TDmonthly's Top 10 Most Wanted Educational Games

By Brenda Ruggiero
June 2005

Board games are always a hit with kids, and many of them teach math or spelling concepts in a roundabout way. However, there are many games specifically designed to teach topics such as spelling, math, and geography – all while kids are doing what they do best – having fun!

Make 7 by PRESSMAN TOY CORP.

Make 7 by PRESSMAN TOY CORP. The object of this two-player game is to get number tiles to add up to seven in any direction, but some numbers can only be used in certain areas.
- “Make 7 is a game we sell a lot of,” says Eric Szabo, president of BoardGamesExpress.com. He noted that the company specializes in “Educational games that don’t smell like school.”
- One reviewer on Amazon.com wrote, “My kids … were getting bored with Connect 4, but love this game. It’s challenging for them, and holds their interest.”
- One nice feature of this game is a built-in tray that collects the pieces at the bottom, preventing them from skittering across the table. 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $11.95; Age: 7 and Up)

Smath by PRESSMAN TOY CORP.

Smath by PRESSMAN TOY CORP. This game follows the same principle as Scrabble, but uses math equations instead of words. It can be played at various levels of difficulty.
- “Smath has done really well – it’s our top seller for math,” says Jeff Boss, president of Brain-Builders.com.
- This game was listed as a top seller by Hans Isaacson, president of UnclesGames.com.
- This game averaged 3-1/2 stars with reviewers on Amazon.com, and was a top seller in its category in May 2005. 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $11.99; Age: 6 and Up)

Take Off! by RESOURCE GAMES

This game teaches geography by having players race around the world. The first one to complete a flight wins.
— “This game is one of our long-term best sellers,” said Hans Isaacson, president of UnclesGames.com. “It’s done really well, and we’re currently out of it.”
— The Highlights for Children Web site states, “Our editors were thrilled with this award-winning Take Off! board game.”
— Pam from The Ark Toy Co. in Berkeley, Calif. has had great success with Take Off! by Resource Games. “I just reordered more,” she told TDmonthly. 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $34.95; Age: 6 and Up)

Lewis & Clark Adventure Board Game by EAGLE GAMES

This game covers the legendary expedition of Lewis and Clark, bringing history to life by teaching about the hardships of life on the trail.
- This game was listed as a top seller at UnclesGames.com.
- This game is versatile, since it comes with two sets of question cards to accommodate both older and younger players.
- 2005 marks the bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. This game covers a current theme in the study of history. 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $29.99; Age: 8 and Up)

Moneywise Kids by TALICOR / ARISTOPLAY

Moneywise Kids by TALICOR / ARISTOPLAY This game is designed to teach kids the basics, such as counting money and making change as well as the concept of money management and budgeting.
- An added feature of this game is that it includes tips for parents and teachers to help kids apply the concepts from the game to real life.
- “This game is a very good seller,” notes Anne Yates, president of elearningtoys.com. She particularly likes it because she feels “there is a complete lack of teaching money in schools, and this is a money gig you can do at home.”
- A teacher’s May 2005 review on AreYouGame.com notes, “I purchased this game for my children but enjoy it so much that I am using it in my classroom.” 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $14.98; Age: 7 and Up)

Great States by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

Great States by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC This game takes players around the United States as they answer questions about capitals, landmarks, abbreviations and attractions.
— This game was listed as a top seller on KBtoys.com in May 2005.
— Anne Yates, president of elearningtoys.com, notes that sales of this game are currently “really good.”
— One reviewer wrote on Amazon.com in May 2005, “My son started playing this when he was 3. At 4, he can name all the states, abbreviations, capitals, and most of the state birds.”
— “They sell well because they have every state,” Crystal Mobbs, sales associate at Tinkerz Toy Shop in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, told TDmonthly. 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 7 to 16)

SomeBody by TALICOR / ARISTOPLAY

SomeBody by TALICOR / ARISTOPLAY This game offers two levels of play and five different activities that teach the function and location of major body parts.
- “This game is one of my favorites,” says Anne Yates, president of elearningtoys.com, who notes it´s unique to have a game for 6-year-olds that teaches basic organ systems.
- One reviewer at AreYouGame.com writes, “I played this game when I was in second grade. I have recently graduated college and am pursuing a career in nursing.”
- At About.com, Homeschooling Guide Beverly Hernandez notes, “Great game for learning human anatomy for all ages. It grows with your child, so it’s a good investment!” 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $26.95; Age: 6 and Up)

Mad Dash Game by ITOS ENTERPRISES

Mad Dash Game by ITOS ENTERPRISES This game teaches U.S. geography. Players race to put state cards in order from coast to coast in under three minutes.
- Diana Nelson, president of Kazoo & Company, lists this game as one of her favorites out of a “whole department of games with hundreds to choose from.” She likes it because it teaches children the alphabet and it can be played alone.
- One reviewer at Gamereport.com writes, “It’s quick and simple, and, like it or not, you will come away from it with a little better knowledge of the layout of the United States.”
- This game comes with a bonus feature: an extra game called State Secrets. 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $15.99; Age: 8 and Up)

Sentence Says by MARBAN INDUSTRIES INC.

Sentence Says by MARBAN INDUSTRIES INC. Sentence Says is a quick-thinking sentence game in which players have fun creating sentences out of letter cards while working against action cards and a time limit.
— “This game has done really well for us,” says Jeff Boss, president of Brain-Builders.com.
— It is the winner of a 2005 Toy of The Year award from Creative Child magazine
— This game was named to the Chicago Tribune’s “Top Ten Games 2004” list. 9/1/2004 (MSRP: $29.95; Age: 7 and Up)

Pizza Fraction Fun by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Pizza Fraction Fun by LEARNING RESOURCES INC. This game uses pizza slices to teach fractions, and has seven games in one. An added feature is double-sided spinners to accommodate different levels of learning.
- This game was a best seller in its category on KBtoys.com in May 2005.
- This popular game was out of stock at EducationalLearningGames.com in May 2005.
- Pizza Fun was a 2003 Honors Award winner from the National Parenting Publications Awards for Children’s Resources (NAPPA). 5/19/2005 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 6 to 12)