Stratego

  The box for Stratego says the game is for ages 8 and older, but in our experience, it has appealed to younger ages.
  Each player controls an army, and sets up his pieces unseen by the opponent. Each piece has a number on it, and as the pieces move across the board, they challenge each other. The higher number wins the battle. There are only a couple more rules, for example the scouts can move unlimited spaces, and only number threes can defuse bombs. But the game's rules are simple enough for a 5-year-old.
  As players get older, they will learn better strategies to win. The ultimate goal of the game is to find the opponent's flag. Setting up your pieces to attack, defend and hide your flag is complicated, so this is the part that older children will enjoy. But if you're older still, it becomes frustrating that so much of the game is based on luck. There's no such thing as a perfect way to set up your pieces. However, players can gain an advantage by remembering what their opponent's pieces are once they've seen them.
  Young children enjoy figuring out which number is bigger in a battle. And if the adult they're playing with sets up his soldiers to help a child win, the game can be really fun. But it's too upsetting if you start taking all their soldiers.
  The game has many little pieces that get put away in a fussy plastic tray. If your kids are small enough to enjoy tossing these around the room, store it on a high shelf.
  For ages 8 to adult, but we have played it at younger ages, 2 players. Cost: About $15.

Our rating: 3 out of 5 stars