Today, Evadne shares a great game from a Newton-based company (also, check out below for details on a sale today and tomorrow!):

I recently played Gamewright's Take the Cake with my kids and was reminded what good wholesome fun board games are. Take the Cake's tag line describes the game perfectly: a sweet game of shakes, shapes & cupcakes. The idea behind the game is to decorate cupcake cards with colorful wooden shapes that sprinkle out of a shaker. If you complete the toppings on your turn, you collect the cupcake card -- that is, you take the cake. The player with the most cards wins the game.
As I played Take the Cake with my children, I marveled at its ingenuity. It's a simple game based on a delicious concept! My kids especially enjoyed shaking out the different shapes (white "tofu" cubes, stars, triangles, circles), and matching them to the patterns on the frosting did require my 3-year-old to verbally recognize colors & shapes. My 5-year old (who's all about "winning" these days) surprised me by strategizing over which cupcake card he could complete fastest with the shape he had in hand. And at the end of the game, even my 1-year-old was able to join in the fun as he meticulously put the wooden shapes back into the shaker. I recommend Take the Cake if you're looking for some good, old-fashioned family fun!

Editor's Note: Aptly timed, I just learned that Gamewright is having a sale today and tomorrow (10am - 4pm) at their warehouse -- 70 Bridge Street, Newton. Puzzles and games are marked up to 70% off! Cash only.