The following is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Some of my warmest childhood memories involve playing games with my parents and two sisters.
Whether it was a marathon game of Monopoly, poker, or charades, I clearly remember a lot of laughter and enjoying the time with my family.
As my sisters and I got older and started to leave the nest one at a time,our game nights eventually dwindled down to the occasional game that included college friends, boyfriends, and later husbands.
When Joe and I had the children, I had fantasies of fun-filled family nights around the dining room table playing board games. But that really hasn’t worked out the way I planned.
Some of that has to do with the age span of our kids. With our oldest, Tom, being 15 and our youngest Peter, nine, finding a game that appeals to both of them can be difficult.
We also have the added challenge of having a 12 year old who is a very girly girl. If something doesn’t have a princess on it Lizzy isn’t very interested. Her special needs also add a complexity to shared family entertainment.
But other things get in the way, too. The boys have a fondness for computer games, which means they aren’t always interested in things that aren’t high tech. And Joe has a long commute that has him getting home after 9:00 most weeknights.
Lets face it, my dream of the family playing a board game together has been just that, a dream.
That’s why I was very intrigued when Rob Appleblatt, creator of the new Pressman game, Tic Stac Toe, reached out to me about his 3D version of the old childhood classic. Unlike the game most of us learned when we were pre-schoolers, Tic Stac Toe uses pieces that interlock and can be played on a three-dimensional board. The formerly simple game takes on new complexity and allows players of different ages and skills to have fun.
I admit I did feel a bit like Jane Goodall when I started setting up the game for the first time: suddenly the kids surrounded me and wanted to know what I was doing. Tom went so far as to take his headphones off and put his iPhone down. At no time did anyone fight as we were playing.
We had so much fun playing it that I decided to take the game over to my parents’ house when we went there for dinner. It was such a treat watching my kids play with my mother and father. I love the fact that Tic Stac Toe can be as complicated or as simple as the skill of the players playing it.
Lizzy played with my mom and when she won we cheered so loud I’m sure they heard us on the other side of the planet.
But it was also fun to watch my dad and Tom play for about half an hour, literally taking the game to new levels.
We all had a ball and loved playing Tic Stac Toe. You can find it at stores such as Target and Toys R Us as well as online here. You can also follow them on Facebook and Pinterest.
At a time when kids are attached to their gaming devices and parents are busy on their computers and phones, it’s nice to know that some old fashioned low tech fun can still be had, especially for families like mine.
You know, I’m not really a board game kind of girl, but this actually looks challenging, which would keep me interested. I may have to go out and buy it for those times when we are not all staring at a screen of some sort.
Lisa it really is fun! I am not very skilled at board games but it was fun and my parents who are big game people loved it!! And it’s true, it is nice to do something that doesn’t revolve around a screen! xo
I am pathetically competitive about games, even Tic Tac Toe. This seems like the perfect way to ratchet up the tension in my household! (It really does look like fun.)
Jess it’s really fun!! 🙂
I actively loathe most board games..with a few exceptions. This looks interesting, though. Working out a puzzle is so much more fun than rolling dice and moving a piece of plastic.
Michelle recently posted…Happy F’ckin Holidays With Priscilla
Michelle this was fun, if you like puzzles you might like this because you work on different levels.
My parents didn’t play, but M and I played during the first years of our marriage and we still do–Scrabble. That game looks like it would be a lot of laughs!
Carol Cassara recently posted…Call for fun cocktails
My mother-in-law buys a board game each Christmas and cajoles us into playing it – I will definitely tell her about this one!
Dana recently posted…The completely selfish gift guide: My Love List
This looks fun. We have a whole game closet (with a family of seven, we need to keep busy “on the cheap”) and this looks like a great addition. Putting it on the Christmas list today. Thanks for sharing!!
That actually sounds like a lot of fun. My kids love playing Tic Tac Toe when we are out at restaurants waiting for our food. And they’re 11 & 13. It’s a timeless game. And I’m always looking for ANYTHING that will get my kids off their devices. Looking into Tic Stack Toe for X-mas.
One Funny Motha recently posted…Better Know A Blogger: Becoming SuperMommy
I loved playing board games with my kids. This sounds great Kathy.
Sure looks like you all had a ball!
[email protected] recently posted…Panera Egg White, Avocado and Spinach Power Breakfast Sandwich (Copycat)
Cool game idea!
I seriously cannot wait to try this with my family this weekend, especially after seeing your post here today. Thank you again Kathy and hugs to you today!!! 🙂
Janine Huldie recently posted…Frozen on Ice with The Princesses Wonderful Wednesday Style Plus Giveaway
I am so excited about this game! My son has just discovered TicTacToe and I think he will think this is the coolest thing ever. What a great family game and thanks so much for the introduction!
Meredith recently posted…The Homey Happy Hour
That looks so fun! I love Pressman games like Mastermind!
This looks awesome! We love Board Games at my house! And this adds a whole new dimension to the game!
Darcy Perdu (So Then Stories) recently posted…What Chinese Character Does YOUR Furrowed Brow Form?
My kids would love it. Another fun games for various ages is Apples to Apples.
Stacey Gustafson recently posted…How to Be a Guest on Blog Talk Radio
Looks like a fun game!
Rena McDaniel recently posted…HOW MY LIFE WENT SO WRONG! PT. 1 MY LIFE SERIES
Hi Kathy – board games were also very much a part of my childhood. I have a fond memory of dumping all of the monopoly pieces over my sister’s head in frustration because she owned so many more properties than me! Other favorites were “Sorry”, “Rummy Kub”, and lots of card games! Loved the pix of your kids with your parents!