Video:Best Educational Toys for Teens

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Transcript:Best Educational Toys for Teens

Hi, I'm Anne Marie Lusby for About.com. Teens are always looking for something to do, and I'm here to show you some of the newest toys and electronics for adolescents that are not only fun, but also educational. With these puzzles, apps, and high-tech games, teens are sure to stay busy while learning a thing or two.

Try Cell Phone or Tablet Educational Apps for Teens

For today's generation, fun means whipping out a cell phone or tablet. This is great because there are tons of apps and games out there, and lots of them are free! One widely popular app is "Words with Friends." Tweens, teens, and young adults alike love it because it's a game and social app in one, allowing players to communicate with friends while they play.

The rules are simple. It's a strategy game, similar to Scrabble, played on a digital board. Opponents can be friends online or random players. The object of the game is to score the most points by forming as many words as possible, either horizontally or vertically. The first word has to be played over the star in the center, and each consecutive word must be played off existing tiles.

Every letter has a set value (D is worth two points, for example, O is worth one, and G is three), and because "Words With Friends" doesn’t allow misspellings, it also improves spelling and vocabulary skills. The game ends when a player uses all their tiles and there are no more shared pieces. This often takes awhile, making it a competitive, challenging, and educational experience.

ThinkFun Gordians Knot Also a Good Educational Toy for Teens

Another great gift for teens is the ThinkFun Gordians Knot. It's true, cell phones, video games and computers rule our world, but with this gift, you can grant your teen some downtime and good old fashioned fun that doesn't require batteries. This puzzle only has six pieces, but that doesn't mean it's easy to solve.

Stratego Another Good Educational Toy for Teens

Speaking of challenging, Stratego is a great new board game from Milton Bradley that mixes concepts from Dungeons and Dragons and Chess. It requires deep thinking, planning, and well, strategy. Super addictive and easy to get into, it's a great way for any teenager to spend an afternoon.

Another Great Educational Toy for Teens Is a Terrarium

The Carnivorous Terrarium with Live Plants also offers teens a fun, hands-on way to spend the day. Caring for plants teaches responsibility, commitment, as well as science, and the cool thing about this kit is it comes with carnivorous plants, which means they eat meat. These unusual species are fun to watch, even more fun to feed, and an all around great buy for teens.

Try Educational Video Games for Teens

If video games are their thing, next time your teenager gets bored, surprise them with Ucreate Games & Artimation. For $15 at Amazon.com, your teen can learn how to create and build their own video games. Affordable, easy to use, and inspiringly creative, Ucreate is a great alternative to playing old games for the 100th time.

Another do it yourself alternative to an afternoon of boredom is the WowWee FlyTech BladeStar Flying Helicopter. This kit allows teens to assemble their own helicopter, teaching them aeronautics and engineering in the process. Once the machine is put together, it flies perfectly on autopilot or with a remote control, indoors or out.

Remember, teens need toys too. We all do, and it never hurts to learn a little in the process. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us at About.com.