Spot It

How:

A small space to put a stack of cards, be it a table, floor, seatback tray or train seat.

What:

Multiple quick visual matching games, emphasis on speedy image recognition.

Who:

Kids who like pictures. Adults who like visual stimulus. Adults and kids who like playing together, especially when the kids win!

Where:

Your friendly local game store, or Amazon for $12.

Why:

Young minds pick up the details of Spot It quickly, and will trounce you in minutes. It's a great game for groups, easy to learn and fun to watch. Grab it to throw in your bag for that extra-long wait in line or the delay at the airport. Toss it into your closet as a last-minute gift for the person who's tough to shop for.

Animal Upon Animal

How:

The floor, or a very steady table, and a small child or three.

What:

A cute, simple balance game, with small wooden animals stacked based on dice rolls. Think 'Toddler's first Jenga' with a little jolt of randomness.

Who:

Kids with enough fine motor control to stack small blocks or shapes on top of each other, and the adults who love them. Two to four players, or one curious kid with time on their hands.

Where:

Your friendly local game store, or Amazon ($22).

Why:

Simple rules that a three year old can handle. A first exposure to turn taking and dice-based action. Adorable, sturdy, satisfying wooden pieces. A game that both my kids requested playing again and again. This is easily my favorite gateway game for the three and four year old set, with no reading at all required.