Despite the onslaught of computer and video games designed to exercise spatial cognition, three hand-held manipulative puzzles remain popular: Rubik’s Cube, by Winning Moves, celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary this year; the Retro Bedlam Cube, by Bedlam Puzzles, Ltd.; and Thinkfun’s modern rendition of the ancient Gordian’s Knot. … [Read more...] about Cubing It
games
Let the Games Begin
For family fun, try an ingenious brain game. Three excellent choices are Cranium: The Family Fun Game,by Cranium, Inc., The Whole Brain Game, by Creative Mind Games, and Evolution, by Platypus Games. … [Read more...] about Let the Games Begin
Cracking the Code
For a fun approach to logic and deduction, try two decoding games: Mastermind, by Pressman, andCoda, by Winning Moves Games. In Mastermind, the Codemaker uses color and sequence to create a code that the Codebreaker must solve. The game consists of a plastic playing board with 10 rows of peg holes, four per row, and an 11th row shielded from the Codebreaker’s view. Code pegs in six colors are used to make and break the code. Beside each row is a cluster of four smaller peg holes where the … [Read more...] about Cracking the Code
Words for the Wise
Two new board games combine language skills with playing strategy. For immersion in the complexity and uniqueness of the English language, Bethump’d with Words (Discovery Edition) by Vermont Word Nerds is an excellent choice. For spelling and vocabulary enhancement, try Oxford Dilemma, by Smartegg Games. … [Read more...] about Words for the Wise
Do the Math
For honing mathematical and critical thinking skills, two board games—Space Tivitz, by SAS Games, and Equate, by Conceptual Math Media—get a thumbs-up. … [Read more...] about Do the Math
A Few for the Road
Planning a car trip this summer? Cruise the miles with a few ingenious travel games designed for family or individual entertainment. … [Read more...] about A Few for the Road
Finding Good Educational Toys
Toys. Kids love them. But as a parent, how do you determine which ones offer some sustenance and which are useless, moneymaking gadgets designed for visual appeal? Recently at a local toy store, my husband and I became dismayed when we looked down into the shopping cart. For our two-year-old, we were purchasing board books, Play-Doh, and magnetic letters and numbers with the intention of enhancing his language and creative skills. But for our nine-year-old, there was a pack of Yu-Gi-Oh cards and … [Read more...] about Finding Good Educational Toys
Race for the White House
This fall is the perfect time to invest in presidential-election board games. Two strong choices for integrating history, politics, and current events with the electoral process are Oval Office: The Race to Be President, by Talicor Inc., and Hail to the Chief, by Aristoplay. … [Read more...] about Race for the White House
Reach for the Stars
If your children are interested in the night sky, I recommend two astronomy kits, Star Explorer, by DaMert Company, and Star Theater 2, by Uncle Milton Industries. … [Read more...] about Reach for the Stars
Corner the Market
For parents interested in teaching their children the complexities of the stock market, two popular board games, Bull Market, by the Great Canadian Game Company Inc., and Stock Market Tycoon, by Vida Games LLC, are good ventures. … [Read more...] about Corner the Market