Do you have a gamer in your life? Wondering what to get them for an upcoming event or holiday? You’re in the right place!

If you’re not a gamer, you might not be sure what to give a gamer kid who loves specific games and nothing else. Do we just give them money to buy Vbucks in Fortnite? There are lots of ways we can support the gamers in our life without just giving money (although you can do that too!). This guide will hopefully give you some ideas of gifts that can supplement, compliment, or expand the interests of the gamer in your life

Here’s how this guide is structured:

This guide will suggest gaming consoles, games, accessories, board games, and non-gaming items that might be interesting for a person who likes video games. I won’t necessarily recommend every console or gaming accessory, but if you feel it’s the right fit for your family, go for it! This is a guide of recommendations for the average family, so it might not fit your family’s specific needs. That said, I think you’ll get something out of it

When possible, I will be using Amazon Affiliate thinks for these products. If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I did not start monetization until August 2022, but this blog post and all the links therein existed for 10 months previous, with nearly all the same products. I recommend these because I believe in them, and using these links is a way of compensating me for this effort. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking on these links will not add any cost to you and is one small way of supporting my work. Thank you for supporting me.

Remember- you’re the expert in your child

If a recommended game, console, or accessory doesn’t seem like something your child would be into, or something they’re ready for, that’s ok. Not every game will be a good fit for every family. You’re the expert on your child and their interests. Hopefully you can get some good ideas of potential gifts that will expand their gaming interests.

And with that…on to the gift guide!

Consoles

If you are considering a console for your family, my go-to recommendation is a Nintendo Switch. The Black Friday bundle is currently available and is the best deal year over year. Get it while you can! This is a great console that will grow with your family; it’s portable, you can play on the TV and then seamlessly move to the couch, you can take it on a plane, train, in a car, to the mountains, etc. It supports play with up to 4 people (and you can tether two Switches together and have groups of up to 8 players play together) and the gaming library is extensive and family friendly. It’s also the most affordable current console at right around $300.

Nintendo Switch OLED Model, $350. Although the Switch is a great console, the OLED version has a great advantage and it’s not what you think. Although this is the same size as the Switch, the screen itself is larger and the OLED makes it brighter. But the best kept secret is the kick stand. On the original Switch the kick stand is a small, flimsy piece of plastic that only stands at one angle. The OLED switch has a large metal plate that can be bent to any angle and is very sturdy. If you will ever use your Switch on a plane, in a hotel, or sitting on a table, the kickstand alone is worth $50. Trust me.

Nintendo Switch Lite, $200. The Switch Lite is a switch which can only be played handheld and cannot be played “docked” on a big TV. I would only consider this if you never need or want to play a Switch game on a “big” screen (like a TV). You cannot remove the Joy Con from the sides and it can only be played hand held. Essentially this is a 2022 version of a Gameboy. If your family already owns a Switch, this is a great option if you want to have another console for another family member without buying a separate Switch. I would not buy it as the only “console” a family owns.

I am not against the XBox or the PS5, and the Xbox is comparable in price to the Switch. The PS5 is more expensive, harder to find, and both consoles are not as intuitive for younger players. Younger players may also struggle with the larger controllers. The library on these consoles is also different than that of the Switch (there are NO Nintendo games that are available on the XBox or PS5, so if you want Mario, Switch is your best bet).

Amazon Fire kids 7– $110 but currently on sale. There is also the Fire 8 and the Fire 10, which are $140 and $200 respectively. This is a GREAT option if you have a young child (ages 2+) who can’t handle a controller yet but knows (or can learn) how to use a tablet. You can download videos, music, books, and games. This tablet can also connect to the internet and stream shows or movies. This version comes in a nearly indestructible case (believe me…I’ve tested it). I highly recommend waiting to purchase this during a sale, Black Friday or Cyber Monday- it tends to go drastically on sale. If you see the price approach the 50% off mark, buy.

Valve Steamdeck– $400-650. This is a handheld device capable of playing the Steam library (which is mostly PC games). This is essentially a handheld PC, and would be a good option if you have someone interested in a lot of PC-based games but don’t own or want to pay for a gaming PC. I would not recommend this unless you have a teenaged or older gamer who already knows what they like and you know for sure there are games on Steam that they like to play- this is essentially the cost of a high-level console but you can ONLY play it handheld.

If you don’t want to shell out for a new console, think old school! Go to your local retro game store, or even check out secondhand stores or pawn shops. The N64, PS2 or PS3, or Gamecube all have extensive libraries of games that can be great fun for kids. And if you have an SNES or Sega Genesis in the basement, you can use that too! It can be a good way to gauge your child’s gaming abilities or interests before investing in a new console.

Video Games

If you are interested in giving your child a game but don’t know where to start, this blog post walks you through how to choose a first game for your child. Remember- what game is appropriate or best for your child depends on their age, their interests, their concentration, their physical dexterity, and your overall philosophy and content comfort as a family. An age range on a game indicates only that it is appropriate content for that age range and that the content tends to appeal to that age range. You’re the one who knows your child best, so if a game speaks to their interests, it might be worth trying even if they’re not technically the target audience.

Sinson ayed with 1-4 players. It’s super fun to play as a family and a great game for collaborative play; so long as one character makes it to the end, everyone wins!

WarioWare: Move it! , Nintendo Switch, $50. I adore WarioWare games. They’re fun, they’re silly, they get people talking, and they’re fast! This one focuses on striking different poses, so it’s great for kids who can’t play games as easily with a controller, since they can just hold a controller and move their bodies. Also good for older family members for the same reason 🙂

Kirby and the Forgotten Land, Nintendo Switch, $60. Kirby is a delightful pink sphere who is always curious to suck up new things and see what happens. Basically, Kirby is a toddler. So this is clearly a great fit for young kids; Kirby can become a car, a staircase, and lots of other funny things. This game supports 2 players and is a great way for younger players to play with adults or older siblings without getting lost or in the way.

Kirby’s Dream Buffet, $15. This is a “mini game” style game for 1-2 players locally, and up to 4 players overall. The games are small mini racing games, and there’s an open world “free roll” level that lets you explore freely. This is a good game for young kids learning to use a controller, but it is not a “full fledged” game. It’s $15 and that’s about what it’s worth.

Mario Party Superstars, Nintendo Switch, $60. Mario party is a tried-and-true video party game. These games aren’t revelatory gaming experiences, but they’re fun, they support up to 4 players, and the games are short so it’s easy to pick up and put down for short stints.

Paw Patrol World, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Playstation, $40.

Tetris Effect, $40, for Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One and Xbox Series X If you think you know Tetris, think again. This is Tetris for the 21st century and it is GOOD. Play alone, play with others locally, or play online. If you think you’re good at Tetris, try this and realize how much better you can be.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, $60, for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, XBox One and Series X, XBox One, X, and S (digital code) LEGO video games are a wonderful confluence of interests. Add in Star Wars and you have a magical trifecta. LEGO video games are great for younger players; they tend to be very forgiving and players are rarely punished for dying or needing to restart a level.

LEGO Harry Potter Collection, $25, for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and XBox One Same forgiving LEGO game structure in a different kid-friendly universe. These games are a bit older so it’s a much cheaper way to try out a LEGO game and see if it’s a good fit for your family.

Nintendo Switch Sports, Nintendo Switch, $50. For those who love Wii Sports, here’s the new interaction. Play soccer, volleyball, bowling, tennis, badminton, swordplay, and golf. If you want your video games to be physical, this is a great game for your family. You can play alone or with friends, both locally and online.

Donut County, $13 but often on sale, Nintendo Switch, XBox One (digital codes). One of my favorite, simple, sweet games. You’re controlling a hole that gets bigger and bigger and swallows up bigger and bigger things. There’s also a vengeful raccoon and some great messages about conflict and feelings.

Untitled Goose Game, Nintendo Switch, Playstation, $30 or so but goes on sale. I cannot overstate how fun this game is. You are a mischieveous goose going on small delightful adventures. You can play 1-2 players, this is a great game to play with one adult and one child

Moving Out, $30, Nintendo Switch, XBox One ($15) If you want the satisfaction and some of the frustration of moving without lifting anything, this is for you. I love using this game as a way to talk about spatial reasoning and cooperation with young kids. There are very good accessibility features in this game that can make it more fun and less frustrating. If you can play this game without shouting “PIVOT!!” you get a gold star.

Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Nintendo Switch, $100. This is a version of Mario Kart that you play in and around your house. Set up a physical race around your house, then use the Switch to guide a physical (real) Mario Kart around your house. Very young gamers can help set up the track, look at Mario’s perspective on the screen, etc. As they build their gaming skills they can take over more and more of the control.

Super Mario Odyssey Nintendo Switch, $50. A very good “first” Mario game. Why? It’s very open world, you can wander and explore without a time limit. This supports 2 players. When first playing, the adult can be Mario, and the child can be “Cappy,” Mario’s hat. Cappy has very few moves so this is a “low stakes” way to introduce a platformer but still allows the child to contribute to “winning” the levels.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Nintendo Switch, $50. This is a new-school version of old-school Mario. Up to four players play side-scrolling levels to try and make it to the end of the level. This is a collaborative Mario game, and if younger players struggle, they can “bubble up” into a bubble and float until another player rescues them. It’s fun, collaborative, and a great way to communicate.

Hotel Transylvania: Scary Tale Adventures Varying platform, $50 This is a good game for younger players, and essentially lets kids play through their favorite fairy tales.

Forza Horizon 5 XBox One, Xbox Series X, $60. For the racing fan in your life, this is the newest in the Forza franchise. If your child is interested in racing games, Forza Horizon 4 or Forza Horizon 3 are great, cheaper, places to start (and are also Xbox One exclusive). Forza games are particularly known for having real cars, picture-perfect graphics and realistic gameplay. Although best for a gamer who knows how to race, this can be a great game for kids of all ages interested in racing games, provided they’re patient (my kiddo’s very first video game was Forza Horizon 4, at age 4.5).

Wario Ware: Get it Together! Nintendo Switch, $50. Wario Ware might be one of my favorite game series of all time. It’s just so….weird. Players play alone, competitively, or collaboratively and try to complete fast paced mini games. You have no idea what the mini game will ask you to do until it’s time to complete, and you have seconds to react. The mini games are simply, goofy, and fun. If you own a Nintendo Wii, Wario Ware Smooth Moves is an older version of this game that features the motion controls of the Wii and is super fun. This is a game to open on Christmas morning and get everyone to play. Who doesn’t want to see Grandma try to pick a cartoon nose!?

Cook, Serve, Delicious, 1, 2, or 3 Varying platforms including Xbox, iOS, Switch, and PC. Price varies. The Cook, Serve, Delicious games is one of my favorite series. It’s a fast-paced cooking game with excellent writing, incredible art, and the kindest production team you’ll ever meet. The third game can be played multiplayer. All games ask players to complete recipes, deliver orders, attend to chores, and build their restaurant to notoriety. If you play these games on steam (using a computer) they are excellent typing games!

Ring Fit for Nintendo Switch– $80. This is an accessory and a game- this is a bodyweight strength training workout embedded in a game. I bought this in December 2019 (it’s like I knew what was about to happen…) and used it SO much in 2020, and still do when I can’t leave the house to work out. I love that the emphasis is on strength and form, not on weight. You jog or squat in place to move your character through a level, and use bodyweight and strength exercises to defeat enemies and gain ability. This isn’t necessarily a game for kids, but it would be a great game for a teen, a young adult, or for yourself!

Homer 45 day free trial (the link is an affiliate link and I will earn money if you sign up). I have not yet written my in-depth take on Homer but we’ve been using it for several months and enjoy it. Like many educational games there are things I love and things I don’t like as much, but overall I’ve loved the emphasis on play and exploration. Homer is supported on Kindle Fire tablets and iPads so you can use it on the go (provided you have wifi access, which is my one major disappointment with the software).

Pok Pok, $30 for a year if you download and enter code 50GamerEducator on the payment page (click “redeem”). I earn a small commission. Pok Pok is one of my favorite tablet games for young children. It is a completely open ended, player-driven gaming experience. There are no instructions, no words, and everything is at a child’s own pace. I love their continual updates and efforts to make the game inclusive.

Why didn’t I mention Fortnite, or Minecraft, or another “go-to” game? Because you likely already know about them 😉

The above are my recommendations that might stretch you and your family out of their gaming comfort zone and push you to try something new.

Gaming Subscriptions

If you don’t want to buy a bunch of individual games, consider a game subscription. These are increasingly affordable and are available on multiple consoles.

XBox Game Pass– $10-$15 per month, recurring charge. Available on XBox Series X/S, XBox One, PC, and/or mobile. The XBox Game Pass gives players access to hundreds of games on a monthly basis. There is no cap on how many games or hours they can play per month, and the library of games available includes current games and past game titles. To best get a sense of whether or not this is a good fit for your family, browse the library of Game Pass titles and look for things your child might enjoy.

PS Now $5-10 per month (depending on subscription model). Available on PS4 and PS5, or PC, . If you are a PlayStation household, you can get a subscription to PS Now and get access to hundreds of PS2, PS3, and PS4 games each month. Similar to XBox Game Pass, there’s no limit to how many games you can play or how many hours, and new titles are added every month. Browse the game selection here to get a sense of what’s available.

Nintendo Switch Online $4-35, depending on subscription. Exclusive to Nintendo Switch. If you are a Switch family, the Nintendo Switch Online membership gives a player access to the Nintendo Library featuring games on the NES and SNES. Starting on October 25, you can also add access to the N64 and Sega Genesis Libraries. If you only have one Switch gamer, it’s as little as $4 a month. Or you can pay $35/year and a family of up to 8 separate accounts can all access the Nintendo Switch Online library. Especially for adults, this can be a great way to visit your gaming roots- Duck Hunt, anyone?

Game Accessories

Some of the best gifts for a gamer aren’t games at all; having the right accessories can make all the difference.

Genki Covert Dock Mini, $50. This is a strange looking thing but I don’t travel without it. You can plug in a Switch, a Steamdeck, or even a computer and route it through this dock (which plugs into an outlet). It displays the device on a TV screen or monitor via HDMI cable, which makes traveling with your Switch or Steamdeck the same as playing it at home.

A portable battery– a portable battery pack is essential for car trips, camping, or plane rides, and you can also use it to power a portable gaming console. Mobile gamers can use it to charge their phone, or you can use a USB-C cable to charge your Nintendo Switch. This makes taking the Switch on trips a breeze; no need to bring the dock with you, just throw the portable battery in your bag and you can play games on the go. And if your child splits their time across multiple households, a portable battery will likely give you enough charge to power a Switch for a weekend away from the charging dock.

Bluetooth over-ear headphones– these are a lifesaver. We’ve used these for over 3 years so my child could listen to TV when we’re being too loud, listen to their Kindle tablet in the car, or use the included cord to plug into the audio jack on a gaming system, computer, CD player, etc. They hold their charge well, have held up to a lot of wear-and-tear, and have a max volume of 85dB so you don’t have to worry about the volume getting too loud. This is my preferred brand but not the exact model we have; those are unavailable. If your child isn’t into cat ear headphones, these are the closest I’ve found to what we own and love

Nintendo Switch Carrying Case– there are many versions of this and I think they’re all good- if this one isn’t available, many similar ones will be good alternatives. If you have a Switch (or you will soon) having a carrying case is really helpful when traveling. You can put the switch, cable, portable battery, Joycon, and up to 20 games all in the case. Not only does it keep everything organized it keeps the Switch safe.

Nintendo Switch Comfort Grips– when playing the Switch on a TV, or using the joycon separate from the gamepad, it can be tricky for younger players. The controllers are small, and for games that require both, players hold one JoyCon in each hand and have to use them independently, which can be tricky. A “comfort grip” controller docks the JoyCon into one handheld controller that can make it easier to control the game. The one I linked also includes smaller grips to dock one Joycon, to be used with multiplayer games. Please note: playing with the JoyCon in a comfort grip can sometimes reduce its responsiveness during play. If your child is finding that the controller isn’t reacting like it should, try getting close to the Switch or disconnecting the JoyCon from the comfort grip controller.

Extra controllers: for whatever gaming console you have, extra controllers are an easy, relatively inexpensive gift that can turn your gaming console from a single player to multiplayer experience. Be it extra controllers for the Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox One or Xbox Series S/X wireless, Xbox One or Xbox Series S/X wired, these suddenly allow for multiplayer games, reduce fighting over controllers, etc. You can find off-brand versions of these controllers, and although they are often very well reviewed, I did not link them because I have not tried them. If you are looking for extra controllers for older game consoles, your best bet is a retro game store, or buying a third-party brand with good reviews. Please note: wireless controllers can sometimes have connectivity issues, which is a risk when buying third-party products.

Gaming adjacent gifts

If you have a gamer, you don’t have to get them a literal game. This is a great opportunity to expand their interests outside of gaming.

Reusable water balloons– $25. Without question this is my number one most recommended gift this year. No, really. These are silicone spheres with magnets embedded inside. You simply drop them in a bucket of water, they fill and close on their own. They burst easier than regular water balloons, don’t hurt to have them thrown at you, and don’t leave tiny latex pieces in your yard. Better yet, you can use them for tons of things! Freeze them into spheres! Tuck animals inside and freeze them to do an animal rescue. Pretend they’re real life Poke-balls. They are the gift that keeps on giving. Trust me.

Super Mario Adventures LEGO kit– $60. The Mario series of LEGO takes the fun of two amazing things and puts them together. Unlike some LEGO kits that have a set way of building, the Mario kits are meant to inspire free and open play, and get kids to create their own Mario levels out of LEGO. You can also buy Bowser’s Castle or one of the other expansion kits. Sometimes one of the best ways we can pivot a child’s interest outside of gaming can be to find other ways of harnessing that interest, and this is a great way! If you have a teenager or adult in your life who is really into LEGO, consider the LEGO NES and TV set– you can even scroll and make Mario move across the screen

Minecraft LEGO kits– similar to Mario, harness your child’s Minecraft interests and transfer them into a real world setting. Minecraft is all about building and creating, and this can be a good way of transferring that interest into a manipulative like LEGO. There are kits of varying sizes, abilities, and cost, so choose one that fits the needs and abilities of your family.

Pokemon Cards– Back in the dark ages of the 90’s, Pokemon cards were all the rage, and they still are! Whether you start with the Battle set which explains how to play or assorted Pokemon cards, kids who really like turn-based games, or Pokemon games, will likely love the card based strategy games like Pokemon. This is also a great way to build reading skills and understanding why one card “beats” another card, which helps build strategic thinking. I really like the analog card game equivalents of video games because a lot of the “thinking” has to be done by kids, and can’t be magically done by the game.

Dungeons and Dragons starter set– $20. For an older child (12+) who really likes fantasy, or exploratory games, D&D can be a great way of pivoting that exploration to storytelling. Yes, D&D is still gaming, but it involves reading, comprehension, strategic thinking, collaboration, and provides a good social opportunity. This can be used with younger children if an adult is acting as the Dungeon Master, reading and guiding the group. Younger children may be interested in the Young Adventurer’s Collection, which is a well illustrated guide to many aspects of D&D that can introduce them to the concepts before introducing the game play.

Gravity Maze– $30. Have a child who likes puzzle games, or figuring out a puzzle level? This is a great hands-on puzzle. There are cards of varying difficulties that show kids the desired outcome of a level, and then kids use the included pieces to finish the level based on starting and ending points. When complete, they’ve built a tiny marble run! A great way to build the concept of “end design” thinking.

Blutrack– $33 I somehow forgot to put this on my guide and panicked when I realized it. This is one of our absolute favorite toys. It’s flexible, you can use it just about anywhere, and kids can make their own custom tracks (including loops!). We also have the ramps and they get tons of use. This is easily one of our top 10 toys.

Snap Circuits– varying prices. For the kid who likes to tinker, build a building or contraption in Minecraft, etc., this is a great hands-on way of building those tinkering skills. Learn about capacitors, electricity, current, etc.

Travel Tangrams– $14. A good stocking stuffer. I still vividly remember having a travel tangram kit as a kid that I would play while on errands with my parents. This is another great “toy” for a kid who likes having a problem to solve. Many parents say that video games make it hard for their kids to play creatively- toys and puzzles like this help show kids how they can use creative manipulatives to build and create. Remember that creating and building is a skill, and giving kids things that are instruction-based can help them build those skills so that one day they can build and create completely independently.

Bop it!– $16. Yes, the Bop It! of your childhood is still around. Kids who love video games often love following commands and trying to do well, and Bop it! does all of that in a hands on way that gets everyone laughing.

Tangram Tetris– $10 This is basically analog Tetris. You arrange tangram pieces in Tetris shapes on a wooden board to make them fit together.

Revell “First Jackson Storm” Disney Cars take apart and build cars– $56 (seems to be out of production) I love these toys and I’m so sad to see they are not being produced or are very hard to find. I found these at my local Hobby Town and they were around $25 each. The cars are easy to take apart and put back together with the included screw driver and are easy even for young 3 year olds.

Kites, varying prices. As someone whose child loves to race cars, race in video games, and go fast in all parts of life, a kite was a natural fit. If your child likes racing video games, get them to apply those skills to real life in a hands-on way.

Gaming related toy sets- varying prices. Whether Fortnite toys, or Roblox sets, toy sets can be a way of harnessing a child’s gaming interest and encouraging pretend play. Yes, it’s gaming related, but it’s not that different than getting action figures based on TV shows or movies.

Books about games: Minecraft Books– under $10 If your child loves a certain game, there may be books that can pivot this interest away from games. Minecraft has a graphic novel series, as does Zelda Twilight Princess (this is a teenage appropriate Manga), Splatoon, Sonic the Hedgehog, and even some unofficial Fortnite graphic novels. There’s also great guides and glossaries for many games, like Tears of the Kingdom.

Regulation tools: Hear me out. Video games are a lot. They are stimulating, exciting, and they can also be overwhelming and dysregulating. If we’d like our kids to be able to stop and walk away from games, we have to make sure there are strategies and tools in place to help them regulate. Some ideas include Mindfulness Cards, regulation cards for teens, liquid motion timers, breathing boards, snap and click toys, fidget “snake” puzzle, pop tubes, hammock chair, and Bucket Stilts. Not all of these will work for every kid but regulation is trial and error, after all.

Board games

Although still games, board games are such a great way to build skills and connect as a family. My favorite board games are collaborative, not competitive, but there are some good competitive ones as well that won’t have you storming out of the room (ahem…Monopoly, I’m looking at you).

The Fuzzies, $15. Wish Jenga were easier, faster, more fun, and quieter? This is the game for you. Same idea as Jenga, easier for people of different physical abilities, and dare I say more fun?

Wavelength, $40. Want to feel like you’re reading someone’s mind? Want to finally decide something with consensus without arguing? This game is original, collaborative, and never the same no matter how many times you play. Great game for a wide age range to play together.

Monza– $25. My child is obsessed with cars, so this was an amazing first board game for us. It’s a great game that doesn’t change as your child grows, but the way your child plays it changes. At first it’s a game to focus on color matching and making it to the finish line. Then it becomes a game about strategic thinking and how to maximize your turn. THEN it becomes a game about using strategic thinking to block or limit your opponents. And the wooden cars are pretty delightful too.

Outfoxed!– $28. Cooperative board games are such an important part of childhood and now there’s more than ever before. Outfoxed is sort of like Clue but everyone works together to find the culprit. Cooperative games are so important at working through frustration; everyone is working together and can share the frustration and the triumphs.

My favorite collaborative game is Hanabi, in which players work silently and collaboratively to create the perfect fireworks display. It is such a good tool to work on communication skills.

Dragon’s Breath- $25 A Children’s Game of the Year winner, this is a great simple competitive game for young players. It’s a great way to build in some numeracy and math skills without the game being strictly “educational”. It also has some good dexterity skills! There’s also a great followup/expansion called Dragon’s Breath, the Hatching which we love.

Ticket to Ride is a tried and true favorite, that is competitive but not too cut-throat, and the version for younger kids (6+) is a good way to introduce some “big kid” board games.

Another great family and team-based game is Code Names: Disney. There are many versions of this game, but the Disney version uses pictures which makes it pre-reader friendly. It’s a wonderful way to work on how to communicate, hint, and give clues.

Azul is a beautiful strategy game. Build mosaic tile displays and work on long-term strategic thinking.

Flapjack Flip Out- $30– an indie board game I played at PAX West this year and loved. Flip pancakes to order but make sure you don’t forget which ones are which! Lots of ways to scaffold for younger players in this game: let everyone leave their pancakes face up, serve the orders one pancake at a time instead of 3, etc.

Jenga– $17 A tried and true favorite. And the pieces can double as building blocks, dominoes, or tools for imaginative play.

Mexican Train Dominoes– Dominoes are so versatile and can be used and played in so many ways. For kids who love tinkering or creating they can also be used to make imaginative displays to knock down. Mexican Train is an excellent first “competitive” domino game and focuses on number matching.

Klask– $60 Part foosball, part air hockey, this game is the type of competitive game that will have everyone gathered around and cheering each other on. The game uses magnets to allow you to control your piece from under the boardgame table. It’s also small enough to take the place of foosball with a much smaller footprint and cost.

Jaws of the Lion is an introductory version of the massive, open world crawler Gloomhaven. These are definitely more “hardcore” board games- think lots of parts, lots of rules, and lots of strategy. Jaws of the Lion is good for a kid (12+) who is interested in fantasy and campaign games but aren’t ready for something as complex as Gloomhaven.

Whether it’s a console, a game, or something completely different, I hope this guide gave you some great ideas for the gamer in your life!

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