Word games are always a hit around here, Upwords for the younger set, and Scrabble for the older, and then there are the word-search games - you know, the type where you roll alphabet dice and then try to form words from the results? I forget the name of the game, as we don't own it (yet), but we've played it at other people's houses.

Heximania combines so many of the elements we enjoy - the challenge of finding words out of jumbles of letters, the strategy of placing letters just so, to get the most points and perhaps block opponents, the added spice of watching a timer run out (and heckling the opposition) and a game board that rotates so that nobody has to try to read the letters upside-down. (Though I admit that there are family members who prefer this view - they say it helps them to spot new words.)

Though the game is designed for two to four players, I've found the younger ones playing `solitaire' - placing tiles, figuring out words, toting up scores, practicing for the next big game. I know that the game has been played while I've been busy, too, because I keep finding filled-out score sheets. We'll soon be using up all the score sheets that came with the game, but all we have to do is log onto the Educational Insights website and we can download a PDF file that will supply the need.

The premise is pretty simple - each player has five hexagonal letter tiles, and they take turns placing tiles, one at a time, on the hexagonal game board, and drawing a new tile to take the place of the one used. With hexagons, you have letters touching each other in six places, instead of just four, giving you a lot more possibilities. You place a tile so that you may form the most words, using adjacent tiles. You get a point-per-letter for each word formed. Look sharp! After you add up your score for the words you've formed with the new letter you added, your opponents get a chance to add to their scores by pointing out words you missed!

There are rules that make play easier for young players, and rules that make play more challenging. We use a mix of rules (some apply to young players, and some to the more experienced word-wielders) making the game fair and fun for a range of ages.

This is one of those games that will grow with our students. It has a place of honor on the game shelf, right next to Scrabble, and that says a lot!