Learning how to play chess is a great brain workout. And lots of parents want their kids to learn basic chess skills to give those young brains a boost.

But first...

I have a confession.

I hate chess.

This may be a little surprising seeing as how much I love playing games with my kids.

But chess? Na-uh. So tedious.

However...

My kids LOVE chess and I grudgingly acknowledge learning chess skills has many benefits.

My older son won't play chess with me because he "wants to be challenged." True, it's hard to play chess with someone who doesn't have a strategy (or even cares about having one).

My younger son wants to learn basic chess skills and likes to play chess, but he can't play with his brother because he is whalloped every time and then has a meltdown.

However!

I have now acquired the perfect alternative to chess!

MORE: How to help a sore loser develop good sportsmanship

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

Solitaire Chess: Magnetic Travel Puzzle

Solitaire Chess is (as the name implies) a single player logic puzzle. It will be enjoyed by chess players, chess learners and even kids who don't really know anything about chess! It's also a great game to take on a road trip along with our other favorite travel games.

How to Play

This single player logic game consists of a spiral bound challenge booklet with a 4 x 4 chess board, 10 magnetic chess piece tokens, and an instruction manual. Challenge maps come in 4 levels, ranging from beginner to expert.

To play the player choses a challenge map, places the chess pieces in the proper locations as indicated by the map.

The goal is to move the chess pieces off the board, until only one piece left at the end. The player must move the pieces according to normal chess movement rules. For example, bishops move diagonally, rooks move in straight lines, etc. Each move must result in a capture.

MORE: Best single player logic games for kids

How Solitaire Chess helps kids to learn basic chess skills

• Solitaire Chess is challenging because the player must think through the entire puzzle sequence before he starts moving the pieces. The instruction booklet provides hints for each challenge map, if kids get frustrated!

  Children can practice typical chess moves without the added stress of competition.

• When thinking through sequences, the player must continue to re-evaluate the result of each move in order to determine a successful strategy to solve the puzzle.

The manufacturer recommends Solitaire Chess for ages 8 and up. Of course many children under 8 can already play chess, so use your judgement!

Solitaire Chess was a 2011 Toy of the Year, a Parent's Choice Gold Medal recipient, and received the Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award.

The second game you will enjoy is Laser Chess. Laser Chess is a Mensa Select winner and won a National Parenting Product Award.

Maybe I will even learn basic chess skills and learn to love chess.

Dare to dream.

But in the meantime I have a substitute that my kids can play without me!

More great games to try: 

• Cat Crimes (a single player logic game)
• The best non-board games for families
• Code Master (learn coding skills offline)
• Watermelon chess! (traditional abstract strategy game)

The post Solitaire Chess Helps Kids Learn Basic Chess Skills appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

As you know, we love to find and play traditional games from around the world. It's fun to see the connections and similarities between board games from different societies. Kids today are very familiar with tic tac toe (also known as naughts and crosses), and 3-in-a-row games have a strong tradition across many cultures.

MORE: Be sure to check out these eight variations of tic tac toe!

Roman tic tac toe is a 2 player game but differs from the modern day game, because it uses a circular shaped playing board and movable tokens instead of being a pen and paper game. But the goal is the same: be the first player to get three in a row!

What You Need

Tokens. You'll need 6 tokens in total: three tokens per player. Use beans, coins, or borrow game pieces from a board game you already own. Just be sure each player's set of tokens is distinguishable from the other.

2 enthusiastic players. Enough said.

Game board. Draw your own our use our printable game board.

• To draw a game board make a large circle. Draw an X through the center of the circle, then draw a cross (+) through the center. It should look like a wheel with eight spokes. At each point where a line intersects with the circle, draw a large dot, plus one dot in the very center. There should be nine dots in total.

Drop phase:

Player A places his token on any point on the Rota wheel.

Player B places her token on any empty point.

Alternating turns, players continue place their tokens on the board until all tokens have been placed.

Move phase:

Players take turns moving one token into an adjacent empty spot. You may move along the curved edge, or along a straight line.

You may not jump your token or your opponent's token, or knock it off it's spot. You may not skip a turn.

Play continues until one player has achieved three-in-a-row.

Unlike tic tac toe, Rota never ends in a tie.

The wheel-like game board can be found carved into floors and streets in Roman buildings that survive in archaeological sites. Intriguingly, historians do not know the ancient rules of the game; the three-in-a-row instructions are speculative. The earliest set of rules I could find was from this 1916 article, "An Old Roman Game" in The Classical Journal.

But no matter what the exact history of the game, it's still fun for modern kids!

The post How to Play Roman Tic Tac Toe (Rota) appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Simple, DIY games are very satisfying for kids and can often be played on the spur of the moment or on the go much more easily than board games. Ruma is a simple but surprisingly challenging game (more on that below!) My 10 year old played it on his own, but we also had a few face offs (see our video below). It keeps their brain active and they won't want to stop until they discover the solution.

What you need:

• Paper
• Pen
• Counters (we used buttons)

Make the board:

Divide a 10 inch strip of paper into 5 equal sections. We made 2 game boards. One is 10 x 2, the other is 10 x 3. Measurements don't need to be exact. Write "Ruma" in the final end section.

Objective: to get all the counters into the "Ruma" section.

Set up: place 2 counters in each of the empty sections.

How to play:

Pick up counters from any square and drop them, one by one into each section (similar to Mancala) towards the Ruma square. This is called "sowing the seeds".

What comes next depends on where your last counter falls.

If your last counter falls into Ruma then you move again, sowing seeds starting from the square of your choice.

If your last counter falls into an empty space, you lose.

If your last counter falls into a space already occupied by one or more counters, pick up all the counters from that square and continue sowing the seeds.

Good to know:

There is only one solution that will get all the counters into the Ruma square. There is a mathematical reason for this, but it is way above my head - ha ha ha. See the video if you want the solution. It was quite challenging for me, although I do not profess to be particularly adept at games like this!

It is fun, though, and my 10 year old and I did not want to give up. Even after we solved the game, it was not always easy to remember the exact steps, so even after your kids win, ask them to try and repeat the feat.

Watch a the new and improved (!) video of how to play. First I demonstrate how to lose (ha ha ha) but then you can watch a mother-son face off, plus at the very end I reveal the solution!

More DIY games we love:

• Tapatan, a 3 in a row game
• Dara: 3 in a row with a challenging twist!!
• Len Choa, a leopard and tiger hunt game
• Peg solitaire game
• Tower of Hanoi, logic puzzle

The post Tchuka Ruma: Solitaire Game for Kids appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

Well, these eight tic-tac-toe variations aren't trying supplant the original so much as they are looking to supplement your collection of go-to boredom busters! The tic-tac-toe variants below include both pen and paper games as well as traditional games with moveable counters.

Whichever game you choose, just remember, that it's all about having a little moment of fun!

NOTE: Every game board can easily be drawn on the fly, but if you would like a printable of the game boards for the first four games, get it at the end of the post.

Pyramid Tic-Tac-Toe

Materials and set up: You need pen and paper, pyramid board.

Rules: The game board is shaped like–you guessed it–a pyramid. Five squares make the base, then three, then one. Players take turns marking Xs and Os as in traditional tic-tac-toe.

Winning: The first player to get three-in-a-row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally wins. See two examples of winning positions, below.

TRENDING: More Pen and Paper Games

Four-in-a-Row

Materials and set up: You need pen and paper, grid board.

You will recognize four-in-a row as a two-dimensional version of the classic game, Connect Four. The game board consists of a 7x6 grid. Seven columns of six squares each. Instead of dropping counters as in Connect Four, players mark the grid with Xs and Os as in tic-tac-toe.

Rules: The first player places an X in the bottom square of any column. Taking turns, players make their mark in any column, as long as it is in the lowest square possible. See image below for an example of possible first six moves.

Winning: The first player to get four-in-a-row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally wins.

5 x 5 Tic-Tac-Toe

Materials and set up: You need pen and paper, grid board

This tic-tac-toe variation is played on a 5x5 grid. As in the traditional game, players are Xs or Os.

Rules: Players take turns placing an X or an O in one of the squares until all the squares except one are filled. (Each player has 12 turns for a total of 24 squares.)

Winning: Count the number of three-in-a-rows each player has. Sequences can be vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Whoever has the most, wins.

Note: Can one mark be counted in more than one three-in-a-row sequence? Decide ahead of time, yea or nay.

Variation: Block out the middle box as the 25th square. Use this square as either a wild square that can complete a three-in-a-row sequence, or as a blocked square that can't be used. Decide before playing.

Example below: The gray lines indicate successful sequences, the red line indicates a possible sequence if you choose the variation in which a mark can be used in more than one sequence. X has 3 (possibly 4) sequences, O has 2. X wins.

4 x 4 Tic-Tac-Toe

Materials and set up: You need 8 tokens in two colors, grid board.

This version of tic-tac-toe is played on a 4x4 grid. For this version, instead of making Xs and Os, you will use tokens. Use coins, beans, checkers or other objects.

Each player has four tokens. Tokens are placed in the starting position as shown below. Note that each player has two tokens on opposite sides of the board.

Rules: Alternating turns, players move their tokens in an attempt to get them into a three-in-a-row position. Players can move to an immediately adjacent open square. They may more forwards, backwards, horizontally and vertically. They may not move diagonally. They may not jump over another token.

Winning: The winner is the first player to achieve three-in-a-row. A winning three-in-a-row may be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

Math Tic-Tac-Toe

This is a fun way to practice math skills and is great for classroom use, too. Watch the how-to video below, or visit our math tic-tac-toe post for the written instructions.

Tapatan

Tapatan is a three-in-a-row game from The Philippines. Watch the how-to video below, or visit our Tapatan post for the written instructions.

Nine Holes

Nine Holes is classic three-in-a-row game that's very easy to learn. It's a forerunner for the game, Nine Men's Morris. Watch the how to video below, or visit our Nine Holes post for the written instructions.

Dara

Dara is traditional three-in-a-row game from Nigeria. Dara is unlike any of the other tic-tac-toe versions listed here. It has a big twist. Watch the how-to video below, or visit our Dara post for the written instructions.

Rota

How about a bonus 9th version of tic tac toe? This time, the game is Rota and it's a game from ancient Rome! Watch the video, or read our how to play Rota instructions while you grab a free printable game board and instruction pdf.

The post 8 Tic-Tac-Toe Variations appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

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

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.

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. One of the key ways kids can succeed in these subjects to draw upon a growth mindset and these STEM games are perfect for developing the logic and perseverance that are essential for a growth mindset!

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

You'll find the following categories of games below:

• Logic and Engineering
• Strategy and Spatial Development
• Math and Logic
• Coding and Technology
• Science and Strategy
• Problem Solving and Cooperation

For more games you'll love, visit: family games that build executive function skills.

Logic and Engineering

Gravity Maze

Find it: Amazon

Gravity Maze is fantastic for developing kids' visual perception, logic and reasoning skills. The game includes a set of translucent tower mazes in various colors, a building tray, metal marbles and a set of challenge cards (ranging from beginning to expert). Each challenge cards dictates a starting point for tower build, indicating which towers are used, and where the marble exit point should be. Players attempt to build a marble run according to the parameters indicated on each challenge card.

You will also like: SINGLE PLAYER LOGIC GAMES

Strategy and Spatial Development

Almost all of the traditional diy board games I regularly feature could fall into the category, "strategy and spatial development." However, I will highlight a pair we love. Check out all the traditional games from around the world you can make yourself.

Five Field Kono

Find it: Learn how to play Five Field Kono

Five Field Kono is an excellent choice for kids who love games like Chinese Checkers. It's a battle-type abstract strategy game from Korea in which players aim to move their team to the opposite side of the board. Players have to strategize and think ahead in order to be successful.

Mū Tōrere

Find it: Learn how to play Mū Tōrere here (We even have a free printable board!)

Mū Tōrere is played by the Maori people of New Zealand. The objective is to prevent your opponent from moving by creating a blockade. The star shaped game board is a fun twist and keeps players on their toes.

Math and Logic

Math Tic Tac Toe

Find it: Learn how to play Math Tic Tac Toe here (with tips for helping kids learn strategy)

This basic math game is perfect for the early grades when kids are working on adding more than two numbers. It helps children practice mental math skills, which are crucial for math success in school. Kids will also have to use basic strategy skills because in order to win you have to plan ahead. Watch the video above to see my son and I playing the game!

Prime Climb

Find it: Amazon

Prime Climb is excellent for kids ages 10 and up. It's fairly fast paced and has won a zillion awards. Playing Prime Climb requires kids to exercise their multiplication and division skills, while also teaching about prime numbers. Watch the video above to see how it's played!

MORE: Award-winning games for each age

Coding and Technology

Hacker

Find it: Amazon

Hacker is a cybersecurity game for ages 10 and up that can be played solo or as a cooperative game. We ended up playing it more often as a cooperative game but it is interesting enough that teens will want to disappear into their rooms with the game to attempt to complete all 120 challenges! There are three steps to the challenges: "code it," hack it" and "fix it." It can seem complicated at first, but fortunately it comes with thoughtfully written and clear instructions.

Code Master Programming Logic Game

Find it: Amazon

Code Master is a single player game that uses programming logic to create a sequence of events that will allow them to navigate a map in search of crystals. There are 10 maps with 60 levels. It is recommended for ages 8 and up. My almost 7 year old has become a little obsessed with it, but he needs me to sit with him and give him a lot of guidance. My 10 year old easily plays by himself. I love how much of a challenge the game is, while also being enjoyable.

You will also like: 5 CODING GAMES FOR KIDS

Science Games

Photosynthesis

Find it: Amazon

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. The artwork is beautiful and adds to the unique game play. We have enjoyed playing this game!

Problem Solving and Cooperation

Virtually every game can fit into this category, but some games rely more heavily on rational thinking than others. For single player games you'll definitely want to check out the best single player logic games for kids, but below are a few of our choices for stellar family games.

Chicken War

Find it: Amazon

Chicken War is not only great for problem solving, it requires players to engage their observation skills, making it one of our top games for developing visual perception. Chicken War also has a hilarious premise!

Game play consists of collecting a group of chickens (your army!) with several similar elements and discarding the rest. Elements include color, props, and attire. 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. Ages 8 and up.

Forbidden Island and Forbidden Desert

Find it: Forbidden Island | Forbidden Desert

We love the Forbidden game series so much, we own both versions. They are also the best cooperative games for ages 8 and up. Players must work together to survive encroaching disasters (floods, drought, storms, etc), while gathering items to ensure their escape. One of my favorite aspects of the game is that each team member has a different special skill, which increases communication between players.

Hoot Owl Hoot

Find it: Amazon

For families with younger kids, hands down our favorite problem-solving cooperative game is Hoot Owl Hoot. It was one of our earliest picks for Game of the Month. Players work together to get all the baby owls back to the nest before the sun rises. Young kids love working with their grown-ups to figure out which colored circle is best to fly their babies to on each turn. And listening to little ones making hooting noises is too cute!

The post Best STEM Games for Developing Growth Mindset appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

By the way, don't forget to check out our growing collection of traditional board games from around the world.

About Lau Kata Kati

Lau Kata Kati is part of the Alquerque family of traditional board games. It's a battle-type game in the vein of the familiar game of Checkers. Two opponents face off on a butterfly shaped game board with the objective to capture opposing tokens or block them from moving.

Players will enjoy playing Lau Kata Kati alongside Kaooa, a traditional "hunt game" from India. And, hey, if you're working with students on a unit about India, be sure to read these folktales from India, and these children's books with characters of South-Asian descent!

How to Play

Objective:

Be the first player to capture all your opponent's tokens, or block them from moving.

Now, watch our how-to video, or read the written instructions, below!

The post Lau Kata Kati: A Traditional Strategy Game from India appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

We happen to have a rather larger than average collection of solitary logic games for kids for precisely the reasons I outlined above. (Also because we are game addicts.) Today I'm sharing a gift guide list of awesome games. Each of these brain teasing logic puzzle games makes kids smarter and has been a quality investment in my children's future and my sanity.

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

Best Single Player Logic Games

Here are some of the best single player logic games, all of which my kids and I love:

Find it: ThinkFun Rush Hour (ages 7+) | Rush Hour, Jr. (ages 4+) | Extra challenge cards

Rush Hour has long been my top game recommendation for kids. I've bought the original, or the version for younger kids, Rush Hour, Jr., for more birthday presents than I can count. Challenge cards in several levels each display puzzles that kids solve by rearranging the vehicles to drive the red truck off the board. Splendid.

UPDATE: ThinkFun now has My First Rush Hour for preschoolers! It's so great it was featured as a game of the month.

Find it: Balance Beans

Balance Beans is a math logic game that uses puzzle cards organized by skill level. Each puzzle involves setting up the red beans and then figuring out which beans to add to the see-saw in order to make it balance. It is actually more challenging than it sounds. But the thing that sold me is that each puzzle can also be solved by algebra. That's right! Algebra! Which is why my 11-year-old math nerd enjoyed it so much. Although older sibling may enjoy the game, stick to ages 5-8 for gift giving.

Find it: Colorku | Expansion packs

Colorku is a colorful, oversized version of Sudoku. We have gotten so much mileage out of this game. Even though it was pricey, it was totally worth it. My son has spent many independent play hours improving his thinking skills with this game over the years. The wooden board and marbles are a pleasure to use. Challenge cards come in different levels and expansion packs are available. Ages 8 and up.

Find it: Katamino

If you are looking for an heirloom quality game for your kids that will continue to be a fun challenge into their adult years, look no further. This puzzle game can be played as a single player game or with 2 players, making it very versatile. Ages 6 and up.

Find it: Camelot, Jr. 

This one player logic game has wooden pieces that are lovely for little hands to hold. Challenge cards contain puzzles that kids solve by creating pathways between the princess and prince. Bonus: kids can use the blocks as part of their pretend play. Ages 4 and up.

Similar games:

• Castle Logix, ages 4 and up; we featured it as a game of the month
• Day and Night, for ages 2 and up
• Smart Car, ages 4 and up

Find it: Code Master

This single player game consists of an avatar game piece with 4 crystals, a book of guide scrolls, colored tokens and a map book. The player choses a skill level and a map, and attempts to navigate the map by creating a sequence of actions based on placement of tokens. The object of each challenge is to collect the required crystals and land on the end portal.  Code Master is excellent for developing visual perception and deductive reasoning skills. Ages 8 and up.

Find it: Little Red Riding Hood | Three Little Piggies

This award-winning, fairy tale logic game merges storytelling with logical thinking! The game includes a story book, plus 48 challenging puzzles. Kids strive to get Little Red to grandma's house before the wolf gets there! Not a fan of Little Red Riding Hood? Three Little Piggies is a very similar game. Ages 4 and up.

Find it: Simon Electric Memory Game | Simon Travel Version

Do you remember this marvelous game? I love leaving our Simon game lying aroud to be rediscovered by the kids on a rainy day. They always rise to the challenge and although it's not silent, it sure keeps them occupied. And I know they are stretching their memory, visual perception and attention skills. Win-win! Ages 7 and up.

Find it: Block by Block 

Block by Block is an excellent logic game to take on your travels. It is a 3D puzzle game. Kids must solve puzzles by arranging the blocks in the formations illustrated on the challenge cards. Also check out the colorful version this game: Shape by Shape. Ages 7 and up.

Find it: SET

SET is a family card game, but it is very versatile and can also be enjoyed by a single player. The player aims to gather "sets" of cards based on logical rules. We featured it as a game of the month, so hop over there to learn more if you want! Ages 6 and up.

Find it: Logic Links 

Logic links is a great hands on single player logic game in which kids exercise spatial and logical deductive reasoning skills and they solve clues in order to put colored discs in the right order. We got so much use out of this game and it really stretches those thinking skills! Ages 6 and up.

Find it: IQ Link | IQ Twist | IQ Focus

When you want a portable puzzle that will work those thinking muscles on the go and which doesn't use a screen to entertain, these two logic games are exactly what you need. From personal experience I know the IQ family of games will also keep kids busy on long trips! Games are played by solving puzzles by fitting irregularly shaped pieces on the game board. Ages 6-8 and up.

The post Gift Guide for Kids: Best Single Player Logic Games appeared first on What Do We Do All Day.

The game board consists of pairs of triangles. Traditionally, Kolowis Awithlaknannai is played on a board of 30 pairs of triangles, with 23 tokens per player. We've paired down the game board significantly to make it easier for children, and to shorten the length of the game.

To learn how to play another abstract strategy board game from the Native Americans from the southwest region, try out Picaria, or check out all the traditional games from around the world we've shared with you here.

How to Play Kolowis Awithlaknannai

Objective: To capture or block your opponent. 

What you need:

• Game board. See form below to get our free printable, or draw your own. Our printable includes 2 smaller versions. One with 4 pairs of triangles and one with 8 pairs.
• 6 or 12 tokens per player (depending on which board you choose), in 2 different colors
• 2 enthusiastic players
• A crown of victory (optional)

Watch the video instructions and scroll down for the written instructions, tips and history of the game.

Notes on playing:

If players reach an impasse in play, with no end in sight, they can decide to either 1) call it a draw; or 2) decide that the player with the most tokens remaining is the winner.

Variations:

The beauty of traditional games is they can evolve over time and players can feel free to try out new rules and variations. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Use a smaller or larger board. No matter how long the board is, you need enough tokens so that in the opening position only the center point is empty.
• Do not allow players to change direction when capturing multiple tokens
• Allow captures to be optional instead of compulsory

Boost strategic thinking:

Since Kolowis Awithlaknannai relies on skill and not chance, players have a great opportunity to build upon their strategic thinking skills. Ask these questions:

1. Is it better to go first or second?
2. Should you ever allow your token to be captured on purpose?
3. How can you avoid a draw?
4. How does using a different size game board affect game play?
5. Is it better to focus on forcing your opponent into the middle of the board or the ends?

History of Kolowis Awithlaknannai

Awithlaknannai comes from the Zuni American Indians. It is part of the Alquerque family of games. A defining characteristic of Alquerque games that pieces can move diagonally and jump to capture enemy tokens, as in checkers.

Games expert and American ethnographer, Stewart Culin, described the game in his 1907 book, Games of the North American Indians Volume 2: Games of Skill. It is believed the Zuni people adapted the game from an Alquerque game introduced by the Spanish Conquistadors.

More of our favorite traditional games:

• Queah - from Liberia
• Picaria from the Zuni
• Watermelon Chess - from China

Further resources on American Indian traditional games:

• South Dakota State University : Traditional Native American Games
• The Institute for American Indian Studies
• Mississippi Valley Archaeology Center

The post Kolowis Awithlaknannai: Fighting Serpents Game 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.