Families that are far more organized than ours have regular Game Nights. For us, the playing of games is usually sparked by the question, “So you wanna play a game or somethin’?” Remarkably, this happens with some regularity, so we are always on the lookout for a good game that requires a minimum of electricity and provides a maximum of fun. We do not denigrate competition and we like a game that interests everyone in the household, including guests of various ages (and attention spans).

In the interest of sharing, here are some of our better discoveries. The list goes beyond the usual manufacturers, but you ought to be able to order them through any of the local specialty stores or on the Internet (imagine that).

Fluxx (Looney Labs): “the card game with ever-changing rules”; truly fun for all ages because every turn gives you the opportunity to change the rules on your parents and really annoy them.
The Settlers of Catan (Mayfair Games): “a game of discovery, settlement, and trade”; wooden blocks make roads and buildings on an island that can change every time you play.
DinoHunt (Steve Jackson Games)” “bring ‘em back alive”; a card game with the type of detail and information to make any dino-phile happy.
Family Puzzle (F.X. Schmid): not an individual game, but a product line; 300-500 piece circular puzzles with pieces in three different sizes so each age group can work on part; well-made and assembly can last just long enough for everyone to chill out while you all listen to some cool music and sip a mellow beverage of your choice.
X-bugs (Steve Jackson Games): “microscopic mayhem”; tiddlywinks with insects and bedlam; not for the tiddly-challenged, but does not require literacy.

February, 2006

This week, a randomly selected nine-year-old and I will discuss the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. The books are a recent discovery in our household and seem to be catching on at school.

What made you start reading these books?
I did this summer reading thing and you could get a free book if you read eight books. I read eight books and they had the first Warriors book and some other books that weren’t so cool. I didn’t think the Warriors book was going to be so cool, but it was. If you want to know, it’s called Into the Wild. After I read that book, I kept looking for the other books since I liked it so much. The one I just finished was the third book: Forest of Secrets.

Why are the books called Warriors?
They’re about warrior cats that hunt and protect their clans. A clan is a group of wild cats who live together.

So there’s lots of violence?
Well, a lot of violence if you consider tons of cats scratching, shredding, biting, and tearing each other to pieces.

So you don’t think that’s a lot of violence?
Nope, compared to some things that I’ve seen.

Exactly what have you seen?
Well, on some kids shows.

What kids shows?
Teen Titans, Justice League Unlimited,… and that’s it. But you don’t have to worry about the cats using bad language. They only use semi-rude words. And some parts are sad.

Who do you think would enjoy the books?
People who like cats and adventure.

September, 2005

We admit it, all right! Here at Family Valued Central, we have not spent as much on Research & Development as we should have. Instead, we spent time cleaning the bathroom and polishing the fine silver. But no longer! Let loose the dogs of toilet bowl mold! We have rededicated ourselves to research! And in the interest of generally raising the discourse here, we have settled into our La-Z-Boy chairs and popped in a DVD.
Extensive inquiries have provided the following list of movies that children apparently love and yet, they don’t always see. Let’s face it, we worry too much about the latest blockbuster and too little about replacing crap with quality (or at least it’s vague approximation). Some films reference mature subject matter, but the toddlers that went to The Matrix, Spiderman, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Austin Powers probably won’t notice. But they will like these movies.
Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955) – most consistently funny of the Abbott and Costello films; Bud and Lou find themselves pursued by an Egyptian cult for a special medallion linked to a walking mummy
The African Queen (1951) – Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn; World War I on a boat on an African river with a missionary and a drunk
The Wizard of Oz (1939) – everyone has not seen it; Dorothy gets caught in a bad storm and finds that she’s not in Kansas anymore
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) – Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor ensure that everyone in the room will try to dance at some point soon; the best movie about movies and it’s a riot
Young Frankenstein (1974) – for anyone who loves Goosebumps and its ilk; Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder recreate the classic tale in the funniest movie ever made
The Princess Bride (1987) – William Goldman adapts his book for an all-star cast; a classic fairy tale with more adventure than any three movies
Bringing Up Baby (1938) – Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant; screwball comedy with a dinosaur skeleton and a panther

February, 2006