NAMiTS - car travel game

Play this game in the car, or on the plane: developed by a mom of seven, NAMiTS -- The Game of Think -- is simple enough for a child of 4 but can be just as much fun for older kids. And it's compact, durable, and low-cost.

NAMiTS - The Game of Think - portable game

NAMiTS is one of those brilliantly simple ideas. Physically, it's a set of 22 credit-card-sized cards (durable plastic-coated) arranged on a colored key ring. Mentally, it's a "Game of Think": the cards are simply the catalyst for creative-- and maybe competitive-- brainstorming.

"Name things that are ... sticky," one card instructs. Or:

"Name things that fly."

The neat thing is that kids will find their own level of the game. A four year old might answer "butterfly" for things that fly; an 8-year-old might answer "stealth bomber"; an older kid might answer, "time".

NAMiTS is a home-grown product, developed and assembled by Barbara Jerome, a Maine mother of seven, and her family. The game has been picked as one of Dr. Toy's 10 Best Educational Products and Best Vacation Children's Products. Other national awards include Parents Choice, Instructor Magazines best pick, and National Parenting Centers Seal of approval.

Meanwhile, the games keep coming:

• NAMiTS Travel: made for car trips. Spot items on the NAMiTS cards -- a home on wheels, a winking headlight-- and score points.
• NAMiTS Junior: for ages 3 and up. Language-building plus fun; over 150 categories like "name all the things you would see at the circus."
• NAMiTS Challenge: for ages 8 to 100.

NAMiTS is being distributed through toy stores, but the easiest way to get it is probably online at the link below. Cost is $9.95.

• Namits - The Game of Think

* photo courtesy of NAMiTS.