{Toy Review} Bunny Boo Peek-a-Boo, Smart Toy for the Toddler!

Looking for gift for your 2 or 3 years old? Look no further, this is an ideal smart toy for the little ones.

Bunny Boo, little bunny and the 3 little wooden blocks.

It comes with a set of 60 cards of 4 levels with pictorial instructions. You are supposed to arrange the bunny and the blocks to resemble what you see in the picture. Begin with the easiest level (green) and watch your little ones gradually proceed to the expert level (blue). 

Solved, by my little bunny girl who was 2.5 year old then.

Beginner level. I got my girl hooked by playing peek-a-boo with the bunny first. Subsequently she went on an auto-pilot mode.

This game may appeared to easy for the elder kids, e.g. I let my 5yo began with the intermediate cards and found he actually able to solve all cards, including the expert level unassisted, so I am not surprise he grew bored of it pretty soon. 

What I like about this game?

It teaches concept of problem solving, imagination and encourages the creativity to think out of the box. It is easy to understand so the little one can self entertain after few rounds of coaching. I love to see that proud smile on my little bunny's face when she managed to solve the puzzle all by herself. She was so so proud and look around to make sure everyone in the room acknowledged her achievement. It may look simple to us, but it sure is one big step for the little mind. :)

Besides, it does not contains small parts so make it suitable for the young toddler (except for the leaflets which I tie them up using elastic band to make sure they won't get spread around the room.)

Where to go get one?

Visit any Popular book store and look for the Fun Learning booth, or just visit their website here. It's that simple. :) If I remember correctly, it cost me RM89.90.

Is it suitable for My little One?

I would say this is suitable for 2 years old to 5 years old, although it is very much dependent on each child's development and readiness.

Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Smart Game Recommendation: Prince & Dragon IQ玩具好介绍:王子与恐龙

I received this game set few weeks back and had been having countless fun time with my little Captain and his cousins. It's the type of game that everyone will says "This looks easy" in the beginning, but the longer you play on the more challenging it becomes, and before you know it, you are stuck!

Smart Game: Prince & Dragon

This game is ideal for training the young minds on problem solving and concentration skill. In fact, it can be addictive if you are the type who love puzzle solving. So, puzzle lover, beware!

I have wanted to write a post about this IQ game set but many things happening that held me back. Finally, I managed to squeeze sometimes after my duo napped. Now that we have been playing for nearly a month, I must say it is an interesting game that is suitable for all ages, even for the elderly who wants some mental practice.

How to Play?

Imagine this, you have 10 players in fixed location - prince, princess, castle, cave, unicorn, light green dragon, wizard, treasure chest, blue flower, yellow flower, and 1 loose player, the dark green dragon that is one of the 9 puzzle pieces. Your mission is depending on the instruction in the book, for example:

• Bring the prince to the princess, but ensure the wizard must not meet the dark green dragon.
• Bring the unicorn to the cave; the wizard to the treasure chest and blue flower.

Too easy? Here's a more difficult one...

• Bring prince to the cave, princess, wizard and unicorn; the dark green dragon to the blue flower; but make sure light green dragon cannot go to the castle nor the treasure chest.

Now, that sound more challenging, doesn't it? :)

Seen here, my little Captain showing off his completed puzzle at level 20.

Challenge 42, we have yet to reach there... Just a matter of when :)

The illustrative instructions book, the reverse page contains the possible solutions.There is obviously more than 1 solution to each problem.

So, what do I like about this game?

• Everything you need for the game are stored in a well-designed box that has the game board on top, and a drawer compartment underneath. It's easy to carry around so it can keep my little boy occupied even when we go out for a visit.
• It has 48 games in the simple instruction book, but over 1000 possible solutions. So each time you re-visit the same level you will probably discover a new solution. 
• The game is designed according different level - Starter, Junior, Expert, Master. For young toddler to older kids (or even playful parents who love mental challenge?), there is definitely a level that is right for them.
• It encourages good concentration and analytical skills. Designing the "route" is akin to mind mapping, the more you "map", the more active your brain cells become. It will definitely aid in improving problem solving skill to the young minds. If you are stuck, seek new path.
• It provides good bonding time for parent and child, I always try to play the role as couch and provide advice and hints only when my little Captain needs help.
• It can be used as a party game, its a good brain teaser. ;)

Storage compartment underneath, now that's convenient!

My Little One is Under 4 Years Old, Is this Suitable?

Why not? The more you stimulate, the smarter they become. The brain cells are just like our body muscles, the more workout you do the stronger they become. The potential of our little ones is only limited by what we believe they can achieve. So, give them the tools, and help them go the extra miles.

From my personal experience, for younger children under 4 years old, I will suggest to check out this Castlelogix IQ game instead. Equivalently fun but easier for younger children to understand.

Interested to get a set for your little one? check out here at Brainet and are other Smart Game series they have. If you have bought this game, do share your experience and how you make it interesting to your little ones? Would love to hear from you.

Till the later post, have fun!

Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Educational Game: Castle Logix 趣智积木城堡

Castle building that brings fun with learning.

This is one long overdue post. I have captured the pictures for quite some times but never had time to sit down and get it posted.

Finally, here it is, a very interesting mental block building game called Castle Logix. It's a game that is suitable for kids from 2 years onwards, challenge the ability to see things from different angles and to think of a solution from different approaches.

It comes with an instruction book with 50 challenges ranging from Starter (really easy level), to Beginner, Expert and finally Master level (which is indeed quite challenging for young toddler). Come in a storage box the size of a Oxford dictionary (or Kamus Dewan) but squarish instead.

When I first introduced this game to my little captain, he was 2.5 years old, we were only doing the Starter level and I allowed him to follow the answer printed on the reversed side of the challenge. This is to let him understand what he is supposed to do and translate to put them blocks together according to the picture.

This is how the game works. Shown here is level 6, Starter.

Ta-da... He got it right at last!

Few months later he made some progress where he's able to complete the Starter level with little help from me. Then we forgot about it for awhile, when we finally continued, he remembered the rules well and started playing by himself, level by level.

Now at 4 years old, he finally reached the Expert level without needing my help. Look at the puzzles he managed to solve by himself. He was really feeling proud of himself after completing each challenge, and I never stingy on giving him the recognition he deserved - a clap, a praise and a hug sometimes.

And who says castle cannot be upside down? It really challenges the little mind to think out of the box..

This is a perfect game for a sunny afternoon as you can stay in door, so who cares about the hot burning tropics sun? ;)

He can play challenge after challenge up to 10 challenges at time. To increase the difficulty, I set a timer on my smart phone and he's consider a winner only if he completed the puzzle before the alarm rings. Pretty evil of me huh? But i believe that's one training on handling pressure. >:)

Now, I'm just wondering how long it will take for him to reach Master level, I can then retire this game until my baby girl is ready for it :)

Feel free to ask me any question about this games, I shall attempt my best to reply.

Remember...
This game should be fun and encourages bonding between you and your little one. So if they cannot complete the challenge please give help and encouragement where possible instead of losing your temper. Every kids progress differently so please don't assert too much pressure unnecessarily and kill the fun of learning.

When my little boy got too frustrated (after several failed attempts), I'll step in to help and tell him it's ok if he doesn't know how, he just have to keep trying and one day he will learn.

Cheers!



Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Amino Educational Game: Space Magician （Amino育智游戏)

In my earlier post on "What's Your Style on Parenting" and "Matching Card Games", I mentioned about Phinken Primar educational set, a product from Germany that is designed to encourage right brain development and logical thinking in young mind. All books and card games are made with sturdy binding and printing done with soy ink, so rest assured they are of premium quality and can benefit more than just 1 kid.

From now onward, I'll try my best to post most of the games or books from this education set so it gives you better understanding what they are about, and why I would think that they are worthy investment.

Today, it's about Space Magician, one of the 16 board games that come with the Amino set, which encourages analytical thinking and problem solving skill. You can do a filter by selecting "Amino" under the quick link section for other related posting.

It comes in a colorful card box for easy storage.

The instructions are printed at the back of the box, so there is no worry that you do not know what to do with the cards. There is also a separate guidebook for the parents for each and every of the board games.

It comes with a set of 2 base templates, to be used as base for forming the pattern according to the pattern templates. There are over 30 different pattern templates and you are suppose to arrange the different shapes together to form the matching pattern.


I know my explanation sound confusing, so better let the photos do the explanation.. :b


1. Here are the pattern cards and the various shape cards - there are rectangles, squares, triangles and trapezoids in 3 prime colors. Pick any one pattern card to begin the challenge.

2. Start arranging the different shapes  until you got the matching pattern. Mind you, it's not as straight forward as you may thought.

This one got Ethan into some deep thinking...

Still trying, with mommy giving hints when he's stuck.

Almost there... But not quite done yet.

Ta da, finally he got it right! See how happy he was..

We attempted a few pattern cards in one session. Ethan solved the puzzle below unassisted when I walked away to fetch a drink. He really took me by surprise but in a good way of course. I was feeling glad with his improvement, naturally as any parent would be. :)

Just a useful tip.. This game requires a lot of patient and concentration, so try to do it when your little one is in good mood, well rested and in uninterrupted condition. I can't do this with Ethan whenever baby Claire is around, she just keep grabbing the cards :(


For Young Infant
For younger baby, you may change the game plan slightly but still using the same materials - flash each card and read the color or shape aloud. For example, "one red square", or just "Red". The prime colors are definitely eye catchy even for young babies.

Flash max of 5 different cards each time and repeat for 2-3 rounds. No point doing too many cards or repetitions as young babies has much shorter attention span. They probably would have crawl away or try to grab the cards from your hands. Try to practice this 1 time a day with your little one, and you'll be surprised by their ability to learn.


Well, that's all about this Space Magician. Hope you find this post helpful.


Until my next post, happy 2013!


Note: I made a mistake in my previous post, these game sets are called Amino, not Phinken, and they were designed printed in France. The Phinken Primar set comes with with different types of material as this particular set is called Amino. Sorry for the confusion.


Copyrights © Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones, 2012 - present. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any materials/photos within this website without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Pui Hua and Fun With Little Ones with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.