Pause for deep sigh.

This all started when Monopoly got… well… too “Monopol-ike”. Don’t get me wrong, that game had (and still has) appeal, especially when the grandparents are around. We all like games – so much so that our teenaged daughter could not leave the house this morning until she had earned a certain achievement in WOW. Talk about dedication.

Here are some games we already have that meet my opening paragraph’s requirements, at least mostly. I’ll start with the 5 year old’s favorite – Reiner Knizia’s Samurai. I know, right? That isn’t the first game that comes to mind when one is thinking of 5 yo fun.

Reiner Knizia's Samurai

But consider the fact that most of us in the family, myself included, have very little patience when it comes to games like Mousetrap, or Chutes and Ladders. Games that employ no strategy or skill whatsoever are just not worth playing; these that are based 100% on luck do not even classify as games. They are more like – entertainment. Anyway, I digress. Samurai is a game that involves both skill and luck. The luck aspect was brought home to me recently when the 5-yo nearly beat me in a game. Despite flawless strategy on my part, I only won by a helmet.
Call me crazy, but I don’t want my children growing up thinking that bad things just sort of happen without reason, or cause. Actions have consequences, and actions ought to be governed by thoughtful purpose – strategy. Here is another of my 5-yo son’s favorite games: The 2001 edition of “The Hobbit”

The Hobbit

Of the games mentioned in this article, this is the one game that the aforementioned hard-to-please dad does not really like. But this game plays best with two players anyway. So dad can bow out gracefully. The appeal is that shiny gemstones are accumulated throughout the gameplay, and there is a model of Smaug’s mountain in the center. The luck aspect of this game probably outweighs strategy on the whole, but there are plenty of twists and turns, ups and downs; fans of the story of the same name would especially enjoy this one.

A game for 2-4 players that is best played with 3 or 4 is Klaus Teuber’s Candamir, The First Settlers, 2004.

Candamir, The First Settlers

This is not Mr. Teuber’s best known creation, but certainly it’s more fun for a child who is just learning to read. In my opinion, this is one of the best family games I have ever played. Great for all ages, it teaches competition as well as risk-taking, goodness and decency. This game appeals to those who like to roleplay without all of the gore, mayhem and madness that make up the worst parts of human nature. Variants in the rules make this game enjoyable for 2, 3, or 4 players.

Teuber’s best work is a game that often is listed in the Top 10 of all time. Considering there are thousands of games, this is quite a distinction. The game is “Settlers of Catan”, and we play all of the variants. Unless we play only the original version, without many of the added complications, the youngest member of our gaming family holds his own. In the more challenging versions, he ends up losing interest about halfway through.

The Settlers of Catan

I must mention it here because we have had hours of enjoyment sitting at our dining room table with these tiles at the center. Catan opened the door to many more incarnations of the civilization-building strategy games, of which the titles are too numerous to mention. Settlers of Catan is the iPad of the genre. Everyone else hopes to share in its success. A game that deserves another look is a newcomer from a surprising source: Lego. The game is Lego Heroica. There have been several introductions to the table game world from Lego. This one has promise. The version played by myself and the youngest is Heroica: Fortaan.

Lego Heroica: Fortaan

As parents, we all have moods as well. There are days when I look at the kids’ choices of entertainment and think a box of Legos is all they need. Consider this, then. Without my poking and prodding, bribing and begging, my son has chosen to engage in activities on the electronic device that have helped him be able to count to 50, do simple addition, recognize all of the letters of the alphabet as well as write them, and put foods into basic food groups. I don’t have to give up my computer for this to happen, and waiting in the doctor’s office is 10,000 times less stressful. So… In anticipation of a busy Christmas shopping season, I did some research on available tablet technology dubbed “for kids”. Some are more “toy” than “tool” but I decided to cover them all here. Their function, price, and target age vary greatly. I also have taken the liberty to consider “total cost” that includes the device as well as games/activities/applications.

First to catch my eye is the VINCI Tab.

VINCI Tab

This tablet is marketed for babies through preschool, but at a pricetag of almost $400, I’d guess parents will not be looking at this rugged Android OS-based tablet for their toddler. With these specifications, it is robust enough to keep an 8-year-old busy. If mom or dad is technically savvy, any of the Android applications that do not require internet connection will work on this device. The appeal is that a child cannot access what the parent does not want him/her to access. It also is very rugged for kids. It connects to the parent’s Mac or PC via USB for software installation and for updates. This device is also the only TRUE touch screen Tablet made “just for kids” that I could find. The 8GB version with a 6 hour battery costs $479 while the 4 GB 3 hour one is $389. The upside of that is that many of the Android applications and games are free. The downside is that $400 still seems like a lot of money to put into a “toy”. The hardware is actually a Samsung Galaxy Tab with a few extras. If it were me, I’d look elsewhere.

Of the tablet-like options that require a stylus, the one that impresses me most is the Leapfrog LeapPad. The reason is that I am already familiar with the games and applications in the LeapFrog lineup. The educational value is not just lip service. I would put my son’s benefit (based on observation) at 60% learning, 40% fun and entertainment.

LeapFrog LeapPad

It is also more expensive than its main rival, but if one is looking for value, ROI (return on investment) then look no further. The interactive “games” teach new skills while children play, and this device is a real crowd-pleaser. On the features list, the makers of this device describe the screen as a “finger touch screen”. This is a bit misleading because it is not at all the same as the touch screen on your smartphone or iPad. One cannot make things larger, smaller, or shift objects around. The capability is limited to “selecting” something only. Even with the included stylus, images cannot be dragged or moved on the screen. To date, I have not found a single device designed specifially for child use that has this feature. The best part of this new device is that my son’s Explorer games will work on it. Win for current owners of the Leapster Explorer. 2GB built-in memory.

There are other LeapFrog products, including the Leapster Explorer bought for my son last Christmas. If one factors in the cost of the Explorer handheld + camera attachment, the $99 cost for the LeapPad with built-in camera is a bargain. As for applications, cartridge games cost about $25 each but there are also downloadable applications one can install for closer to $10.

Its nearest rival is the VTech InnoTab.

VTech InnoTab

At $89 it is $10 less than the LeapPad but it has no built-in camera. Both the LeapPad and the InnoTab require proprietary applications. This means that only VTech games and e-books will work on the InnoTab. The same is true for the LeapPad. The VTech InnoTab comes in two colors – blue (shown) and pink. What it does have: 64MB onboard memory and an SD card slot for videos/music. It supports music in MP3 format. This device also connects to a parent’s PC/Mac by way of a USB cable. According to device specs, the “touch screen” allows the user to select, drag, tap and flick. Again, this is limited functionality and will not at all be like an iPad screen.

Both of these options will “grow” with your child. They are great for preschoolers with a very kidlike appearance and appeal. But I have caught my 11 year old son enjoying his younger brother’s Explorer. Both of these have safety of not being wireless devices so that children will not accidentally activate applications with online capability. Unlike some handheld game systems, if the child is near another child with the same device, they cannot interact or engage in multi-player mode. This also is something many parents will find desirable.

All in all, the technology behind handheld learning systems for children has (for all practical purposes) arrived. Kids can use these without wishing they were using mom’s or dad’s laptop. And the price point is right.