Bulls and Cows claims to be the “original code-breaking game” and after some research, it does seem to be around a century old. The earliest reference I can find to Mastermind is 1971. Both games are great code-breaking games. This
Magnetic Chess
Do you love 2-player logic games as much as I do? I enjoy lots of other games, too (obviously), but there is something so very satisfying about pitting my logic and strategy against someone else’s. Magnetism or Magnetic Chess definitely
Hnefatafl (Viking or Nordic Chess)
Chess, Othello, and the Nordic countries all combined. That’s Hnefatafl (nef-ah-tah-fel or nep-ah-tah-pel). And no, I can’t pronounce it, though you can check out our play-through video which required my husband to say it. This post may contain affiliate links,
Cooperative Games
My family loves cooperative games! They’re a great way to get lots of gameplay in while you work on strategy, logical thinking, relationships, and sportsmanship, too. We do have to be careful that one person (I’ll admit, I’m the usual
Shut the Box
A game that we’ve been seeing on many of our travels at many historic sites is Shut the Box. Shut the Box is the perfect game for practicing a variety of math skills, no matter your skill level or your
Two-Player Games
As a family of 4, my family is kind of the poster child for family activities. We love that it’s so easy to find games and even “family deals” that are perfect for all four of us to participate in.
Cat Lady
This is another game that my husband ordered, and again, I was skeptical at first, but it’s totally won me over! If you love cats, logic, and want to sneak in just a bit of math, Cat Lady is the
Mastermind
Mastermind will long be a favorite game of mine. If you want a game to play with just one child at a time that develops their logical thinking, then Mastermind is the game you want! This post may contain affiliate
Othello
Othello is another 2-player logic game. Even though we’re a family of four, oftentimes, one or more people are not interested in playing a game. This makes 2-player games super important to us! This post may contain affiliate links, meaning
Mancala
Do you need a two-player logic game, but you’re short on funds? Mancala is an excellent game, yet easy to DIY. It has a long history, too! This game is a hit with kids and adults alike. (I love games
Checkers
Checkers is perhaps THE best-known two-player logic game ever. And even better, it uses the same board as Chess, so you can get double the game-play taking up about the same amount of space. This post may contain affiliate links,
Chess
Chess is a classic, but it merits mentioning. This game is full of great strategic thinking and has a rich history. There are even a couple of different options for you and your kids to learn how to play it
Gnomes At Night
If you find yourself really needing to work on your relationship with one specific child, or you have two kids that need to work on their sibling relationship, Gnomes At Night could be just what you’re looking for. It’s a
Odin’s Ravens
Are you looking for a quick strategy game for just two players? Maybe you want to try a new game for date night. Are you traveling and need more small games? Whatever the case, Odin’s Ravens is an excellent choice!