The game Blokus has become a modern classic among board-game fans, who’ve known it well for over a decade. In this review, I’m hoping to introduce Blokus to a new audience as an educational aid, not merely a board game. Blokus hones three valuable skills for players willing to focus …

Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python (hereafter just Invent with Python), by Al Sweigart, now in its fourth edition, is the book that started it all for teaching kids “real” programming. The text has been updated over the years and recently changed publishers, but the core elements of iterative …

Rush Hour is the game that started it all for ThinkFun and has spawned a dynasty of follow-up games in the same series. The concept is simple: slide cars until you create a path for the red car to drive out. You’ll quickly become engrossed as you use logic and …

Quiddler is a word-forming card game that’s been described as “Scrabble with a shot of gin (rummy) and a twist of Phase 10.” It’s fun for both young and old players because you can choose strategies that suit your skill level and counter another player’s advanced vocabulary with some judicious …

Set is the paragon of what a learning game should be. It’s fun, gives your brain a great workout, and is easily adapted for all ages. Set is inexpensive and very portable, so bring it with you often. We’ve given Set our Rich Classic award because it deserves a place …

Spot It is a fast, fun game that parents and kids can both enjoy equally well. It’s a race to see who can spot the matching pictures between cards, and several different variations keep the game fresh over the years. Spot It earns our highest recommendation and has become a …