Some of the earliest games children play involve matching and sequencing. Several variations of a card game exist where children turn cards face down and flip them over in pairs until they locate a match. Games such as Memory or Concentration are forms of this popular game, and are based on a memory technique known as pelmanism. Children must remember the location of a specific image so they know which cards to flip during their next turn. In this instance, matching and elimination require synthesizing facts presented and using said facts to draw a conclusion.
Identifying a specific pattern, location or object using a series of physical characteristics requires deductive reasoning. Games like Mastermind and Guess Who provide identifying information in small increments, such as a specific color or identifying features like glasses. Each time one player reveals a new piece of information the opponent gets a chance at the correct answer using this newly learned information. Learning to observe and apply new pieces of physical information individually strengthens children's deductive reasoning.
Verbal word games, without any pieces or pictures, let children practice conceptualizing images and applying known information toward a conclusion. For example, in games like "I Spy" or "20 Questions", children hear three or fewer pieces of information at the beginning and must ask followup questions to learn more about the item in question so they can provide the correct answer. Asking constructive followup questions, while remember the already established information requires deductive reasoning and memory.
Some deductive reasoning games require nothing more than a single piece of paper and a pencil. Games like Pictionary and Hangman, require children to ask strategic followup questions based on the growing body of information presented on the picture board or letter spaces. While these games don't record or eliminate incorrect answers, like Guess Who or Battleship, children can see the established information, such as letters in a word or an image clue, while continuing to play the game.