ToyFair 2013

At ToyFair this year, I worked hard to move out of my own comfort zone, to look at toys as well as games. As a result, I saw lots of products that I might not otherwise have seen. I also saw a ton of bows and crossbows. It seemed like everywhere I turned, someone was shooting something. I'm sure there's some kind of educational value there, but I couldn't figure it out, so I'll let you track down your own favorite way to release your inner Katniss.

Game Review: LeftSide RightSide

It was complete happenstance that I ran across one of the folks from LeftSide RightSide games at ChiTAG this year.  It was a polite hallway conversation that ended up being fortuitous for both of us.

Choosing the right educational game

by Ryan Rivera

Educational games develop a child’s natural curiosity and imagination, opening up their mind for the assimilation of new knowledge. Some educational games, however, do not an encouraging or positive learning experience. Others don't match the child’s intellectual capabilities.

3 Free Storytelling Games

by Anna Van Slee

Imbuing games with educational value while keeping them entertaining is no easy task. Fortunately, there is storytelling, e.g. movies, cartoons, books, webisodes, ebooks, web sites, apps, etc. Most of the entertainment that kids imbibe comes in the form of storytelling.

Playing Stories

by Brian Torney

I have a theory: If storytelling is how we pass down lessons, morals, beliefs, ideas, and learnings, then play is how young people safely implement and internalize those things.