The Bird Bash Family Strategy Game is a classic board game designed for 2-4 players ages 8 and up. Players strategize their moves by using action cards to attract birds to their feeders, earning points throughout the game. The player with the highest score at the end wins. A full game typically lasts around 40 minutes, offering fast-paced yet engaging gameplay. The game includes 30 bird cards, 60 food items, 4 bird feeders, 54 action cards, 18 bonus cards, a game board, and a rulebook. Its straightforward rules make it easy to learn, suitable for both home and classroom settings. The mechanics encourage strategic thinking while keeping gameplay dynamic and accessible for younger players.

The travel-sized version of Qwirkle retains the core gameplay of the original award-winning title. Players match tiles by either color or shape to build rows and columns, with bonus points awarded for creating lines of all six matching elements. The game combines pattern recognition with strategic planning, suitable for 2 to 4 players aged 6 and above. Its compact design makes it portable for on-the-go play while maintaining the same rules and scoring system as the standard edition.

This bowling rug pairs with a deluxe bowling set (sold separately) to create an engaging activity for children ages 2-5. The 120" x 30" rug transforms any flat surface into a miniature bowling lane, complete with numbered star markers for pin placement and directional arrows to guide the ball. The design encourages hand-eye coordination, motor skill development, and basic math practice through scorekeeping. Made from durable materials, it withstands active play while providing a child-sized version of a traditional bowling experience. The set includes just the rug; bowling pins and ball must be purchased separately. Suitable for ages 3 and up.

Switchin' Sushi is a strategic board game designed for 2-4 players, ages 8 and up, that enhances pattern recognition and decision-making skills. Players draw 12 cards displaying shapes and numbers, then flip tiles on the board to match the pattern on one of their cards. Completing lines earns point tokens, and the player with the highest score wins. The game blends bluffing and tactical play, making it engaging for both kids and adults. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes, ensuring quick yet dynamic gameplay. The set includes a gameboard, 64 square tiles, 48 cards, 20 point tokens, and clear instructions for easy setup and play. Its mix of strategy and fast-paced action makes it a versatile choice for family game nights.

This game enhances dexterity, reflexes, and fine motor skills by using small hand-shaped tweezers to pick up items. Players compete to be the first to fill six plates with food tokens, turning over food cards and shaking out chips to begin each round. The game includes amusingly shaped pieces like saucy meatballs, spicy tacos, and shrimp sushi, adding lighthearted fun for players of all ages. Suitable for classroom use, it serves as an engaging brain break or indoor recess activity while offering an alternative to traditional board games. The set contains 30 Frenzy cards, 18 food cards, 4 tiny hands, 16 food chips, 1 shaker, 4 dry erase markers, 4 score cards, and game rules. Designed for ages 6 and up.

Qwirkle is a strategy game that challenges players to develop tactical maneuvers, strategic planning, and forward-thinking skills. The game includes 108 tiles, featuring three tiles each of 36 possible color-symbol combinations, providing a wide range of choices during gameplay. The rules are simple to learn, making it accessible for younger players while still offering mental stimulation. Players build lines by matching tiles based on color or shape, earning points as they progress. Designed for players of various ages, Qwirkle helps develop spatial recognition, planning, and problem-solving skills. It accommodates both young children and adults, making it a versatile learning tool. As a family-friendly game, Qwirkle supports multiple age groups, allowing quick onboarding for new players. The straightforward rules make it easy for extended family or friends to join without lengthy explanations. This updated version includes additional setup pieces, such as trays, to enhance gameplay by keeping tiles hidden and improving strategic play. The game maintains its award-winning design while offering these practical improvements.

The MindWare KEVA Structures 600 Plank Set includes 600 pine KEVA planks, 30 idea cards, and a collapsible storage bin for ages 5 and up. The planks provide hands-on learning in balance, leverage, geometry, and basic physics principles, making them suitable for STEM education. Builders can create a variety of structures, from cities and skyscrapers to castles with stairs and turrets. The set also allows for constructing ball runs with slides, bounce plates, and other interactive elements. The planks are made from durable maple wood with a natural wood grain finish, designed for precise stacking and long-term use. No glue or connectors are required—the set is ready for immediate play straight from the box.

Enhance your Qwirkle experience with this practical expansion set designed to improve gameplay organization and efficiency. The set includes a durable metal storage box for secure tile storage, along with sturdy tile holders to keep pieces organized between sessions. A scoring pad and pencil are provided for easy point tracking during play. This accessory pack is compatible with standard Qwirkle sets and supports 2–4 players aged 6 and up. The components are designed for repeated use, making them suitable for casual players and dedicated fans alike. The set maintains the core strategic gameplay of Qwirkle while adding functional tools to streamline setup and scoring.

Gather your group and get ready for Twangled, a cooperative game that challenges players to think, stretch, and communicate their way out of tangled situations. Players spin the spinner and follow the instructions to step over, under, or through each other, creating a knotted formation. The goal is to then work together to untangle the group and return to the starting position. This game encourages problem-solving and improves dexterity. Designed for players aged 6 and up, it has received recognition for its engaging gameplay.

The game features three types of challenge cards to test animal knowledge. Know It cards present multiple-choice and true-or-false questions, Name It cards require identifying animals from images, and Rank It cards involve ordering animals based on traits like size, speed, or strength. Correct answers earn survival tokens, with players keeping their score hidden until the end. Double-sided cards offer beginner and advanced questions, allowing players to select their difficulty level for balanced gameplay across different ages. The game supports both solo and group play, encouraging learning through individual study or competitive matches with friends and family. Skills developed include social interaction, logic, zoology, math, deductive reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The set includes 216 cards, a die, 50 survival tokens, a token bag, and 4 animal pawns.

Seek-a-Boo is an educational matching game designed to develop vocabulary and memory skills in children aged 18 months and up. The set includes 36 circular "SEEK ME" cards and 36 square "FIND ME" cards, color-coded into six categories for easy identification. Players match the images on the square cards to corresponding images on the circular cards, reinforcing recognition and language development through repetition. The laminated cards are durable and feature bright, clear illustrations. The game can be adapted for different play styles, including memory matching and turn-taking activities. An included parent guide offers additional gameplay variations to extend learning opportunities. Designed for two or more players, Seek-a-Boo provides a structured yet flexible way to introduce early learning concepts through interactive play.

This game encourages players to develop problem-solving and creative thinking skills as they strategize their survival plans. Using improvisation, participants craft clever, witty, or humorous approaches to persuade the judge and earn survival rations. The gameplay focuses on imaginative decision-making and persuasive communication.

This cooperative game challenges players to work together to build a path and collect three keys before the Ogre reaches the treasure. Designed for 2-4 players ages 5 and up, the gameplay encourages teamwork, strategic planning, and problem-solving as participants analyze options and think ahead. The non-competitive format fosters emotional development, group decision-making, and confidence-building in a relaxed play environment. To play, teams construct a route from the start to the finish while gathering keys to unlock the treasure. If they succeed before the Ogre arrives, all players win together. The game includes a game board, 37 cards, 4 key tokens, dice, an Ogre snack token, and instructions, with an average playtime of 20 minutes.

**Snug as a Bug in a Rug** is a cooperative matching game where players work together to help colorful bugs find safety before stinkbugs arrive. The game features three adjustable difficulty levels, allowing it to adapt as children develop their skills. The gameplay reinforces early learning concepts such as color recognition, counting, shapes, and size comparison (big vs. little). It also introduces basic game mechanics like rolling a die, spinning a spinner, and turn-taking. Designed for 2-4 players ages 3+, this game promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and social development in a low-pressure setting. The set includes a game board with a built-in spinner, 24 colorful bugs, 3 stink bugs, a die, and instructions for all three play levels. Cooperative play encourages shared decision-making and emotional growth while keeping the experience engaging and educational.

Q-bitz is a pattern-matching game designed to enhance spatial reasoning, memory, and quick thinking. Players use 16 cubes to recreate patterns from 80 included cards, with three distinct gameplay variations for varied challenges. The game consists of three rounds per session, where the first player to correctly replicate the card's pattern wins it. The player with the most cards at the end wins. The set includes 80 Q-bitz cards, four wooden trays, and four sets of 16 cubes in different colors, supporting 2 to 4 players aged 6 and up. Designed by Peggy Brown, Q-bitz has earned recognition such as the Parent’s Choice Gold Award, NAPPA Gold, Tillywig Toy Brain Child Award, and the Major Fun Award. The gameplay encourages visual dexterity and competitive engagement, making it suitable for both home and classroom use.

Qwirkle is a strategy game that challenges players to plan their moves carefully while considering multiple tactical options. The game includes 108 wooden tiles, featuring three tiles each of 36 possible color and symbol combinations. Players build lines by matching tiles based on color or shape, earning points as they play. The rules are straightforward, making it accessible for younger players while still requiring strategic thinking. Qwirkle helps develop spatial recognition, planning, and problem-solving skills, making it suitable for a wide age range. Designed for 2 to 4 players, the game is easy to learn quickly, allowing new players to join without lengthy explanations. It has received several awards, including the Major Fun Award, National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval, and Parents’ Choice Gold Award. The set includes a drawstring bag for tile storage and a rule book.

The KEVA pine planks are precision-cut wooden building blocks designed for stable stacking. These planks allow builders to create narrow towers that reach impressive heights and cantilevers that balance with precision, using only gravity—no glue or connectors required. Playing with these wooden planks helps develop an understanding of balance, leverage, geometry, and basic physics principles. The planks are compatible with other KEVA and Kapla systems, allowing for expanded and intricate structures. The set includes 200 pine planks and a 24-page full-color idea booklet with building instructions. KEVA planks are widely used in educational settings, museums, and homes, appealing to builders of all ages due to their versatility and open-ended play possibilities.

This marble-based logic puzzle offers a fresh take on traditional brain teasers for children. The set includes 64 progressively challenging puzzles to solve. Players slide tiles to construct a complete path that successfully guides the marble to its target position. The game helps build problem-solving abilities, cognitive development, spatial awareness, and cause-effect reasoning. Designed for players aged 8 and older.

Build your own medieval siege engine from pre-drilled planks, a little glue and the help of easy, step-by-step “blueprint” instructions. Then let the fun and experimentation begin! What travels farther: a marshmallow or a piece of macaroni? Alter the counterweight to adjust the trebuchet's hurl, and practice knocking down a field of target planks using the two included balls.
— In a February 2014 survey, Julie Steinbach, owner of Rainbow Toys in Falmouth, Maine, told TDmonthly that this Trebuchet from Mindware was among their best-selling wooden toys.
— Tye Steinbach from Thinker Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly in a May 2015 survey that this is one of their best-selling activity kits.

Want to boost their fine motor and visual thinking skills? You want Imaginets. The sturdy wood carrying case features durable hinges and rope handles that are perfect for little hands to grasp. Inside, brightly-colored magnetic blocks can be arranged on the boards to replicate any of the 50 full-color design challenges, including animals, faces, vehicles, sports, structures and more. Plus, the magnetic board surface doubles as a dry-erase board, so kids can decorate a backdrop for their creations.

Where to buy:
NORTH WEST

Qwirkle just got easier to pack. Our travel-sized Qwirkle plays just like the award-winning original. It’s as simple as matching colors and shapes, but it takes both logic and strategy to score big. Fun for all ages and perfect to take anywhere.
— In an April 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers said that Travel Qwirkle is their best-selling travel toy.

Crazy creatures abound in this fast-paced, mixed-up matching race. Draw a card to reveal the challenge. Will players need to find the identical creatures within two differently colored frames, or do quick math once they spot the numbers? Race against opponents to spot it or solve it. The winner keeps the card. The first to collect enough cards to spell "Look Look," takes the game. Game board is comprised of eight interchangeable frames, making it a new game every time it's played. Includes 68 challenge cards. 2 or more players.

These Start to Finish Mazes Sets are teacher-created books that combine age-appropriate mazes with challenging activities such as counting practice, letter recognition and more. Lightweight paperback volumes are great for taking along on road trips or filling time at restaurants. 100 puzzles in all.
— When asked about her best selling educational products in November 2011, Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that "Just about everything in our store is educational, so this is a tough question to answer," but that "Workbooks from Mindware do well," in particular.

All the information kids need to solve the mystery is in the puzzle story; everything they need to deduce, reason and organize their thoughts is in the handy grid below. Grid Perplexors: Level A teaches kids a step-by-step process that keeps their thinking linear and focused. Great practice for standardized tests that reward logic skills. Paperback; 50 puzzles on 56 pages.