Cora and I offer an annual review at BUYandHOLD on stock market/trading board games which could serve as great family holiday gifts. Over the next two weeks, we'll offer a few "best choices" along with some other creative ideas, because little has changed since our reviews last year. Shop around before you make your decision on any games for price differences online and in stores. Free shipping opportunities intrigue us, since holiday mall madness and current gas prices don't excite us at all. This year we included some links to other reviews and photos so that you can read more about your choices:

Gavit's Stock Exchange (Out of the Box Publishing) originally arrived in 1903, which would make it the oldest stock market game around, but it was retired until 2003 when it reappeared in a cool tin box. This reproduction of the original game includes the original rules and marketing literature, and it's geared for 3-6 players age 7+. This game is one of my favorites, since it only takes about 30 minutes to play and it's easy to carry around. Therefore, it provides a great diversion during boring trips. A photo and detailed review from Shannon Appelcline gives more information. With a price that's below $15, this game makes a great stocking-stuffer.

Pit (Various Publishers) is the oldest continuous game on the market, first produced in 1904. Like Gavit's above, this is a fast-paced card game where the cards are dealt, the bell sounds, and the player then trades like a maniac. The first person to corner a market with nine cards of the same suit rings the closing bell. The game can be altered by adding Bull and Bear cards. This game is fun, but it's not one to take to places where children can be seen but not heard (yes, these places still exist). The heavy-duty metal bell "that's great for slamming" and shouted bids might be too much for some, because this game replicates old-fashioned trading on the stock market floor before the computer age. For 3 - 8 players, age 7+. Game ends when someone hides the bell (like mom).

The Motley Fool's Buy Low, Sell High (Uberplay) is the newest stock market board game around, created in 2005. Since Cora and I haven't tried this game yet, we again relied on Shannon Appelcline's review (we discovered that her reviews are highly accurate). The game's appearance is appealing to adults and to kids, and Appelcline gives a "thumbs up" for its learning capacity; however, the learning curve takes time. Economic standards concerned with supply and demand aren't learned overnight, after all. Also take into consideration that this game, at least on the front end, truly involves adults to help decipher rules. Since this game takes some time to play (1 hour +, dependent upon game skills and rules knowledge), so you might not pull it out often during the school year. Think rainy days at the beach this summer?

Bohnanza (Rio Grande Games) is a trading game based on playing cards, where kids learn within a fast-paced atmosphere that (ironically) time, patience, and strategy are all important attributes in trades. Basically, beans are planted, harvested, and traded to build a bean empire, and players try to collect large sets of beans to sell for gold. Although the cards are appealing to younger kids and the game is easy to play, more strategy can be introduced with older kids. In fact, Rio Grande Games suggests the game for 2-7 players at age 10+. Takes about an hour to play, and the price (under $20) is right.

Gopher It (Playroom Entertainment) is a great game where the youngest set (ages 5+) learns how to "gather and hold" stock (apples, carrots, and nuts) for the winter. If the player gets too greedy and collects the same food twice in a row, however, they lose everything. This game is a great way to teach young children how to strategize about the best choices for this given situation, how to hold onto these choices, and how to avoid instant gratification and over-stocking. Sort of like the "BUYandHOLD" mentality we prefer around here! Other great points - this game takes only 2-4 players and 15 minutes to play. Plus, the price should be right at $10 or less.

Other games, like Bull Market, StockItToYa!, and From Rags to Riches are great choices, also, for activities which teach economic and stock market fundamentals. Unlike Pit and Gavit's, these games take time to play (an hour or more). If you want your child to learn about the stock market at school, tell a teacher about The Stock Market Game. Various states picked up on this game within the past two years, where students are given $100,000 fake money to invest in a real-time portfolio. The game lasts for approximately 10-15 weeks, or one semester/quarter. This game teaches valuable lessons on team strategy, and the length of time involved gives students a perspective on real-life stock market lessons. What a great gift for your kid's class! And, the price is definitely right - it's free.

Next week Cora and I will look at some other games that teach kids (and some parents) about other markets, such as transportation and art. Additionally, a little history lesson about economics never hurt anyone, especially when it's placed within a fun environment. Right, Cora? ("Oh sure," she replies).

Until Next Week,
Linda Goin