Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources The Ultimate Game Thread :O)

Lure of the labyrinth is a stealth maths educational tool wrapped up in a graphic novel style interface with Myst like puzzles. My DD8 loves it and because she already knows the 4th grade Maths curriculum cold does this (with the teacher's full consent) instead of any Maths 'drill and kill' homework.

The webpage is is it - the best part is the price - it's free.

The downside (I think) is that it needs Flash so need a browser that can handle Flash.

Takeneko looks like my DD9 would love it for the cute/animal factor. Does it have long-lasting appeal?

Well, I've had it for a year and I still enjoy it. I would say that its replayability is not as high as some of the games in this thread (say, Agricola or Dominion), but you will definitely get a number of games out of it. DD9 really enjoys it, and I do too, so I think it stays age-appropriate for a long time.

The game InStructures. Amazon reviews here http://www.amazon.com/POOF-Slinky-0X3823-Ideal-Instructors-Construction/product-reviews/B007UH4BX8/

I've been getting a few requests to work with 2E ESL/bilingual students and this would be perfect for them and DD would love it too since she is so competitive.

DD's new favorite

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Boa...1385528251&sr=8-1&keywords=chocolate+fix

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Kerbal Space Program. KSP is an open-ended game where you build your own rockets and launch them from a low-gravity planet populated by amusing alien species who much resemble the Muppets' Beaker. Real spaceship structural simulation and orbital mechanics is the focus of the game. Even on the free demo version one can work up to landing a Kerbal on the "Mun", and maybe even get him back to Planet Kerbin.

Many videos of KSP, both instructional and destructional are available on YouTube. (Making absurd rockets and blowing them up is half the fun.)

a less complicated D&D like table top card/board game that would be awesome

There is a version of Munchkin based on D&D. My son loves it.

Wiz-War is a nice dungeon crawler game. Here's a link to it at one of my favorite websites:
http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/589/wiz-war

For an insane and fun intro to RPGs, check out Toon by Steve Jackson games:
http://www.sjgames.com/toon/