Father-son team develops board game

Valparaiso High School student Austin Shingler and three of his friends spent many hours of their spring break playing Time Soldiers, a newly developed board game.

"Clue: The Movie" Poster

"Clue: The Movie" featured an all-star cast for the 1985 film by Paramount Pictures and the marketing line: "It's not just a game anymore."

OFFBEAT: Lake Central grad brings dinner murder show to Teibel's

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Hungry Hungry Herd: Farmville

Hungry Hungry Herd: Farmville - - Recommended for ages 4 and older and two to four players, remember Hungry Hungry Hippos? Using the same popular idea of gobbling combined with farm grazing and adding the "Farmville" tag in homage to the phone app, this time it's a horse, pig, cow and sheep …

Words with Friends Board Game

Words with Friends - - For ages 13 and older and for two to four players, what started as the popular phone app by Zynga is now available minus the screen using the "old school" design of a board with panels. Even the "bonus spaces" for "double word" or "triple letter" options are there to entice.

Candy Land Disney Princesses

Candy Land Disney Princesses - - Recommended for ages 3 and older and two to four players, the sweet adventure to the Candy Castle now includes all of the favorite Disney royalty, like Snow White, Tiana, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Ariel as the fairy tale favorites all compete to reach the ca…

Holiday activities can be educational as well

Many of the activities families already do over the holidays are the ideal occasions to incorporate lessons taught during the school year and keep kids' minds sharp while out of the classroom.

"The Cupcake Race" Game

Endless Games, $19.99, Ages 4 and older "The Cupcake Race"

"Modern Family Game" inspired by the ABC TV series

Pressman Toy Corp., $17.99, Ages 10 and older "Modern Family Game" inspired by the ABC TV series

Leaving tech out of the toy box

In Christmas Past, children would find simple gifts under the tree such as pickup sticks and board games. Computers have made games an electronic spectator sport today, but there are signs of some pushback.

Leaving tech out of the toy box

In Christmas Past, children would find all sorts of simple games under the tree: Tiddlywinks, pickup sticks and board games could amuse young minds for hours.