#2   Paradice
Our top Eco-Friendly Toys, Games and Kits pick, Paradice, is a delightfully crafted and spirited game in which only "the Giver" can win. In a Universe of four forests, each with a Forest Spirit, players compete to become the Giver, who gives trees, and to bring Human Beings eye-to-eye to form the Blue Pyramid -- before the Taker, who takes trees and draws Human Beings apart, stops them, that is. The three-dimensional pieces and board alone make a work of art.($69)
- Buy Paradice online

#3   Monopoly Boutique Edition
Since Hasbro has licensed thousands of versions, or so it would seem, of the all-time classic boardgame, you may wonder, "Does the world really need one more?" When it finally glams out and goes all pretty in pink, of course! Instead of buying houses and hotels, you buy boutique shops and malls. Isn't that fab? We played it while watching 'Clueless.' ($29-$49)
- Buy Monopoly Boutique Edition online

#4   Wizardology Deluxe
Wizards, spells and charms all swirl about a very cool circular board in this game based on the best-selling book, 'Wizardology.' With a few swishes and flicks, "players must graduate from apprentice to accomplished wizard by mastering four wizardological tasks and then free Merlin, the mighty Master Wizard of the Pendragons, from the spell that has bound him to a tree by the evil Vivenne." How 'Days of Our Lives'! ($33-$37)
- Buy Wizardology Deluxe online

#5   Dread Pirate
Plunder for treasure and sail the high seas in this award-winning pirate adventure. The cloth map, colorful gems and pirate ship tokens are darling. Whether you get the bookshelf edition or the "Old Century" edition that comes in a cute pirate chest, the craftsmanship in this game has an Old World feel leagues above ordinary board games. ($38 bookshelf; $79 Old Century version)
- Buy Dread Pirate online

#6   Ringgz
At first we were fooled by the apparent simplicity of this game, but it actually involves a lot of strategy as you let your rings gobble or get gobbled. We love the Op Art-esque modern design and the deceptively engaging play. Now if they'd only make a version with jeweled bracelets and rings you could wear. Hmmm. ($21-$29)
- Buy Ringgz online

#7   Enchanted Forest
A longtime favorite of ours, Enchanted Forest is an adorable, quaint board game for younger children. Players roam the forest to find hidden fairytale treasures, like Cinderella's glass slipper or Aladdin's lamp. How cute! ($25)
- Buy Enchanted Forest online

#8   Disney Magic Kingdom Game
We simply love this nostalgic game where players roam through a day at Disneyland on a board that's a map of the original theme park. The first player to visit all their attractions wins. If you plan to drop a hint to your kids or family about a surprise trip to the "Happiest Place of Earth," giving this game would be a pretty cute way of doing it. ($35)
- Buy Disney Magic Kingdom Game online

#9   Khet: The Laser Game
Definitely very slick and techno-pretty, Khet: The Laser Game is delight years ahead of its time. The object of the game: "Each player begins with 12 Egyptian-themed pieces and a laser built into the board. The goal is to arrange your pieces so that the laser's beam bounces off their mirrored sides with the goal of illuminating opponent's pieces to eliminate them from the game." Children's games with working lasers? Are we in the Space Age, or what? Love it! ($37)
- Buy Khet: The Laser Game online

#10   Dragonology
Based on the best-selling book, Dragonology has an evolving entourage of dragon miniatures and cards that add to the magic. In the wonderful board game, players become dragonologists while learning how to master three dragons and advance to the Dragon's Eye. It's a definite hit with the Harry Potter set. ($25-$39)
- Buy Dragonoly game and toys online

#11   The Pillars of the Earth
Already at the top of many "games of the year" lists, The Pillars of the Earth is a beautifully illustrated adaptation of Ken Follett's best-selling novel and Oprah's Book Club selection of the same name. Players compete in only six turns to earn the most victory points while using human and natural resources in the most efficient manner to build a cathedral. Victory points... We love it! ($49-$59)
- Buy The Pillars of Earth online

#12   Cathedral
Simply a gorgeous coffee-table centerpiece, Cathedral is a game where two players strategically fill the board with architectural pieces, with the winner having the least left over. There are a few styled versions of Cathedral, ranging from the simple wood version to the prettier, more styled "world" version, which is our favorite with miniature world landmarks. ($36 classic; $75 world)
- Buy Cathedral online

#13   Valley of the Pharaohs
In this beautiful bookshelf game, "players become archaeologists, searching for hidden scarab tiles, in an effort to unearth the sacred scepter." The cloth map, camel tokens and the "Wheel of Fate" wonderfully incorporate an Egyptian flare. It's tut-terrific. ($51)
- Buy Valley of the Pharaohs online

#14   Pirateology
Yes, another delightful game from the "ology" series, but this time with pirates. Aye, we still love it! Be the fastest pirate to round the globe and to gain the most riches, and you win. A quest for bling and pretty treasure... Who could arrrrgue with that? ($28-$37)
- Buy Pirateology online

#15   The Market of Alturien
In a medieval marketplace several merchant families compete to gain riches and the most prized possessions without other players or a thief foiling them. Ooh, a game about competitive shopping! We especially love the cute playing pieces and the storybook quality of the illustrations, too. The Market of Alturien is difficult to find, but worth it. ($39-$50)
- Buy The Market of Alturien online

#16   Fairy Finds Game
If you're looking for an alternative to Disney or Barbie, here's a darling board game for little girls in which players have to work together to build a fairy ring to save the land from a troll. That meanie! The playing pieces and board are too cute for words. We're not surprised that this is another quality game that's hard to find. ($29)
- Buy Fairy Finds Game online

#17   Project Kells - Tara
A beautiful game inspired by the magnificent artwork in the Book of Kells, Project Kells - Tara is one of a few exquisite editions from Tailten Games. In an homage to Ireland’s Celtic heritage, players figuratively weave their way to victory with abstract tiles. We were hard-pressed to find this game in stores, so we suggest checking the manufacturer's site first. ($32)
- Buy Project Kells - Tara online

#18   Qwirkle
In a nutshell, Qwirkle is just a prettier version of classic dominos with a little twist of Tetris. Instead of matching numbers, you match colors and shapes in chains to gain points. We admire the focus on pattern recognition, which stimulates young minds and boosts IQs. ($22)
- Buy Qwirkle online

#19   Easter Island
We love tropical islands, so this game especially caught our eye. The board game is a lovely map of Easter Island, and the object of the tete-a-tete is to topple all of your opponent's Moai, aka idol statues. Did we mention you play as wizards using the sun as your power? How divine. ($25)
- Buy Easter Island online

#20   Ratatouille Kitchen Quake Game
A game about rats, pretty? Well, you have to admit, if there's anyone who can make rodents cute, it's Pixar and Disney. We thought this 'Rataouille' update of the classic game, Mousetrap, was really clever and kinda cute. ($20)
- Buy Ratatouille Kitchen Quake Game online


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