Toys to Talk About: Card Games

Blue Orange honors their home with a game about San Francisco. Spot it! San Francisco includes more than 50 landmarks, words, and iconic imagery of San Francisco. Fog or shine, get ready to spot what’s great in The City by the Bay. From hills to Haight Ashbury, sourdough to Sutro, this game has it all. There is always one, and only one, matching symbol between any two cards. Spot it to win. Skills: Visual Perception; Focus; Reaction Time.  Players: 2 to 8. Play Time: 10 - 20 Minutes. Contents: 55 Cards; Illustrated Rules. Launch date: Launch date: September 2012.

Pet Frenzied™ is frantic, furry fun for the whole family, where pets hide and players seek. It’s a get up and move, hide and seek, memory card game, where Seekers grab a House card and go in search of an adorable matching Pet card. Launch date: July 2012.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ Match and Munch Game uses the recognizable art from Eric Carle’s illustrated tale of The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ to help kids learn to identify healthy foods by practicing association and matching skills to help the caterpillar transform into a beautiful butterfly. The 55 food cards and 10 butterfly tokens are stored in the adorable caterpillar carrying case for easy transport and safe keeping. When kids are ready to play, each player receives 5 food cards to start and the remaining cards are placed in a pile. The goal is to complete a hand of either, five oranges, a hand of four strawberries and one apple, or a hand of three blueberries and two pears.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Crunch a Color Conversation Starters brings the whole family together at mealtime by inspiring creative thinking and healthy discussions. Chock-full of curious questions and delightful dilemmas, these 104 conversation starters help kids share their thoughts, grow their ideas, and make mealtime fun. Developed with teachers, parents and kids, Crunch a Color® Conversation Starters spark interesting, open-ended discussions that are engaging for kids (and adults) of all ages.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
— As of 1/17/2013 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com.

Players pick and discard through a full deck as they try to get one of the three combinations to shoot for a goal. Each team has 11 players, 3 super-subs and a coach. Enjoy light and fun strategy as the shooter and keeper try to outsmart each other on shot attempts. There are three ways to shoot for a goal: Collect 3 positions (Striker/Midfield/Defender) or collect any 4 jerseys in your team or collect 3 jerseys that add up to 30 points or more. Kids are using simple math skills while having fun.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Cross-curricular games packed with 500 grade-level questions. Players spin to see which category their challenge will come from: Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies or Mystery Meat. Players must read the statement in the corresponding category on their card and then determine whether it is true or baloney (false). Points are given for correct answers. Each game includes 200, 4-1/4" -dia. cards, spinner and directions.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Uncover a murder most foul by revealing six story elements that together describe the deadly deed and spell the word MURDER. But take care that opponents can't do the same. Take their letters, counter their actions, or call on a waiting Crow to influence the murder before they do. At any moment a well-played card can shift the balance and seal someone's fate. Murder of Crows is a fast-paced card game for 2 to 5 players that's quick to learn and features atmopheric art by Dungeoneer illustrator Thomas Denmark. A game typically lasts 15 to 20 minutes, and is designed for ages 13 and up. Launch date: August 2012.

The Magic: The Gathering game expands every year, introducing new worlds filled with deadly perils, ancient adversaries, and fantastic new adventures. At its center is the Magic core set, the game in its purest form: evocative spells, menacing creatures, and infinite possibilities. But even at its core, the experience is ever-changing. The Magic 2013 Core Set boldly continues this tradition. Includes 249 Total Cards, 15 Mythic Rares, 53 Rares, 60 Uncommons, and 101 Commons. Launch date: July 13, 2012.
— Bryan Raddatz, manager of The Time Machine in Manchester, Conn., told TDmonthly that their best selling item is Magic the Gathering from Wizards of the Coast. They sell up to 900 units a month when a new release comes out.

Players spin the spinner on their turn, then roll the dice. Players have 3 rolls or less to match the rummy hand on the spinner – but look out for a bonus or penalty that can help or hurt. Win the most points and win the game. When players are done, they can use the dice to play a different game. Game Contents: 9 Square Shooters® dice, spinner, dice cup, and scorepad.
Awards: 2012 Creative Child Magazine Game of the Year Award; Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner