60 Seconds Toy Review: 6-year-old

Showing posts with label 6-year-old. Show all posts

Friday, June 20, 2025

Brilliant Bugs – Playing Cards, By Kaddo - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Card game

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Bug + card game lovers

“Brilliant Bugs – Playing Cards” by Kaddo (an imprint of Quarto) is a must-have for every bug enthusiast! This deck showcases extraordinary insects from around the globe, transforming a card game into a fascinating entomological adventure.

Why I love ❤️ it:

(1) Battle The Bugs - In Size/ Lifespan/ Number Of Eggs

The rules are simple—but with a brilliant bug-themed twist! Inside the gift box, you’ll find 54 beautifully illustrated cards, each featuring a fascinating insect. Battle it out in 3 exciting categories: size, lifespan, and number of eggs. The card with the highest stat wins the round! To play, deal the cards evenly among players and keep them in a face-down pile. Each player flips over their top card, and the starting player picks a category—say, size. Everyone reads out their bug’s size, and the player with the highest value takes all the top cards and adds them to their pile. Keep playing until one bug lover conquers the deck!

(2) Learn Fun Bug Facts As You Play

Learn fun and surprising bug facts as you play—just watch out for the “strongest” and “weakest”! Drawing a “22-spot ladybird” might be your downfall, with its tiny 3mm size, but score big if you get the mighty “Hercules moth” at a whopping 360mm! Some bugs are definite duds in certain categories—like the “bumblebee (worker)” or “garden ant (worker),” both with zero fertilised eggs. But land a “driver ant (queen)” and you’ve hit the jackpot: she lays an incredible 20 million eggs and lives up to 3,650 days! The game also comes with a handy booklet full of bug trivia, game rules, and tips for spotting these creatures in the wild.

(3) Detailed Illustrations - Highlighting Each Bug's Unique Anatomy

The card design is a real standout. Each one features both the common name and the scientific name. I love the clean white background and the detailed illustrations that highlight each bug’s unique anatomy. We love the blue morpho butterfly (Morpho peleides) and its vibrant, iridescent blue wings edged with black, and the green milkweed locust (Phymateus viridipes) with striking red and blue hindwing.

(4) Classic Deck With Clever Packaging

The cards double as a classic deck, complete with numbers and the four traditional suits. The packaging is cleverly designed with a push-out tray that feels like a mini matchbox.

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.booktopia.com.au/brilliant-bugs-kelsey-oseid/book/9781836004103.html

Check out more reviews of Kaddo's products here:

Enjoy the video!

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Unlock! Kids - Irish Folklore Trilogy, By Space Cow - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Escape room for kids

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Kids and adults who enjoy puzzles and solving mysteries

“Unlock! Kids - Irish Folklore Trilogy” from Space Cow is a magical game inspired by the enchanting world of escape rooms. Players embark on a journey through Irish tales, unlocking mysteries in a tabletop experience that feels like stepping into a realm of ancient secrets! Thank you VR Distribution for providing a copy.

Why I love ❤️ it:

(1) Escape Room For Young Kids With No Reading Required

There aren’t many escape room games designed for younger kids - this set feels like a breath of fresh air. It includes 212 beautifully illustrated cards, 58 cardboard tokens, and special components. It unfolds through a numbered card system, where players use their materials to uncover hidden clues and symbols. What makes it so special is that it’s completely language-independent – no reading required! All you need is a sharp eye to match symbols and follow the whimsical pictures. The artwork itself is a visual treasure hunt, making it easy for kids (and adults!) to dive right in without reading skills!

(2) Unique Items & Special "Choice" Cards

I adore the unique items that are incorporated into the puzzles. You’ll sometimes discover translucent cards that, when layered on top of an art card, reveal new symbols to decipher. You may also come across special “choice” cards where you have to select between two items—choose wisely, or face a tricky trap! Another delightful feature is combining cards to create larger pictures, each revealing new symbols that unlock further mysteries.

(3) Mini Tutorial Set - Guiding Players Through Unlocking Process

Unlock! Kids has a mini tutorial set, introducing 11 cards and 2 items to gently guide players through the unlocking process. While designed for young kids, the puzzles aren’t a walk in the park! My 8-year-old was able to crack some of the more cryptic puzzles, relying on the hint cheat sheet for nudges along the way. The challenge intensifies as the game progresses, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.

(4) Immerses Players In 3 Irish Tales

What truly sets this game apart is how it immerses players in 3 enchanting Irish tales, each inspired by the breathtaking animated films of Tomm Moore: The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and Wolfwalkers. Players embark on adventures with a young monk, a mystical selkie, and a spirited wolf-girl, navigating through 6 games spread across the stories.

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.gamesworldsa.com.au/products/unlock-kids-irish-folklore-trilogy

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/unlock-kids-irish-mythology-trilogy-card-game

Enjoy the video!

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Dodo, By Thames & Kosmos - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Board game for kids

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Young board gamers who love speed + memory games

This is a delightful game where players team up to build bridges to save a dodo egg. With clock ticking and zero down-time, the game keeps everyone on their toes. Check out Dodo from Thames & Kosmos (thanks to VR Distribution for providing a copy!)

Why I love ❤️ this game:

(1) Stunning Tabletop Setup - With Cliff Edges & Spiralling Bridges

The stunning vertically-oriented tabletop setup took my breath away! The mountain, with its steep, treacherous cliff edges and protruding outcrops, forms the perfect backdrop for the spiralling bridges. At the top, the dramatic peak showcases a cute dodo standing proudly. The best part? When you’re ready to roll the egg down, simply tip the dodo forward to watch it gaze down the mountain, sending the egg tumbling out of its nest. It’s comical with a playful tension!

(2) Flurry Of Action- Be Quick To Save The Falling Dodo Egg!

I love how the adorable theme fits perfectly with the gameplay. Kids work together to quickly build bridges and save the falling dodo egg. The process is a flurry of action: roll the die, flip the tokens, gather the right materials, match icons, and complete the bridge sections before the egg tumbles off the mountain. Once all the bridges are built, you bring the boat over, moor it on the dock, and catch the egg with it! It’s simple enough for kids to understand, with clear, colorful resources and well-labeled components. A game full of frantic fun, it encourages teamwork, speed, and memory!

(3) Wobbly Egg With Unpredictable Movements

The wobbly egg is the star of the game, with its unpredictable, threatening movements that keep you on edge. Sometimes it rolls along merrily, other times it slows to a crawl, making it hard to predict when disaster will strike. The frantic real-time bridge-building adds a hilarious rush, when you scrambling to stay ahead of the egg whilst trying to remember the location of your tokens. The egg’s weight tilts the boat comically as you try to catch it, turning the final win into a moment of laughter!

(4) Adjustable Difficulty Levels

I love the adjustable difficulty modes! In easy mode, you can skip the skull spaces for faster play. The Expert mode adds more memory challenges, cranking up the stress as you race to complete the six bridges, each getting progressively harder with more spaces to fill!

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

Big W (Australia)

Enjoy the video!

Saturday, March 8, 2025

The Magic Labyrinth, By Drei Magier - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Board game

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Kids who love maze/ labyrinth + memory games

The Magic Labyrinth by Drei Magier brilliantly brings the concept of a tabletop maze to life, creating a truly immersive experience without relying on video-game graphics or elaborate features. My kids and I were immediately hooked, playing round after round! Thank you Let's Play Games for a copy!

Why I love ❤️ this game:

(1) Maze With Invisible Walls - A Super Cool Memory Game

You play as young wizards navigating an invisible maze to collect magical tokens—first to 5 wins! The game cleverly teaches cause and effect, as kids learn from trial and error while avoiding obstacles. The setup is simple yet brilliant: players arrange wooden barriers under the board, spin it to scramble the maze’s orientation, and place magnetized wizards on each corner with a metal ball attached underside. As you move, hitting an invisible wall sends the ball rolling back, forcing you to remember which paths to avoid next turn. We laughed when we advanced, only to groan in delight when hearing the characteristic plunk of the falling ball!

(2) Easy To Adjust Levels Of Difficulty + Lucky Elements For Unpredictability

After each round, simply lift the board, rearrange the hidden walls, and start fresh with a new challenge! I love how the difficulty can be adjusted by removing wall pieces, offering a perfect balance for players of all ages. The walls fit snugly into their grid slots, making setup a breeze. What’s even more fun is the lucky element introduced when you draw a token from the bag—if it lands on your pawn’s space, you grab it instantly. If it’s close by, you’ll likely snatch it up before anyone else can!

(3) Clever Design - Easy To Retrieve Dislodged Ball & Restart A Turn

When the metal ball hits a wall, it’s smoothly dislodged and rolls effortlessly to one of the table’s corners—such a clever design that makes it easy to retrieve and quickly restart your turn! The four wizard pawns are vibrant, oversized, and delightfully chunky, making them extra fun for kids to move around. I also love that the bottoms are lined with velvety felt, allowing them to glide smoothly across the board.

(4) Awesome Components - Large Maze Surface & Great Quality

I love the large maze surface and the sturdy wooden die. The cardboard pieces and boards are high quality and well-punched. Plus, the black pouch to store everything is a nice touch. Overall, the components are fantastic!

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://shop.goodgames.com.au/products/the-magic-labyrinth-drei-magier?variant=36686365130910 (Australia)

https://www.presentsofmind.com.au/game/the-magic-labyrinth-2/ (Australia)

https://www.gameology.com.au/products/the-magic-labyrinth (Australia)

Enjoy the video!

My Lil’ Everdell, By Starling Games - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Board game

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Younger kids who love try out the thrill of strategy games!

Everdell is a delightful worker placement game by Starling Games - but, it’s also a little too complex for the kids. That’s where My Lil’ Everdell comes in—designed to capture the heartwarming cuteness of Everdell, but with just the right amount of depth for young players. A big thank you to Let's Play Games for providing this gem!

Why I love ❤️ it

(1) Gather Resources + Play/ Purchase Cards Strategically

The game is played over 4 rounds, with each round consisting of 3 turns per player. On each turn, players place a friend on one of 3 worker placement spots: large spots granting 1 resource (open to any number of friends), lucrative dice spots (first-come, first-serve), and red card spots that build into their personal tableau. After placing a friend, players can optionally purchase a card from the Meadow, which can be green (round start effects), tan (one-time bonuses), red (new worker placement), blue (triggered effects), or purple (end-game bonuses). Cards cost 1-5 resources like berries, sticks, and resin. Players can also complete parades to earn victory points, with the first player to finish a parade getting 6 points, the second 5, and so on. After four rounds, players tally points from cards and parade tokens, with the highest scorer winning.

(2) Simple Decision-Making Opportunities - Perfect For Younger Kids

The game offers plenty of opportunities for decision-making, encouraging kids to weigh their options carefully. Should we buy a card that costs fewer resources but is less impactful, or save up for a more powerful card later? The tactical choices keep the game engaging without overwhelming them, and the shifting dice each round add an extra layer of strategy.

(3) Solo Mode/ Expansion Pack/ Alternative Rules - Variations To Suit All Ages

The “Captain” and “Fort“ rules give younger players a helpful boost at the start by providing extra resources and bonus cards. There’s also a solo mode for solo play and a ”Kindergarten“ promo expansion that can be used with the original Everdell game. These additions make the game adaptable for different age groups and playstyles.

(4) Beautifully Illustrated Cards & Clever Resource Crates

The cards are beautifully illustrated with simple icons. I love the included resource crates, which add a tactile element to the game. The components are well-made, and the rulebook is easy to follow.

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.gameology.com.au/products/my-lil-everdell-standard-edition (Australia)

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/my-lil-everdell-standard-edition-board-game (Australia)

Enjoy the video!

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Speedomino, By Families Play Forever - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Board Game

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Kids and adults that enjoy speed & matching games

If you’re a fan of fast-paced matching games, then you must try Speedomino. Huge thanks to Families Play Forever for creating such a hit, and to Divisible by Zero for sending over a copy!

Why I love ❤️ it:

(1) Match All 60 Tiles To Their Colour Bars

This game keeps everyone on their toes from start to finish! First, shuffle all 60 tiles face down, divide them evenly among the players, and you’re ready to go. The youngest player picks a starter tile and places it face-up in the centre of the playing field. Now, everyone races to match your tiles as quickly as possible to the colour bars on the tiles in the center. There are no turns here—everyone plays at once, so you’ll need to move fast to win! The result? A chaotic, high-energy race where the fastest and most frenzied player takes the victory.

(2) Trickier Than It Looks - Extra Rules To Keep It Challenging!

Speedomino may seem simple at first, but don’t be fooled—it’s trickier than it looks! Each black tile has up to 6 potential spots where color bars can appear, with the number of bars varying from 1 to 6. You must not match a colour bar to a “no-bar” (black) side only, and you can’t connect 2 dominoes on both their blank edges either. Once a domino is played, it’s locked in place—no moving it around. As the game progresses and more tiles fill the playing field, it gets increasingly difficult to find the right match, making the game even more intense and strategic.

(3) Endless Ways To Play - Check Out The Different Varieties!

Speedomino offers endless ways to mix up the action! You can match dominos on their long sides only, or short sides only. Add a twist by making a specific color a “prohibited” color, or challenge yourself to match only black-to-black spaces. For quick and intense fun, crown the winner as the first to get 3 tiles to touch. Want more variety? Go solo and create your own formation, or invent your own custom rules.

(4) Durable & Good Quality Tiles

The components may not be the flashiest, but they have a certain mature charm. The black tiles are thick and durable, giving off a satisfying “click-clack” sound when stacked. I love the Mahjong-style material, which adds a tactile, classic feel to the game. Plus, the components meet all safety standards, conforming to ASTM F963, so you can play with peace of mind.

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.thetherapystore.com.au/speedomino

https://www.cowtrees.au/games/474-speedomino.html

Enjoy the video!

Friday, November 15, 2024

Ocean Creatures Pack, By Clixo - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Magnetic building toy

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Young builders/ ocean creatures lovers!

If you’re still unsure about the magic of Clixo, you need to experience this “Glow-in-the-Dark” Ocean Creatures Pack! A huge thank you to Divisible by Zero for providing this fantastic set.

Why I love ❤️ it:

(1) 24 Pieces In 9 Different Shapes

Clixo is truly revolutionary and unlike any building toy I’ve ever encountered. It combines flexibility of paper with durability of bamboo, allowing it to bend, fold, connect, and form unique shapes and structures. This pack features 24 pieces in 9 different shapes. It includes standard shapes like Quad, Equilateral, TwoDot, and TriDot, as well as exciting new pieces such as the Grill (which, once folded, resembles a fish’s mouth), two Blaster Fins (irregular fork-like shapes perfect for ocean creatures), Fin (simple, pointy) and Whiskers (slim, antenna-like shapes). This set captures the wonder of underwater life with incredible realism.

(2) Illustrated Instructions For 6 Deep-Sea Creatures

The set includes illustrated instructions for six spectacular deep-sea creatures: Anglerfish (with grotesque large mouth and luring esca), Angelfish (featuring rounded body and fan-like tail), Dragonfish (long and slender with string-like structures), Jellyfish (showcasing umbrella-shaped body and hanging tentacles), Shark (with distinctive crescent-shaped tail), and Stingray (flat and roundish). Clixo captured each creature’s unique features with impressive accuracy, making them easily recognizable. I love the color combination of navy blue, turquoise, light blue, and rose red, which adds to the set’s appeal. The strong magnets ensure that the marine creations remain intact through vigorous imaginative play!

(3) Glow-In-The-Dark Feature

The glow-in-the-dark feature is a fantastic addition, creating a captivating effect that significantly enhances the visual appeal of these deep-sea creatures.

(4) Recyclable Synthetic Paper + Strong Magnets

Clixo pieces are crafted from recyclable synthetic paper and feature strong embedded magnets. They comply with ASTM and EN71 toy safety standards. The packaging is 100% reusable and eco-friendly, made from recycled bamboo pulp, and now includes a convenient elastic snap for added functionality. Clixo’s lightweight design ensures it’s easily stackable and perfect for on-the-go fun!

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.cowtrees.au/construction/832-ocean-creatures.html (Australia)

https://sensorystore.au/store/clixo-ocean-creatures/ (Australia)

https://lucaslovescars.com.au/products/clixo-ocean-creatures (Australia)

Check out my other Clixo reviews here:

Enjoy the video!

The Poetry Play Kit, By Kaddo - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Learning kit

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6-9 year-old

Who would love this: Kids / parents that enjoy poems and rhymes

It’s rare to find an educational kit that dedicates to the magic of poetry. Discover “The Poetry Play Kit” from Kaddo (an imprint of Quarto). Designed by Joseph Coelho, the UK Children’s Poet Laureate 2022-2024, this kit is perfect for inspiring creativity and igniting your imagination!

Why I love ❤️ it:

(1) 500 Word Cards + 12 Activity Cards

This kit includes 500 word cards, 12 double-sided activity cards, 28 rhyming dominoes, a poetry spinner, and a booklet filled with tips and inspiration—everything you need to hone your skills as an aspiring poet! The mini word tiles offer a rich resource for sparking creativity. Each card is color-coded: green for nouns, red for verbs, pink for emotions, and more. The activity cards present engaging prompts for crafting poems with the word cards. You can select a noun card and write a poem from the object’s perspective, create a haiku with the 5-7-5 syllable structure, or compose a one-word poem. You can also explore emotion poems using pink cards, write an acrostic where the first letter of each line spells out a word, or create a picture poem using related words.

(2) 28 Rhyming Dominoes - Discover Rhythmic Patterns!

The 28 rhyming dominoes are excellent tools for exploring the rhythmic patterns. Simply choose a domino, brainstorm some rhyming words, and craft a poem (our 5-year-old wrote about “a brown silly dog, sat on a log, and met a green frog). We also enjoyed creating a rhyme snake and played a memory pairing game with these domino tiles.

(3) Smart Spinner - Learn About MORERAPS

I love the smart spinner—it features all the letters from A to Z, along with a MORERAPS guide to linguistic techniques that can enhance your poetry! We explored Metaphor (“the moon is a mysterious guest”), played with Alliteration (our kids created their first tongue twister: “The quiet queen quit quarrelling to quickly queued-up for a quest”), and used Personification to enrich our creative works.

(4) Booklet For More Inspiring Examples

The included booklet offers a wealth of inspiring examples, from mood-expressing riddles to action-packed poems, as well as playful nonsense rhymes. It also features a supportive guide for parents and teachers, along with useful tips for using these elements to enhance your creative journey!

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

QBD Books (Australia)

Booktopia (Australia)

State Library of Queensland (Australia)

Check out more reviews of Kaddo's products here:

Enjoy the video!

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Mars Rovers Pack, By Clixo - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Magnetic building toy

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Young builders/ Space vehicle lovers!

It’s hard not to be Clixo-obsessed; they are the top few coolest building toys I’ve ever seen! Innovative unique, inspiring - and just when you thought it can’t get any better, we now have an incredible “glow-in-the-dark” range that elevates the play experience to a whole new level! Introducing Clixo Mars Rovers Pack. Thank you Divisible by Zero for providing this.

Why I love ❤️ it:

(1) 30 Magnetic Pieces With New Cool Shapes

If you haven’t heard of Clixo, it’s a revolutionary construction toy that bends, folds, connects, and forms unique shapes unlike anything seen before. The Mars Rovers Pack includes 30 pieces, featuring both standard shapes like Quad and TriDot, and exciting new ones such as “Fire” (a dynamic flame-like shape), “Flipped” (a strip with three magnetic dots), “Grill” (what a stylish component!), and “Axle” (a multi-directional connector). It also includes two types of wheels with removable tires for smooth, grippy performance. Clixo’s powerful magnets and clever color-coded magnetic dots make building intuitive and fun, allowing for easy assembly and creative play.

(2) Instructions To Build 6 Spectacular Space Vehicles

The set includes illustrated instructions to build six spectacular sci-fi-inspired space vehicles: Rocket Wheeler, Canyon Racer, Flip Car, ATV Rover, Marsdust Dirtbike, and Meteorite Dozer. The vehicles feature sleek, futuristic design with dark blue and vibrant orange gradient, fierce blazing flames at the rear, and glowing heavy-duty wheels. Perfect for planetary exploration, Martian combat, and space races - the strong magnets ensure your creations stay intact through even the toughest play.

(3) NEW Glow-In-The-Dark Feature

The glow-in-the-dark feature is a fantastic addition, creating a captivating effect that enhances the visual appeal of the vehicles and adds to their play value in low-light conditions.

(4) Eco-Friendly, Recyclable Material

Clixo pieces are crafted from durable, recyclable synthetic paper with strong embedded magnets. They are non-toxic, kid-safe, and meet ASTM and EN71 toy safety standards. The packaging is eco-friendly, made from recycled bamboo pulp (now featuring an improved, convenient elastic snap!). Clixo’s lightweight, compact design makes it easily stackable for on-the-go fun.

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.childplay.com.au/products/clixo-expedition-mars-rovers-30pc-pack (Australia)

https://curiouskidzz.com.au/product/clixo-mars-rover/ (Australia)

https://www.cowtrees.au/construction/831-mars-rovers-pack.html (Australia)

Check out my other Clixo reviews here:

Enjoy the video!

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Cauldron Quest, By Peaceable Kingdom - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Board game

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Kids that love cooperative games, especially one with cool magic theme!

Cauldron Quest from Peaceable Kingdom is a remarkable cooperative game. I mean, who doesn’t love the idea of thwarting an evil plot with spell-breaking potion, and saving a kingdom as a team? Thank you VR Distribution for the fabulous recommendation!

Why I love ❤️ it:

(1) Cooperative Game With Great Mix Of Skill & Chance

I love a game with a great mix of skill and chance! In Cauldron Quest, players work together to discover hidden ingredients and move them to the cauldron at the center of the board, before all your 6 paths are obstructed. To set up, pick 3 “must-have” ingredient tokens and place them on the cauldron, and randomly arrange the 6 potion bottles at the starting spaces with the ingredient image face-down. On each turn, players roll the Action Dice to determine the next action - moving potion bottles closer to the cauldron, move evil Wizard Hat along its track (which may have the adverse effect of blocking your path or sending your potion back to the start), place path blocker on a path, or roll the Magic Dice. The Magic Dice give you special advantages which are pivotal to complete the mission.

(2) Magic Dice - Apply Your Mathematics Skills To Gain Advantage

Our favourite’s part of the game is Magic Dice rolling (3 rolling chances each time) - this is where we make the most meaningful decisions, whilst applying our mathematics skills. Players must decide which “spell” would confer the greatest advantage at that point. If you want to reveal the hidden ingredient of a bottle, you need even numbers on 3 dice. 3 odd numbers give us the power to swap locations of 2 potion bottles, and you get to move a bottle 6 spaces with a dice combination adding up to 12. We love the interesting choices! Players also get to decide collectively when to use a spell breaker to remove one path blocker during the game.

(3) Refreshing & Magical Artwork With COOL Theme!

We love the COOL theme of evil Wizard and potion-brewing. The artwork is very fun with a touch of mysterious and magical feel. The board is in a unique circular shape, and the ingredient selections are the “wizard’s classics” (rotten egg, eye of newt, poison mushroom - anyone?). The components are solid, the board is foldable, and everything looks well-constructed and wonderfully done. We LOVE it!

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.gamesworldsa.com.au/products/cauldron-quest (Australia)

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/cauldron-quest-board-game (Australia)

Check out more Peaceable Kingdom games here:

Enjoy the video:

Solar System Busy Book, By Busy Books Co - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Busy book/ learning binder

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 2-6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Any kids who love tactile activities/ solving puzzles/ completing tasks

Both of my kids have a cute fascination with completing tasks—they love the thrill of solving puzzles, sorting things, and discovering new facts. I’m excited to review the “Solar System Busy Book” from Busy Books Co, an Australian-designed and made activity book that offers a series of delightful learning experiences - perfect for fostering kids’ curiosity and sense of achievement while exploring the wonders of solar system!

Why I love ❤️ it:

(1) Learn About Solar System: Planets, Moon & Earth's Atmosphere

I haven’t come across many interactive solar system resources, so this Busy Book is a refreshing addition to our home-learning collection. The kids love rearranging the planets and moon based on their distance from the Sun (we especially LOVE admiring Saturn’s iconic rings). The creative matching exercises have been a hit, helping us learn about celestial objects like satellites, comets, and spaceship. 🚀 We also delved into the moon’s eight phases and the five layers of Earth’s atmosphere. Seriously, who says astronomy is boring?

(2) Beautifully Illustrated Pages With Solar-System Themed Activities

The book features many more beautifully illustrated pages with solar-system-themed learning activities. It includes letter matching (upper-case planets with lower-case rockets), visual pattern recognition, shape identification, star counting, numbered astronaut puzzle, space shuttle assembly, UFO color matching (with super adorable aliens), “find the other half” robot puzzles, and activities for learning more/less/equal and addition up to 5. This comprehensive binder offers a joyful learning experience. And the special bonding opportunities with the kids? Priceless!

(3) Great Quality Reusable Busy Book

The BEST feature about Busy Book - they are REUSABLE! The thick, glossy, double-laminated pages are securely bound with a durable round binder. All removable pieces are equipped with Velcro dots, allowing them to be detached and reattached countless times. Plus, the set thoughtfully includes two extra sheets of replaceable Velcro components.

(4) Yellow travel Bag For Easy Travel

I love the yellow travel bag with a zipper—it perfectly fits the lightweight Busy Book for easy travel. The sturdy storage box is a fantastic addition, offering excellent protection for long-lasting use. Simply amazing!

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.busybooks.co/products/solar-system-busy-book

Enjoy the video!

Monday, October 7, 2024

Mixed Doubles, By ok2win - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Card game

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Kids & grown-ups that enjoy card games with a mix of luck and strategy

ok2win has just officially become my TOP few favourite card-game creators! Thank you Divisible by Zero for another marvellous game! Today, let’s talk about my latest obsession - “Mixed Doubles” - a game that mixes strategy and luck in perfect measure!

Why I love ❤️ this game:

(1) Risk-Taking Card Game That Incorporates Luck + Strategy + FUN!

The set includes 84 cards and two eight-sided dice. To start, deal 3 cards face-up to each player. On their turn, a player draws additional 3 cards and add them to the “palette”. Now, it’s decision time: a player can either roll both dice once, or “wager” one or more cards (of 1 colour) to the jackpot. Like a speculative investment of fluctuating prices- wagering increases the chances to win BIG (eg 3 rolls for 3 cards wagered + opportunity to win your opponent’s cards), BUT you might also risk losing the wagered cards to the jackpot. Players win cards that match the colour (or the mix of colours) of the dice. This is a risk-taking game that incorporates dash of luck, hint of strategy, and a big chunk of thrilling FUN. Each card contains a number (point) - the player possesses cards with the most points at the end wins the game.

(2) A Vibrant And Colourful Game

I love the vibrant and colourful elements! Each of the 8-sided dice have two sides of the 3 colours (blue, red, yellow), one wild, and one “push” symbol. If you are looking for a game that gets the kids excited to learn about mixture of colours - this is the ONE. When you roll a Blue + Red, it will activate the colour “purple”; When you roll a Red + Yellow, you win the Orange cards. If you roll a Wild + Red, you grab all the cards related to Red (Red + Purple + Orange). There are also colour references at the border of each card as guidance.

(3) Unpredictable - Keeping You On Your Toes

I love the numerous possibilities and unpredictable change of events. A single “push” on dice means we have to “sacrifice” all cards of the rolled colour to the jackpot; double “push” allows us to swap our palette of cards with another’s. Two “Wild” on dice earned us all cards with numbers (regardless of colour). There are also “Steal”, “All In”, “Extra Roll”, “Free”, and a BAD “Minus 5” card that can instantly change the outcome of the game!

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

https://www.cowtrees.au/educational/613-mixed-doubles.html (Australia)

Enjoy the video!

Friday, September 6, 2024

Little People, Big Dreams: Who Am I, By Kaddo - REVIEW

Nature / Type: Board game

Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age: 6 year-old ++

Who would love this: Anyone who enjoys "Guess Who" games / "Little People, Big Dreams" book series

We love “Little People, Big Dreams” - they are a series of uplifting, inspirational stories of incredible people that we look up to. Guess what? We now have a game version of it! We were thrilled to receive “Little People, Big Dreams: Who Am I” - Kaddo game from Quarto Group , and I can’t wait to tell you more!

Why I love ❤️ this game:

(1) "Guess Who" Game - Ask Meaningful Questions That Truly Matter!

This is a classic “Guess Who?” game featuring people with great accomplishments. The usual rules apply: One player chooses a character card. The other player ask a list of yes / no questions to eliminate guesses. One MAJOR difference: instead of asking question about physical descriptors of the characters (eg “does that person wear glasses”), we ask meaningful questions that truly matter - “Did you try to change unfair laws”, “did you challenge the ideas about race”, “Did you help improve people’s health?”. I love the great set of question prompts provided in the booklet and printed on the shields / dividers. My personal favourite question prompt is “were you arrested or imprisoned?”. The kids were confused - “Are they baddies? Why were they arrested? - and thus, triggering such interesting discussion about corrupted system and unfair laws!

(2) Handy Question Prompts With Symbols For Quick Reference

Each of the question prompts (printed on the booklet and dividers) is represented by a symbol at the side. For example, the question “Did you invent or discover something” is represented by a lightbulb, and “Did you write a book” is represented by a book icon. The related symbols appear at the bottom of each characters on the game boards (for example, under the picture of Florence Nightingale, you will find 5 symbols (book, globe, cross, lightbulb, graduation cap). Once we get the yes/ no answer, player can quickly match up the symbols, and determine the character cards to cover using the counter cards.

(3) Booklet With Interesting Biography Summary Of 24 Characters

I love the booklet that give us quick summary of each of the 24 characters’ biography. I also really LOVE the wide representation of characters from various industries - from record breaking tennis player Billie Jean King, anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman, pioneering microbiologist Louis Pasteur, and many more!

# gifted in exchange for review

Where to buy this:

QBD Books (Australia)

Booktopia (Australia)

Check out more reviews of games from Kaddo:

Enjoy the video!