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We've composed a list of problem solving games for kids that help develop the following critical skills:

• Advance planning - what steps do you need to make in order to reach your goal?
• Decision making - evaluating the benefits of multiple choices
• Drawing conclusions and inference - how will your opponent respond to your choice?
• Reevaluation - how you respond when the result is unexpected

Games work on all these skills while also being fun. What could be better? Here are our favorite 10 problem solving games for kids and families!

A note regarding age recommendations. I've included the manufacturer's recommendation, but most games can be played with younger kids, provided an adult is at the ready to assist.

BATTLE SHEEP

Every time you play Battle Sheep the playing space is different! That's because players start with 4 pasture boards that they take turns placing down to create the playing field. Kids are using advance planning and reevaluation right off the bat! Each player begins with 16 sheep and aims towards occupying as many pastures as they can. Players must chose between placing sheep or strategically blocking their opponents. We love this game that engages players' abstract thinking, strategic, and visual perception skills. Ages 7 and up. 2-4 players.

Find it: Amazon

TSURO

The board changes every time you play, keeping players on their toes and constantly reassessing their strategy. Players use tiles to create paths along which they move their tokens. The objective is to create paths in such a way that keep you moving but force your opponents off the board. Players must anticipate other's moves and problem solve in order accomplish both goals. Tsuro is also surprisingly easy to learn! Ages 8 and up. 2-8 players.

Find it: Amazon

MORE: Our favorite tile-based games

LABYRINTH

Players make their way through an ever-shifting maze in pursuit of treasure. Each player begins with a set number of treasure cards and the player who collects all their treasure first, wins. The board consists of moving panels and on their turn, a player shifts the panels in an effort to further their own progress or hinder that of others. Ages 7 and up. 2-4 players

Find it: Amazon

KINGDOMINO

Kingdomino is a tile placing game in which players must make choices regarding how to build their kingdom. The objective of the game is to score as many points as possible by matching tiles based on terrain. But some terrains score more than others. Players must decide if they want to build a lot of low scoring terrains, or fewer high-scoring terrains. Your tile choice also affects the order of play for the next round so it's important to be thoughtful. We've throughly enjoyed this game. An expansion pack is available. Ages 8 and up. 2-4 players

Find it: Kingdomino | Expansion pack |Queendomino

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Photosynthesis from Blue Orange Games has an environmental theme. Players focus on growing trees through their life cycle from seed to maturity. Players strategize to "plant" their seeds where they will receive the most light, without being blocked in the future by other, maturing, trees. Successful game play requires planning and analysis. The artwork is beautiful and adds to the unique game play. We have enjoyed playing this game! Ages 8 and up. 2-4 players.

Find it: Amazon

AZUL

Azul's stunningly colorful game design was inspired by azulejos, a type of decorated ceramic tile introduced to Spain by the Moors and made popular in Portugal by King Manuel I. Players transform into tile laying artists, and must strategize over three phases of game play: choosing tiles, laying them and prepping for the next round. The object is to collect the most points by creating lines of 5 consecutive tiles. Each line of tiles must contain only one of each type of tile. The game ends when one player has completed a row, but that player is not necessarily the winner. Strategic problem solving and planning are required because players can lose points in the wall-tiling phase for any remaining, unused tiles. Ages 8 and up. 2-4 players.

Find it: Amazon

GOBBLET

Gobblet looks like Tic Tac Toe but players have large, medium and small pieces that nestle inside each other like Russian dolls. Players attempt to get four in a row by "gobbling" up smaller pieces. The game relies on advance planning, anticipating your opponent's moves and memory skills since you have to remember which Gobblets have been gobbled without peeking! Ages 7 and up. 2 players. A version for ages 5 and up is available as Gobblet Gobblers.

Find it: Gobblet | Gobblet Gobblers

LOGIC GAMES

Logic games are the ultimate problem solving entertainment! We love single player logic games and probably own an unhealthy number of these brain boosting puzzle games.

The following are some of our top favorites:

• Cat Crimes, ages 8 and up (pictured above) - see it as our game of the month feature
• Code Master, ages 8 and up - see it as our game of the month feature
• Castle Logix, ages 3 and up - see it as our game of the month feature

MANCALA

Mancala is a classic game every family should have. The board has two rows of depressions, plus end "home" bowls. The goal is to transfer the most stones from the rows into your home. A set of rules govern how you deposit and capture stones. You must use strategy to capture stones and ensure you do not leave them vulnerable to your opponent's greedy, greedy paws. Playing Mancala improves memory and observation skills. You must engage your strategic thinking skills to make sure you don't inadvertently give your opponent the opportunity to thwart you. Ages 8 and up. 2 players.

Find it: Amazon

CLUE

Find it: Amazon

There's a reason the classic detective board game, Clue, remains so popular. I loved it when I was a kid and I bet you did, too. Players race to be the first person to solve the mystery of the who, what and where of a murder. Clue requires deductive reasoning and logic skills to narrow down the possibilities. Players must also vigilantly observe the actions of other players to help them make logical decisions. Ages 8 and up, 2-6 players (much better with 3 or more players).

MORE:

• 6 games that improve visual perception
• Best award-winning games for each ages
• 12 best family games for all ages and skill levels

The post 10 Problem Solving Games for Kids appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Why These Games?

The games have been selected according to the following criteria:

• Easy to learn
• Readily adaptable to different skill levels and abilities
• Rules are easily modified if necessary
• Game play can continue if one player quits
• They do not require reading
• Only light strategy skills, if any, are necessary

Each game description below notes important skill requirements such as visual perception or counting. For example, if a player has trouble with number recognition, then a game will either need to be modified or that player given extra help.

If your family needs to modify game rules consider the following:

• Can you eliminate scoring?
• Can you eliminate a speed or strategy factor?
• Can you reduce the game play time?
• Can you make the game more cooperative?
• Can you play as partners or teams?

MORE: Tips for helping kids learn good sportsmanship

In addition, I've noted what I think is the minimum age for each game. This may be different from the manufacturer's recommendation because I am taking into account the fact that you can modify rules to accommodate skill levels.

Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

Board Games

LABYRINTH

Find it: Amazon

Players make their way through an ever-shifting maze in pursuit of treasure. Each player begins with a set number of treasure cards and the player who collects all their treasure first, wins. The board consists of moving panels and on their turn, a player shifts the panels in an effort to further their own progress or hinder that of others.

Considerations: light strategy, visual perception, 2-4 players

Minimum age: 5

MORE: Our favorite tile-based games

PARCHEESI

Find it: Amazon

I loved Parcheesi when I was a kid! This classic family game for all ages originated in India and is a chase-type game. Players aim to be the first to move all their tokens from the starting position to home base. There is light strategy involved but because it uses dice, the majority of the game is based on luck. It is easy to modify the rules by removing the ability to blockade, "bump" opponents, or simplifying how to leave the starting position.

Considerations: counting to 20, light strategy, 2-4 players

Minimum age: 6

SEQUENCE

Find it: Amazon

Sequence is an all-around winner and appeals to different age groups. The concept of getting 5-in-a-row is easy for children to grasp and yet still a fun challenge for adults. You can easily modify the rules by eliminating the special ability of one-eyed Jacks or decreasing the number of completed sequences required to win. There is also a kids version that uses pictures instead of playing cards.

Considerations: light strategy, number recognition, 2 - 12 players

Minimum age: 5 (3 for kids version)

CAULDRON QUEST

Find it: Amazon

Some families love cooperative games, others hate them. We love them (perhaps because I am not very competitive and my kids love to tell me what to do, ha ha ha). I have often recommended Hoot Owl Hoot and Forbidden Island, but Cauldron Quest is another good choice. Cooperative games are also useful when you want to strengthen your children's strategy and problem solving skills, but they have difficulty with typical, competitive strategy games.

Considerations: 2-4 players, strategy, cooperative, number recognition (uses dice)

Minimum age: 4

Card Games

HI LO FLIP

Find it: Amazon

This is the most colorful card game you will ever see! It's like holding a Pantone deck in your hand. Players try to shed their hand by playing cards in either a high or a low sequence, depending on the flip of the Hi-Lo coin. It is extremely easy to learn, and it's likely that no modifications would be necessary, provided players have the necessary number recognition skills.

Considerations: number recognition, understanding of greater/lesser than, 2-6 players

Minimum age: 5

SPOT IT

Find it: Amazon

This very popular game of visual perception is great to have on hand when you are on the go. There are several Spot It variations so you can choose one based on your family's interest. Players race to be the first person to spot which object is on both cards. It sounds simple, but it's not as easy as it looks! Some families may need to modify the speed requirement. Spot It comes with instructions for several versions of game play. If you only have children under 6, you may prefer the Spot It Jr. version.

Considerations: visual perception, quick thinking, short play time, 2 or more players

Minimum age: 3

SKIP-BO

Find it: Amazon

Skip-bo is a classic card game that is a good choice for everyone's game closet. We have played it more times that I can count. This is sequencing card game in which players work to be the first player to empty their card stockpiles. You can easily shorten the game by reducing the number of cards in stockpile. This is one of the few games where I think it's best to stick to the manufacturer's recommended age, not because it's hard, but because it's harder to play successfully if your attention wanders.

Considerations: number recognition, strategy, 2-6 players

Minimum age: 7

GO NUTS FOR DONUTS

Find it: Amazon

Go Nuts for Donuts is a bidding card game. At the start of the game, an array of donut cards with varying point values and rewards are displayed. Players bid on which donuts they want in an effort to collect as many advantageous cards as possible. The player with the most points (not necessarily the player with the most donuts) at the end of the game wins. If any player cannot read, the other players can read the cards out loud, if necessary.

Considerations: decision-making, number recognition, very basic math (but not an absolute requirement), will make you hungry, 2-6 players

Minimum age: 5

RIVERS, ROADS, AND RAILS

Find it: Amazon

Players match cards together and create pathways of an ever changing network of rivers, roads and rails. This is an excellent choice for families who also like puzzles. Rivers, Roads and Rails can be played competitively in which players aim to be the first to use of their cards, or cooperatively in which families work together to use as many cards as possible. Bonus: kids LOVE to play with this game by themselves.

Considerations: cooperative or competitive, visual perception, requires a large playing area, 1-8 players

Minimum age: 5; 3 as a cooperative or team game

Dice Games

Dice games can be excellent family games for all ages because many of them rely solely on luck. If you already have a handful of dice, check out the instructions for all of our favorite dice games.

STRIKE (aka) IMPACT: BATTLE OF THE ELEMENTS

Find it: Amazon

Note: Impact has been discontinued and rebranded as "Harry Potter Strike." We have the Impact version, which I featured as a game of the month here. Impact Strike is a game that takes zero time to learn, is quick to play, but engaging enough that playing it over and over at the request of your child does not send your brain into a boredom spiral. Taking turns, players toss their dice in the "cauldron," attempting to roll matching dice according to the controlling factor of the round, which is either earth, lighting, water, wind or fire (in the Impact version). The instructions include several versions of game play, including modifications. Impact Strike is also a game that younger kids can play with older siblings sans parents.

Considerations: Very light strategy, short game play time, small playing space, 2-5 players

Minimum age: 4

LCR

Find it: Amazon

LCR, or "Left, Right, Center" is a one hundred per cent luck game, which can be a nice thing if you just don't want to spend family game night doing too much thinking. (You know, because of parenting after a long day, ha ha ha.) Each player starts with an equal number of chips. Rolling the specialty dice will determine if you pass chips to the left, right, or place them in the center pot. The last player left with chips is the winner. There is also an LCR Wild version which does require some strategy.

Considerations: Requires at least 3 players, zero strategy

Minimum age: 4

Miscellaneous

PENGOLOO

Find it: Amazon

Pengoloo is a memory matching game using adorable wooden penguins. Unlike the other games on this list, Pengoloo is designed for families with preschoolers. However, I think it is a good game to include because it's actually not that boring for adults who like memory-type games. In fact, kids often out-perform adults, which makes them feel successful. Each penguin sits atop and hides a colored egg. Similar to classic Memory, players try to recall which color is under each penguin in order to find two eggs of the same. The first player to find the requisite number of matching pairs wins.

Considerations: memory, color recognition, 2-4 players

Minimum age: 3

Not enough game for you? Try these!

• The best award winning games for kids by age
• Best games for preschoolers, ages 3-6
• Best games for 10-15 year olds

The post Top 12 Family Games for All Ages and Abilities appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

We love family games and with one child who loves math so much he once included math problems on a Mother's Day card for me, we've played a lot of math games, including math card games and dice games. These are our favorites DIY math games and store-bought games!

Note: this post contains affiliate links that earn commission from qualifying purchases.

Math Games for Kids and Families

I've included recommended ages, but that's not set in stone. Many of these math games for kids can be altered to fit the abilities of the players.

Double Shutter

Find it: Amazon

We've used the Double Shutter game, a version of Shut the Box, "off-label" for math practice but my sons and I really love playing it. It's an excellent way of learning how different combinations of numbers can be added to produce the same sum. It also teaches logical and strategic thinking. I appreciate that the rules can be easily altered for younger players. Double Shutter is best played with two players, can be adapted for more. Ages 6 and up (may need help).

MORE: Use our printable version of Shut the Box, perfect for classrooms.

Multiplication Dice Game

Find the instructions and print the score card here on the blog!

This easy to learn multiplication dice game is especially useful for helping kids remember their times tables. It's perfect for large groups (think: classrooms) but works just as well with only a few players. Ages 8 and up.

Addition and Subtraction Dice Game

Find the Addition and Subtraction game instructions here on the blog.

With this clever math game, players try to reach the highest score, but they must add and subtract their roll totals according to a predetermined pattern. It's a great game to fill in a spare moment, since you can play as many or as few rounds as you wish. Ages 7 and up.

Zeus on the Loose

Find it: Amazon

Kids who love Greek mythology will forget all about the fact that they are actually honing their math skills while playing this game! I appreciate that Zeus on the Loose also requires mental math skills. The object is to reach a score of 100 while holding on to the Zeus figurine, but players must be careful because victory can be snatched away without warning! You could say victory is as fickle as the gods. Read more about Zeus on the Loose in our Game of the Month feature. Ages 7 and up (or younger with help.)

Tens Go Fish

Read the Tens Go Fish instructions here on the blog!

For young kids who love the traditional Go Fish card game, this is a fun alternative for beginning math students. Instead of working towards making number pairs, players work towards putting together pairs that add up to ten. Great for at home math practice, or math time in the classroom. Ages 5 and up, depending on math skills.

Sumoku

Find it: Amazon

Sumoku is a favorite of my math-loving son, and I recommend it for ages 9 and up, or for very precocious kids. It is more advanced than any of the other games on this list. Sumoku is a cross between Scrabble and Qwirkle, but with math! Read our Sumoku game of the month feature for tips on playing with kids, whatever their skill level.

Dominoes

Find it: Amazon

Your basic Dominoes are great for math learning! Kids will learn quantity recognition, patterning and basic addition and multiplication skills (such as skip counting by 5). using domines with colored pips aids in recognition. Find the basic rules for dominoes here, or check out these domino math games for kids.

Array Game

Read the array game instructions here on the blog!

Arrays are a useful tool to teach multiplication through visual representation on a grid. The multiplication array game is very easy to learn and helps kids visualize multiplying number 1-6. An easy variation also reinforces distributive property.

The post 8 Math Games for Kids of all Ages and Skill Levels appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Note: This post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

All of these games be played with up to four players, but are just as good with 2 players. Below you will find a variety of games, such as cooperative games, dice, card and even a tile laying game, so no matter how competitive your family is, there is something for everyone.

Note on age recommendations: These are my personal suggestions and may differ from the manufacturer's recommendations or what's best for your family's situation.

Cooperative Games Suitable for Small Families

Roller Coaster Challenge Logic & Building Game

Find it: Amazon

This game is primarily designed as a single player game. However, we enjoyed playing it as a family, taking turns and helping each other solve the challenges. Younger children will definitely need assistance and playing it together nurtures cooperation skills. Using challenge cards, players engage their logic skills to finish a roller coaster. This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a game that builds on S.T.E.M. skills, especially engineering and design. Ages 6 and up.

Hoot Owl Hoot

Buy it: Amazon

Hoot Owl Hoot is one of our absolute favorite cooperative games and a terrific game for 4 year olds. Cooperative games teach kids the benefits of working together. Kids learn problem solving, simple strategy, taking turns and all around good sportsmanship. Unlike Candyland, which depends solely on the luck of the draw, Hoot Owl Hoot requires strategic thinking and basic logic, making it much more fun for the grown-ups who play with their kids! Ages 3 and up.

MORE: Best STEM games for kids

Dice Games for 2-4 Players

Drop Dead Dice

Read the instructions: Drop Dead Dice Game Instructions

Despite its questionable name, Drop Dead is one of our absolute favorite dice games. You need 5 dice, but no special skills or strategy, although there is some light math. Bonus: dice games are excellent for on-the-go entertainment, so be sure to check out the instructions for all of our favorite dice games for kids. Ages 4 and up.

Strike

Find it: Amazon

Strike is a game that takes zero time to learn, is quick to play, but engaging enough that playing it over and over at the request of your child does not send your brain into a boredom spiral. Taking turns, players roll their dice in the "cauldron," attempting to roll matching dice according to the controlling factor of the round, which is either earth, lighting, water, wind or fire. Strike is also a game that younger kids can join in to play with their older siblings. Ages 5 and up.

Learn more about Strike (formerly known as Impact) in our game of the month feature.

Card Games for Small Family Game Night

Skip-bo

Find it: Amazon

Skip-bo is a classic card game that belongs in everyone's game closet. This sequencing card game where players race to empty their card stockpiles works especially well with only 2-3 players and we have played it more times that I can count. Ages ago, it was one of our first game of the month choices. (The photos in that post are embarrassingly bad.) Ages 7 and up.

MORE: 12 Top Family Games for All Ages and Abilities

Abandon All Artichokes

Find it: Amazon

Abandon All Artichokes is a unique "deck-wrecking" game. The whimsical deck consists of artichoke cards and vegetable action cards. Players begin with a personal deck of 10 artichoke cards. The remaining vegetable cards make up the garden. On their turn, each player performs actions according to the hand they currently hold, attempting to "compost" their artichokes and stack their deck with non-artichokes. Ages 8 and up.

Go Boom!

Read the instructions: How to play Go Boom

All you need for Go Boom! is a standard deck of cards. This easy to learn card game may remind you a little bit of Uno or Crazy Eights in that players aim to get rid of cards by matching suit or color. However, instead of continuous play, Go Boom relies on winning "tricks," rounds of play in which each player contributes one card. This game can be played with 2-4 players, but it's probably most enjoyable with 3-4. Ages 5 and up.

Tile & Board Games Good for Small Families

Rummikub

Find it: Amazon

As in the classic Rummy card game, the object of Rummikub is to use up your "hand" (in this case numbered tiles instead of playing cards) by creating numbered runs and sets. Players put together new runs and sets as well as strategically reorganize the tiles already out on the table. The first player to use up their tiles wins the round, amassing points based on the tiles left in the other players' hands.

You can read my tips for making the game more enjoyable when kids are at the table in my Rummikub game of the month feature. Ages 8 and up.

Ticket to Ride

Find it: Amazon

Ticket to Ride is a strategy game and a great choice for families who want a game that lasts at least 20 minutes and involves more complex instructions that most of the games on this list. However, it's still an easy game to learn. The benefits of Ticket to Ride are many. Kids will work on spatial planning, long term strategy, and patience, which is why it is one of my favorite games for helping kids build executive function skills. Ages 8 and up.

More great games for small families:

• Games with 5 dice
• Golf card game
• Garbage card game (excellent even for preschoolers)

The post Best Games for Small Families (2-4 Players) appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

The games on this list all somehow fit into one or more of those categories. While tweens and teens will enjoy playing these board games and card games over and over with their friends, they are also very great choices for family game night!

Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

Games for Tweens and Teens

Bears vs. Babies

Find it: Amazon

This totally irreverent card game is a total riot! Players build chimerical beasts out of hilariously grotesque body parts in order to be prepared for a surprise war against the baby armies! Sounds totally crazy, right? Well, it is. However, it's also a great opportunity to laugh yourself silly with your tweens and teens.

Throw Throw Burrito

Find it: Amazon

Unless you enjoy being pummeled by vinyl burritos, this is a game, after you've played it a few times with your kids, you will encourage them to play with their friends instead. It's also not a good game for small spaces. BUT, it is really, really good for kids and they will love it. The instructions are super easy and involve the frenetic drawing of cards, stopping briefly to have a burrito wars and duels. Intrigued? You should be.

Hi Lo Flip

Find it: Amazon

This is the most colorful card game you will ever see! It's like holding a Pantone deck in your hand. Players try to shed their hand by playing cards in either a high or low sequence, depending on the flip of the Hi-Lo coin. It is very easy to learn, which is always a welcome introduction to a new game.

Settlers of Catan

Find it: Amazon

This European style board game requires a different type of strategic thinking from the other games on this list. Players act as settlers in an attempt to acquire land and buildings by hoarding resources and trading with others. Game play lasts longer than typical family games but 10-15 year olds will love this type of game that mixes strategy with role play and will love playing it with their friends.

Exploding Kittens

Find it: Amazon

Older tweens and teens love games that make them laugh hysterically and maybe have a little bit of–gross-out humor–shall we say? Exploding Kittens fits the bill exactly. Honestly it is so fun. There's also a wonderful randomness to the game that keeps players on their toes, and keeps the laughs coming!

Mystic Market

Find it: Amazon

Mystic Market is a card game that encourages players to uses their logic and problem solving skills. Game play begins with the premise that players are traders at a market, buying and selling magical items such as pixie dust and mermaid tears. The goal is to be savvy enough to collect the largest fortune despite the constantly shifting value of goods.

Learn more about Mystic Market in our game of the month feature.

Forbidden Sky

Find it: Amazon

This is the latest in Gamewright's collection of "Forbidden" cooperative adventure board games. It is a bit more complex than the previous two versions, which makes it perfect for the late tween-early teen age group. Players race to connect a circuit of cables to launch a rocket before they are struck by lightning!

Azul

Find it: Amazon

In this stunningly beautiful and colorful game design, players become tile laying artists, tasked with embellishing the walls of the Royal Palace of Évora in Portugal. They do so by racing to be the first to create consecutive lines of tiles over several phases of game play. This game is just complex enough to keep you thinking but not so hard you have to keep looking at the instructions to figure out how to play.

Learn more about Azul in our game of the month feature.

Strike Dice

Find it: Amazon

Strike Dice is a game that takes zero time to learn, is quick to play, but engaging enough that playing it over and over at the request of your child does not send your brain into a boredom spiral. Taking turns, players roll their dice in the "cauldron," attempting to roll matching dice and avoid rolling an X. Strike Dice is also a game that younger kids can play with their older siblings.

Note: originally I reviewed this as "Impact" in our game of the month feature. However, that version is no longer available.

Don't see exactly what you want here? Check out our list of the best award-winning games for every age.

The post Best Games for Kids Ages 10-15 appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

The stunningly colorful game design was inspired by azulejos, a type of decorated ceramic tile introduced to Spain by the Moors and made popular in Portugal by King Manuel I.

Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission. We purchased the game.

About Azul

Azul is an abstract strategy game for 2-4 players. Players transform into tile laying artists, tasked with embellishing the walls of the Royal Palace of Évora in Portugal. The game is played over multiple rounds, divided into the following three phases:

• choosing tiles ("factory offer")
• placing tiles ("wall-tiling")
• prep for the next round.

The object of the game is to collect the most points by creating lines of 5 consecutive tiles. Each line of tiles must contain only one of each type of tile. The game ends when one player has completed a row, but that player is not necessarily the winner. Strategic thinking is required because players can lose points in the wall-tiling phase for any remaining, unused tiles.

Why You Should Play Azul

Aside from the fact that the game is a visual delight and the materials lovely to handle, Azul helps with strategic thinking, pattern recognition and visual discernment skills. It is a sophisticated game and kids will really feel like they are playing a "grown-up game."

Plan B Games recommends Azul for ages 8 and up, and I agree with this recommendation. It is definitely a game that adults will enjoy playing just as much as children. In addition, the instructions include game variations so things never get boring.

Azul has won a ton of awards, including the coveted Spiel des Jahres award.

Find Azul: Amazon

More great games of the month that are a feast for the eyes:

• Tsuro, two board games featuring a dragon and a phoenix.
• Moon Spinner, a puzzle game for single players
• Forbidden Island, a cooperative game for families

The post Game of the Month: Azul appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Occupational therapists have long recognized the usefulness of using just the right game to work with kids on their visual skills like spatial relationship, visual memory, and visual closure. These skills are crucial and strengthening visual perception is not just for kids who may have a deficit. These skills have important real life applications, especially with regard to reading and mathematics.

I've previously shared our favorite games that improve executive function skills and games that get kids moving. Recently, my son and I played every single game in our game closet and I noticed a few games were particularly useful when it came to challenging players' visual perception skills. The following games are six of our favorites.

Note: this post contains affiliate links that may earn commission.

Happy playing!

Chicken War

Chicken War from ThinkFun is touted as a guessing game but what I noticed is that you really, really, really have to pay attention to details. And not just to your own cards, but to your opponents' as well.

Game play consists of collecting a group of chickens with several similar elements and discarding the rest. Elements include color, props, and attire. For example you may want only chickens with blue shirts, sunglasses and whisks.

While you are engaged in forming your own chicken army, you must pay very close attention to your opponents' chickens because the object is to guess what elements they are using to amass their fowl force. It is definitely not easy and requires intense visual memory as well as visual discrimination.

Plus, Chicken War a really fun game with a hilarious premise, so there's that.

Find it: Amazon

Set

Set is a self-proclaimed "game of visual perception" and it certainly lives up to its name. Players race to find a set of three cards which share certain characteristics. Each card displays a design that has four elements: shape, quantity, color and shading. For three cards to make a set each individual element on the three cards must be all the same or all different.

Again, visual discrimination is hard at work, as is visual tracking since players' eyes move across an array of 12 (yes, I know the photo only shows 9) cards. Conveniently, Set can also be played by a single player. Learn more about Set in our game of the month feature.

Find it: Amazon

Swish

Swish is one of my favorite non-traditional card games. Swish consists of a deck of 60 transparent cards, each with hoops or balls of different colors. The object of the game is to create as many "Swishes" as possible. You create a "Swish" by stacking two or more cards so that every hoop encircles a ball of the same color.

The challenge of the game is that you must rotate, flip and match the cards in your mind, without touching them. This requires some serious mental manipulation of images, exercising those spatial reasoning and perception skills.

Swish was a past game of the month and you can read my tips on playing with kids here.

Find it: Amazon

Pente

I may not have thought to put Pente on this list of visual perception games, but when my son and I played it I noticed how challenging it was to pay attention to all the token positions and prevent your opponent from getting 5 in a row. (i.e. he beat me every time, clearly I need to work on my visual perception skills)

When I featured Pente as a game of the month I shared how I found a vintage version for a dollar at a thrift store. However the current version is for 4 players instead of two and I think it would be even more effective for working those visual skills.

Find it: Amazon

Dr. Eureka

Dr. Eureka from Blue Orange Games on Vimeo.

What I like about Dr. Eureka is that it combines fine motor manipulation work and control with visual work.

In Dr. Eureka, players race to fill their beakers with colored beads to match the positions shown on challenge cards. Sequencing, visual discrimination, and spatial relationships are hard at work as kids manipulate their beakers to transfer the beads back and forth between the test tubes without dropping them.

And yes, Dr. Eureka was also a game of the month! Read more about our experience as well as our tips for a successful game time.

Find it: Amazon

Simon

Like Dr. Eureka, Simon combines visual skills with work on another of the five senses. In this case, kids put both their visual and auditory memory skills to the test! Simon has been around since 1978 and it's one of those games that as soon as you start playing you realize just exactly what makes it such a classic!

Find it: Amazon

Know what else are awesome visual perception games? Traditional abstract strategy games from around the world. We have loads on the blog that we have played and enjoyed. Bonus! You can make them all yourself.

The post Six Fun Visual Perception Games for Kids appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Tsuro: The Game of the Path is quite genius in its simplicity and its newest sibling, Tsuro: Rise of the Phoenix, takes that brilliancy to the next level by adding new complications that make the gears in your brain really move!

Note: Calliope Games graciously sent us the games to try out. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own, as always.

About Tsuro

Calliope Games has several iterations of Tsuro, and Tsuro: The Game of the Path is the original. Players use tiles to create paths along which they move their tokens (colored stones marked with a dragon). The objective is to create paths in such a way that keep you moving but force your opponents off the board.

In Tsuro: Phoenix Rising, players still aim to create strategic paths, but the game introduces new elements. Tiles are double sided, and are rotated as players move across the board. In addition, small lanterns are scattered across the board, which players can convert into stars and collect. The tokens are in the shape of a phoenix and in a wonderful twist, players have a chance to rise from the ashes using their life token.

Note: a third game, Tsuro: Game of the Seas is also available.

Why Play Tsuro?

Calliope Games recommends both games for 2-8 players ages 8 and up. Possibly, Tsuro: The Game of the Path can be played with younger siblings, but the age recommendation is accurate for Tsuro: Phoenix Rising. Both games are easy to learn and take about 20 minutes to play with 2 people.

While Tsuro is a strategy game, it is "strategy light." My youngest son, who doesn't really like super-strategic multi-player games (e.g. chess!) really enjoyed Tsuro, not least because of the theme of dragons and phoenixes, which brings me to my next point.

Tsuro's fantasy element is very appealing! You will recall from my review of Mystic Market that my kids love, love, love fantastical elements. Dragons and phoenixes are just about my youngest son's favorite things in the entire world. Calliope Games has created a fun backstory for each game that allowed his imagination to soar.

Still not convinced? Watch the two videos below to see the games in action!

Watch Tsuro: Game of the Path played:

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We love playing these traditional games, like Kaooa from India, or Pong Hau K'i from China and you will, too!

Watch the how to video here, or scroll down to read the written instructions.

How to Play Queah

Objective: to capture your all of your opponent's tokens.

What you need:

• Game board. Draw a grid like the one shown, or print out our free board (see end of post for form).
• 10 tokens per player. Make your own like we did out of tiny wooden cubes, or use what you can find around the house like coins, beads or beans.
• 2 enthusiastic players

Variations on Queah

Encourage your children to think critically about game strategy and how game play may be different were they to alter the rules. Some questions to ask and variations to try:

• Does the first or second player have an advantage?
• When replacing a captured token, what if the player also got to make a move?
• How likely is a stalemate?
• What rule(s) could you institute to prevent a stalemate?
• Which squares offer the best advantage to tokens?

More of the best traditional strategy games from around the world:

• Dara from Nigeria, a three in a row game
• Tsoro Yemetatu, a three in a row game from Zimbabwe
• Fox and Geese, a hunt game from Europe
• Five Field Kono, a positional game from Korea
• Watermelon Chess, a capture game from China

The post How to Play Queah: An Abstract Strategy Game from Liberia appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Watch the how to play Tsoro Yematatu video, or continue reading for written instructions!

Add Tsoro Yematatu to our growing collection of traditional 3-in-a-row abstract strategy games from around the world. Like Tapatan from Philippines, Picaria from the American Indians, and Nine Holes from England, Tsoro Yematatu is easy to learn but not always easy to win.

Players (i.e. your children) are required to put away their video games and since these games rely on thinking more than luck, they must fire up their brain power in order to play. What could be better?

How to Play Tsoro Yematatu

Objective:

Be the first player to maneuver your tokens into a 3-in-a-row formation

What you need:

• Game board. Make your own or use our printable (use the form below)
• Three tokens per player. Grab them from games you already own, make some, or use different objects, such as pennies and dimes.
• 2 players raring to go

Tips for Playing

Like other 3-in-a-row and abstract strategy games, two skilled players who can stay focused on their opponent can make for a very long game. I'm a harried mom and get distracted. Therefore I often lose when my kids outwit me. It's embarrassing but true.

Interesting tidbit: you may have noticed that other 3-in-a-row games like Tapatan also have a "drop" and a "move" phase. Your kids might comment that tic-tac-toe (or noughts and crosses for you European folks), while also a classic strategy game, never has a "move" phase!

After you play Tsoro Yematatu, you will want to play these games:

• Mū Tōrere, from New Zealand
• Shisima, from Kenya, a 3-in-a-row game with a octagonal board
• Len Choa, from Thailand, uses a similar game board but is a "hunt" game
• Queah, a capture game from Liberia

The post Tsoro Yematatu: 3-in-a-Row Game from Zimbabwe appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.