Hobbies And Interests
Strategy Games
Strategy games help teach children to think ahead, plan their moves and reformulate their plan when it gets foiled. Chess is an age-old game that does this, and by age 10, many kids are proficient at it. Checkers and Battleship are similar, though simpler, two-player games that also may appeal to 10-year-olds.
Other strategy games, such as Ticket to Ride, Blokus and Qwirkle, are for multiple players. These are games that can be played by younger kids and adults, but that 10-year-olds will find challenging.
Money Games
Some board games build understanding of finance, investing and the role chance plays in financial matters. By age 10, many kids have their own money and are learning how to use it. While they may not be buying Park Place with their allowance, such games as Monopoly and The Farming Game can introduce them to economics and get them interested in money management. These types of games are available in many themes, including popular cartoon characters, television shows, animals, hobbies and some that are completely customizable.
Word Games
By age 10, most kids should have a good grasp of the English language and spelling. They can enhance those skills while playing such board games as Scrabble, Upwords and Boggle. These games give the players letters that they have to turn into words. The guidelines and methods for doing this vary by game, but they all help build vocabulary, spelling and critical thinking skills. These games never lose their challenge, but can be played through adulthood.
Other Board Games
Numerous board games are on the market that go beyond what traditional board games offer. These games sometimes incorporate role playing, real-life situations or fantasy worlds. By age 10, kids usually have the attention span for long games, and still have an interest in playing and pretending. Settlers of Catan and Dominion fall into this category. Pandemic and Forbidden Island pit the players against the game, rather than each other, to solve a problem.