Best of November 2021

Cat Naps and Kid Games

With winter closing in, readers seem to have one thing on their minds: how to while away the long, dark hours. While some readers opted for games to pass the time, others can’t resist the lure of sleeping through some of the darkest days of the year. From traveling with a bed that makes even a basic seat luxury accommodations for kids, to a bed that does triple duty, these most popular posts from the month of November have lots to offer.

Battleship Shots Game: This spin on the classic battleship game moves much faster than the original. Players take turns bouncing or throwing ping pong type balls over the divider to try and hit their opponent’s ships. The first player to sink all the ships wins. This version requires almost no strategy and can be played by any age. It works for a wide variety of contestants, from siblings to cousins to other extended family and friends.

Hemnes Daybed: This affordable daybed frame converts easily from a twin sized bed to a king sized one. Simply pull on the trundle drawer to instantly double the sleeping accommodations. Even better, three drawers tucked into the frame hold linens, pillows, toys, and more, making this daybed a sure winner. Like all IKEA furniture, it requires some assembly, but the versatility and efficient use of space more than make up for the extra effort.

Clue Junior: Readers can’t get enough of the perennial favorite, based on the classic whodunit board game. In this younger version, kids don’t need any literacy skills to suss out who ate the cake, with what drink, and at what time. Adults will recognize some characters and settings from the original game, while kids won’t have to fight over who gets what color pawn. Easy pictorial clue sheets help kids eliminate options and be the first to guess the answer correctly.

Bedbox Love: This sturdy box on wheels does triple duty during travel. The hard-sided suitcase keeps clothes, blankets, entertainment and snacks safely tucked inside. Kids can enjoy riding on top to get through long airport terminals with minimum effort and maximum fun. The included straps mean grown ups can easily carry the entire suitcase on stairs, escalators, and anywhere else the wheels don’t easily roll. Once on board a plane or train, the lid converts a basic seat into a lounge where kids can stretch out or even curl up and nap until they reach their destination.