Nintendo Wii U Gaming System

Nintendo is always a great choice for children and families, and their newest gaming console is no different. The Wii U continues the tradition of the Wii with it's motion-sensitive controls and "Mii"s, their original customizable identities which are incorporated into many of their games, but expand on it with many new features that make it worth the purchase. It even now, for the first time, has HD graphics which adds beautiful, clear images that enhance the gaming experience. This can also be put to use for watching movies and television shows through it's ability to attach to your video streaming accounts as well as the Internet, making the Wii U a multi-purpose media center.

Nintendo consistently releases games that are appropriate for children, yet still extremely fun to people of all ages, making it a hit for families. Their games also tend to have great replay value, which means children will return to this console and its games again and again. Although there was originally a lack of exciting games when the console was released, there are now a slew of new games and sequels to beloved classics such as Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros, and Mario Party that make it well worth the purchase.

[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Nintendo Wii U Console - 32GB Black Deluxe Set or Wii U Exclusive Mario Kart 8 & Nintendoland 32GB Deluxe bundle at Amazon.com]

Nintendo Wii Gaming System

This fabulous new gaming system by Nintendo didn't fail to impress us. Gaming is truly a family affair with the Wii, a console that begs to be played. The Wii's controller is wireless and motion-sensitive. Selecting items on the TV screen is much like using a computer mouse--you point the controller to a "clickable" item and then press a button to select it. The system comes with a package of sports video games, Wii Sports, and includes bowling, tennis, boxing, and baseball. Kids and their parents create their own identity--a "Mii"--by selecting hair style and color, face shape, skin color, and so forth. These characters roam around and are featured in the sports games. Players can create their own family and friends, and, as Mom bowls, Dad and the kids cheer her on. Baseball teams consist of your own group of characters. Baseball is played by literally swinging the controller and imitating a pitch. Wii plays Nintendo Game Cube games as well as the new titles designed specifically for the Wii. A decent line-up of Wii games have already been released, but many kids will be waiting for more. Parents can purchase and download classic games for the NES, Super NES, and more older systems, right on-screen --they'll need to wirelessly connect to their wireless internet connection in order to do so. Eventually, families will be able to surf the web from their couch. It's a fantastic, appealing setup.

[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Nintendo Wii at Amazon.com]

Just Dance Kids for Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3

This incredibly fun, interactive game series puts the video game console motion sensor functions to great use. The Just Dance Kids series of video games provide hours of entertainment, while simultaneously getting kids on their feet and moving. With a very impressive list of much loved (and child appropriate) songs and more than 40 different choreographed dances, kids imitate the dance moves of real children on the screen who go through the choreography with them. It is a definite hit for families and parties, with many different multi-player activities such as group dance routines and dance-offs. It is sure to get the entire family participating. The dances range in difficulty and have helpful ratings to differentiate between beginner dances and more challenging dances, which allows children to challenge themselves and gradually move forward as they improve, offering motivation to keep playing. However, some children may find the game frustrating if they try the more difficult levels without enough practice. Just Dance Kids is a huge hit among our kid testers, and is ultimately a great way to get kids moving and exercising on a day in. Our favorite of the game series is Just Dance Kids 2, which very narrowly beats Just Dance Kids and Just Dance Kids 2014.

Although the kids versions of the game can be very fun to follow along at any age and is absolutely excellent and long-lasting for younger children, older children may grow tired of the it more quickly when they outgrow the songs featured on the games. For older children and adults in the family, we recommend Just Dance 2014 (available for Wii, Wii U, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One) or Just Dance 3 (available for Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3). Both versions contain a multitude of classic hit songs as well as recent chart-toppers, offering something for everyone!

[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Just Dance Kids 2, Just Dance Kids, Just Dance Kids 2014, Just Dance 2014, or Just Dance 3]

Frozen by Disney/Pixar

[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Frozen (Two-Disc Blu-ray / DVD + Digital Copy) and/or Frozen Official Soundtrack at Amazon.com]  

It's completely original, warm, humorous, and really not your typical, cliched fare--Up will delight the entire family. A 78 year old is the star of a movie designed for kids? Who would have thought, but it works.

Ed Asner provides the voice for the balloon-selling unlikely hero who is hell-bent on making the trip that his now deceased wife and he had dreamt of making. Very "uplifting", although at times very emotional, and sure to please as a gift the whole family will enjoy.

[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: UP (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition + Digital Copy) or Up (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live) [Blu-ray] at Amazon.com]  

Toy Story 3 by Disney/Pixar

The third installment of Toy Story, the wonderful and groundbreaking franchise by Pixar, is definitely just as magical as the first two. Toy Story 3 is sure to keep the whole family entertained. The characters are as colorful as ever, and the new character additions are welcomed with open arms. Haven't seen the first two movies of the franchise? No problem! It is easy to be entertained by the wonderful family film even if you aren't familiar with the characters. Toy Story 3 is engaging, touching and sure to have the whole family giggling all the way through.

[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Toy Story 3 (DVD or Toy Story 3 (Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) at Amazon.com]  

Electronic Pictionary Man Game

Expanding upon the long-time favorite Pictionary experience, the Electronic Pictionary Man Game adds charades, electronic interactivity and props to the equation. Players receive electronic clues from the bottom of the Pictionary Man's foot, and the player must draw and act out the subject on the three props, the Man, a rectangular prop, and a cylindrical prop. Drawing on a man, and using props may seem weird at first, but you will soon see that it works. It attracts attention attention and gets family members involved. Turning Pictionary "electronic" of course means the usage of batteries, but that's a small price to pay for this fabulous new version of a tried and true game. It also means you don't have to deal with playing cards!

[For more information, user reviews, or to buy: Electronic Pictionary Man Game at Amazon.com]

This unique and fabulous book is perfect for the coffee table in the homes of any family with children ages 9 and up. Called a "shuffle-pedia", Pick Me Up is a different kind of encyclopedia--very visual and mixed up. Shuffling through the graphically rich pages is fun and totally addictive. Kids learn diverse facts as they shuffle. Most importantly, they'll want to shuffle through. History, geography, science, natural history, and plenty of miscellaneous facts are all here. One spread asks, "While you were at school today, what were kids (age 12) doing in other parts of the world?" Other topics include "Was Freud a bit bonkers?", "How to tell when someone (really) likes you", "Why do Boats Float?", and "What are you standing on?" Truly fabulous!

[For user reviews, or to buy: Pick Me Up at Amazon]