Smarty Pants Brain-Building Cards: There are various card sets for different age groups—not just first grade as shown here.  The card sets let kids test their smarts with fun facts and funny trivia. They can be used solo (so a child can play alone or with a parent or friend), and the cards are colorful, creative and packed with illustrated activities, including trivia quizzes, problem-solving puzzles activities, word play, fun facts, creative story-building games and much more.

For the Awesome-est in Puzzles and Brain Fun:

Check out Melissa and Doug (www.melissaanddoug.com): This mom/pop style company will surprise you with how many different things they have available to inspire children, enliven their play, and fire up their imagination. Their blog entries are wonderful as well, spelling out great experiences that you can be having with your children.

Suspend Family Game – for steady nerves, steady hands, and concentration. Do you want to convert your fidgety child with a puzzle that will train anyone to prolong time on task? Why not try the Suspend Family Game. Set the clock and mark the amount of time your family can focus—the longer the better. Then try the reverse: build a full structure in the quickest time.

Available at Melissa and Doug (www.melissaanddoug.com).