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Having seen that Ticket to Ride was recommended by several people who like Settlers of Catan, I decided to purchase it for my son for Christmas since he love Settlers of Catan. Ticket to Ride was a perfect game for us. It's much simpler to set up and learn than Settlers and the play moves much more quickly. You don't know who's going to win until the end (unlike Settlers). Other than that, it's nothing like Settlers of Catan except that it does involve building things on the board by playing cards that you have accumulated.

Updated Jan 8, 2007

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Blokus

First to recommend

6 people recommended this item

Description

Blockus is a board game that combines logic, strategy, spatial perception and a healthy dose of laughter. It's one of those rare games that is challenging and fun for everybody in our family from our 3 year old daughter and 8 year old son to the aunts and uncles.

Though the rules are simple to learn, no matter how good you are, it seems that you can always think of new strategies to try. The thinking that goes into this is unlike other spatial games which brings an extra element of excitement into the playing.

This is one of those games we carry with us and introduce to others. In fact, we need to purchase another copy as the last family we shared it with loved it so much we left the game with them.
There is also a travel sized Blokus for packing on long trips. (Warning: Don't lose any pieces!)

Updated Dec 27, 2008

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Maple Landmark Color Cube

First to recommend

2 people recommended this item

Description

This color cube from Maple Landmark is a small (about 2 inch) wood version of the Soma Cube which I think every child should have a chance to play with. I still remember the time I spent trying to put the Soma Cube together to make different shapes and how it taught me about the various 3-dimensional combinations of cubes. My kids are getting this one for Christmas this year.

Here's a page that shows other shapes you can make with the Soma Cube pieces: http://soma-shapes.notlong.com

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Updated Nov 30, 2006

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Khet / Deflexion Laser Game

First to recommend

5 people recommended this item

Description

It's cool, because it has lasers. It's fun because this game combines geometric thinking, tactics, and strategy and many unexpected move opportunities taking advantage of your own and your opponents pieces.

My son has pointed out quite a few parallels between the tactics of Deflexion and the tactics of chess including: pins, forks, interposition, and discovered attacks.

We are just scratching the surface of figuring out longer term strategies and defense, and our games usually end in a surprise win, which for now just adds to the suspense and fun. (via ThinkGeek)

Updated Nov 9, 2006

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Quarto

First to recommend

4 people recommended this item

Description

This wood board game stresses pattern recognition combined with a bit of geometry (straight lines). It relates to the game "Set" in the multi-dimensional pattern aspects and reminds me of Tic-Tac-Toe or Connect Four with how you win.

However, there are a couple of twists which make it a unique and challenging game: The pieces on the board belong to both players; any of them can be used by either player to win. Furthermore, when it's your turn to place a piece on the board, your opponent chooses which piece you will be using!

Though the rules are easy to learn, it is very tough to master as you have to keep thinking through deeper and deeper levels of what could possibly happen with the next move, and the move after that, and...

This well-made and attractive wood game set is suitable for leaving out as decoration and a conversation starter.

Updated Dec 27, 2008

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Snatch Word Game

3 people recommended this item

Description

Snatch is one of those incredible simple games that ends up being loads of fun. It's similar to Scrabble, in that you use tiles to spell out words, but it has the added advantage of being able to steal your opponent's words. For example, if they spell "hatch" you can drop a b on the h and make it "batch" and take those points. Scrabble with backstabbery. Sign me up. Oh, and it comes in a handy carrying tube, too. (via FunAgain)

Updated Mar 17, 2007

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Razzle Dazzle

First to recommend

Description

The rules to Razzle Dazzle can be described in about three sentences, so it's extremely easy to learn the basics. My son and I have been playing it a couple days, though, and we are still trying to figure out what the best offense and defense strategies might be. At this point we're pretty sure that it's easier than chess, but not sure if it's harder than checkers. Razzle Dazzle combines chess-knight moves for the wood pieces and chess-queen moves for a marble that jumps between the wood pieces. It's a unique combination that makes for a fairly quick, enjoyable diversion. So far, Nicholas has won all of our games by seeing combination moves that I wasn't able to detect. It must be his chess training at work. (via Firebox)

Updated Dec 27, 2008

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Roger's Connection Magnetic Building Set

First to recommend

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My son played for weeks with the Rogers Connection Magnetic Building Set when we bought it for him a couple Christmases ago and, truth be told, so did I. Now my daughter is getting old enough to enjoy them, too, and we haven't even lost that many pieces.

I think these are a must have after your child has started to slow down in playing with the standard wood blocks. I also recommend buying as many sets as you can afford. The more pieces you have to play with, the more interesting the structures that you can build--er... I mean... that your child can build.

We've also fooled around with the sets with shorter rods that are available at the standard toy stores, but for some reason, these longer rods seemed to allow for more creative designs. I'm not sure it makes geometrical sense since all the rods are the same length, but there you have it: I prefer Rogers Connections.

Updated Nov 19, 2006

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TIPOVER Crate Game

First to recommend

Description

I guess toys must sell better if you call them a "game" instead of a "puzzle". TIPOVER is really a series of puzzles that can entertain a single person for quite a while, or you can work together to try to solve them.

If you follow the challenge cards in sequence starting with the easiest, they do a great job of letting you discover the principles of the various solution tactics and use these patterns in progressively harder and more complex puzzles.

TIPOVER is challenging for adults and kids enjoy solving the easier levels and may surprise you with how far they get on the tougher ones.

Check out the sample puzzles online to see if you like the general principle, but it's definitely nice to have the physical "crates" to tip over.

This can easily fit in your game closet and can be pulled out when you have puzzle loving friends over.

This page has some bonus challenges you can download and print: http://tipover-challenges.notlong.com

Updated Nov 2, 2006

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Rush Hour Traffic Jam Puzzle

6 people recommended this item

Description

My 9 year old son and I are working our way through the various puzzles presented by this game. In many ways this game reminds us of the TIPOVER Crate game. Both are a series of puzzles in increasing difficulty. Both involve a small board with a set of cards that show you how to set up each puzzle. Both involve geometric tactics and changing the configuration of the pieces on the board to accomplish a goal. And, both are very, very fun. (via David)

Updated Nov 20, 2006

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