This is what leads on ThinkFun's website. I believe it. They have the best mind challenging games on the market. There are games for all ages.

In Rush Hour, you look at a pattern card, and then place the cars and trucks according to the pattern. You need to figure out how to move the cars around so that your red car can get out of the "rush". Or maybe you would prefer Safari Rush Hour, where you have to get your Safari Van out without the animals getting you. You can try it on-line to see what I am really describing. When we bought this for my daughter, my husband and daughter fought over who could play with it. The cards range from beginner to advance so many ages can play it. There is now a Rush Hour Jr. so littler kids can play.

Other ThinkFun games we have enjoyed in our house are Tipover, River Crossing, and Four Children's Card Games. I played Chocolate Fix and Ducks in a Row at Toy Fair. I really needed by daughter, she is much better at these types of games than I am, but I still loved them. I am thinking of getting 36 Cube for her this Hanukkah--it is under the serious puzzler section. (don't tell her).

These are great games and puzzles, especially when there is only one child in the house. My daughter would play with these for hours and I never heard, "mommy come play a game with me".

I think that almost every ThinkFun game and puzzle is under $20, unless you buy the ultimate deluxe versions, and you will play with them for a long time, so I highly recommend them. I think every toy they have designed has won multiply awards, because they are so well thought out and both children and adults love to play them.

In addition, to ThinkFun, there are other Mind Challenging games on the LetKidsPlay website.

More Tomorrow.

Mara