!
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Ring-O Flamingo Ages
6+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages adding and hand-eye coordination
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rules in English and Espanol
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I love the unique design to this game - the flamingos and 'gators add an unique aspect of fun to this game! Children will truly enjoy trying to "ring" the flamingos - laughing is a given for this game! Extremely well done!
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Pool Sharks Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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encourages strategy and hand-eye coordination
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rules in English and Espanol
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Fun design kids will love this game! The "shark shooters" were a huge hit with the kids I had review this game! This mini-pool table design is perfect - kids readily recognized it as a pool game and thought the smaller size added to the fun! Great for family fun - add some munchies for a game the whole family will love! Tremendously well done!
USAopoly Games
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M&M |
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Eagles Football Yahtzee |
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Ages 8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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love the M&M die:^)
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travel design make this game very portable
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includes shaker, die, rules, pencil and score pad
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encourages strategy, adding, decision making and fun
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Long a family favorite, the M&M and Football designs make this a Yahtzee sure to be played and enjoyed by any who receive it! Excellent traditional family game with a great design twist! Add munchies for the perfect family gift! Tremendously well done!
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Wizard of Oz Ages
9+ |
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Favorite Features -
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collector's edition
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Life set in the "Land of Oz"
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encourages strategy, adding and making choices
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Everyone remembers the traditional game of Life, this game of Life adds features and characters from the movie classic, The Wizard of Oz for a similar, yet new game. I like the way they creatively integrated the movie into this game, but do find the rules are a bit confusing - it does take some time to learn how to play this new Life game. However, if you have a family on your gift list who loves the movie, this is a game you could give as a family gift they will be sure to enjoy! Extremely well done!
Master Pieces
| World's Smallest 1000 Piece Puzzle | |||
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| Homecoming |
Canterbury Creek |
Watching Over the Bay |
Good Neighbor |
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Favorite Features -
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artwork by Tom Antonishak and Bonnie White
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enlarged puzzle image included with each puzzle
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finished size is 16.54" x 11.7"
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each puzzle comes in an attractive storage tin
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3-D Pyramid Puzzle |
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Favorite Features -
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365 cork/paper puzzle pieces
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65 piece base with instructions, fun facts as well as the history and mystery of the pyramids
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unique, challenging and fun
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I enjoyed this puzzle - very colorful and pretty, but found you have to be very careful taking it apart as the cork tears easily. The unique design of this puzzle allows it to be completed into a 3-D pyramid - tremendously well done!
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Giant USA Floor Map Ages 5+ |
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Favorite Features -
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colorful map of the USA
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100 giant pieces
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each state includes it's capital and fun images
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Fun way for children to learn their states and capitals! Extremely well done!
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Forest Friends |
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| Undersea
Friends Wood Puzzle |
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Favorite Features -
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48 wood pieces
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colorful artwork
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fun facts about the forest/animals or ocean/fish under each piece
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Fun and educational - excellent first puzzle for children! Extremely well done!
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HeartLand Ages 12+ |
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Favorite Features -
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artwork by Bonnie White
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500 piece puzzle
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Big Picture Box - easier to see image detail
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colorful Americana art
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finished size - 21" x 15"
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Beautiful artwork - worthy of framing when completed! Extremely well done!
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Glow in the Dark Ages 13+ |
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Favorite Features -
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500 pieces
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made in the USA
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Big Picture Box - easier to see image detail
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recycled blue board
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high definition printing
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artwork by Steven Michael Gardner
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Very challenging and unique with the glow in the dark features this is a fun puzzle to make, and frame!
Mayfair Games
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Dino dice |
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Favorite Features -
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fun, colorful dino dice
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easy to play
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encourages strategy, choices and math skills
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portable fun
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I'd like this to have better packaging with some type of storage for the die, but overall, this is a fun game for the family to enjoy together! Extremely well done!
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Bison Ages
10+ |
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Favorite Features -
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90 minute game
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encourages strategy and patience
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illustrated instructions explain the game well
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quality design and attention to detail in pieces and parts of game
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Unique, interesting game transports players to another time and culture! Fun for the family - would make a great family gift! Tremendously well done!
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Anasazi Ages
10+ |
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Favorite Features -
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30 minute game
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encourages strategy and a curiosity for history
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illustrated instructions explain the game well
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quality design and attention to detail in pieces and parts of game
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Another unique, interesting game that transports players to another time and culture! Fun for the family - would make a great family gift! Tremendously well done!
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Hey! that's my fish! Deluxe! Ages
8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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20 minute game
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fun and easy to play - excellent instructions
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quality components and design - lots of colors!
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encourages strategy and math skills
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Fun game for the entire family to enjoy together! Crazy penguins and quality game pieces make this a game that will last . . . fun for grandparents to pull out and play with grandchildren and share stories about how their parents used to play it when they were young! Tremendously well done!
Creative Whack Company
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Ball of Whacks Ages 8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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30 colored magnetic pyramid pieces combine for a variety of challenging puzzle building challenges
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encourages creativity, imagination, thinking, relaxing and more
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includes a book with info and ideas on how to be challenged by the Ball of Whacks
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Fun gift for a parent or friend who works in an office!
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Unique building game - one the entire family will not be able to put down! Great fun! Tremendously well done!
| X-Ball Ages 8+ |
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Favorite Features -
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30 x-shaped magnetic pieces combine for a variety of challenging puzzle building challenges
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encourages creativity, imagination, thinking, relaxing and more
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includes a book with info and ideas on how to be challenged by the X-Ball
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Fun gift for a parent or friend who works in an office
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Unique building game - one the entire family will not be able to put down! Great fun! Combine with the Ball of Whacks for even more challenging building fun! Extremely well done!
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