Editorial Review

Honk! Honk! It's gridlock and the little red car can't move.The player is a traffic cop in the Rush Hour Traffic Jam Puzzle wherethe objective is to get the red car off the road. To play, pick one of40 challenge cards; solutions are printed on the back of each card.Then set up the cars and buses in a specified pattern on the6-inch-square road grid. Move the vehicles one by one (obey those trafficlaws!) until the red car can escape the traffic jam. There are fourlevels of difficulty. Kids can alternate turns with another player orjust "play in traffic" alone. The game from Binary Arts received anational award from Mensa and is used in elementary school mathclasses. The design includes clear instructions printed on the sturdybox, which can be used both as a playing tray and for storage. The gamecards stow away in a drawer in the road grid. This is a 1999 Parents'Choice recommended toy. --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (89)

Hours of Fun Fun Fun
This is a great puzzle. Since it is a game only one can play at a time, my nieces, ages 6 and 8 and my nephew age 11 took turns getting the red car out of the traffic jams. They even enjoyed watching each other find the solution to each "jam". Incidently the 6 year old is almost through solving the "Advanced" puzzles and I am about to buy both additional card packs. Kids and adults will love this game.

Great "toy"
Add us to the host of folks who love this puzzle toy. I generally consult Amazon ratings before purchasing new items and any item that has this many positive ratings always catches my attention. And it lives up to the promise. My almost 7 year-old son is ADHD and I was AMAZED at the way this toy captured his attention. I expected him to become quickly frustrated and give up. But after a few successes, he was hooked. I coached him a little bit at first (and then I was hooked too!) and before I knew it, he was solving puzzles by himself and doing a better job than me! He did the first 20 in one sitting. I was amazed as I watched him begin understanding which cars had to be where in order for him to get the red car out, then he started working out his plan to get there. You have to think ahead to be successful and he was doing it!

His persistence and concentration surprised me, so if your child is having any problems sitting and concentrating on a task, don't be afraid of this toy! But, alas, as with many ADHD kids, he's also been tested as gifted, so he's already run through the first 3 levels and is now nearly done with the expert level - solving puzzles that I can't do! I have to wait until he goes to bed to even get a chance to play! There's 40 cards in the first pack. The beginning levels are pretty easy to remember the solutions, but as you go higher in difficulty, you could probably do the puzzles more than once and still be challenged. But do be prepared to buy the 2, 3, and 4 Gift Pack (a great deal for $12 on Amazon)

I LOVE the fact that you store the cards right in the bottom of the tray. However,I wish that they would put a more permanent kind of cover on the tray. Also, you cannot replace the cover when you are in the middle of a puzzle, the cars have to be in the tray in a certain way in order for the cover to fit properly. But those are extremely minor drawbacks considering the hours of entertainment my son and I have gotten.

grate!!!
I love this game and so do my familly from ages 6 - 35. you will enjoy playing this game alone at home. the greate part is that even once youv memorized this toy and all the levels (wich you will.) you can buy more cards! it is a grate present for anyone not too lazy to think a bit. everyone has their own level. Also other games such as the one croosing the river from this manufacturer are fantastic! really worth the money!

GREAT GIFT IDEA
We just got this game today and we were all instantly addicted! My 7 year old loved the challenge of the game, didn't get frustrated at all, and wouldn't even think of giving up on trying to solve the puzzles! This is a great gift idea for birthday parties, as it's inexpensive and parents will appreciate the educational value of this puzzle game.

Greatest Game Ever!
I am in the Gifted program in school and it is a lot of fun! I play this everyday. It is very challenging but an awesome game! I would reccomend it to anyone! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Spell a word backwards, hum a tune, answer a multiple-choicequestion, draw with your eyes closed, and more when you play Cranium.Unlike games that focus on only a few skills, Cranium offers 14talent-tapping activities designed to bring out the best in you and yourfriends. Cards from four decks, color-coded to match each of the crazycharacters--Star Performer, Creative Cat, Data Head, and WordWorm--describe activities that teams must complete in order to advance aroundthe board. If you choose a Sculptorades card from the Creative Catdeck, for example, you might be asked to sculpt a hamburger fromlemon-scented Cranium Clay while your teammates try to guess what you'recreating.

To win the game, teams have to make it to Cranium Central--the largepurple brain in the center of the board--and then successfully completeone activity from each of the four decks. The result is that the teamwith the best combination of abilities comes out on top. With itswonderfully diverse set of activities and top-notch design (artwork byillustrator GaryBaseman decorates the colorful board and decks of cards), Craniumoffers the best of all board game experiences--and it's a whole lot offun, too! (For 4 or more players) ... Read more

Reviews (477)

Hilarious way for teens and adults to spend time together
I bought this game based on the other reviews, hoping it would be a fun way for my visiting sister and brother-in-law to get reacquainted with 2 nephews and 2 nieces (ages 14-19). We spent an entire evening playing, and have never laughed so hard! My sister and I had tears running down our faces, and the "kids" kept begging to play again. We have a true mix of left- and right-brainers in our family, and this was the first game we've ever played that EVERYONE liked equally (and we have tried them all!). After a few questions, the brainiacs wanted to try the artsy stuff, and vice versa, because the game is so low-pressure and FUN. Forget the comments about difficult set-up, hard-to-follow instructions -- nothing could be further from the truth. It took no time at all to figure out how to play, and -- DUH! -- you don't have to keep rereading the same instructions over and over just because they are printed on each card (of the same category)! And the people who want "harder" questions are missing the point...with Cranium, it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game -- and how much fun you have playing it!

Anyone can play
I purchased this game after hearing about it from a friend. We took it home for the holidays and played non-stop for hours with the entire family. Then we brought it over to a friend's house.

There are four basic categories, each of which bring out a certain skill set. There is the green catagory where you have to act like a famous person, play charades, or hum a song.

The blue category challenges your art skills - either drawing like pictionary, or with your eyes shut, or sculpting something out of clay.

The red catagory is very similar to a trivia game and the yellow category is for everyone who aced English class in high school! It involves spelling words both forward and backwards and choosing the correct definition for a word.

This game brings out the hidden talents in all of us. I especially like the clay (it comes included). No other game I've come across lets you sculpt the answer in clay. We fight over who gets to do the sculpting every time!

What a Blast!
This game is awesome! My husband and I aren't real big on board games, so when my Brother brought this game over on my Husbands B-day we both were thinking.."ugh" lol.. But we ended up playing 3 times! (Would have played more but it was late) My husband loved it! His favorite part was getting to sculpt things out of clay..(a little harder than it seems)try sculpting "jail" lol.or drawing ransom with your eyes closed! It was so much fun! It's not boring since the game mixes up the fun.. you never get 2 cards alike!... My husband had to act out Madonna! He could use words and gestures...but no names... It was the funniest thing I have ever seen! & something fun I will remember forever! We had so much fun, that we can't wait for them to come over again so we can play! I also just came across Cranium Conga.. This is a version for ages 8-88. We played it last night with our 2 kids ages 8 & 10 & had a blast! It is an excellent game that allows you to have some fun family time together! I recommened both games, and will be picking up the other 2 versions soon.. Will post my thoughts on those as well..

too predictable
I have played this game several times with a family of friends, and the same people always win. The skills necessary to keep playing are not different enough, and there is not enough chance involved. It is a relief when the game is over, which, as another reviewer has indicated, is a Bad Sign. "Wise and Otherwise" is much more entertaining.

Fun for everyone!
This is one of the most fun games I have ever played. It has a little of something for everyone, so everyone can enjoy it. People who enjoy art will love sculpting with the clay and drawing, hams will love playing charades and humming tunes, technical people will like answering mind bending trivia questions, and the word problems might stump even the most seasoned language lovers. This game is most fun when you have a lot of people to play with, making it a great pick for a party or holiday get together. It's definitely worth the price and you're guaranteed to have hours of fun with it! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

great design, great fun
This preschooler variation of the old favorite Bingo is a real winner.

Zingo cards have a 3 by 3 grid that shows pictures and words. Cards have a yellow side (easier, for younger kids) and a red side for the odler ones. The plastic game piece dispenser is well-designed and fun to use. Players shout out to claim a piece, which is then placed over the appropriate square on the player's card. There are several play variations.

Excellent game for the younger set, and fun for older children and adults as well.

Wonderful toy - kids love it!
My son got this for his fourth birthday and still plays with it regularly (he's now over 5). He'd just started to read when he got it, and the game helped him add many new words to his vocabulary - but more importantly, it was fun! His friends loved it so much that several of them asked for their own sets as gifts. We play until everyone wins and gets to shout Zingo!, and the kids help each other get there. And my son even plays it sometimes by himself. It's really wonderful, very very fun, and would be great for kids from about 3 to at least 6.

game enthusiast
my 4 yr old daughter received this game as a gift. she hasn't stopped playing it! Everyone in the family has fun with Zingo! from my 8 yr old daughter to my mother in law! Great family fun!

Let's Zingo!
Our children love this game and it is by far their favorite. Though the recommended ages are 4 and up - my 4 year old and my 2 1/2 year old both enjoy playing this game and it is one that they never seem to tire of. The playing pieces are all very durable and well constructed. I highly recommend Zingo.

Excellent game that even parents enjoy!
This game is great. Since the day we got it, it has been played with all the time. The kids love being able to yell "Zingo" when the win. The design is great since you can keep all the pieces neatly tucked in the dispenser.

A great fun, educational game for game nights and rainy days! ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Fun for the entire family!
We bought this for my 6 year old daughter for Christmas and everyone enjoyed it! I was amazed how well she did moving through the easy to more advanced levels. Her enthusiasm was contagious and everyone began trying to do the puzzles. My daughter felt a strong sense of accomplishment when she actually did better than many of the adults! It is a durable, compact, challenging puzzle that is so enjoyable that you will get hooked! In fact, I am looking for additional cards to continue the fun!
This is definitely a 5 star game that has educational value and is also appealing to kids.

A game help children learn to use their minds!
I bought this game for my 5 yr old. She loves it and is challenged by the game. Even some of her older cousins enjoyed playing with it over the holidays.

great toy
We bought this toy for our 3.5 year old son, because he really loved it when he saw it in the store. He's been at it all the time after he got it and needed only minimal instructions to start playing. We really appreciated the fact that the difficulty levels were so appropriately designed. My son simply moved from one level to another with great enthusiasm and would never quit playing the game on his own.

Fun & Educational
I've never played Rush Hour, but the Junior version was a big hit with my 5 and 8 year old kids (and me!) this Christmas. It has 4 levels of difficulty: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert, with 10 cards in each level. You pick a card and set up the grid with vehicles as depicted on the card. The object is to get your ice cream truck through the traffic and exit the grid.

The rules are: no moving cars sideways. You have to move them forward or backward based on the direction the vehicles are facing. The beginner cards typically require each vehicle be moved only once before you are able to get the ice cream truck through the traffic. With the advanced cards, you may have to move vehicles a few times as you strategically plan your escape.

This game is not only fun, but helps with organization (setting up the grid) and planning (figuring out how to get your ice cream truck out of a jam). It also gives the kids a sense of accomplishment as they move on to the more difficult cards.

I highly recommend it and we plan on buying the adult version soon!

Great whole family fun!
After reading about Rush Hour, Jr. on this website, I decided to get it for my sons, age 7 and 4. They are both a year older now, and still enjoy it. My oldest is now ready for the "adult" version but the more difficult puzzles of the Jr. game still provide some challenge. An unexpected benefit from this "game" is that my sons love to watch each other play and offer encouragement and sometimes advice, and neither gets discouraged when he gets stuck--how great is it to see that?

It also travels really well, we take it in the car for our frequent long trips and take it on the boat to play during snack time.

Parents--I definitely recommend both Rush Hour versions and the booster cards. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

You either love it or hate it!
We play this game as a family, and either my husband or I set it up. The plastic rods are fine, but if my five year old got a hold of them they would be snapped in half almost instantly. IF you decide to buy this toy be prepared: an adult or older child will have to set it up. Putting in the rods takes time and patience. Also, be vigilant with the pieces-- they are not meant for younger children because of the choking hazzard (the marbles) and the frustration level of setting up the game. Great for family night fun, but not good if you're hoping the kids will play quietly for a while while you get something else done!

A Piece of Junk
This game has ended up in the trash bin--it's made of cheap plastic, falls apart easily, it's difficult to get all the sticks in, nobody wants to put the sticks back in because that's very boring. I think my memory has failed me--I thought this used to be a fun game when my kids were little--I sure don't remember all the hassles with it. But I've noticed the quality of games/toys nowadays can be very poor--so many cheezy, cheapo parts. Save your money and buy something else.

DON'T buy this!
I bought this toy for my five year-old because I saw it recommended in one of the parenting magazines. It is loud and obnoxious. Sometimes it just makes noise for no reason. It falls apart easily. Save your money for something else!

pass on the kerplunk
My children of 4 and 7 almost immediately got bored with this toy. The problem is in the set up. Neither of them wanted to stick all those sticks in the holes. It was a total bomb and waste of money. It takes 2 minutes to play it and 10 minutes to set it up.

Fun, quick game
We bought this game for our boys (6 and 3 1/2) and they love it. The only frustrating part is setting up the game (putting the sticks in), but after that, the game moves very quick and is fun to play. Durability is in question with the sticks, but when you have kids playing, that isn't too surprising. All in all, a great game. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This is a strategy game with a twist--if you lose, you'relunch. You've taken your trusty Safari Rover deep into the bush; nowmaneuver it through the maze of hungry animals and get back to camp inone piece. An 8-by-7.25-inch plastic game tray forms a kind of grid foryour vehicle and the 3-D plastic animal pieces (including elephants,rhinos, and a termite mound). Draw one of 50 cards (10 of which areextra-easy, for younger players) to determine the initial board setup.Then move pieces, according to strict rules, to make your escapethrough the only exit. A cloth bag for all the game pieces is included.--Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Fun but bulky
Our family truly enjoys the Rush Hour game and tried this one as well - it is bigger and bulkly and convenient for travel. I alos find the puzzles to be a bit easier. The pieces don't slide as well as Rush Hour.

Good toy for everyone
I knew this game at a friend's house and love it even I was 30 already at that time. I bought several when I went back to visit my family and they all love it. When I told my mom that I would give my brother's 1st grad boy a set, she told me he won't like it since he doesn't like the brain games. But he loves it soon after my sister explain to him the rules and he enjoys to do it. My little one, almost 23 months old now, likes those animals and loves to put all of those animals to the board one by one and kind of learn the size and arrange the place. It's not only for 8 and up.

Great game; an attention grabber
I bought this for my 6 year old. She played with it for an hour the first time. It is a game she can play solo. After using the Junior cards, she went on to the beginner. She is still progressing. This is a great thinking game. I highly recommend it.

The best Rush Hour game ever!
This game is so much fun!Let me tell you a secret about this game.You can look on the back of the cards to get clues to beat the level that your playing if your stuck.So this game is so fun!

A Wonderful Way to Play Together or Challenge a Child
My 7-year-old daughter loves this activity. There are so many active toys available, but Binary Toys has the best strategic-play games around. We play together often with this toy; I find it as much fun as she does. But, she would just as soon sit at the kitchen counter playing it by herself. We take it on trips, and all the relatives enjoy it, too. Since the "solution" shown on the back of each card is straightforward to follow for an adult but not for a child, she is never tempted to turn the card over and "cheat." Instead, through trial and error, she eventually escapes the safari and moves to the next card. Having the wide range of skill level cards helps keep everyone interested. Having the handy cloth case for storage is appreciated as well. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Test your code-cracking prowess with Mastermind, "the challenging game of logic and deduction." The codemaker sets a code of four colored pegs--choosing from yellow, red, orange, blue, green, or white--and conceals it behind a flip-up shield. Your mission: replicate the code in 10 moves or fewer. With each of the codebreaker's attempts, the codemaker uses red and white key pegs to offer cryptic clues about color and position. Make the game even more difficult by using multiple pegs of the same color or by leaving one or more peg holes empty. With more than 2,000 possible code combinations, every game is guaranteed to be a brain-bender. All of Mastermind's components can be stored in the game board. Mastermind is for two players. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Classic logic game - just don't say "educational"
My son got this modern version for his ninth birthday. I was excited to play after so many years and he took to it quickly. My only complaint (and the reason for 4, not 5, fun stars) is that the rounded plastic pegs are difficult to lift out of the holes, even for kids. The problem is worse behind the flip-up screen. I still highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys logic puzzles. It has a small element of luck and a larger element of skill, and, unlike logic puzzles, allows (downside is that it requires) two players. Younger kids may become frustrated, unless they're already into chess or similar games.

I really wish I still had the Mastermind strategy book I had when I was a kid. I can't find one on Amazon or the web.

Simultaneously simple and complex--great for all ages!
We have dozens of games in our house, but this one is a favorite. My 6 year-old son picked up the rules in about 5 minutes, but continues to develop his strategy every time we play. It is simultaneously simple and complex, and a great way to get kids to employ reason and logic, while having fun. This is now one of his two favorite games (the other being Othello, which I also highly recommend). We play it often, and it is a great way to get him away from the TV so we can spend some quality time together. Sometimes I win!

I only awarded 4 stars for durability because small pieces are easily lost, as with any similar game.

A fun and intelligent game
We recently started playing this game and my 5 year old loves it. It is a simple game and one through which one can learn a lot. We played with an older set until recently when we bought the new design (featured on this page). I have several complaints about this new and improved design: It has a storage compartment, but it is not so well designed. With only half of the pieces in the storage compartment, its lid takes a while to close. The key pegs fit too tightly into the holes and the pegs are harder to put in and take out than the older (and more simple and plain) set. But, this set does come with over 100 pegs, which is very convenient.

Despite my complaints, this game is worth getting for what one gets out of it: it is not just fun--it is an intelligent game of logic and deductive reasoning.

This One Gets Played Often - By Everyone
This game is easy to learn, and keeps kids and adults entertained. It will keep the kids entertained on a rainy day, and exercise their minds more than TV. It's also something you can play with them and enjoy. It's not like some of those annoying games that have 47 pages of complex rules that no-one ever learns. At the same time it's challenging.

Put On Your Thinking Caps For This One!
"Mastermind" is a great game for those who like to use their deductive reasoning.I have the older version and it has lasted for years. It can be played by children(starting around the pre-teen age)and adults together and it's also great for just the kids or just the grownups to play on their own.

The game consists of multi-colored pegs and a board.One person arranges several pegs(which are hidden from view) in any number of color schemes. The other player has several chances to guess the pattern by arranging the pegs in different orders until he guesses the correct scheme or runs out of chances. The first player indicates how many correct colors are displayed. Using the process of elimination is the key to winning!

It's a great game to take along when traveling or visiting (much easier to pack up then a computer and video games!). The pieces are very small so I would reccommend keeping it out of reach of toddlers.

It will really make you think!(I like to see my kids thinking, it's such a rare treat!)...Have Fun...Laurie ... Read more

Editorial Review

With five levels of play, from junior to expert, Railroad RushHour offers a challenge for kids and grownups alike. The puzzle consists of a sturdy plastic grid, 40 puzzle cards (with solutions on the back) for ages 8 and older, 10 junior challenge cards for ages 6 to 8, 17 brightly colored blocking trains, two blocking baggage platforms, a blue-and-white striped travel pouch, and "you," the little red escape locomotive. Trains are placed on the grid as indicated on each puzzle card. The object is to steer your escape locomotive through the freight yard and out the exit gate indicated. You can warm up your problem-solving skills by getting the puzzle out of the box. All aboard for fun! --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Teriffic fun, great value
This game really is great. My autistic 11-year-old gets
a good mental challenge and feeling of accomplishment out of it,
and I have fun as well. My only negative comment is regarding
travel. We've taken it on many plane trips, and it's great
because it fits in a small area to play as well as store, but
it has a lot of small parts (duh! :-), and they are easy to lose
track of when travelling. So be vigilant, and find all those
train cars when putting it away! :-)

Railroad rush hour - a great game for all
This is a fabulous game for people of all ages. Even little kids can play the easy cards. The harder ones can be very engrossing for adults. My son started playing it when he was 4 years old. I have also given it to somebody as a present for their 40th birthday. I recommend it for anybody who wants a bit of a mental challenge.

More Cards Please
This is a great puzzle game. Kids learn problem solving and adults practice their own problem solving; all of this brain work is neatly disquised because they are having fun. I wish that Binary Arts would come out with more card sets for their Railroad game like they have for the Rush Hour game. I want extra puzzles! It would make it more rewarding to own.

Best Game of all Time
This game is like rush hour except a heck of a lot better. This game is so much fun. Me and my family sit around it and try to figure out the puzzles.

Trains! Trains ! and more trains!
From the creators of Rush Hour, Rush Hour2 and Rush Hour 3 comes Railroad Rush Hour, than train game. Binary has come up with yet another thinking game and another great time.

Given 40 cards, from beginner to expert, and 10 junior cards, for those under 8 years old, you'll spend hours trying to get you train out the maze and to the station.

The game includes a cloth holding sack for easy storage and travel, making this the perfect home, road or away game. Kids and parent will both enjoys the hours fun.

I like the idea of the platform blocking pieces moving in any direction, this adds the strategy. Also this gift is priced to fit any budget and makes a great gift for the hard to buy for. Congratulations Binary Arts on a job well done! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Brian Busting Toy
The object is to get your logger from one end og the board to the other while following pretty obvious rules. 40 different cards provide a challenge for all levels. Loads of fun. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Goodnight Moon Game is a collection of six matching and memory skill-building activities of gradually increasing difficulty featuring charming illustrations from the children's book classic. At the beginner's level, children match cards to identical images on the game board. They then graduate to games involving memory skills, while also matching images that are similar but not identical. Once you've matched and memorized to your child's content, cuddle up together to read Goodnight Moon. No reading is required to play the games. Includes four playing boards, 24 matching cards, and the rules. Winner of the Parents' Choice Gold Award and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Best Toy Award. Goodnight Moon Game is for one to four players. --Elizabeth Ward ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great game
we've had this game since my son was 18 months - and we're still playing with it at almost 3. it's basically a memory game, but you can play it competitively, or not, with colors, or with black and white. if you love the book, this is a nice addition. the only problem is the cards - with a toddler, it's kind of hard to keep them on the table together, much less in the right "spots". but if your kid is kind of orderly, this is a great game to play with them. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Bringing a new look to the classic peg solitaire game, here comes Hoppers. Since peg solitaire is a jumping game, what could be more natural than designing the pegs to resemble frogs? Players choose their preferred level of difficulty (from beginner to expert) and select one of the 40 cards included with the game. Following the diagram on the card, 4 to 12 frogs are placed on the game board lily pads. Then it's time to get hopping. Frogs leap over each other until there's only one left on the board. The beginner setups will be easy enough for most players to master quickly. The expert setups will take a lot of cogitation and some false starts before they're solved. If players have jumped and jumped and are still stumped, each card has the solution on the back. When play is done, frogs and playing cards can be tucked away in the nifty storage compartment beneath the game board.--Wendy Slotboom ... Read more

Reviews (7)

FUN WAY TO MASSAGE YOUR BRAIN!
This is a great toy to develop your child's strategic thinking. The game is relatively simple. Organize your frogs as per the cards, jump one frog over the other and remove the jumped-over frog. The objective is to leave just one frog. You can only jump 'adjacent' frogs along the lines (see picture).

The recommended age is 8 but younger children (supervised!) are just as enthralled. I had to improvise on the instructions, but I've taught the concepts to two 3 year olds - my buddy's son and my own. You will be amazed that they get it!

It is the greatest travel game. My son got this when he was 3 years old, and 4 years later it is still his first choice when we ask him to pick some toys for a trip........and he has a GameBoy!!

It is very durable, constructed very well and has seen no wear in 4 years of regular use. This is one of the toys that'll, literally, last you a life-time.

This is definitely a precursor for any parent looking to teach their kids Chess. Solving each situation requires you to think a few steps ahead.

This is probably the least expensive way to develop a new dimension in your child's brain.

VARIATIONS:
This toy also comes with a single "Red Frog". The objective is to leave the red frog standing.

OTHER SIMILAR TOYS:
FlipIT - This toy made by the same company, is a more difficult version of Hoppers. It is a 4X4 grid with Turtles instead of Frogs. The turtles can be placed on their bellies (green side up) or can be turned-turtle (orange side up).
One jumps over the turtles but the turtles do not come off the board - they just flip over. They flip over each time they're jumped over - green to orange and orange to green. The objective is to turn all turtles the right (green) side up.

Hop Hop Hop
Another fun game for those who can't read or who can't read English. The youngest likes to put the pegs in. It is good practice setting up the games from the cards. The little frogs can get lost, but the neat box the game makes into helps with that. And, you don't need all the frogs to play most of the set ups.

I had a Hoppin' good time!
My friend got Hoppers as a birthday present and we all played it. It was really fun and it got more challenging as we went on. What you do is: You pick a card and place the frogs on the pgs of what the picture shows on the card. Then you take one frog and jump it over one. The one that it jumped over, take it off the peg. The object it to have 1 frog remaining. It is very educational because you have to think when you play it. It is very durable because there is a pull out drawer under it that you store the frogs and the cards in. It's a great game that you can play in the car, especially for long vacations. Hoppers is hours of fun for everyone!

A hopping Good time!
Binary Arts really did a good job on this peg game. I owned Rush Hour, a other great game from Binary Arts, so I thought it would be just as fun as Rush Hour but with Frogs instead of trucks and cars. It is simple to play but gets harder as the game goes on. They give you 40 cards to play with. Each card becomes harder and more challenging. To play you must move one frog at a time. You must have only one frog left on the peg board to win a game. This game is full of fun for the whole family! I recommand this game to anyone who is looking for a rainy day game or just a fun game to play with when the kids are bored.

Frustration fun that never ends - a great time!
Every kids loves to play with frogs. Every kid has played leapfrog. Binary Arts has taken both concepts and created a game that makes playing fun, without the mess and at a great price.

The easy to follow directions will have you playing in less than 2 minutes and the easy storage of the game allows a quick cleanup after you are done. The game will teach strategy from the very beginning.

You are given 40 game cards, from beginner to expert, you arrange the frogs to match the card, then start jumping until you are left with one frog. I though this would be easy - that was until I tried it. It was great fun!

Binary Arts makes storing this game a breeze, which makes it easy to take Hoppers along in a car. Hoppers is also great for those rainy days or family night get together. Unbeatable fun at a unbeatable price! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Practice makes perfect in the world of math, but practice ismore fun when it's a game instead of homework. The rules of this boardgame resemble those in Scrabble, but Smath is played by creating mathequations instead of words. The game includes a playing board and lotsof tiny tiles with numbers, signs for math operations, and brackets tocreate more complex equations, which players can place on the boardhorizontally or vertically. The game can be played at different levelsof difficulty, from simple addition problems to equations combiningoperations (for example, (2)(2 + 3) = 5 x 2). The game is for two tofour players at different levels of math proficiency, making this aneducational (but still entertaining) game for the entire family, theclassroom, or for home schoolers. --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Reviews (9)

great game for those who enjoy math
I purchased this game for my family and we enjoy it very much. We play with our 7 year-old son and he loves the game, sure he seldom makes it to the end of a game, but in the age of video game junkies getting him to sit down and play with math for 20 minutes is a miracle. I love how you can adjust the level of play by leaving out the multiplication, division and parenthesis for your younger players. The only complaint I have is that the rules state that you cannot combine tiles to make 2 digit numbers, making the largest number possible 12. We just instituted "House Rules" and that took care of that problem. This game is more durable than a very similar game that is twice as expensive. I love this game, and for someone who enjoys formulating equations rather than forming words, this beats Scrabble hands down.

No contest for GED students
OK, I'm accually 18 using this Kiddy review cause its free, but still, to any college educated person how could you not like this game. I mean come-on people, I've been in some college classes where the students still play this awesome game. It is a challenge to race the younger math wizs in filling out the board. My GED class complains about the speed at which opportunity to make an equation is quickly decreasing, we still love it.

Smath is fun!
To A Toy Enthusiast from Iowa:
How can you be college educated and not understand this game? I don't understand.

I am writing to Pressman and asking them to make 'SCalculus and 'SGeometry... that would be fun.

'Smath is fun for all ages, not just 6-12 year olds. It is extremely durable, I've had mine for about 15 years or so, and I still love to play, and it's held up.

A Family Challenge - A Puzzling Blast :)
I realize some people find anything educational boring but come on... Don't blame the educational game for being exactly what it claims to be -- AN EDUCATIONAL GAME!

My kids and I both enhanced our thinking skills while spending hours around the game table playing Smath. We laughed, and we learned, while challenging ourselves and each other!

One reviewer claims the variety of plays is 'small' but I would challenge that reviewer to play again and open their mind to the endless possibilities of lengthening their equations and challenging their mind.

I played the game with three children ages 8 to 14 (two females and one male) and each of them had a blast.

This is a child's game that can challenge adults as well. What better way to bring the whole family together for some educational playtime where NO ONE need be bored.

For ANY Individual that needs to brush up on their basic math and/or logic skills and/or just enjoys a new challenge -- Smath is worth it!

okay to play once or twice
Scrabble is endlessly interesting, because it just keeps
getting more advanced as your abilities increase. The
same is not true of 'Smath. The number of different
operations is necessarily very limited, so the challenge
is not very interesting. I'd recommend this game for a
classroom, where many kids can enjoy it once or twice,
but not for playing for fun. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

OMG! The Best Game Ever!!!
i played this game for the first time with friends...after that i was begging my fiance to get it finally she caved and we cant put it down! great with friends!

Great Game. Something for Everyone.
We played this at Christmas with family and then had to go out and buy our own set. It is a perfect blend of game themes/styles. We have played it with people as young as 8 years old and they had fun as well. It is played with teams so everyone gets to feel included. :) A great buy.

Review for Cranium
My husband and I received 'Cranium' as a wedding present from a friend. One evening we had some friends over and we opened up the game and started playing... we LOVED it! It's a perfect mixture of Pictionary, Balderdash, Charades, Trival Pursuit and many others! My personal favorite is "Humdinger." It's the part of the game where a team member needs to hum or whistle a song that's on the card. The game is very entertaining and is guarenteed to get you laughing!

What Fun!
This game combines numerous party games and retains your interest for many hours. We especially loved the "blind drawing" and the charades. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Remember getting red-faced from those truths, or gigglingwith your friends over the dares while playing Truth or Dare? Thosedays are back with Jenga Truth or Dare. There are 18 red dare blocks,18 black truth blocks, and with the 18 blank write-your-own blocks,the game can get interesting. With questions like "Describe your worstmoment at a party." and dares such as "Slow dance with a broom." thereare many laughs to be had. The strategy is to remove a block anywherebelow the highest finished story, complete the required truth or dareon the block, and restack it on the top without causing the whole towerto tumble. The last one to put a block on without making it fall is thewinner. It's simple and great fun for groups, although you only needtwo people to play. The natural blocks are reusable if you use a leadpencil and write lightly. (Ages 12 to adult) --Victoria Caldwell ... Read more

Reviews (14)

You could possibly learn more than you ever wanted to know..
Truth or Dare Jenga is an interesting combination of 2 games you never thought would go together. As the reviews mention, you get blocks that are for "truths" and "dares" and the blanks for whatever you decide to make them. Prepare to learn a lot about the people you play it with...

I do agree a little with the reviewer The Lo--the game is PG, but at least you have the blanks to write your own T or D on. The really fun part of the game is this: you can pull a block, read it, and decide you don't want to comply. BUT! Whichever block you pull out next, you HAVE to do, and that makes for some agitated looks, lots of sighing, and the inevitable, "Ok, here goes."

This version of Jenga might work well where the group playing knows one another on a surface level (or if they're fairly close); I can't say that I'd attempt this with people I'm meeting for the first time because of what some of the truths ask for. There's just some stuff you don't want remembered as part of a first impression. ;-)

A great choice for slumber parties, dorm room get-togethers, and your average party distraction. If this game doesn't get people talking and laughing, nothing will...

Great for two players.
It is a nice toy for couples/partners. The write on blocks make for the chance of more detailed questions. Best played when eating fondue and drinking wine/champagne.

Thrilling
One of the best games that does'nt involve a board. The jenga blocks have all different truths and dares that will keep you and your friends laughing for hours. You can even write your own dares and truths on the white blocks to add some dimension. This is a must play game for teenage girls and boys who are looking for fun. Gather some friends and get ready to swap clothing, expose crushes, and more. Get this game. You will not regret it!

truth or dare Jenga
I've played this game at partys and it made me go out and buy it because it was so fun. It is a great party game for people age 14 and up because there is some kissing involved in one of the game pieces. It is not a game that you would want to play with your grand parents, just friends. I personally can't get enough of this game. It is really fun. Thank you

Cute but not for Kids......
This is a cute game but not at all appropriate for children. The "Truth and Dare" parts of this game are absolutely directed at adults, even if terribly cheesy. ("Whats your favorite battery powered toy?" "Remove an item of clothing" "Sit on the lap of the person to the left of you until your next turn")My kids play it and we modify the dares but they are pre-readers so we can, fortunately, get away with it. Its wooden blocks, you stack them. Simple. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Younger kids can develop their powers of logic and deduction inthis game of code-cracking fun. This version is simplified for youngerchildren and comes with colorful animal pegs, ajungle-and-mountain-theme board, and fewer code options. The point is thesame: one player duplicates the other's code in as few turns as possible.The code maker sets a code of 3 colored animals (choosing from 72 in sixcolors), and conceals it beneath a "rocky mountain" tray at his or her sideof the board. In each of nine rows (of large holes), the code breaker attemptsto replicate the pattern. After each row (or turn), the code makerplaces red or white creature pieces in the adjacent row of small holes,which gives the code breaker clues on how he or she doing. Completeinstructions include rules for younger players (based on colors only),older players (color and position), and expert players (a blank-spaceoption adds complexity). This challenging and fun game is for twoplayers. --Ava Natov ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Concept good, design bad
Okay, who designs and tests these games?? I don't get it. I also loved Mastermind as a child and bought this one for my 6 year old, figuring it would be easier to learn and play than the 4 peg version. Also it looks really neat in a picture. We opened it up yesterday and she loves it, but it is driving me crazy already. Granted, it is cute, all the pieces are bright colors and of animals, but they are small and they have shallow holes to fit into on the board, so they fall over a lot. A lot! Especially when you have a kid that can't refrain from squirming around for more than 20 seconds. Then, after one falls over, when you try to put it back in its spot, your big fingers knock over their neighbors. Any bump to the board and they all go toppling. Same thing with the red and white pegs. I feel like I am a giant trying to play a little kiddie game. Plus, I really expected it to be harder, more challenging. It took a few rounds for my daughter to get the hang of it, but now the 'secret codes' seem pretty easy to break. There are two different ways they say you can play, and we skipped right over the easy one because it was way too easy. Another minor pet peeve is the little 'cave-like' space you put the hidden color code in. You have to lift that part on and off the board each time you play a game, and in doing so you spill the red and white pegs out of their holder. My daughter always has me lift it off for her as she can't do it gently. AND (I know I am picky, but why don't the designers see these things?) the 'cave-like' space for the secret code gets dark because it is covered, so it is hard to differentiate between colors when you put the pegs in there, the pink, purple and red start to look the same in the cave.
So, if I could go back and do it again, I would just go for the regular Mastermind. In all, my daughter thinks it is great and I like the way it makes her think (flawed logic and all), I just wish it wasn't so clumsy to play though. My rating is high as it is fun (for her), educational and durable because the plastic will last a long time. I just think someone should have seen how unstable the pieces are on the board, and just made it a little more user friendly.

You may want to skip this kids' version...
...and go straight to the original Mastermind. I know I wish I had.
We picked this up for our 9yo son, with an eye toward our 6yo & 7yo nephews. I have fond memories of playing Mastermind as a kid and stumping my brother. The original wasn't available at Christmas, so I ordered this for kids who hadn't seen anything like it before. My son figured out his first pattern in 5 rounds. After that, he never went more than 4 rounds (or moves?) without solving it. We took turns playing with him for about an hour. Once we put it up, we never got it back out. It's just too easy. Our nephews (6 & 7) have since played Mastermind, and enjoy it immensely. It's tough for them, but not too tough. So this set won't get much use from them either.
If your child is younger than 8 or new to this type of game, Mastermind for Kids won't hurt. It might be fun. But you'll soon want to move up. The pieces are a little too easy to knock over, but no more than one should expect. As they are small and plentiful, they also seem easy to lose.
If your game collection is small and limited to essentials, skip this one. If it's large, if you like to have the perfect something for any situation, or you just collect games, then go for it.
It's not a bad game, but it's not a must-have, either.

Cutest Strategy Game
The brightly colored animals invite children to try this really fun strategy game. Once you play it, you may not be able to stop. The quality of the plastic is the best manufactured anywhere, so this makes an excellent gift. The compact size of the game, enables easy storage for travel on vacations, camping, or to take to the hospital for visitation.

Any serious game collector should obtain this one. High detail game pieces and game board that is usually found in only a few expensive rare chess sets. This is much easier to learn than chess! Watch out, your kids will learn to beat you after a little practice. So, get ready for some healthy competition.. ... Read more

Editorial Review

There are only seven pieces in this puzzle, so it should be easy. Right? Guess again! Sixty puzzle cards show 60 three-dimensional structures for players to replicate using the seven pieces. Each of the pieces, based on three or four connected cubes, is unique. One is an L shape, another a T, and they get more complicated from there. If a player is stumped and can't figure out how to build the Long Wall, the Snake, or the Bad Dog, there are helpful clues on the back of the cards. Players also can use the pieces to invent their own structures. Originally known as the Soma Cube, Block by Block is an excellent way to develop and refine spatial perception skills. Includes drawstring bag for storage. --Wendy Slotboom ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I played this 30 years ago and loved it.
once you start on this you're hooked! my friends and I worked on those puzzles when we were out at sea and the images and feel of the cubes remains with me to this day.

Wow this is hard!
For the ultimate challenge in spatial relations try out this game. It's like a three dimensional tangram and it is really tough. For a great time bring this to a party and work on the solutions as a group. Personally, I think 8 years old is probably a little young for this game. I'd suggest 12+ unless the children are teamed up with an adult. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Oh, it's an "eye catcher" all right. And before you're finished withthis maddeningly, frustratingly addictive pursuit, you'll be calling it "Cross- eye catcher." It's the kind of panic-inducing, color-coded race against timethat plays as if Rubik himself went out drinking with a gang of Mensa members,then decided to design a new eye chart. Alone or in teams, players attempt tomatch the 16 colored tiles to their corresponding squares on the board in undera minute. Ah, but there's a catch: each tile is composed of four triangles, eachof those sporting one of five colors; and while one tile may contain the samefour colors as another, the colors will be positioned differently. You'll spenda lot of time twisting them around to find the perfect board match--only todiscover that yellow and purple are transposed. Perfect for solitaire or partyplay (especially the hilarious Team Challenge, where two players match and grabsimultaneously on the not-so-big board), Eyecatcher will make cockeyed optimistsout of many a gathering. --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Fun at first...
This game is fun at first. Then, you get the idea, and it wears off. This is definitely NOT a party game, as each turn takes one minute to complete. If you have six or eight people playing, it can take six or eight minutes until your turn comes around. In the meantime, you, and the other players are just sitting around waiting. My 8 year old daughter likes to play it with me. It is educational for her. Otherwise, leave it.

Addictive.
I gave this game 5 stars for fun, mostly because anything that is addictive should certainly get five stars. The game is a brain (or should I say Eye) teaser. It looks simple, but it is deceptively difficult. I have not yet been able to place more than 5 tiles (out of 16 tiles) on the board during my 1 minute turn. (I'm 24 years-old and obviously must need training in color identification). No, but seriously, since there is a timing element you do not have all day to decide. My opponents are constantly tormenting me with "wrong, wrong, wrong" - which makes me even more nervous and they foil my turn. I, of course, do the same thing to them. Your opponents do need to pay attention during your turn, as it is normal for people to think they got a match, only for an opponent to point out it is "wrong, wrong, wrong". Addictive, Addictive, Addictive...they are going to have to take me or the game away. Good simple - but difficult! - fun. The problem is that you can also play the game solitaire, which makes you into a 'closet player'.

One for the senses!
Someone said this game has elements of Rubik's Cube to it, and they were right. But I think it has two distinguishing features - a timer component to add suspense, and the option of playing against others. And this latter point is key, not least because it doesn¹t matter how big your gathering might be (just take turns). When no one else is around, it is enjoyable just to play on your own and test yourself against the scoring chart on the sheet (I'm getting better all the time, though still far from reaching the top of the scale). The game is more complex than it might look, and it really is impossible to memorize the squares on the board (my family and I have adopted a policy of twisting the board around after each person¹s turn to make it even more challenging). You can also forget about trying to develop a pattern or 'system' with the game tiles because you pull each one randomly anyway! There's no way around it: you have to stay focused each and every time. Basically, it's a smart and versatile little game in a compact box.

Less than expected
I was disappointed in this game. The reviews made it sound so good! It's very easy to memorize where the pieces go as you play the game. To make it harder I suggest the board is turned 45 degrees for each turn. It would be great for kids no older than 13 or 14. It was not worth the [money]it cost with tax and shipping.

Sissy's review
this toy is very mind challenging and fun. teachers should use this game with students that have a hard time concentrating. ... Read more