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By Mom Unplugged, February 26, 2008 5:58 pm

Santa gave the 4 Way Countdown Wooden Game to my 7 year-old daughter because he was hoping it might be a fun way to work on memorizing math facts.

The board consists of a simple square wooden box. Each side has ten wooden numbered bars that flip up and down. The object of the game is to be the first to flip up all your numbers. Players take turns rolling two dice. They can add, subtract, multiply, or divide the two numbers appearing on the dice in order to equal a number on one of their bars. They then flip up that bar. To make things a little more interesting, if you roll and eleven, you can of course flip up the 1 (6-5=1) or, instead, make another player flip all their bars back down. Fun, but beware: if you roll a twelve, then you must flip down all your bars!

This makes for a surprisingly entertaining game. What I like best about the game is how it can grow with your child’s abilities. Younger children can play by simply adding and subtracting. Multiplication and division can be added later as math skills progress.

I must also mention that even I like playing this one. Since many games aimed at children are deadly boring for grownups, I am always excited to find one that is at least tolerable, at best fun.

So, did Santa pick wisely? Yes! This game makes basic math facts easier to memorize and is way more fun than flash cards. Thank you Santa!

4 Way Countdown is also fairly practical as a travel game. The box is about 10.5″ x 10.5″ and 1.5″ thick, doesn’t weigh much, and the only loose pieces are the two dice. Dice are rolled inside the box, so are unlikely to escape during play.

Great math practice for 2 to 4 players (or you could even play alone). It would also be a great addition to a homeschool classroom.

PS. My daughter just saw me writing this post and wants to play 4 Way Countdown now. I’ve got to go so we can get in a quick game before dinner!

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By Mom Unplugged, February 18, 2008 9:08 pm

This game may be very well-known, but I had never heard of it until I read this post over at Celtic Mommy’s blog.

I told myself at the time, that it seemed like a fun game, even if only for the kids to play with in creative ways. Well for Christmas this year, I decided to buy it as a family present. What a fun game!

It says it is for ages 5 and up and my 5 year-old can certainly play it, in fact he often beats us all.

Players take turns placing different shaped plastic pieces on the grid (tokens are composed of squares stuck together and remind me of Tetris pieces). The winner is the one who succeeds in placing all his pieces, or who has the fewest number of squares remaining. The rules are very simple, in fact there really are only two major ones: 1) you must always place your piece so its corner touches the corner of one of your other pieces. 2) your pieces may only touch one another at a corner.

Easy to learn and play, but very complicated to master! A great family game night choice.

Thanks to Wikimedia Commons and photographer Roy Levien Aldaron for this photo. View license information here.

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By Mom Unplugged, October 12, 2007 10:37 am

I have always thought that those little Magnetix were a fun toy, but unfortunately they can cause a fatal intestinal injury should the magnets be swallowed.

My friend Wishy (thanks again Wishy!) told me about these Guidecraft toys. They are giant magnetic rods and balls. Kids can make cool structures without danger of choking on or swallowing little rods and balls like those found in the sets for older kids.

This seems like a great construction toy for younger children, or for households with a baby who constantly seeks out tiny objects.

There sets with different numbers of pieces to fit different budgets. I have shown here the set for ages 3 and up. But there is also a toddler set, and a slightly smaller-sized set (but not choking-sized small) for older children, ages 4 and up.

For more variety, you can even get curvy Magneatos and glow-in-the-dark sets too!

A 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner.

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By Mom Unplugged, March 23, 2007 4:50 pm

Our Hungry Pelican is now on child number three and shows no signs of wear despite being a favorite crib toy for many years.

The bright yellow velour pelican ties onto the crib railing. His fat cheeks squeak, his wings crinkle, and his feet rattle. He comes with four sea creatures (crab, shrimp, fish, and octopus) that are each different textures and colors, and make different sounds (rattle, rustle, etc.). Children can put the little animals into pelican’s mouth and watch them drop down into his tummy. The large circular tummy opening allows for easy removal of the animals so play can begin all over again.

I found that babies enjoy quietly investigating the sounds, colors, and textures of the four little sea creatures. Toddlers progress to the eating game.

I am grateful to Mr. Pelican for allowing me an extra half hour of sleep every morning. What can be better than that!

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By Mom Unplugged, February 27, 2007 7:20 pm

Cranium games are fun and educational, although some of them do require batteries and make noise. Cariboo is a quiet one that seems to be quite fascinating to preschoolers and young children.

Kids must match cards to the flaps on the game, then open the appropriate flap with the “magic” key in the hopes of finding a ball. Once all six balls have been found, then the treasure chest will open.

Teaches letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. Play time is short enough for little attention spans and no reading skills are required. It can also be played as a cooperative game if you prefer.

My kids even enjoy just sitting and opening flaps for fun. Hey, anything that keeps them occupied, right?

A multiple award winner. Check out the Cranium website for more info on their award winning games as well as some great family fun ideas.