My family has been playing the original Clumsy Thief game for about a year. It is still one of my 10 year old's favorites. (See my Clumsy Thief review here.) However, that game, which involves adding to 100, is a little challenging for my 5 and 7 year olds. I was so happy to discover recently that ...
Early Elementary Games
Mystery at the Lux Museum: A Review
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"This is a cool mystery. I'm sad it's almost over." The exact, unsolicited words of my 9 year old, when he and his siblings only had one out of 8 clues left to solve. If that's not an endorsement for this escape room inspired, Mystery at the Lux Museum game, I don't know what ...
Professor Noggin Games
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My kids absolutely LOVE playing these Professor Noggin games during dinner. My 8 year old in particular will pretty much beg and is super bummed if we're not able to for some reason. However, all four of my kids (ages 2, 4, 6, and 8) really enjoy playing these games and are learning a ton. Somehow ...
Ruckus Junior
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My 3 year old and I sometimes have issues. Yes, I know...if I can't get along with a 3 year old, it probably says more about my maturity level than it does about his. However, I have to say that this game (Ruckus Jr.) is really helping our relationship. Product: Ruckus Junior Company: Imagination ...
Enchanted Forest
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For the past month, this memory-based game has replaced Busytown as our favorite go-to family game. My 7 year old is the one that likes it the best, but I enjoy it and my 4 year old can definitely play too. Even the 2 year old can sort of pretend to play, though he's messed up the board a couple ...
Scrambled States of America Game
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Somehow, growing up in California in the 80's and 90's, I was never required to take a geography class. Since I never took a personal interest in the subject, my geographical knowledge is downright embarrassing. I'm determined that my kids will not grow up with the same shortcoming. I'm always ...
Color Code
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Color code is a fun, challenging, single player game that uses a different skill set than many logic puzzles aimed at similar age kids. It requires kids to use spatial reasoning, but rather than using 3 dimensional shapes, it requires kids to layer a series of flat (2 dimensional) images to make a ...
Zoologic
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Oh my goodness. I love this game. Prior to purchasing Zoologic, Rush Hour Jr. was my favorite single-player puzzle game for my 5 year old. However, now they are at least tied. If anything, I like this game slightly more. I think Zoologic will last several years and requires more critical thinking ...
Catan Junior
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This is an entertaining game for families with kids 5 years and up. It's one of the few games I really like to play with my kids. Catan Junior teaches many useful concepts such as abstract math through the acquiring and trading of resources to purchase pirate ships and lairs. It's also a good first ...
Camelot Jr.
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This is a fun single-player game great for 5 and 6 year olds that helps kids learn how to manage their frustration and persevere in the face of difficulty. Product: Camelot Jr. Company: SmartGames Website: www.smartgames.eu Recommended Age Range: 4.5 to 7 years Price Range: ~$25 Amazon Product Page ...
Michelle has a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor's Degree from the California Institute of Technology. 