Classic Smart Games

Back to basics, game style!  These old favorites, and a few "new" classics, will keep you and your gifted kids busy for many years.

Offering many terrific toys our kids love, Toys at Amazon.com,  MindWareOnline, Discovery Store, Zome! and many more - all the links on Shop Hoagies! - are all Hoagies' Gifted Education Page associates.  For each purchase from Hoagies' Page links, these stores give a small percentage of your purchase price to Hoagies' Gifted Education Page, at no cost to you -- Thanks!

Abalone

Can you push your opponents marbles off the board?  Loosely based on Sumo wrestling, the rules are simple but the strategies are endless... Also available in Travel Abalone
 

Backgammon

Classic strategy game...
 

Battleship

Classic strategy game, adored by gifted kids as young as 4 or 5...  Also Electronic Battleship and Battleship Folio (Travel)
 

Boggle (2-6 players, ages 8 and up) The original 3-minute word search game!

Shake up the lettered cubes, drop them into the grid and start the timer.  Then race to see who can list the most words with the highest point value among the random letter assortment in the grid!  Or try Boggle Jr. or Boggle To Go
 

Brio Labyrinth

I loved Labyrinth as a child, and it hasn't changed, and still delights kids today!
 

Chinese Checkers

A one-rule game that's easy to learn and fun to play. Build chains of colors from the 42 patterned cards... Also 5-in-1 Traveling Games
 

Clue

Classic murder mystery board game.  To win, you must successfully deduce the who, where, and how of Mr. Boddy's murder.  Different game each time you play...
 

Connect Four 2 players, ages 7-11 (gifted ages 3 or 4+)

Part skill, part luck of the draw. Two to four players try to get their rack of 10 cards in consecutive order, from lowest to highest, first.  Also Connect Four Folio (Travel) and Connect 4 Stackers
 

Continuo

A one-rule game that's easy to learn and fun to play. Build chains of colors from the 42 patterned cards... Or play Hexago Continuo
 

The Game of Life

Practice makes perfect in the game of Life. Try marriage, kids, and more. Will you go to college and take out student loans? Or join the working force and collect on payday? Will you go bankrupt, or earn millions in stock and real estate? Anything's possible with a spin of the Life wheel! Newer versions include... The Game of Life Twists & Turns, The Game of Life - Bikini Bottom SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, Game Of Life Indiana Jones, Game of Life - Pirates of the Caribbean  Dead Man's Chest Edition
 

Go

Classic strategy game.  Also Folding Go or Travel Go. Learn more from Wikapedia Go Game
 

Hi-Q (or from Amazon)

Classic solitaire puzzle, in the same red and blue plastic from our childhood...
 

Klutz Books

Klutz Book of Board Games portable board, directions and pieces, all in one!

 

Mancala (or from Amazon)
4 player Mancala (or from Amazon)

Ancient African strategy game - easy to learn, more difficult to master.  And a new twist on an old game!
 

Mastermind  (or from MindWare)

Classic logical deduction game.  Also Deluxe Travel Mastermind, Attaché Mastermind and Mastermind for Kid
 

Mille Bornes 

First published in 1962, Mille Bornes (pronounced "meel born," French for "milestones") is an auto racing card game whose object is to be the first to complete a series of 1,000-mile trips - another favorite from my childhood!
 

Othello

Classic strategy game, "A minute to learn, a lifetime to master."  Good for young kids, still fun for adults
 

Pagoda Puzzle (or from Amazon)

The classic recursion algorithm brainteaser...
 

Pit

The "Corner the Market" Card Game. Shout your deal and trade your cards to "corner" the market. Be the first to get all the cards of one commodity, slap the "Corner!" board and you'll win the hand. You'll feel like a trader in the pits of the exchange! Beware of the Bear and take your chances with the Bull...  Also Deluxe Pit Card Game
 

Risk

The game of world conquest--features a tri-fold game board that is a map of six continents divided into 42 territories. It's a game of strategy as you battle to win by launching daring attacks, defending your territory, and moving across continents with your cunning plan! Or try the futuristic Risk 2210 A.D. or Risk Godstorm - a time of myths and legends!  Also Risk Star Wars: The Clone Wars or Risk 2003 Edition or Liberty Risk Edition
 

Scrabble Classic Edition

After 50 years, it's still the best word game in the world!  Also Scrabble, Jr., Scrabble Game Folio (Travel), Deluxe Turntable Scrabble, and Scrabble Premier Wood Edition
 

Senat (or from Amazon)

4000 year old game...
 

Stratego (or from Amazon)

The classic game of battlefield strategy. Your mission is to capture your opponent's flag and protect your own.  Move with caution and courage. The next piece you attack could be a bomb... Also Stratego - Chronicles of Narnia, Stratego: Pirates of the Caribbean, Stratego: Democrats vs. Republicans, Library Edition Stratego and Stratego Computer Game
 

Traverse 20th Anniversary Edition Checkers gone Wild! (ages 7+ (5+ gifted), 2 to 4 players) by Educational Insights

What do you get when you cross checkers and Chinese checkers with a hint of chess and some extra-wild rules for advanced players?  Traverse! 
 

Tri-Ominos

The classic triangular domino game...  Deluxe Tri-Ominos Game and Attaché Tri-Ominos
 

Trivial Pursuit

2400 trivia questions in six categories... pick your edition!  Trivial Pursuit 25th Anniversary Edition, Trivial Pursuit 20th Anniversary, Trivial Pursuit: Totally 80's, Trivial Pursuit 1990's Edition, Trivial Pursuit Greatest Hits, Trivial Pursuit Disney Edition, Trivial Pursuit - DVD Pop Culture 2nd Edition, Trivial Pursuit For Kids Nickelodeon Edition, Trivial Pursuit for Kids Volume 6 and Trivial Pursuit Digital Choice
 

Yahtzee

The classic dice game, soon to be 50 years old!  Or try the Deluxe Edition, or Yahtzee Folio (Travel)
 

Last updated October 01, 2009