Smart Toys For Equally Smart Kids
Children who are gifted with good analytical skills and IQ can tire of regular games very easily. Here is a list of the Top Ten games that you could get for such children.
1) Set: The Family Game of Visual Perception
Here is an extremely popular game of all gifted kids. The object of the game is to find sets of three cards by following specific grouping rules. Each card has one of three shapes on it (a squiggle, a diamond, or an oval). The card can have one to three of those shapes on it and the shapes will be one of three colors displayed with one of three patterns. Gifted children are usually quick to pick out the sets from the twelve visible cards. A great family game (about $11).
2) Cranium Cadoo for Kids
This is the board game received the 2001 Parents' Choice Gold Award. It combines elements of some favorite games like Charades, Name-That-Tune, and Trivial Pursuit, and includes a bit of drawing and sculpting too! Players draw cards, which tell them what task they must complete before the musical timer goes off. It requires a minimum of two players but there is no maximum limit. (About $17)
3) Quarto Classic
Another award winning game is the Quarto Classic. It has won the Mensa Top 5 Best Games, Games Magazine Top 100 Games, and the Parents’ Choice Award. Only two players can play at a time. The pieces for the game are in two different colors and two different shapes. The goal of the game is to be the first to line up four pieces that share at least one characteristic (color or shape). The recommended age for the game is age 8 to adult, but some younger smarties may be able to play. (About $30)
4) Apples To Apples
Yet another multi-award winning game: Family Fun Toy of the Year Award and Mensa Select Award, among others is Apples To Apples. This game is for four to ten players, with a recommended age of 12 and up. Cards have either a noun or an adjective and players must match one of each card. A judge then decides on the "best" match, but throughout the game, players take turns being the judge! Available in a children's version for baby geniuses. (About $30)
5) Mad Gab
Mad Gab is a hilarious language game based on sounds and pauses in speech. It will have the participants in splits for a long, long time. Players have to read a phrase from a card and their opponent must guess what the "real" phrase is. While the sounds are basically the same in each phrase, the sounds are broken up with pauses in between different sounds! "Dew Wino Hue," for example, is actually "Do I know you?" The game is for 2 or more players aged ten to adult. A totally party-time game. (About $24)
6) Rush Hour Traffic Jam Logic Puzzle
Kids who love to workout problem solving games are going to love this one. The object of the game is to get from point A to point B, but you have to get through a gridlock, which you do by sliding cars and trucks to make room. Only one person at a time can play this game, so you might want to get more than one! Weave your way out of this puzzle! ($11)
7) Capsela Construction Kits
Kids who like to take things apart to figure out how things work are going to adore this one. With the Capsela Construction kits, kids can construct working models powered by a small battery. Gears, wheels and see-through interlocking parts allow children to build illustrated models or create their own. Easy to assemble, so kids as young as seven are going to enjoy their time with this one. (Any where from $19-$90)
8) Rokenbok Construction Sets
Junior engineers in the makings can build various working models like garages, conveyors, and elevators. The basic starter set can be expanded with several expansion kits that stretch children's creativity and problem solving skills. Remote control trucks add to fun quotient. The recommended age for Rokenbok construction sets is six and up. (From$33-$104)
9) Kapla Stacks Set
This set consists of flat planks of wood, all the same shape and size. That's the simple part. Those pieces, however, can be combined and stacked in a wide variety of ways, allowing children to build just about any kind of structure and to build it quite high without it falling down. Kids can be creative while they learn about balance and even architecture. ($66)
10) Home Planetarium
This planetarium projects over 300 stars and constellations onto the walls and ceiling of any darkened room. Kids who are into astronomy will enjoy using the planetarium to learn and identify those stars and constellations. This planetarium comes with a CD and an illustrated book of the universe. (about $30)
