Jenga, the ultimate childhood game of close calls and epic falls.
The game of strategy where small fingers and a little flexibility makes you the victor. And more recently, the game that some bars in Dallas have decided to upgrade to giant wooden pieces making the falls even that more epic. You haven’t lived until you’ve won a life-size game of Jenga.
And now the childhood game is trying to join the big leagues. Yep. After more than 30 years, Jenga is nominated to be the 2015 Toy and Game of the year for the National Toy Hall of Fame, beating out other games like Battleship, Ninja Turtles and even those precious American Girl Dolls.
Right now, Jenga is in the top 3, but if it wins by popular vote, the game will be inducted in the Hall of Fame, joining other timeless games like Etch A Sketch, the Hula Hoop, Alphabet Blocks and one of my personal favorites, Play Doh!
Random bit of knowledge you can share during your next awkward conversation….Englishwoman Leslie Scott expanded on the wooden block from her childhood in Africa, gave her game a catchy name and made everyone a fan of the towering toppling blocks. And the word Jenga comes from the Swahili verb that means “to build.”
Like the game itself, there are no tangible prizes if Jenga enters the Hall of Fame, but the bragging rights are enough.
So if you’re ever enjoyed a game (or three) of Jenga with friends or family or let a scream of excitement as the tower crashed to the ground after your opponents move, cast your vote for this family-friendly, timeless toy! Voting ends on Nov. 4.
You can vote here once a day, every day.


