Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Nashville, TN

Today at Being Savvy headquarters they're talking about one of my favorite things to play with my daughter -- memory games! It seems like most board games for preschoolers are all about the luck of the draw. Chutes and Ladders, Candy Land, and similar games can be fun but require no skills. That's what I love about memory games -- they're challenging enough not to bore grown-ups to tears. Plus, since my daughter has the uncanny ability to remember details that I've long forgotten, we're on fairly equal ground when we play.
Here are three neat memory games to challenge your child's (and your own) critical thinking skills:

Selecta Memo Kunterbunt
This variation of the memory game you may have grown up with replaces the flimsy cardboard pieces with sturdy wooden tiles featuring softly colored illustrations of animals and objects. This game stimulates the senses and is a joy to play. The smooth tiles feel good between a child's fingers, have the gentle scent of wood, and make a pleasant clickety-clack sound when they touch each other. The game may seem a little pricey, but will last long enough for your kid to play with her own kids some day.

Haba Horse Memory

Same concept, different style. This game's pieces are tiny and horse-shaped instead of big and square. It's easier for a child to set up because she can scatter the pieces rather than set them up in even rows. The game is stored in a little heart-shaped tin that's easy to tuck into a suitcase to tote to Grandma's house or on vacation.

Make Your Own!

Instead of purchasing a memory game, you might want to make a customized version for your child. The game can feature photographs of family members, friends, pets, and favorite toys. Print two copies of each, laminate for longevity, and find a small box to store them in. The rules are the same as most memory games -- each player takes turns flipping over two pieces in search of matches. If you find a match you get to go again, and whoever finds the most matches wins.

These memory building games foster skills that your child can use for the rest of her life. Maybe if I had played more memory games I would have an easier time finding my car keys. Your preschooler will always remember the time you spent playing these games with her.