Tilt by Thinkfun Games

Chess is the ultimate strategy game, but mastering it can be a lifetime occupation, so anyone who plans on moving beyond the amateur level won't have time for many other pursuits. Apparently this is not a recent problem; in "The Book of the Courtier," written in 1528 by Italian courtier Baldassare Castiglione, the author describes chess as "an honest kind of entertainment, and witty," but complains that it takes up so much time that "A man may as soon learn some noble science, or compass any other matter of importance, and yet in the end in bestowing all that labor, he knows no more than a game."

While there's no shortcut to developing logic skills, Tilt by Thinkfun is a satisfying strategy game that takes a lot less time to learn than chess. The objective: to get your green sliders into the hole in the middle of the game grid by tilting the grid only vertically and horizontally. Your blue sliders need to stay on the playing field, and gray tiles stay in one place and block all movement. Set up your pieces according to one of the 40 challenge cards (which range in difficulty from Beginner to Expert) and tilt away!

Tilt is a great way to keep a solo kid busy on a long car trip, since there aren't a lot of pieces to lose, and it can take a lot of tries to get the harder puzzles right. Kids will discover while playing that while trial-and-error is still fun, thinking strategically and planning a few moves ahead is more satisfying, which is great exercise for growing brains! Recommended for ages 8 and up. Includes one game grid with base, 40 Challenge Cards, 2 green sliders, 4 blue sliders, 6 gray blockers, and a Game Go Bag.

WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.