Wands Ready: The Harry Potter Trading Card Game

By Jonathan Berohn

If you have kids, by now you've certainly encountered one of the many new strategy card games out there. From "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings" to ""Yugioh" and "Pokemon," the card companies are more than happy to churn out a new fun and exciting way for kids to battle with their friends and-oh yeah-spend lots of money on new card deck after new card deck.

The Problem

Now don't get me wrong, I'm actually a fan of these kinds of games for kids. They teach kids a little strategy and analytical thinking that translates well into something like chess (or a more involved card game like "Magic the Gathering") when they get older. They are also reading-intensive, which is a plus for any kids' pastime.

The problem I see is two-fold. First, they market these cards to kids who are too young to play. My son and daughter want to play "Yugioh" with their friends, and they are 5 and 7, respectively. My wife and I don't even let them watch the show. Second, the cards, which you have to collect like baseball cards to make decks to play with, are absurdly expensive--$3 and up for a pack of about 10 cards. While that doesn't sound too bad if you plan on having a 60-card deck, the truth is it takes several hundred cards to get the rare cards that you need to be competitive.

The Answer

Fortunately, we discovered the Harry Potter Trading Card Game. First of all, "Harry Potter" is a better theme for younger kids than "Yugioh" or any of the other more popular games. My kids love the books and movies, so my wife and I have no problem with them playing the game-and they love playing as their favorite character. Second, the game play is pretty straightforward. Essentially, you play lessons, then spells and creatures to deplete your opponent's deck. It's simple enough that my son has no trouble with most game mechanics.

The Bargain

Just as importantly, though, the game is out of print. While this might seem like a problem, in reality it's a blessing. The manufacturer, Wizards of the Coast, produced plenty of cards, so there are great bargains to be had online on eBay and from collectible stores. Packs that went for $3 now command less than $1, and you can pick up individual cards cheaply, too. Essentially, you can put together a useable set of decks for about 1/4 of the cost "Yugioh" will set you back.