Editorial Review

"Dear Pen Pal, Konnichi wa! We've been to see Mt. Fuji. Name my country! Sayonara, Michiko." Challenge your group with this fast-paced geography game, created in 1992 by Educational Insights, Inc. Everyone begins at the post office. Players twirl a finely printed spinner (built into the game board itself) to select one of 60 countries. If the player can correctly identify the country's location on the board's numbered map, he or she may advance along the path to the finish. Bonus moves are won by landing on "postcard" spaces, listening to the clues on one of the 40 postcards, and correctly identifying the pen pal's country. (The sample postcard above came from Japan.) A more challenging game can be achieved by requiring players to name the country's capital; answers are provided. --Liane Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great Game - BEWARE SHIPPING
This is a great educational family game.
However, please be aware that Amazon ships this game wrapped in a plastic bag with no padding.Another game of the same order was received was crushed and torn on one corner.Amazon promptly arranged a pickup and replacement.This game arrive with crushed edges, but I decided to keep it rather than deal with another return.I figured it could have been worse; imagine a small unprotected board game competing with other shipments in a UPS truck.Amazon used to pack items in a box with packing material.This is no longer the case.Beware.

Better for younger children, but needs improvements
Great idea for a board game with lots of learning potential for younger children, however children 10+ years may soon find this formula a little unchallenging. Several improvements could make this a better product; notably, heavier paper for the frequently handled question cards, and a much larger map on the game board. Some of the countries appear too small for grandparents and children with poor eyesight. Also, the spinner is labeled with text that should be larger. With just a few design changes and the opportunity to purchase additional question card packs, perhaps geared towards different age groups, we could recommend this game more enthusiastically.

My daughter's favorite
This game really puts the world at your child's fingertips.My daughter begs to play even after her dad and I are pooped.And at eight years old, she knows more about geography than I did when I was much older.I'm getting her "Name That State" for her birthday and expect the same reaction. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Learning    4. Geography    5. Activity   

Editorial Review

Furrowed brows and hearty laughter are the most likely outcome of this fun but challenging game from Game Development Group. Just like its elder edition, the object of Stare! Junior is to be the first to reach the end of the game board. "Been there, done that," you're thinking? But in this game, looking hard and paying attention to detail are two things that will help players move forward. Individuals or teams stare at an image on a card for 30 seconds (more challenging games can be played by shortening the time) and then answer questions about what they saw. It's not easy--just try to remember what color socks the person next to you on the bus was wearing this morning, or how many people were reading magazines. Of course, you weren't staring... --Rachel Radway ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Yes, a terrific game for the kids (and parents)!


Stare! Junior is simply a terrific game for the kids.It's fun, it's educational (without the kid's knowing it); it's interesting; and it is a great social activity.During each kid's turn, the child stares at an image to study as much detail as they can recall.Then, when time is up, the child is asked a series of questions about the image.For instance, what is in the teddy bears hand?The Images are just terrific and fun to look at.We take this one in the car on long trips - the kids play and I keep track of how far they advance on the game board.Really, you will be happy you have this.No gimmicks, just good old-fashion game play, with laughs and learning thrown in for good measure.

A game kids and parents can have fun playing with together

I play lots of games with my kids.I can't say I am always wide awake playing Candy Land and Life over and over again.That has all changed with this game.

Stare! Junior changes the playing field.I actually enjoy playing it and my kids can tell that.The object is simple but challenging.Each turn a player (or team) stares at an image card.The cards are a great array of child friendly pictures.The cards have just enough detail to make it interesting for the kids, but not too much to make it frustrating.When time is up, the player is asked to recall certain aspects about the image.Was the hat red or green?Was the boy smiling?How many apples where on the table?The more the player recalls, the more the player advances his/her playing pawn on the game board.

The kids have fun and so do I.Go figure!

Great idea, but the game is just ok.
I purchased this game for my 5 year old. The idea of the game is to stare at a tiny card with tons of details. Then you are asked to remember some obscure detail about the picture. It is even hard to answer some of the questions when you are looking at the pictures.If you are looking for an educational game, look somewhere else.Your child might learn to pay more attention to details, but I can't think of any other educational value.I don't see what is so stimulating about Superman comic pictures (22 in all), and I like Norman Rockwell but 30 pictures seems over kill. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Games    3. Party Games   

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Reading    3. Games    4. Numbers    5. Activity    6. Family Favorites    7. Board Games   

Editorial Review

Connect Four is like vertical tic-tac-toe. Unlike tic-tac-toe, however (as the name suggests), youmust get four checkers in a row. One player has red checkers; the other has black checkers. To play,alternate turns at dropping one of checkers down a slot at the top of the upright grid. The first player to getfour checkers lined up in a row in any direction--horizontal, vertical, or diagonal--wins the game.--Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (47)

An EXCELLENT game with real play value!
I'd never seen this game before but it's turned out to be one of my two kids' favorite games. It's fun to play with just the pieces and to make simple patterns for decoration when you're not playing the "official" game, and throwing the lever that dumps the pieces out of the bottom is exciting, noisy and fun. Really a great game with real play value, a favorite! BUY IT!!!

Great fun and there is even a movie about it!!
Connect four has always been a favorite of mine since i was a little kid. It is a simple game with simple rules, but yet it is still a game of stratagey and can stump even most adults. This spring of 2005 Upsidedown square productions will be releasing a new blockbuster hit movie about Connect four Titled "C4 A connect four movie" Check out how this childs game changes young uryans life around at https://www.turnuptheblaarg.tk .

Fun, Easy Game
I had this game growing up and have played it with my children as well.My game from childhood is still in fine shape and was used regularly, but we took care of it and didn't fight over it or drop it.I can see how this game may break if misused a little.Anyway--it's a fun game and easy for little ones to pick up, but as other reviewers have said once you are well versed then it boils down to who goes first.I recommend for age 4 to 8 or 10. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Brain Games    3. Board Games    4. Family Favorites   

Reviews (6)

Great Toy
This is a great toy that is lots of fun, but educational without anyone realizing it.I got this for my 4 and 6 year olds for Christmas this year and it is a huge hit.We have not had any problems with the reset button getting stepped on or any other issues.It has good sound effects with either a correct or incorrect answer.I thoroughly enjoy this game and would recommend it!

Great Learning Toy with some Comments
This is a great toy. My very active five year old loves this game. He can play and move and review his numbers and adding and subtracting.

Two comments about this math mat though-
1. The numbers face outwards and the child stands in the middle of the numbers. When my son first started playing on this it took him some time to figure out which numbers were which. The numbers need to face the child.

2. The restart button is on the inside of the circle where the child stands and is easily stepped on. This leads to frustration sometimes if the child is not careful because they step on this restart button and the game starts over.

Otherwise, this is an excellent way to review number recognition, adding and subtracting.

Enjoy. Well worth the money.

Fun with Math
This is a great toy!My son loves the Math Mat so much that when I challenge him to a game he shouts out the answers to the problems and occasionally tries to step on the buttons even when it's my turn to play!This is a great toy for letting the kids run off some of their energy as they review their basic math skills.My 5-year-old son runs around the mat as the computer voice says the equation and then he quickly runs to step on the answer.The mat has three games (number identification and sequence, addition, and subtraction) and two levels of play.Regarding addition and subtraction, the first level requires you to find the sum or the difference and the second level gives you the answer to the problem and the first number in the equation and you provide the missing number.We use level 1 as a warm up since it provides a good review and then we play level 2 for a challenge.

I'd give this toy more than 5 stars in the fun and educational categories if I could.Since most children are quite active and learn math at different rates and since repetition is good at this stage, most children would get a lot of good quality use out of this game.I think the durability is pretty good also but it's really too soon to know. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Preschool    2. Games    3. Learning    4. Math    5. Numbers    6. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    7. Electronic    8. Counting    9. Activity    10. Electronic Learning Aids   

Reviews (2)

Unique Concept, the Kids Liked it.
I bought this game for a long car trip and it worked like a charm.This is a tougher sound identification game for kids than others out there. The sounds are not obvious and kids have to think a little to try and decide what the sound might be.The sounds are introduced by a group of kids on the CDs.For instance, the kids on the CD present a sound a few times, then they start counting down so that the players have time to write their guesses down on the scoresheet.The sound is played 3 times.Each time a sound is played, the kids on the CD encourage the players to listen carefully and not be fooled.Two CDs and many, many rounds of sounds come with the game, so I am saving the second CD for the next car trip.I am guessing this would be a fun game at birthday parties.

The kids like it
The only two commands I think I had to give my youngsters (eight and eleven) before setting them down to play this were: "SSSH! and LISTEN". Very little prodding was needed, and once the first Cd started playing they were captivated. The two voices (one boy and one girl) acting as the sound effects Presenters are adorable enough to make any parent melt like butter (or maybe I'm just a softie). Where can I send my kids to audition for the next set of CDs? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Party Games    4. Travel Games   

Editorial Review

The Dino Math Tracks game (winner of several prestigious awards,including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal) is a race around therainbow with a pack of pintsize, prehistoric pals. An unusual spin on atypical roll-the-dice-and-move game, it spotlights the mathematicalconcept of place value and gives kids reinforcement in what makesour base-10 number system tick. Each player is allotted one dinosaur foreach of the four tracks (the tracks are labeled 1s, 10s, 100s, and 1000s).To play, a player rolls four dice to create a 4-digit number andthen moves his or her prehistoric posse to the appropriate 1s, 10s,100s, and 1000s places. Problem-solving strategies are honed as playersscurry to get all four miniature mammoths or tiny triceratops into thedino haven, ahead of the other players' thundering herds. But look out!In the race to dino utopia, it's easy to get bumped by a babybrachiosaurus!

The Dino Math Tracks game provides multiple levels of play for a varietyof ages. At the simplest level (perfect for a first-grader who knowsArabic numerals and one-to-one correspondence), kids use only the placetrack for the 1s. Later, cards with simple problems are introduced("Stuck in a tar pit! Move your 10s dino back two spaces!"). At the mostadvanced level, players might encounter a question like this: "Your 10sdinosaur forgot its pants, so it went back 15 to get them. Then ithurried forward 25. How far did it get? Move that many." Young playerswill find the 2-inch, spunky vinyl dinosaur playing pieces irresistible.The game offers plenty of opportunities for friendly competition andbrain bending--not to mention lots of nonthreatening practice ataddition and subtraction. --Julie Ubben ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A real winner!
This game is great!The tiny dinos spark my 5 year-old son's imagination and enable him to have so much fun that he does not realize he is learning.Furthermore, he does not want to stop!!!He learned place value up to the thousands during our first game. After each roll of the dice the player uses all four dice to make a number and then s/he reads the number aloud (i.e. ifyou roll 6666 you say six thousand six hundred and sixty six).As we move our dinos around the board T.R. looks forward to our pieces landing on the same track so that we can have a "Showdown".In a "Showdown" you simply have to roll a dice and the person who gets the larger number wins.However, we move our dinos to the middle of the board and have a miniature battle.The player who rolled the larger number wins the battle.The loser is sent back home and the winner gets to move ahead.After playing the game a couple of times without using the cards - which is the simplest level of play with this game - my son asked to use the cards.So on Day 2 we began using the cards.Again he uses his imagination and does a great deal of role play as he carries out the instructions.It fills my heart with delight to see his excitement and to see that he has truly learned how to read numbers up to the thousands. (T.R. learned to read when he was 4 so he independently reads the dice and reads the cards.)

As a parent I highly recommend Dino Math Tracks because kids quickly learn a lot while having loads of fun.This game can be played at three levels, so it grows with your child.

Great fun!Colorful!Math skills to boot!
My child loves this game!Each person has a single type of dinosaur in four different colors.Each color represents one of the placement values; Ones, Tens, Hundreds, Thousands.The dinosaurs, as determined by roll of four dice, have to walk their color-coordinated path from start to finish.But look out! If an opponent lands on the same space, a die-rolling duel ensues, with the high-roller prevailing.This basic game is a lot of fun for young children.Then there are two decks of cards, one more advanced than the other, which enable the parameters of the game to expand with the child's developing math skills.My child and I can play on even ground - a rare trait in today's games.This comes highly recommended!

My kids love this game
I was not too excited when my kids got an educational board game as a gift, but my kids took right to it and still ask to play it on a regular basis a year later.They have learned a lot, and I am buying this game as a gift for our school friends this year.My only gripe is that the numbers wore off the dice, since the kids played the game so much! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Learning    4. Math    5. Counting    6. Numbers    7. Dinosaurs    8. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    9. Electronic    10. Activity    11. Family Favorites   

Reviews (2)

My 5 Year Old Finds this Challenging.My 4 Year Old Tries.
I have a 5 year-old boy and a 4 year-old girl (yes, alot of work).This is a unique game for young kids.Most games which center around matching shapes or images are often much too easy for children.With this game, kids really have to pay attention.There are 16 game tiles with picture combos of animals on each tile.The trick is that the tiles rotate the pictures (a lion appears with a bird, with a crab, with a turtle, with a horse, etc,). In total there are 16 different combination of pictures on the tiles and on the board.Kids need to match the tile with the corresponding picture on the board.It is really challenging for kids because they have to pay special attention to the picture combo on both the tile and the board. So they might have a tile with a lion and a crab, but they need to be careful not to be too quick (they are racing against a timer) to match it to the picture with a lion and a bird.The game comes with a timer so that if a child wants to play on their own, it keeps there interest to race against time instead of another playmate.When kids play together, they get some practice keeping score on the score pad provided.This is a solid skill building game for younger kids,I would say between 4 - 7 year olds.

It Catches the Eye
It seems pretty natural to me to have a kids' version made of Eyecatcher. I own the original (family) game and bought this edition for my 8-year old. He has taken quite a liking to it and so far it holds his attention. I haven't tried the Parents-Kids method yet that's written in the rules, but it looks pretty clear.

The main difference between the two editions is this: the family version has 4 color patterns on each `game tile' (or plastic rectangle), and this kids' version has 2 animal images on each game tile. Of course this makes it easier and also better suited for kids (which child doesn't like animals?). However, it's the same idea of matching game tiles to the board squares during the time allowed, which is catchy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning    3. Party Games    4. Travel Games   

Editorial Review

Bingo! Kids can learn all the specifics about adding up anassortment of coins and counting back change with this double-sidedbingo game with two variations to play. The Shopping Frenzy gameteaches kids to recognize and count coin combinations, and the PocketChange game shows how to calculate total amounts and count back change.The set comes with 94 realistic plastic coins, a double-sided spinner,32 reversible interchangeable bingo tiles, and four reversible bingocards. The games are designed for two to four players, ages 7 and up,but the plastic coins could be also used with younger children for avariety of lessons about money and math. --Marcie Bovetz ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Math    3. Games    4. Board Games    5. Family Favorites    6. Numbers    7. Activity    8. Pretend Play    9. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    10. Electronic    11. Preschool    12. Counting    13. Electronic Learning Aids   

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Cards    3. Board Games    4. Word Games    5. Learning   

Editorial Review

In an age that seems convinced high tech is always better, it'snice to see such an intelligently low-tech approach to teaching theworld's greatest board game. This is simply a standard plasticStaunton-style chess set--with one big difference. Each piece is markedwith its name, its value, and the directions in which it can legallymove when moving or taking. The large (2-inch), hollow pieces arelightweight and feel pretty flimsy, but in fact they're sturdy andtheir extra-wide bases give them the stability that small, clumsyfingers need. A folding board and instructions are included with theset. The instructions, unfortunately, are weak; they're best used as anaid to memory by someone who has already had the gameexplained. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Fun one on one time
I found the game pieces with the proper moves for each piece to be very helpful for my six year old.He plays the game taking his time thinking and planning ahead without asking many questions about the "allowed" moves for the piece.It has made the game with him exciting, he feels more confident, and I love our one on one time together.It is a great teaching set.

chess beginers
I searched high and low to find this game, it's one of a kind. A must for anyone who wants to learn to play!

Terrific alternative to video games
My kids love this game and play it over and over. I have four children and it makes me feel great when this is their choice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Classic Games    4. Strategy Games    5. Chess   

Editorial Review

Tick, tock, tick, tock... ding! It must be time to learn agame about learning to tell the time. This ingenious board game for twoto four players will do the tick, er, trick. The colorful 19-inchsquare board has a spiral path, with divisions that illustrate yourday's activities, from getting up and washing to winding down and goingto bed. Using game pieces, a clock face with movable hands, and aspecial time die marked with varying intervals, players move around theboard and perform a variety of tasks that are described in theaccompanying spiral-bound flip book. The game teaches digital andanalog time telling. --Richard Farr ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Game About Learning to Tell Time
This is not one of those educational games that your children are likely to play simply because it's fun.However, it is good for sharpening time telling skills.It also moves rather quickly so your kids are not likely to become bored and want to quit before finishing the game.

Although the recommended age is 7 - 11, this game may work better for a younger audience (maybe 5 - 9).I played it with my 5 year old.It provided opportunities to practice:
- figuring out the time by adding hours and minutes
- setting time on an analog clock
- reading time on analog and digital clocks
- reading

We purchase a lot of educational games.My son enjoys many of them so much that he chooses to play them during game time and other times as well.Comparably speaking this game falls short in the fun category, which is a disappointment for a game that sold for $19.99 last year when we purchased it.However, the price has now been slashed 50%, which makes it a better choice.

My recommendation would be to use a toy clock instead of the paper clock that comes with the game.The hands on the paper clock do not move easily.

Have FUN and enjoy this game!
It's easier for the kids to have fun when they don't know they are supposed to be learning!

The minimum age recommendation for Timing It Right is 7.Waiting this long would miss out on the most fun and educational parts of this game.A little flexibility is necessary, but my 5 year old son plays this game with ease and enjoys it very much.

The die is in time increments (5 mins. to 2 hrs.), not dots.As you move around the board, you are moving through a school day--waking up, eating breakfast, catching the bus, and on.You roll a time period and move ahead that much time.The directions have the player setting the a small clock to show their time on the board.You look that time up in a booklet and follow the directions for that time, which say things like "spell a word backward and move ahead 2 hours," "waiting in the playground is no fun alone, move another player to your spot," etc.

Having to do all these steps for each turn can take a little getting used to, and the booklet is rather cumbersome to flip through.At one point, we temporarily lost the unique die, and I had to make a fake one of of paper.

The fun of this game is in the flexibility.My son can set the clock in 15 min. increments, but I don't have him do it if the time is 20 or 25 mins. after, for example, because it's beyond his ability and would be frustrating.However, he's now counting by 5s if he rolls 15 or 30 mins., which is pretty cool for someone not yet in kindergarten.

This is a game that we also played with my daughter when she was 6, and she will play it now (9).It's a fun game that is teaching something very useful and specific.I think it's a lot more fun if the parents can use this game in the way that works best for their kids, instead of following the directions to a t.Definitely recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Board Games    2. Math    3. Time    4. Games    5. Learning    6. Numbers    7. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    8. Electronic    9. Activity    10. Family Favorites   

Editorial Review

This sweet little game teaches the preschool set how to follow directions and win and lose gracefully. The nurturing Mother Goose delivers all the instructions for play. Children press on one of the four colored "egg" buttons beneath Mother Goose to find out how many spaces to travel on the board. The object is to collect one of each of the four music cards, which include sing-along versions of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Hickory Dickory Dock, Jack and Jill, and Humpty Dumpty. Kids can slide each card or "page" into Mother Goose's book to hear the song played. In another variation of the game, children can try to collect pairs of three of the different nursery rhyme cards. Children can also just play and sing along to their favorite songs without following any stringent rules. The game's instructions are age-appropriate and kids should be able to follow along without much adult supervision. This sing-along game comes with the electronic Mother Goose module, 28 plastic cards, and a cardboard game board and pawn. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (9)

really quiet
This game is easy to play and understand, even for kids 3 and 4 years. They have to put the card in Mother Goose, so it keeps them active in the game. It is really quiet though, so if the kids are too wound up to sit, they won't hear the directions from Mother Goose.With only a few songs, the game does get old quick, but it is always a fun game.

DUCK DUCK GOOSE - A Winner !
We have the Duck, Duck Goose version of this game and my 2 yr old absolutely loves it !We started her on it at 25 months and caught on to the game after mom showed her how 1 round of play.

This game teaches color matching, taking turns, winning/losing, "missing a turn", and more.Basically you push the goose's head and each time it say "duck" or "goose".If it says "duck", you move to the next duck on the game board and push the goose's head again.If it says "goose", then you pick up the duck in front of the goose and see if it matches a color on your nest.If it does you place the duck on it; if not, you place the duck back on the board. Once you've matched 3 ducks to your nest, you win !

PROS
- Teaches color matching
- Pieces are large enough for small toddler to grab on to easily
- While playing game you push the Main Goose's head down; it's extremely easy to do so
- Catchy tune is played when there is a winner (you push the goose's tail and it sings a song)
- There is an on/off switch

CONS
- Duck playing pieces are made of cardboard, which over time could break-down
- Main Goose runs on batteries, which as we all know is the norm these days :)
- When you want to play for the 1st time or want to play after pressing the "winner" song, you must wait for the Goose to sing a welcome song; daughter usually keeps pushing the goose's head down while waiting for this song to start and finish, thinking that it will go quicker.
- No volume control

Daughter loves to run around the house with the goose in hand and sing and dance to it.

OVERALL An all around cute, fun game for those that are still a bit young for Chutes n Ladders or Candyland, but understand colors and taking turns.

Way too Easy
This game really does not have much excitement and is very simplistic.My 3 years old was bored with it in about 2 minutes after getting it for christmas.The game is very simple and really does not hold a child's attention very well.It is durable and the singing Mother Goose is cute however. I guess it would be alright for a child who does not already know there nursery rhymes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Preschool   

Editorial Review

Created by a volunteer math aide in Ann Arbor, Michigan,Moneywise Kids contains two simple, fun games that will help kidsunderstand how money works, in terms of dollar value and spending power.In the first game, Bill Maker, kids take turns rolling the dice andearning dollars that are commensurate with the numbers that come up:roll a 2 and a 6, for instance, and you get $8. As they accrue wealthwith each turn, players exchange smaller bills for larger ones untilsomeone winds up with $100. In the second game, Bill Breaker, eachplayer starts with $100 and earns more money with each turn, but playersmust also draw "moneywise markers"--bills for such real-life expenses asfood, medical care, and taxes--and make payments along the way. Andwatch out for those hard-luck chips that mean big bills. The player whocollects all six markers and still has $100 in savings is the winner.The game is lively and only lightly competitive, with an accent ongrasping the mysteries of dollars and cents. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Moneywise Kids
I purchased this game for my 5 year old girl.She seems to like it.It is a game that she is willing to play, but it is never her first pick.It does seem to be a good way to introduce money, but if you want your child to understand the value of money I don't think this game will help.Ex: health care is $10 and a place to live is only $30 (I wish!!)

Great game!
We bought this when our son was six.He's now seven.He really enjoys playing this game.The skill of money conversion is obviously something he can take with him into real life.I also use the opportunity while playing the game to have mini discussions with him regarding the expenditures the game approaches - that we actually have those expenditures in real life and that it's important to save money and be able to pay for them.

The name speaks for itself
This is a game our son pulls out and asks us to play with him.And, even better, it is a game we like playing, too.We got Moneywise Kids when our oldest child was a first grader.He could already count money, but this game helped him solidify his skills painlessly.What we really liked was the playing option that teaches money management.Players must plan for clothes, food, transportation, housing, etc.Our son will argue with us over our choices, telling us what is most important to pay for next, such as food or clothing. When he plays with his sisters, we overhear him advising them on their choices, too. In this game children have a decent chance of beating adults, which makes them happy to play again.Moneywise Kids is an enjoyable, quiet game with few pieces. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Board Games    2. Money    3. Math    4. Counting    5. Games    6. Learning    7. Activity   

Editorial Review

Think you can come up with a girl's name containing the letters "Q" and"Y" in 60 seconds? Or a food or drink using "H" and "J"? There will truly betimes when Wordplay for Kids will be anything but child's play. Designed forplayers 6 to 12 years, this combo of word building and racing to the finish lineinvites youngsters to come up with the longest word they can in order to gainthe most spaces on the board. The spinner selects the two letters that mustappear in the word, the die roll selects the category the word must fit. Theenclosed rules are simple and, with one exception, easy to understand (you maywant to adopt a house rule clarifying whether or not the word must begin withone of the two spun letters, or merely contain it). And it'll probably take onlyone fight between the player who composed "Patty" and the "Patricia-Elizabeth"wordsmith, before you'll want to outlaw the use of hyphens. Those preteens canbe soooo devious. --Tony Mason ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Great Game for the Whole Family
So glad I bought this one.It's fun, educational and we have as much fun playing as the kids do.The great thing is that everybody plays every round which prevents waiting for your turn.In a nutshell, all players are given a Word Sheet.The spinner on the board is spun to pick 2 letters that must be in the word.As an example, let's say an "A" and "C" are the spun letters for the round.All the players write those letters on their own Word Sheet.Then the die is rolled to determine the category -say "living creatures".Then the 30 second timer is turned and everybody has 30 seconds to form the LONGEST word possible.When the 30 seconds are up, players compare words to see who formed the longest word.Each player advances on the board by the number of letters in the word they formed.So the player with the longest word advances the furthest.The trick we do to make it fun for us parents is that while the kids just need to find a word containing an "A" and "C" (e.g. cat, caterpillar), we parents have a harder job and must form a word with the "A" as the FIRST LETTER and the "C" as the LAST LETTER.In this instance, both us parents could not think of anything beginning with an "A" and "ending" in a "C" so we both did not form a word and we both did not advance on the board.But the kids advanced by 3 spaces each because they both formed the word "CAT".The kids were surprisingly enthralled with this game.They also love the spinner and always try to spin it the fastest and most.Anyway, this is a great family activity.The kids often play without us.We highly recommend it!

Fun game; cheap cheap make
I played this game with my kids (under 8) and they seemed to like it: it is a spelling game and can be exciting for kids who have just mastered reading and writing. The participating adults can guide the game along, making it a cooperative game, rather than competitive.

The down side--and it is a big down side--is that the game is so cheaply made that it is nearly impossible to play the game: The spin-wheel, which is key to the game as it determines which letter of the alphabet gets randomly selected, does NOT spin at all. I can't imagine this particular part, if made slightly better (say, barely usable), could have cost that much more--this game isn't cheap to begin with.

Frankly, as much as my kids like this game, I feel that my money is not well spent.

Smart and Fun.
This game is clever!It really is loads of fun for kids to play and at the same time (without their conscious knowledge) they are improving their word skills.The game has a spinner, which, off-the-bat makes kids interested. Next, all kids play each round which ensures that nobody has to wait their turn (waiting for their turn in a game to my kids seems like slow torture).Since, they are all playing in each round there is lots of competition to come up with the best and longest word to fit one of six categories (ie. boys or girls name, living creature, food or drink and I can not remember the others).All and All - a smart and fun kids game. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Learning    5. Party Games   

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Learning   

Editorial Review

Think fast! What word means "wet, soft dirt"? Be the first tosay "mud" and you are well on your way to mastering this high-energyfamily game. Blurt is a word racing game based on Webster's IIRiverside Children's Dictionary. Providing the correct answer toone of Blurt's definitions before any of your opponents do earns youthe right to move your piece forward on the board. The first player toreturn to start after circling the board wins the game. A game of Blurtis sure to be loud and spirited, especially with a larger group. Theregular rules of play are appropriate for ages 10 and older, and thereis a junior version so kids as young as 7 can join in the fun.--Lisa Whipple ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great game but I have a few questions
We just got blurt as a christmas present.We played it three times in a row and had a ton of fun, laughing our heads off.However, the game did not come with a lid for the bos of cards, making it harder to put away.I was also wondering why the game comes with 6 colored movers, including purle and orange, when there are only four colors of the boxed on the game board (red, blue, green, and yellow).So if you are playing with 5 or 6 players than they have a deficit because they are not able to land on a color of their mover, inabling them to have the chance to "takeover" another players space.Other than that, my family and I found the game one of the best out of the many we have and play.

One of the best board games in the toy store!
My family and I have had this game for 2 years and we still aren't bored of it! We play it 2 times a week! When playing this game we usually burst out in laughter. This game is also proven to be very eduecational, you learn meanings to new words and phrases. This game is very durable too, we've had it for 2 years and the cards and the board are just like new to us! Over all, this game is one of the best and I reccomend this game to ages 7 and older!

You'll Get Hooked on BLURT!!
Blurt is a very fun and educational game. You and a friend will be given a phrase, Example: The crime of intentionally setting fire to a building (Arson) Whoever blurts out the word first gets to move 1 space on the board. The only bad thing about BLURT is that the blue sides of the cards (Junior version, ages 7-9) Are extremely simple. Example: A place where children go to learn (of course, School) So if you want a challenge with words like ripple or injection, stick to the red side. A great, sometimes challenging game. GET IT! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Word Games    4. Activity    5. Learning   

Subjects:  1. Games    2. Board Games    3. Family Favorites    4. Word Games   

Reviews (4)

help
I cant figure out how to to complete the one with the pegs sticking out the side i am close but i cant figure out where to put the one with one peg and i cant get the last two peg one in. Could someone plz tell me how it is done?

think you got patience?
There are 4 brain teasers in this box. They go from easy to difficult. The main cause of difficulty is that you have to be able to hold the pieces together while assembling them and several are involved. I find a couple of stretchy rubber bands help. Very good for teaching patience to 8-15 year olds. The directions are included and once you realize how to read them, are very clear. As with other reviewers, I found they do not hold together well after a couple of sessions.

Good Workout For Your Logical Mind
This is an excellent toy...

The other reviewer said he/she tried to memorize the steps when the puzzles were taken apart.I, on the other hand, don't want to know how they are taken apart.I like to logically analyze each piece and put them back together.I find that works for me, and usually I can put the puzzles together fairly quickly.

I agree that the wood is soft, but I don't have any problem with the puzzles like the other reviewer.My husband, on the other hand, used the memorization method and brute force, and most of the time he couldn't put the puzzles back together.He used school glue to fix the chipping.But overall, if you take care of it, use more of your brain, less strength, the pieces fit beautifully together.

There is a lot of fun for toys this cheap, and it is definitely a good workout for your mind.Remember to analyze, analyze, analyze and no cheating.After all, it is the process that is rewarding, not the destination. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Puzzles    2. Brain Teasers