There is a lot to like about the Escape Room books sold by Usborne. First of all, the puzzles are appropriate for children, so elementary-aged kids can figure out a lot of these puzzles entirely on their own. Second, it's a great way to motivate kids to work together, especially siblings. Third, ...
Mid Elementary Games
Throw Throw Burrito
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This has to be one of the most fun, family-friendly games that we have ever played. Initially, we received the outdoor inflatable burrito edition as a gift. I highly recommend this outdoor version with giant burritos and sturdier cards if you have a large indoor space or the climate for outdoor ...
Not Parent Approved
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There is not a game in the world that makes my kids laugh as much as this one. Not all parents are going to be comfortable with the potty references, but all in all, the humor is pretty tame. The most sexual it gets is "hot girls." There is no bad language. However, there may be a few references to ...
Check the Fridge
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Check the fridge is a fun way to practice adding to 25 with a group of children. Since it involves bluffing, it is most fun with 4 to 6 players. While I'm not sure how helpful the math aspect of this game really was, especially for my kids in mid-elementary and older, ALL of my kids thought this ...
Taboo Kids vs. Parents
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I first played the original Taboo at a game night with adult friends a couple years ago. It was a blast. I thought if a bunch of grown women could have so much fun getting tongue tied, it was definitely a game I wanted to play with my family. I discovered Taboo Kids vs. Parents and bought it the ...
Word on the Street Junior
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This game can best be described as a mental tug of war over letters of the alphabet. And who doesn't love tug of war? Even my four year old enjoys playing it and benefits from the experience. This educational game helps with letter recognition, spelling, creative thinking, and cooperation. ...
Forbidden Island
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Forbidden Island is currently our family's favorite game. My kids range in age from 4 to 10. It is important to me that despite this wide difference in ages, we find ways to all have fun together. There are two aspects of Forbidden Island that make it perfect for kids of disparate ages. First, it is ...
Zeus on the Loose
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My quest to make learning math facts fun through games continues with Zeus on the Loose. This one is another winner. Kids add single digit numbers on "Mount Olympus" until the total is over 100. They have to strategize to try and bring the total to a multiple of 10 in order to steal Zeus. With Zeus ...
Multiplication Splat!
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"Can we play again? I like this game." - Words from the mouth of my 10 year old. This is my new favorite way for helping my 8 and 10 year olds memorize their multiplication facts. I've never really been much of a flashcard person when it comes to math. My 10 year old can solve basically any ...
Pac-Man: The Board Game
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I have mixed feelings about this game. It says 10+ and I'm sure 10 year olds could play on their own in a peaceful, reasonable way. My 6 year old loves to play this game, and I think it is a great way for him to practice adding single digit numbers. However, my younger kids require my help and get ...
Michelle has a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University and a Bachelor's Degree from the California Institute of Technology. 