Sydney’s Toy and Game Expo on next weekend

A 200 square metre NERF Arena, a laser tag maze, those LEGO displays you missed seeing last weekend, and so much more are all part of the Sydney Toy and Game Expo. The Toy and Game Expo is the first event of its kind in Australia, with exhibitors coming from all over the world to showcase the latest in toys, family board games, card games and other family fun.

There are tournaments for games including Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride and Carcassonne (to name three of my personal favourites). Winners receive airfares to the international competitions. You can also meet designers of new games and play their games with them; allowing them an opportunity to finalise the mechanics of the game and test the current rules with a range of different people.

Charles Bishop, one of the conveners of the event, said:

We believe that toys should be played with, not shrink-wrapped or locked away in a display cabinet! That’s why the Expo encourages everyone to get involved and get their hands squishing with the Play-doh Pit machines, build their fantasy Lego machine, create planes in the construction workshop, ride an E-Spark, race Razor Scooters and EzyRollers, or engage in battle at the giant Nerf Dart Tag Arena

Yes, Australia’s first purpose-built inflatable Nerf Arena. Not sure it’s possible to miss this. Regardless, it really is great to see events like this coming to Sydney.

When: Queen’s Birthday long weekend, 9-11 June, 2012 at 10am-6pm
Where: Hall 4, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
Cost: $10 for a child, $15 for an adult and $45 for a family of 5

Full details and ticket pre-purchases at: www.toyandgameexpo.com.au.