’Round and ‘round’ we go
Whether it’s sports, vehicles, or just the circle of life, we can’t get enough of round things — wheels, balls, etc. Here are a few fun games that get you and your family on a delightful roll toward having fun together.
Bubble Pong (Gazillion)
Imagine a rousing game of beer pong (which you would never play with your children, of course), but without the beer. Two players bounce ping pong balls into their opponent’s side of the game console to score points and blast each other with bubbles. Or, skip the pong part and just use the console as a bubble machine — and who doesn’t love bubbles? Batteries required, but not included. For ages 3+. About $20.
GraviTrax Starter Set (Ravensburger)
What a cool toy. Within seconds of opening the box, you and your little engineer can be well on your way to building amazing marble runs. As you might guess from the name, gravity plays a major role, but you’ll also get a chance to see some of the other laws of physics in action. Curves and junctions increase friction, thereby reducing speed, but freefalls and cannons add speed and force, and magnets turn everything on its head. Comes with more than 100 modular pieces, and a variety of expansion kits (purchased separately) will enable you to build bigger, taller, faster, more exciting runs. Also comes with a well-put-together instruction booklet. For ages 8+. Under $58.
Word A Round 2 (Think Fun)
This sequel to Word A Round (which we reviewed here several years ago) comes with 100 cards and a total of 300 new words. You can also combine this new game with cards from the original. The object is simple: flip over the card and read the word. But with the letters arranged in a circle with no spaces between them, figuring out where the word begins is fiendishly challenging — and quite entertaining. And while you might think short words would be easier to solve, they’re often even harder than longer ones. For two or more players, ages 10+. Under $13.
Take Along Labyrinth (Brio)
Remember that marble labyrinth game you had when you were a kid? This new one from Brio, which is aimed at toddlers, will bring back happy memories. Plus, its small size and sealed design (meaning no lost balls!) make it an excellent choice for road trips. The game is pretty self-explanatory and there are no complicated rules to learn, so kids can jump right in. For ages 3+. Under $32.
Disceez Flying Disc (Worx Toys)
Frisbees are great fun outside, but a little less great indoors. Disceez, however, are made to be tossed indoors or out. They come in three styles: Jellyfish are soft and especially easy to catch; Cuda is designed for longer, faster flights; and Cruiser is self-correcting and great for stunts. All three are completely impact safe, meaning that they won’t do any damage to windows, Ming vases, pets, or your face if you happen to misjudge your friend’s toss. Disceez Series 1 includes 24 cool, collectible designs, ranging from space kittens and flags to ghostly handprints and geometric patterns. For ages 4 and up. Under $6 each.