Play it Up! The Best Games for Grade School (continued)

FIFTH GRADE

River Crossing (Ages 8 to Adult; 1 or more players)

A hiker wants to cross a scary river. You put down logs he can step on so he doesn’t get chomped by gators. No problem, right? Wrong! This marvelous game of logic and spatial relations consists of a magnetized guy, a bunch of toy planks and tree stumps, and 40 “challenge cards” from Beginner to Expert level. Our six year old tester was riveted, despite being told he was too young; he made it through the first few cards. Our ten year old moved faster—but slowed down significantly as routes got trickier. Our forty-six-year-old Mom? No comment. From an educational standpoint, we give this toy top marks: it directly addresses the problem-solving, spatial relations, and logic skills that run through math and science curriculum in every elementary and middle school grade. Plus, it can take as little as five minutes to play, so it's a great way to take a quick break in the middle of a homework session. ***** (Thinkfun, 5 minutes and up, $15.99)

Shape By Shape (single player; ages 8 to adult)

An addictive take on the ancient Chinese game of Tangram, Shape by Shape provides an obstacle course for the mind. The puzzles can be worked out alone or as a team, either with or without the use of the solutions on the back of the cards. Children (and adults!) will build their logic and deductive reasoning skills, and when played as a team, Shape By Shape is an excellent means of reinforcing cooperative teamwork. **** (Thinkfun; $10.00)

Block By Block (single player; ages 8 to adult)

Similar to Shape By Shape (but significantly more difficult) from the same manufacturer, Block By Block is a three-dimensional puzzle game that requires patience, dexterity, and deductive reasoning skills. Younger children (and easily frustrated grown-ups) may find these puzzles more enjoyable when worked out as a team. Answers are provided on the back of the puzzle cards, and many of the problems are difficult enough to pose a fun challenge even when constructing a particular shape with the aid of the solution. Like Shape By Shape, this game can be used to teach teamwork skills to all children in the elementary school age range. **** (Thinkfun; $10.00)

Ready for play? A word to the wise: before cracking open one of these games in front of a kid, crack it open when they're not around. Read the directions, assemble all necessary pieces, and familiarize yourself with the rules, prior to breaking it out for some family fun. Even the simplest games can have detailed, sometimes confusing instructions, and watching Mom or Dad quietly labor over them can quickly drain a kid's interest and patience.

That said, there's a lot of fun to be had in this pile of boxes. And none will really break the bank. So get playing, already!