Kanoodle Head to Head, By Educational Insights - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:           2-player brainteaser / logical puzzle

Rating:                      ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:   7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Competitive gamers/ logical puzzle lovers 

Our family is super competitive. We also LOVE logical puzzles tremendously. So imagine our thrill when we discovered this crazily FUN “Kanoodle Head to Head” from Educational Insights , combining the two best game elements into ONE . Thank you Clover Street for providing a copy - This is THE ultimate 2-player challenge and a marvellous festive gift for anyone who enjoys the adrenaline rushes of a competitive game! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) TWO Players - Head-To-Head Puzzle Battle!

This set comes with a cleverly-designed game board that is divided into two sections for a two-player, head-to-head puzzle battle. Each player gets 8 colourful puzzle pieces. The puzzle pieces are in the form of 4 plastic beads, connected in a string of multiple arrangements. To play this game, select a challenge card, insert it into the slot separating the two board sections. Now, set up the puzzle pieces according to the arrangement depicted on the card. Once both parties are ready, yell “Go”, and race frantically against your opponent to assemble the remaining pieces so that all the beads would fit nicely onto the indentations of the playing boards. It’s a nail-bitingly intense game, jam-packed with competitive mode and excitement! 

(2) Special Button To Launch Your Opponent's Puzzle Pieces Into The Air 

Now, let’s talk about BEST part of this game - Whoever completed the puzzle first get to press a special button placed at the upper right side of each playing board, which would cause your opponent’s board to pop-up in a sudden, launching all the game pieces in the air! Our kids love this feature immensely - they laugh so hard watching the opponent’s pieces being tossed all over the place. 

(3) 80 Challenges Included

The set comes with 40 double-sided challenge cards - a total of 80 challenges. This game guarantees hours of laughter and nerve-wracking fun. I LOVE that it has fantastic replay value. 

(4) Compact & Sturdy Design - Great Travel Game! 

I love the sturdy components, and the vibrantly colourful puzzle pieces. I especially love the compact design of this puzzle - everything can be perfectly fit and securely locked within the storage areas underneath the two playing platforms. I love how light weight and portable this game is. This is an ideal on-the-go travel game - we’re loving it! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/kanoodle-head-to-head (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Kanoodle Duplexity, By Educational Insights - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:           Logic puzzle 

Rating:                      ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  

Recommended age:   8 year-old ++ 

Who would love this: Older kids and adults who enjoy matching games & colourful components 

I like all the Kanoodle puzzles I’ve tested so far; I LOVE a few more than the others (eg Kanoodle Flip and Kanoodle Fusion), and some of them appeal to my kids more than the rest (eg. Kanoodle Jr and Kanoodle Gravity). Kanoodle Duplexity from Educational Insights is probably one of the the toughest amongst the range. We’re loving these unbelievably challenging puzzles (thank you Clover Street for another great recommendation. 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Matching Puzzle With Colourful & Refreshing Magnetic Take 

This is a matching puzzle with a familiar concept but with a refreshing magnetic take! Included within are 28 two-colour magnetic pieces, 100 double-sided challenge cards, and a carrying case that doubles as a game board. First, select a challenge card, place it on the magnetic game area. Now, use the two-tone magnetic pieces to recreate (and fill-up) the image shown on the card. It sounds deceptively simple, but trust me - this is tough! It requires loads of patience and resilience - reorienting, re-arranging, re-sorting, resetting - to complete each challenge! I love that this game is easy to set up and straightforward to play. 

(2) User-Friendly Magnetic Game Board & Puzzle Pieces 

I love that the game board and puzzle pieces are magnetic - so we can “lock” the position of the pieces when solving. 

(3) 200 Challenges - Hours Of Fun Guaranteed! 

I love that there are 200 challenges (hours of fun guaranteed!). There are 7 colours in it, each colour has its own “double tile” (eg green + green), and each also shares a tile with another colour (eg green + red, green + blue etc). I haven’t figured out the key of completing the challenges other than by trials and errors. Some puzzles are simpler, some are ridiculously hard, and some seem unsolvable. Personally, I wish there were solutions provided, but overall, I am enjoying the process of solving them.

(4) Sturdy & Smartly-Designed Carry Case/ Game Board 

I love the smartly-designed carry case design. It has a convenient handle, a special slot to store the challenge cards, magnetic surfaces to stick the tiles, and a lid that locks everything securely within. Whilst this might not be a game that I would put in my handbag everyday (given how weighty it is), this is nonetheless a great portable game for a car and plane journey. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/kanoodle-duplexity (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Kanoodle Flip, By Educational Insights - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:           Unique brainteaser with flipping mechanism 

Rating:                      ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:   7 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids and adults that love brainteaser/ puzzle challenges 

Clover Street sent me Kanoodle Flip by Educational Insights , and we are in LOVE with the game. It’s compact, travel-easy, clever - the kids and I had hours of fun flipping and turning the blocks to solve the challenges! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Unique Braintaser With Flipping Mechanism & Engaging Challenges 

I love the not-so-commonly seen “flipping” mechanism of this puzzle (I tested a remotely-similar “flipping” puzzle a few years back, but I definitely prefer this Kanoodle Flip version MORE!). The rules are straightforward: Pick a challenge card and matching puzzle piece; set them up by placing the card on the base and close the cover, so that the card is visible through the translucent game board from the top. Now flip the block around until it lands on the finish space marked with a trophy. Each of the challenge card also has a number in a star at the top right corner that represents the “fewest moves possible” to complete the specific challenge. In other words, not only that we have to flip the puzzle block end-over-end to the finish position, we also need to get it done in the fewest moves possible! But there’s more to this game - there are 2 “obstacles” (or “untouchable” spaces) in the challenges where we have to avoid when rolling the blocks around! 

(2) 100 Challenge Cards & 3 Puzzle Blocks - For Different Difficulty Levels 

The set includes 100 challenge cards in progressive difficulty. The 3 blocks come in different colours, shapes, sizes - to be used in different levels of challenges. I love that this engaging game is deceptively simple - the challenges can really turn your brain “topsy turvy” especially the last few hardest ones! The set doesn’t provide any solutions (in other words, no chance of cheating!), but we can usually figure out the solutions eventually. 

(3) Solid & Visually Appealing Components 

I love how solid the components are, and I really love the bright “neon” feel of the blocks that give the set a cool “futuristic”appearance. The game board is smartly-designed with raised hurdles on the two “untouchable” squares, and physical ridges along the grid which make it easy to flip and move the blocks around. 

(4) Compact & Travel-Easy Design 

I love the compact, pocket-sized, and travel-easy design. All the items can be stored securely within the case / game board. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/kanoodle-flip (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Kanoodle Gravity, by Educational Insights - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Travel-friendly logic puzzle   

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  7 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids + adults who love logic puzzles, especially one with colourful components + travel-friendly compact design. 

I have tested out quite a few packing puzzles in the past, but I have not seen many that were done “vertically” like this “Kanoodle Gravity” from Educational Insights . Thank you Clover Street for providing this amazing logic thinking game for review! 

Why I love ❤️ this set: 

(1) Unique Vertical Game That Challenge Your Sequential Thinking 

I love the uniqueness of this puzzle that challenges us to think “sequentially”. Unlike most of the 2D packing problems where the objective is to fit the pieces onto a tray on a flat surface, this “Kanoodle Gravity” is in 3D form with standing board. The set comes with 10 puzzle pieces of 7 different shapes (the smallest being a single cube, and the largest pieces are formed by 5 cubes arranged in different configurations). The vertical board reminds me of the classic “Connect Four” game where players take turn to drop a coloured token into a vertically suspended grid. To start a “Kanoodle Gravity” game, players select a challenge, set up the board as shown, and use the remaining pieces to complete the puzzle. The aim is to fit all and the entire puzzle pieces into the vertical board, without any part or corner sticking out from the tray. In other words, apart from figuring out where all the pieces should go, we also need to get the sequence right (ie which piece to drop first and which one goes next). The “order” of things plays a determinative role in the solution! 

(2) 40 Puzzles In Progressive Difficulties - A Game For All Ages 

The set includes 40 puzzles in progressive difficulties. The “starter level” has more pieces in place during set-up, and the advanced challenges show fewer clues. I love that the puzzles cover a whole range of skills and ages - my four-year-old can solve the first few beginner puzzles, but the last few puzzles are challenging even for adults! I also love that this game can be play solitarily, or competitively with another player. 

(3) Colourful Components With Compact & Travel-Friendly Design 

I love the bold and colourful puzzle pieces - visually appealing, chunky enough to be handled by little hands, and I love the waffle-like design with grooves. I also love how compact and travel-friendly this game is. The vertical board can be removed from the stand, and flat-packed with the base to turn into a carrying case. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.thetherapystore.com.au/kanoodle-gravity

Enjoy the video! 

Kanoodle Jr, By Educational Insights - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Logical thinking game for 4 to 7 year-old      

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  4 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Young kids who are ready for a next-level logic challenge! 

We LOVE logic puzzles - from matching challenges, logic and deduction, path-connecting, to solving packing problems of all forms. There are not many logic puzzles with young kids as target audience, so I’m really glad to have discovered Kanoodle Jr by Educational Insights (thank you Clover Street for providing a copy!). 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Logical Thinking Puzzle Designed For 4 - 7 Year-Old 

This is a logical thinking puzzle designed for the age range from 4 to 7 year-old, which is just perfect for my two kids! In it, you will find 6 coloured blocks in different shapes - made up of either 3, 4 or 5 squares. There is also a challenge booklet with 60 challenges. To start the game, select a puzzle and slide the booklet into the case. The puzzle images would show through the square openings of board (which makes it visually easy for kids to match and solve). Next, place the blocks by laying them flat on the puzzle tray. Solutions are provided. I love the kid-friendly design. The challenges are grouped in 5 levels of difficulty (from one to five stars). My four-year-old was able to solve most of the puzzles of 1 to 3 stars, but she struggled with the the harder ones. 

(2) 3 Types Of Puzzles Included 

I love the variety of the puzzles. They are 3 types of puzzles included; The first 40 challenges are “Colour-Matching Puzzle” - where player is required to arrange all 6 blocks to match the coloured icons. Challenges 41 to 50 are “Path Puzzle” - where player needs to select the correct blocks to cover the coloured icons, but leave the space above the “path” (grey icons) and the two circled objects empty. The third puzzle (challenges 51 to 60) are “Wall Puzzle” where we use selected blocks to create a “wall” between two objects/ animals (eg dogs and cats). 

(3) Chunky & Colourful Game Components For Young Kids 

I love the chunky pieces and the grooves on the blocks (they remind me of waffles). The pieces are easy to be handled by little hands, and the bright cheerful colours are naturally appealing to younger kids. 

(4) Compact & Travel-Friendly Game 

I also love how compactly packed this game is. All the pieces and the booklet can be stored securely within the puzzle board with a lid (which can be transformed into a cute carrying case). This is an ideal travel game! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.thetherapystore.com.au/kanoodle-jr (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Kanoodle® Fusion, By Educational Insights - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Matching/ logic game 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  7 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Kids and adults who love colours + brainteaser! 

Hands up if you are a colours-addict, maniac of everything bright and vibrant, and a believer in the power of paint palettes 👩‍🎨. Imagine my thrill when I discovered Educational Insights has a colourful puzzle game called Kanoodle® Fusion that is unlike anything I have ever seen before! Thank you Clover Street for providing a copy! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Brain Challenge With A Blend Of Colours! 

10 translucent puzzle pieces (in different colours/ shapes), 3 round black “blockers”, a booklet with 50 challenges, and a game board with a little surprise - that’s all you need for a day of stimulating brain challenges with a play of colours! I can’t think of a more exciting way to learn about primary and secondary colours in a visual way. Kanoodle® Fusion is a mix between a matching puzzle, and a logic & deduction brain-teaser. The aim is simple: select a challenge, and position the puzzle pieces on the hexagonal game board to match the colours combination and arrangement as shown on the picture. The twist? We may have to blend up to two colours by stacking and layering the translucent pieces - for example, yellow + blue = green, red + blue = purple, red + yellow = orange. The game is a fresh experience for my 7-year-old and he thoroughly enjoyed solving the challenges independently. What surprises me most is that even my 4-year-old (who doesn’t show much interest in logic games usually) was completely enchanted by the colours element and completed 18 challenges in one go! 

(2) Puzzle With Exciting Light-Up Board 

I LOVE the light-up game board with switch button. You will need two AAA batteries and a right-size screwdriver for this (both not included). The light-up effect on the translucent pieces are visually-stunning, and so delightfully beautiful! The backlight really enhances the appearance of the game! 

(3) Brainteaser With Awesome Components & Design 

I love the components and design of this puzzle. The 50 challenges are arranged in progressive difficulties, and solutions are provided at the end of the booklet. The game board also serves as a compact storage box, and everything can be fit and locked neatly inside the handy carry-case. This is a fantastic, portable game for an awesome road trip! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.thetherapystore.com.au/kanoodle-fusion (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Geosafari Jr Kidnoculars, by Educational Insights

Nature/ Type:           Binocular that works! 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  3 - 6 year-old

Who would love this: Kids that love to explore and observe. 

This is Geosafari Jr Kidnoculars from Educational Insights. I wasn’t too sure about this toy when I first saw it. Appearance wise, it looks pretty “plastic” and unrealistic. So I was really surprised and happy to find that it actually does function as a “binocular”, albeit in a more kiddo way suitable for preschoolers. 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Binoculars for Young Kids: According to online resources, this is the only (or one of the rare few) binocular toys in market designed specifically for young kids between 3 to 6 year-old. It is a sturdy toy, easy to be carried around by small little hands, not heavy, and with sharp colours that kids love. My four-year-old was pretty excited when he saw this kidnoculars and immediately wanted to have a try.

(2) 2 x Magnification: it actually works and functions as a “binocular”, although in a much lower 2 x magnification. I personally think this distance range is sufficient for young kids to have a first taste of how a binocular works. 

(3) Child-friendly Features- there are other child-friendly features such as enlarged, comfy and focus-free eyepieces, perfect-fit goggles, and a breakaway safety strap. 

The online reviews are kind-of mixed for this toy so it’s probably not for everyone. But my kid loves it and has been using this for indoor objects observation, and also bringing out for “expeditions” including a recent zoo visit. 

Enjoy the Video: 

Brownie Match, by Educational Insights

Nature/ Type:         Board Game

Rating:                   ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

Recommended age: 4-year-old and above

Who would love this: Our mini brownie lovers with great memory 

Brownie Match by Educational Insights- any games involving foods (especially fudgy chocolate brownie with rainbow sprinkles) get a BIG tick from this foodie family! This is our kids’ latest favourite and is a highly demanded playtime item. It’s lovely brownies time, with spatulas, spinner, and tray. What can go wrong really? 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Spatula & Brownie: the brownie is so realistic I swear I can smell the baked chocolatey aroma! Love the spatula flipping idea. Although it’s not the easiest thing to do, holding the spatula while spinning the spinner gives us some silly giggles! 

(2) Matching Game in a Creative Way- we are not turning over picture cards this time, but delicious-looking brownies! How good is that? 

(3) Little Twists Here and There- Spin your spinner and see what adventure awaits you- You might get to steal a brownie from your opponent, get a “spilt milk” and missed a turn, burnt your brownie and needed to throw one away from your plate, flip over a star or spin a bonus chance. Clever, fun, good old family game. 

Have fun enjoying the video below for some spatula tossing in action!