Don't Break the Ice

  For as long as our family has owned Don't Break the Ice, we have called it "Break the Ice." It's a good example of how a game that's fun doesn't need strict rules. If my 2-year-old thinks she's the winner because she made the bear fall down, that's OK.
  Don't Break the Ice is a good turn-taking game: "My turn. Your turn." It's good for hand-eye coordination. It's good for kids who can't sit still for long and want to pound on and break things.
  On the down side, it requires an adult to set up. And if you're not watching, the kids will break the ice too quickly, and you'll have to spend a minute setting it up again. Not too bad a tradeoff, though, considering how much we enjoy playing it. And by the time they're 6 or 7, the kids will be able to squeeze in all the plastic ice cubes to set up the game themselves.
  For ages 4-6 (I'd say younger and older), 2 players. Cost: About $10.

Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Design Discoveries

  Design Discoveries is an old game that I bought at a rummage sale. The game I own is made by Discovery Toys, but there are plenty of versions of this learning toy, in which colored tiles are placed in an outline. The cards with the outlines on them range in difficulty from simply putting down the correct shapes to figuring out which shapes must be used to fill a complex picture.
  This is a nice, quiet activity for children that will keep them busy for 20 minutes or so. The downside is if they're not old enough to clean up their toys, it can be a big mess. And if you lose any pieces, it's possible that kids won't be able to solve all the picture cards.
  I like the wooden pieces in my game, unlike the foam pieces of some others. The foam pieces are irresistible for some children to bite into, creating an even worse choking hazard than the small pieces already are, in addition to ruining the game.
  Melissa & Doug has a couple versions of this game, including one specifically for preschoolers.
  For ages 3-10, 1 player. Cost: Varies, $10-30.

Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Honey Bee Tree

  Honey Bee Tree has won awards for best game, and I agree that it's cute and that the kids like it. But it takes too long to set up, and the young children who most like to play it are the same ones who need a parent to set it up.
  The base looks like a tree with a beehive on top. Plastic leaves are inserted through holes, creating a net inside. Small plastic bees (a choking hazard, so bee careful) are put on top of this net of leaf-sticks. Players take turns removing the leaves, hoping a bee doesn't fall through the trunk and into their collection bin at the base of the tree.
  The game can be used to teach young children to take turns. "My turn. Your turn." But they probably won't understand the rules, and will think it's good to get the bees to fall. I'd say don't worry about that, and just have fun. Do watch out that they don't quickly remove the leaves that just took five minutes to insert.
  For ages 3 and older, 2-4 players. Cost: About $12.

Our rating: 3 out of 5 stars