Toys That Develop Strategic Planning

Illuminate Learning with Lanterns: The Harvest Festival

Lanterns: The Harvest Festival is a delightful and engaging card game that not only captivates the imagination but also fosters critical thinking and strategic planning skills in children. As players adorn the Palace Lake with beautiful floating lanterns, they develop important cognitive abilities such as problem-solving and spatial reasoning—all while having fun! This game is perfect for family game nights or educational gatherings, encouraging friendly competition and teamwork among 2 to 4 players. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Illuminate Learning with Lanterns: The Harvest Festival captivates imaginations with beautiful floating lanterns while enhancing strategic planning skills, making game night both fun and educational!

CATAN Dice Game: Strategy on the Go

CATAN Dice Game opens up a world of strategy and fun for our family adventures! This portable gem encourages critical thinking and decision-making, making it a fantastic choice for kids and adults alike. With playtimes of just 15-30 minutes, it's perfect for keeping engaged during quick breaks or while traveling. 7+ years
Why we love it:
CATAN Dice Game offers exciting strategic gameplay in just 15-30 minutes, making it perfect for on-the-go family fun that sharpens decision-making and math skills.

Mosaic: A Strategic Game of Civilization

Mosaic: A Story of Civilization is not just a game; it’s an invitation to explore the rich tapestry of ancient life while building your own empire! Perfect for families and adults, this strategy board game encourages critical thinking, decision-making, and teamwork as players vie for dominance in the Mediterranean. With unique leaders and diverse strategies, each playthrough fosters creative problem-solving and a deeper understanding of historical civilizations. 14+ years
Why we love it:
Mosaic: A Strategic Game of Civilization features unique leaders and diverse strategies, making family game nights both competitive and an engaging historical adventure.

Game Zone Diggin' Doggies Adventure

Game Zone Diggin’ Doggies Board Game invites children to help their lovable doggie retrieve lost bones, ensuring a fun and engaging playtime. This game promotes critical thinking, teamwork, and fine motor skills as players strategize their moves and utilize their magical noses to collect bones. Parents and educators will appreciate how it fosters essential learning through play, making it a delightful addition to any educational toy collection. 3-7 years
Why we love it:
Game Zone Diggin' Doggies Adventure features adorable doggies that transform collecting lost bones into a fun strategy session, making learning feel like an exciting fetch game.

Defend Hogwarts: A Magical Deck Experience

USAOPOLY Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle Cooperative Deck Building Card Game is a fantastic journey for our little wizards and witches! As parents and educators, we love that it encourages teamwork, critical thinking, and strategic planning as players collaborate to protect Hogwarts from dark forces. With over 140 unique cards and progressively challenging adventures, it unveils essential problem-solving skills while immersing kids in the enchanting world of Harry Potter. 13-18 months
Why we love it:
Defend Hogwarts: A Magical Deck Experience features over 140 unique cards that transform learning into an enchanting adventure, teaching kids essential skills while having a blast with their favorite characters.

Engage with Harry Potter Magical Beasts

Pressman Harry Potter Magical Beasts Game invites players into the enchanting world of Hogwarts, where they explore both the interior of the castle and the grounds in a quest to capture mystical creatures. This interactive game promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills as players collect clues and strategize to uncover their captured beast. As we gather our family or friends for game night, we can foster teamwork and communication, all while immersing ourselves in a beloved storybook universe. 8 years and up
Why we love it:
Engage with Harry Potter Magical Beasts transforms game night into a quest for mystical creatures, sparking critical thinking and collaboration as families dive into the Hogwarts universe.

Elevate Play with Buddy Chess Set

Buddy Chess Set is a game changer for family game nights! This sleek and modern set not only enhances your decor but also nurtures critical thinking, strategic planning, and patience in your young minds. With its easy-to-move pieces and durable design, kids can focus on honing their skills while enjoying a timeless classic. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Elevate Play with Buddy Chess Set has easy-to-move pieces that transform family game night into an exciting competition, fostering invaluable skills while keeping our homes tidy.

Kingdomino: Build Fun, Learn Strategy!

Kingdomino is a delightful strategy board game that invites families to dive into the whimsical world of medieval kingdoms. Not only does this game spark creativity through tile placement, but it also teaches our kids essential skills like critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and strategic planning. We love how it's accessible for both younger players and adults, making it a perfect choice for family game nights that bring everyone together. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Kingdomino features engaging tile placement, making it a fun way for families to bond while sharpening their strategic thinking skills over a friendly competition.

Ingenious: The Ultimate Family Strategy Game

Thames & Kosmos Ingenious is the ultimate family strategy game that promises to bring everyone together for a fun-filled game night! Perfect for 1 to 4 players, this award-nominated game enhances critical thinking and strategic planning skills while encouraging friendly competition. As we lay our tiles and build our strategy, we bolster our problem-solving abilities in an engaging and enjoyable way. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Ingenious: The Ultimate Family Strategy Game encourages up to 4 players to build strategies together, making game night a fun bonding experience filled with teamwork and laughter.

Dinosaur Island Park Adventure

The Dinosaur Island Board Game invites families into a world where they can create their very own dino park! This engaging worker placement strategy game fosters critical thinking, teamwork, and project management skills as players hire staff, collect DNA, and strategize to attract visitors to their attractions. It’s a delightful way for kids and adults to learn about resource allocation, problem-solving, and prehistoric creatures while having a roaring good time together! 8+ years
Why we love it:
Dinosaur Island Park Adventure invites families to strategize while building their own dino park, turning critical thinking into a fun-filled family bonding experience.

Adventure Awaits with Hogwarts Battle Expansion

Hogwarts Battle - The Monster Box of Monsters Expansion opens the door to a captivating world where players can develop critical thinking and teamwork skills while stepping into the magical realms of the Forbidden Forest. We can channel our inner Luna Lovegood as we strategize and collaborate to defeat the dark forces threatening Hogwarts and protect beloved locations in the Wizarding World. This expansion not only enriches the thrilling narrative but encourages kids aged 11 and up to engage in problem-solving, empathy, and communication through shared gameplay. 11+ years
Why we love it:
Adventure Awaits with Hogwarts Battle Expansion enriches gameplay with captivating narratives, turning teamwork into a magical journey while developing essential skills for real-life challenges.

Texas-opoly Adventure Game

The Late for the Sky Texas-opoly Game invites children ages 8 and up to embark on a fun-filled journey through Texas’s rich culture and heritage. This engaging board game not only entertains but also fosters critical thinking, strategic planning, and teamwork as players navigate the Texan landscape using unique sculpted tokens. Parents and educators will appreciate how this game sparks curiosity about geography and state symbols while providing quality bonding time for families and friends. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Texas-opoly Adventure Game features unique sculpted tokens that make learning about Texan culture and geography as entertaining as a family road trip—minus the 'Are we there yet?' chants.

Civilization Game: Shape Your History

Sid Meier's Civilization: A New Dawn is an engaging board game designed for ages 14 and up. This immersive strategy game fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork as players navigate the complexities of empire-building, from cultural advancements to military conquests. Parents and educators will appreciate how it encourages young minds to explore historical narratives, make strategic decisions, and understand the consequences of their actions, all while having fun with friends or family. 14+ years
Why we love it:
Civilization Game: Shape Your History immerses players in empire-building, turning strategic decision-making and historical exploration into a thrilling family game night.

Exciting Strategic Fun with Sorry!

The Sorry! Kids Board Game ignites family fun while sharpening critical thinking skills for ages 6 and up. This classic game encourages players to strategize, develop problem-solving abilities, and enhance their social skills through friendly competition, making it a great choice for family game nights or educational playdates. 6+ years
Why we love it:
Sorry! encourages friendly competition with its blend of chance and strategy, making family game nights a fun way to sharpen minds and strengthen bonds.

Azul: Creative Tile-Placement Fun

The Asmodee Azul Board Game invites families and friends to embark on a colorful journey of strategy and artistry. This award-winning game is perfect for enhancing critical thinking and planning skills as players design stunning tile mosaics inspired by traditional Portuguese art. With its easy-to-learn mechanics and deeper strategic layers, we love how it engages everyone from kids to adults, making game nights not just entertaining but also a fun way to foster collaboration and friendly competition in a vibrant setting. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Azul: Creative Tile-Placement Fun invites players to design stunning tile mosaics, making strategy feel like artistry and turning family game night into a colorful, brain-boosting adventure.

Elder Sign: Egyptian Adventure Awaits!

Elder Sign Omens of the Pharaoh Board Game Expansion invites players on a captivating archaeological journey in Egypt! As we face ancient mysteries and the chilling presence of Dark Pharaoh Nephren-Ka, this cooperative horror mystery game cultivates essential teamwork skills and critical thinking in our young explorers. With options for 1-8 players, kids can develop strategic planning and decision-making abilities while navigating through hidden chambers and collecting powerful relics. 14+ years
Why we love it:
Elder Sign: Egyptian Adventure Awaits! invites 1-8 players to embark on a cooperative journey, fostering teamwork and critical thinking while sleuthing through eerie chambers.

Monopoly Card Game: Fast Fun Learning

Winning Moves Monopoly The Card Game merges the classic fun of Monopoly with the strategic gameplay of Rummy. Designed for players aged 8 and up, this engaging card game promotes critical thinking, decision-making, and social skills as children learn to draw, trade, and organize their cards into color groups. It's an exciting way to bond with family or friends while fostering strategic skills in a fast-paced environment that's perfect for today’s busy lifestyles. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Monopoly Card Game: Fast Fun Learning merges classic Monopoly fun with strategic gameplay, making family game night a thrilling way to foster teamwork and problem-solving!

Unstable Unicorns: Unleash the Fun!

Unstable Unicorns is a fantastic strategic card game that is not only a blast to play, but also an incredible opportunity to develop critical thinking skills in kids and teens! As we gather our unicorn armies, we engage in friendly competition, learning how to strategize while navigating social dynamics and relationships with friends and family. This interactive game encourages creativity and problem-solving as players deploy tactics to protect their unicorns or sabotage others. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Unstable Unicorns: Unleash the Fun! is packed with strategic gameplay that transforms family game night into a lively class on creativity and critical thinking—unicorns never looked this educational!

Arkham Horror Cooperative Strategy Game

Arkham Horror 3rd Edition invites families and friends to immerse themselves in a richly woven tapestry of suspense and strategy. This thrilling board game encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving as players band together to uncover clues and harness their unique abilities against formidable Ancient Ones. With its branching narratives and diverse characters, this game fosters a love for storytelling and collaboration—an engaging way to build essential skills while enjoying spine-tingling adventures that keep everyone on the edge of their seats. 14+ years
Why we love it:
Arkham Horror Cooperative Strategy Game invites players to uncover clues together, making it a fantastic way to bond while sharpening their teamwork skills in spooky, thrilling adventures.

Machi Koro: Build Your Dream City!

Machi Koro Board Game is a fantastic way for children and adults alike to dive into the exciting world of city planning and strategy. As players design their own cities, they develop critical thinking, resource management, and cooperative skills while having a blast. This engaging game fosters creativity and teamwork, making it a perfect addition to family game night or classroom activities! 8+ years
Why we love it:
Machi Koro: Build Your Dream City! is a city planning game that brings everyone together for laughter and strategy, making learning about logistics feel like an epic adventure.

Zodiac Clash 3D Solar System Adventure

The Spin Master Zodiac Clash is a captivating strategic 3D board game that invites players aged 8 and up to explore the mysteries of the zodiac. In this dynamic game, children develop critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of astrological concepts as they align Night Stars to win. With 12 unique zodiac signs, our family game night becomes an opportunity for kids to learn about compatibility, cooperation, and strategic planning in a fun, engaging way. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Zodiac Clash 3D Solar System Adventure is a strategic board game that transforms family game night into a cosmic journey of learning and fun, complete with 12 unique zodiac signs.

Patchwork Doodle: Unleash Creative Strategy Fun!

Patchwork Doodle is a delightful fusion of art and strategy that stimulates creativity while honing puzzle-solving skills! This innovative game encourages kids and adults alike to think critically and plan ahead as they draw their own puzzle pieces and compete for the best scoring opportunities. With its portable design, it’s perfect for family game nights or road trips, sparking joy and collaboration in a quick 20-minute session. 8+ years
Why we love it:
Patchwork Doodle is a portable game that sparks joy and collaboration in just 20 minutes, making family game nights an exciting blend of strategy and artistic expression.

Battleship Card Game: Tactical Fun for Kids

Hasbro Gaming Battleship Card Game for Kids is the ultimate twist on a classic favorite! This engaging two-player strategy game sharpens critical thinking and problem-solving skills while children dive into tactical naval combat. By using White Peg cards to search for enemy ships and Red Peg cards to deal damage, kids enhance their strategic planning and decision-making abilities. 7+ years
Why we love it:
Battleship Card Game: Tactical Fun for Kids is a compact two-player strategy game that transforms road trips into tactical naval battles, making critical thinking feel like an adventure.

Imhotep: The Duel - Egyptian Builders Showdown

Imhotep: The Duel invites you into the fascinating world of ancient Egypt, where strategy and creativity collide! In this engaging two-player game, players take on the roles of Nefertiti and Akhenaten, competing to build magnificent monuments while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. With each turn, kids will enhance their strategic planning abilities and learn the importance of resource management. 10+ years
Why we love it:
Imhotep: The Duel features beautifully illustrated components that transform family game night into a captivating journey through history while building essential thinking skills.