Okay, I don't mean you should go buy your kids or grandkids their Christmas gifts now. But this week is the annual Toy Fair where all the new toys are introduced. Consider this a preview of coming attractions of what the youngster on your holiday gift list will be clamoring for in 10 months.
One problem with Twister, other than the need to be double-jointed before you play or the need for Advil after (and 30 years younger to begin with) – it's finding room on the floor for that mat. Twister Dance ($35, fall) replaces the mat with four colored rubber discs and a console that flashes the same colors while it plays music. You now match your left and right foot placement to the colors flashed on the left and right side of the console. While lacking the body-entwining nature of the original Twister, Dance can be played in a smaller space. And you know it's for you kids – it features versions of Britney Spears songs, or you can hook up your own MP3 player or smart phone.