Many (if not most) game conventions are family friendly, or have family friendly activities planned within their schedules. But two in particular are coming up that I wanted to spotlight today. First, the world's largest game con is the International Spieltage held each year in Essen, Germany. Grab the kids and jump on a plane and join 100,000 other game-players for four days of deep emersion in the game world. I've never been to Essen (the con is generally just called "Essen" by us foreigners), but I hear its a family event. Game-playing in Germany is so much a part of their culture that it's simply what people do, and Essen is where game companies from around the world announce new products each year. Arguably the most prestigious award in the industry is the Spiel des Jahres - the German "Game of the Year." The show is this month - October 16 thru 19 - and after it's over I'll share the winning games with you here.

Meanwhile, back here in the States, another great family friendly gathering happens each year in November. I'm talking about ChiTag in Chicago, November 20-23. It's sort of like Toys-R-Us meets Chucky Cheese, but there are "real games" being played, too. The "Tag" in ChiTag stands for "toys and games" and there are lots of shiny toys being shown here, as well as all the major game publishers, minor publishers, contests, workshops, panel discussions. It's a great time (yes, I have attended this one) for families as well as hobbyists. It's a great day-trip - more of a show than a convention for most visitors - but there are several days of industry-related activities as well. The best part is that you get to see the latest toys and games, have them demonstrated for you by the company representatives, and get the jump on the "holiday hotness" for gift-giving. (Take a sturdy tote bag.)

I'll not get to ChiTag this year (I'll be at the Great Lakes Comicon that weekend instead), but I'll try to solicit a first-hand report from someone after the show.

Have any favorite family friendly game cons? Share them with us here at Gamesopedia! (Thanks.)