Merchandise Monday: Party Games for the Younger Set

Who says adults should have all the fun? These new merchandise items are just for the kids. Let your teens invite their friends over this weekend and set them loose on these hot items that will get them away from the TV and interacting in some friendly competition.

Bop It! Smash and Twister Dance are the latest updates to games they’ve probably already played so much they’ve worn out, and chances are they’re Words With Friends-ing on their smart phones already. They’ll think you’re uber-cool for letting them have a party, and you’ll get some relief knowing they interact with more than a screen when they’re out of your sight.

Hasbro® Bop It! Smash

Time it right and smash the light! For teens, it's all about getting together with friends to hang out, play games and socialize. And what's better than throwing in a bit of friendly competition? With Bop It! Smash, colored lights in the center of the game unit fly back and forth while you do your best to capture one in the Zone. Three play modes make this game impossible to resist. Entertain yourself or bring it out during a party – your friends will be begging you for just one more game!

Hasbro® Twister Dance

This awesome dance game combines today's best dance music with the iconic Twister spots, providing a new way to learn hot new dances. You'll love learning dance moves by following the lights from the Twister dance console and dancing on the Twister spots. Learn to dance to hot songs by Britney Spears, Willow Smith, Ke$ha and Cupid. Each dance can be performed at three levels and beat-detection technology can teach you dances to your own music!

Hasbro® Words With Friends®

The hot social word game just got more social! For the first time ever, you can play Words With Friends in person with your favorite wordies. Use the tiles to build words on the game board and rack up the points while you challenge your friends in person. The game includes a code to redeem the Words With Friends Ultimate Play Pack to enhance your online play. The Words With Friends package comes with the game board, 104 tiles, four tile racks, a tile bag, a digital value card and game guide.

Feeling a little jealous that these games weren’t around in your heyday? Don’t worry – these games are just as fun for “big kids” as they are for your teens. Just make sure you make yourself scarce while the friends are over. Best sneak these games out of your kids’ rooms when they’re sleeping. Have fun!

Merchandise Monday: Summer Party Games

Summer is officially here, as of this Wednesday, and it’s time to let the games begin – backyard party games, that is! Summer wouldn’t be summer without the casual outdoor barbecue, and no outdoor party is complete without backyard staples such as volleyball, horseshoes and “bags,” which has different nicknames depending on what stage of life you’re in.

The best part about these particular games is that the rules are few, and most of them can be played with one hand so you can use the other to hold your burger or beverage. It doesn’t matter if you’re good or not, because it’s all in fun. After all, it’s a party! You win just by showing up.

Park & Sun Sports® Rally Pro Toss Set

This combination set includes a bean bag and ring toss set for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether camping, playing in the backyard or living room, or tailgating before the big game, this set will provide hours of fun for the whole family. Easy to set up and featuring an angled base station, the set comes with everything you need to start playing right out of the box. Shake things up at your next barbecue or tailgate party when you bring out this fun set.

Park & Sun Sports® Spiker Flex Volleyball Net

This is the perfect addition to your summer barbecue. The Spiker Flex sport level volleyball net system is the most advanced, truly portable volleyball system. The set comes complete with 1.5” steel poles for durability, a Flex-Net adjustable torque system, 8” steel stakes, a pre-measured boundary with corner anchors, a cord winder, full-size equipment bag with zipper and carrying straps, an 18-panel machine-stitched volleyball and a hand pump. Get ready to have some real fun on the beach or in the backyard this summer when you round up your friends and family for a game.

Park & Sun Sports® Pro Horseshoe Set

Take your game to the next level with the Horseshoe Pro Set. This high-quality set is made with premium materials and includes four professional-style anodized horseshoes with chrome and black oxide finishes. The unique “saddle” style bag keeps your set protected and organized. It’s made of durable 600 denier material and features convenient access cutout, storage pockets and enclosure straps for score rods. Your next outdoor party will be a hit when you challenge your friends and family to this classic game.

Now that we’ve transported you into weekend mode, it’s time to get back to work. But remember these classic favorites at your next block party, family graduation or when you’re looking for a little friendly competition on a hot weekend afternoon. You’ll be outside, and you’ll have a good excuse to fire up the grill or crack open a beer. It doesn’t get any better than this on a summer day!

What’s your favorite party game? Do you have another tradition at your backyard barbecues? Talk to us in the “Comments” section below!