The 10 Best Stacking Games

Ideal for everything from tailgating parties to barbecues, the jumbo Limelight Games Tumbling Tower (around $99) will have guests of any age thoroughly entertained. You don't even have to stop playing once the sun sets, as each of the precision-milled blocks sports UV-reactive paint.

Simple, straightforward, and timeless, Jenga Classic (around $7) is effortless to learn and will have every participant on the edge of their seat while they fight to keep the tower upright. It includes 54 solid wood blocks and comes with a stacking sleeve for quick and easy setups.

Since sessions last only about 30 minutes, you can easily fit in a round of Zoch Verlag Riff Raff (appx. $63) before dinner, or rotate it with other diversions when you're entertaining. You and up to 3 additional players are tasked with getting your crew safely through a raging storm.

Instead of chipping away at a pre-built tower, Baxbo Original Tummple (about $30) has contenders conjure a unique structure at the behest of a 12-sided die. You can thwart others by placing one of the 25 "tumps" on any block you desire, and a steady hand is an absolute must to win.

Perfect for families with children as young as 8, Melissa & Doug Suspend (appx. $13) uses notched, rubber-tipped wire pieces to build a wobbling, teetering structure that could come crashing down at any moment — all the while honing your little ones fine motor skills in the process.

Not only is Haba Animal Upon Animal (appx. $21) exciting and rewarding for youngsters to play together, but it also consists of figurines that use wood culled from sustainably-managed forests and controlled sources, so you can rest easy knowing you're being kind to the environment.

If you're a fan of fast-paced diversions that promote healthy competition, then Spin Master Quick Cups (around $15) is for you. Players must be able to think on their feet at lightning speed and be strategic under pressure, but the stakes aren't so high that you'll butt heads over it.

Whether you're situated in the living room or settled comfortably out on the patio, Bounce Battle Premium (about $25) will furnish your family with short, yet exhilarating, bursts of fun. It's great for one-on-one or team play, and you can organize entire tournaments around it, too.

You can teach your children about barnyard animals and develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills in one fell swoop with the Wooden Wonders Balancing Block (about $10). Each brightly-painted piece is made from all-natural wood, and there's enough for everyone to share.

If you don't think something is fun unless it's high stakes, then you'll like the explosive nature of Boom Blast Stix (around $7). While they won't hurt you, each clip is designed to eventually pop and send the rest flying, so it's only a matter of time before your stack falls apart.