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Small Soldiers Games

Boys have been playing with toy soldiers for the past 200 years, according to Soldier Toys, specialists in new and vintage military miniatures. Games with small soldiers allow children to use their imaginations, developing strategies and role playing in life-like military situations. Toy Story's green, plastic, army guys have come far since the old chalk and metal figurines. There is a rekindled interest in fun, small soldier games, that have existed for generations.

A Game of Strategy
- Stratego, a board game of capture the flag by Hasboro, divides two armies in battle. Small stickers depicting soldiers, bombs, and a flag, adorn each piece that is methodically and strategically moved across the board, in pursuit of the enemy flag.
Take a Risk
- In Hasbro's game of Risk, "winning means growing an awesome army." Made by Parker Brothers in 1959, Risk is a game of strategy involving the linear movement of pieces, tiny soldiers, people on horseback and cannons. Protect your region, practice strong military defense, and occupy your opponent's territory to win the game.
Chess
- The two armies of chess pieces square off.
  
  Chess can be played as a battle of small soldiers with pieces carved to represent characters of military rank, from a general for a king, to a common foot soldier representing a pawn. There are themed sets on the market including civil war and revolutionary war sets that add the feeling of strategic military planning to the game.
Army Guys
- Children have played with army men for decades.
  
  Toy army men made of hard plastic have been in production since the 1950's. Sold by the bag full, children have adored these little green guys for decades. "The most common kind of Army Man is modeled after the American Soldier, with the old M1 Steel Helmet. Though particular types vary, the vast majority represent U.S. troops circa 1941 to 1960," according to the Army Men homepage.

Role Playing Games