We're going to visit another family next weekend and need a good suggestion for a house gift, but no wine please.

–Kathy

Alyssa's family is really enjoying the Trivial Pursuit Family Edition game and Hilary's family is hooked on Bingo. You can't go wrong with either one (or both!).

What are some fun board games for tweens?

–Gabby

Oldies are still goodies for our girls. They love Life, Monopoly, Yahtzee, and Scrabble. For something more contemporary try Apples to Apples, Pictionary, Stare, or Trivial Pursuit Family Edition.

We're having a small birthday party for my 6-year-old son in our basement playroom and would like to organize some games that would be manageable for about 15 kids before we break open the pinata. Any thoughts?

–Emily

After you do a couple of rounds of freeze dance, how about some relay races (you know the kind where you have an egg on a spoon or have to run across the room and sit on a balloon and make it pop)? And don't underestimate the fun of a couple rounds of limbo! Last time we had a big group we also played some bingo, which everyone (including the parents) really enjoyed. I didn't win one round but maybe it was because we used M&Ms as the bingo markers?

I think my 3-year-old is ready for games. What are some good ones? Do kids still like Chutes & Ladders?

–Nicki

No game cabinet is complete without Candyland. In fact, we think they call it "every child's first game" because there's no need for counting--just moving to the next colors. Don't run out for Chutes & Ladders just yet--it requires being able to count, or at least read, the numbers from 1-100. Hi-Ho Cherry-o, Memory, Cranium Cariboo, and Elefun won't make you want to stick pins in your eyes...but spare yourself Hungry, Hungry Hippos. Unless you're into self-punishment.