Hot Cocot, By Bioviva - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Dexterity games

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     6 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids and adults that enjoy challenging dexterity games  

I love dexterity games. I’m also pretty proud of my dexterity skills… until I met Hot Cocot by Bioviva. Confession time 🙈: I still haven’t mastered the art of handling these tricky oval-shaped eggs, but somehow my kids are absolutely crushing it. Humbling, honestly. If you’re up for a challenge, keep reading 👀 Thank you Divisible by Zero for providing a copy! 

Why I love ❤️ it? 

(1) Super Challenging Dexterity Game ... with Chopsticks!

A dexterity game… with chopsticks. How hard could it be, right? I’ve been using chopsticks since the 80s! WRONG. Super hard. What’s included: eggs, egg cups, and chopsticks. To play - each player grabs two chopsticks and tries to place an egg into an egg cup before the others. A few rules - Only chopsticks allowed (no fingers!): The egg must be placed right side up (wide part down); Don’t touch the egg cups with your hands. Once all cups are filled, the round ends. The player who didn’t manage to place an egg (or placed the least) loses. Simple. Brutal. Hilarious.

(2) Solo Or Competitive Mode - Includes 6 Eggs, 5 Cups, 6 Pairs of Chopsticks

This game can be played with solo mode, or competitively. In the box you will find 6 eggs, 5 egg cups, and 6 pairs of short chopsticks for a total of up to 6-player game! Want chaos? Add sabotaging rules? Players who fail to place their egg can interfere by pushing empty egg cups with their chopsticks (without knocking them over or off the table). Nasty… but fun. Or play elimination rounds: one player out each round until the ultimate face-off between two finalists. I love there are so many ways to play! 

(3) Wooden & Well-Designed Chopsticks

The components are awesome! All wooden, short and well-designed chopsticks with slightly flattened tips; Perfectly egg-shaped wooden eggs — oval, wider at the bottom, pointy at the top, natural wood colour eggs that look almost real; and bright red wooden egg cups! 

(4) Eco-Friendly & Made Using Sustainably Sourced Materials

Everything fits neatly into a cube box - small, tidy, not taking-up too much space!And if you haven’t heard of Bioviva - it’s a French creator of eco-friendly, educational games - using sustainably sourced materials (FSC-certified paper and wood), vegetable-based inks, zero plastic packaging, and local manufacturing in France to reduce carbon emissions. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.cowtrees.au/educational-toys/28-hot-cot-cot.html

Check out more reviews on Bioviva games: 

• Nature Challenge - Cats, By Bioviva
• Nature Challenge – Dogs, By Bioviva
• Crok Crok Crok, By Bioviva
• Mission Jungle, By Bioviva
• Bioviva - The Game, By Bioviva
• Operation Survival, By Bioviva

Enjoy the video! 

Barbecubes, By Alley Cat Games - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Dexterity game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     8 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Anyone who loves dexterity games + good old-fashioned barbecue 

My kids absolutely lost their minds when they spotted the pixelated styling of Barbecubes in this tiny tin from Alley Cat Games . The video-game, Minecrafty vibe had them locked in instantly - and honestly, if you’re weak to cute dexterity games like we are, you’re done for. Thank you Let's Play Games for providing this review copy!

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Flip A Card + Place An Item On Grill Racks

To set up: Empty the tin onto the table, pop the grill racks onto the base, shuffle the cards - Done! Barbecubes is ready to go. On your turn, flip a card and place the depicted meat using the teeny tongs (yes, tiny tweezers!) onto the required grill bars - sometimes balancing on one tricky bar, sometimes stretched across two. Some cards even demand your non-dominant hand for extra chaos. You may nudge existing items if you need to. Drop a piece outside the tin? No biggie- pick it up and try again. But drop it into the tin or knock something off the grill? That card is yours. Collect two cards and you’re out. Last griller standing wins!

(2) Dexterity Game With Hints Of Strategy

We love the lighthearted fun with just enough strategy. As the grill fills up, the tension rises. The more tense you get, the more you shake, the more spectacularly you might mess up. A delicious vicious circle. The rules don’t forbid “creative” interpretations, so yes, you’ll get players placing meat on its flat side or trying odd angles—annoying but totally beatable. Much like a real BBQ, space becomes premium fast. Strategy sneaks in through clever placements, sneaky nudges, and trying to make life just a little harder for the next player.

(3) Tiny Adorable Components + Pixelated Minecrafty-Vibe Meats

We are fully obsessed with the tiny wooden steaks, burger patties, fish, bacon strips, and sausages. And the fact that the tin becomes the grill? Love it! The pixelated meats are too adorable! Cards are clean and clear, the tongs feel sturdy, and the wooden grates fit perfectly.

(4) Portable, Crowd-Pleasing, Travel-Friendly Game

This is a portable, silly, crowd-pleasing dexterity game. You can take it anywhere and play with almost anyone. My only tiny gripe: the lid doesn’t stay shut well enough to throw straight into a backpack- but this is easily solved with an elastic band.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.m-g.com.au/product/barbecubes/

Find your local game stores here: https://www.localgamestores.com.au/

Enjoy the video! 

Nekojima, By Unfriendly Games - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Board game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:     7 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids / adults that enjoy dexterity games 

Nekojima from Unfriendly Games - I’m a sucker for a good dexterity game, especially when it’s as adorable as this one! Bright, colourful, packed with charm, it doesn’t just play well - it looks amazing on the table too. Thank you Let's Play Games for providing a copy for review. 

Why I love ❤️ it: 

(1) Dexterity Game Inspired By Japan's Cat Islands

Nekojima is a 1–5 player dexterity game inspired by Japan’s cat islands. On your turn, you roll two dice to see which districts you’ll be building in, then draw a cube from the bag to decide the colour (and length!) of the string between your wooden poles — the Denchuus. Place them carefully in the matching quadrants: poles can stack on top of others, but the string can’t touch the board, other strings, or wrap around the poles. To spice things up, sometimes you’ll pull a black cube - which means a cat must be hung from the wires, either by you or by a rival player depending on the mode. Play solo, cooperatively, or competitively; in co-op you’ll climb levels together, while in competitive there’s just one unlucky loser and everyone else gets bragging rights.

(2) Challenging - Different Pole Lengths / Cable Sizes/ Cats Of Varying Poses 

Nekojima isn’t just cute chaos. Different pole lengths, cable sizes, and cat shapes keep every placement unpredictable. At first it feels easy, but soon you’re weaving a wild web of wires, balancing poles on top of each other, and fighting against cords that never sit quite where you want them. Add in cats of varying poses (some much trickier to hang than others) and even a few fun variants like bird nests that cap your stacks, and suddenly this ‘simple’ game feels like a high-wire act!

(3) Adorable Cats With Colourful Table-Top Appearance

Theme-wise, Nekojima nails it. The cats are adorable, and we love the tangle of colourful strings stretched between wobbling poles. It looks fantastic on the table and the whole balancing act fits perfectly with the quirky ‘cat island’ vibe.

(4) Solid, Durable, GREAT Components

The wooden poles are solid and satisfying to handle, the cords are thick and durable, and the circular board is sturdy with clear quadrant divisions. Even the wooden cubes and custom dice have a nice weight to them, while the chunky cardboard cats add a playful touch. Everything in the box feels well-made and built to last - exactly what you want in a dexterity game.

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesworld.com.au/product/nekojima-board-game/

Find your local game stores here: https://www.localgamestores.com.au/

Enjoy the video! 

TOSSIT Game Original Starter Pack, by TOSSIT - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Target game 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:     5 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Adults and kids that enjoy fun & competitive target sports  

It’s not every day that a toy comes along that challenges both hand-eye coordination and physical skill, so when TOSSIT reached out with the chance to review their exciting TOSSIT Game Original Starter Pack, I couldn’t wait to dive in! I’m thrilled to see how much enjoyment the kids can have while sharpening their speed and precision!

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) 1 Black Jack Dart + 6 Darts In Two Colours

This set includes 1 black Jack dart, 6 Tossit darts in two colors, and a carrying bag. The game is a fun mix of pétanque and darts, where players take turns tossing their darts to get as close as possible to the Jack (a special Tossit dart). Each team has 3 darts, and the goal is to reach 13 points. The team with the closest Tossit to the Jack wins the round and scores a point for every dart closer than the opponent’s closest. The winning team throws the Jack for the next round, keeping the action moving!

(2) Variety Of Ways To Play

The best part about these darts is the variety of ways to play! Tossit offers fun alternatives, and my kids have come up with their own wild ideas. I love how the game gets them off screens and into active play. You can try Battle mode, where players race to score 21 points with speed and accuracy, or Tic-Tac Dart, a colorful twist on classic tic-tac-toe. There’s also Stick & Reach mode, challenging kids to see how high they can stick darts to a wall, and Rainbow Ring mode for creative color and shape designs!

(3) 100% Food-Grade Silicone With Smart Design!

The Tossit darts are made from durable, 100% food-grade silicone with strong suction cups that stick to smooth surfaces. The design is optimized for aerodynamics and precision, making them easy to master and accurate on target. While we haven’t quite perfected our throwing skills yet, our family still has a blast tossing them around! Practice definitely helps, and the darts are dishwasher-safe, so they’re easy to clean and ready for the next round!

(4) Play Anywhere & On The Go

Play anywhere—just find a flat, non-porous surface like tiles, windows, tables, or even the fridge! The game is super portable with an included tote bag, making it easy to take on the go. With no setup required, you can start playing right away, whether indoors or outdoors. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://tossit.game/en-au/collections/all

Enjoy the video: 

Kids Express, By Ludonaute - REVIEW

Nature / Type:             Board game for kids 

Rating:                        ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️    

Recommended age:    5 year-old ++ 

Who would love this:  Kids that love actions / dexterity games with hint of strategy 

Who can resist a game where you flick bandits away and rescue treasures during a Wild West train raid? Check out ‘Kids Express’ from Ludonaute —huge thanks to VR Distribution for providing this fun experience! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) Rescue The Luggage Before Bandits Steal them All! 

To set up the game, position the locomotive and train cars on the table, placing a stack of luggage tokens on each railcar and the stagecoach. The last car serves as the bandits’ hideout, where you’ll set up their 4 standees. Each player selects a character and places their standee in the stagecoach. On their turn, players can either move their kid standee to a location on the train or attempt to shoot the bandits with a slingshot. In either case, they can rescue a piece of luggage before the bandits can steal it. Each luggage token features a symbol on the back that may trigger bandit movement and looting, adding to the suspense! The game ends when one pile of luggage tokens is depleted, and players compare their rescued tokens against the bandits’ haul. If the kids save more luggage than the bandits steal, they win! We’re thrilled by this mission-focused, cooperative adventure against the bandits!

(2) Shoot The Bandits DOWN With Slingshots

The standout feature of the game is, undoubtedly, the shooting action! Players place the slingshot token on the horse and flick it at one of the bandits on train, eliciting roars of laughter each time we knock out the villains and send them back to their lair! The distance board can be adjusted horizontally or vertically, allowing players to customize the challenge to their liking. The flicking mechanism adds a tactile element that keeps children engaged. 

(3) Strategy & Decision-Making For Young Kids

In addition to the dexterity challenge, there are subtle elements of strategy and decision-making tailored for younger players. Our young adventurers must use their collective judgment to determine where and when to move, and decide the best angle for their shot!

(4) Vibrant 3D Cardboard Train And Other Cool Components

The tabletop components are impressive! The setup features a vibrant, colorful 3D cardboard train with a locomotive and 3 cars, along with a stagecoach and a horse. This game is visually appealing and perfect for enjoyable family time!

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

Big W (Australia)

Vault Games (Australia)

Toys & Tales (Australia)

Enjoy the video! 

Nacho Stack! , By Professor Puzzle - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Family board game  

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Recommended age:  8 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Nacho lovers / strategy game lovers/ board game lovers - ANYONE! 

This game is a LOVE at first sight - I just can’t resist a game with crunchy tortilla chips and burst of flavoursome toppings. Nacho Stack! by Professor Puzzle is a delicious stacking game that instantly appeals to our family - thank you Jedko Games, this is scrumptiously awesome! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) A Game With Deliciously-Clever Nacho Theme 

I LOVE the clever Nacho theme! In the set, you will find 59 nacho cards, 9 jalapeño tokens, a game die, and instruction. To sum up the game in one line: you balance the nacho chips on the rim of the box (the “bowl”) and you remove them one-by-one with the steadiest of hands. Most of the nachos are saucy nachos - you will see a “colour code”, matching symbol and a score (ranges from 3 to 5) at one of the corners of the triangular chips. There are nachos dipped in green guacamole (yum!), brownish refried beans, bright red salsa, orange melted cheese, white sour cream. There are also nachos with a big spicy jalapeño symbol in the middle, and 9 jalapeño tokens to go with them. At the reverse side of each chips, you will see the “smashed-up” design and a score of either 0 or -1. 

(2) A Bit Of Jenga, Skills & Luck - Nacho Stack! Has Them All 

The game is divided into two parts. First stage involves players taking turn to balance a chip on the rim of the “bowl” with the saucy side facing outwards. One condition: no chip with the same sauce is allowed to overlap or touch each other. Second stage involves players rolling a dice, and do a “Jenga” by removing the right saucy chip without crashing the entire stack. Each chip collected would earn the player the stated point, but if any nachos fall off the bowl, they are smashed and points might be deducted (depending on whether it’s a “0” or “-1” card). I love the good mixture of luck and skills in this game; you need good hand-eye coordination, a good judgment to pick the best located chips with most valuable points, and a good sense to use the weight of jalapeño token to steady the stack. 

(3) Awesome Quality Components + Travel-Friendly Game 

We are impressed with the Nacho chips; not only because they look delicious, these chips have the perfect thickness and sturdiness to use in a balance game. We also love how compact and light weight the game is. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gamesmen.com.au/nacho-stack-cheesy-stacking-card-game (Australia)

https://www.metrohobbies.com.au/products/nacho-stack-game (Australia) 

Enjoy the video! 

Gully Balance Game - 5 Legs, By Gully Boards - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Hand-held balance game 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  5 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Collectors of wooden games, and generally, anyone! 

Have you seen the latest “Balance Games” range from Gully Boards ? Intuitive, not much explanation required, and no fixed rules whatsoever on how (and in what other ways) you can play with it! Today, I’m going to talk about this beautiful, timeless new Gully Balance Game - “5 Legs”! 

Why I love ❤️ this toy: 

(1) Classic & Timeless Handheld Game

“5 Legs” reminds me of a handheld gaming console - save that it is not battery-powered, no fast-paced screen movement, and no press-able buttons. Instead, you get a wooden board with 5 steel balls securely encased beneath a clear “screen”, running freely along a horizontal path that branches out into 5 separate “legs”. Your first mission? Simply tilt and twist the playing field, guide the balls to achieve “one ball in each leg”. The game is straightforward, but not as simple; slightly challenging, but possible! The game is instinctive, addictive, calming, and has amazing replay value. It teaches us to focus, challenges our dexterity and hand-eye coordination. 

(2) A Versatile Toy: So Many Ways To Play!

 I love that there are more than one way to play with this game! Apart from the basic “one ball in each leg”, the ultimate challenge is to get “all five balls into each leg” from the leftmost branch to the right. We struggle (and are still trying to figure out the secret trick) to navigate all 5 balls into the 2nd, 3rd and 4th leg branches. Our 7 year-old also loves inventing his own rules, setting specific goals, and testing out different technique (for example, form pre-determined patterns, play by holding the board vertically, pre-set a time limit, upside down challenge etc). 

(3) Travel-Friendly Game With Quality & Durable Materials 

“5 Legs” are crafted using sustainably sourced Victorian Ash timber and coated with a natural hardwax oil. I love the thoughtful rounded and curved corners. The steel balls are securely encased with safety screws. The game is durable and is built to last a lifetime. I love that it is light weight, compact, easily portable (perfect for a car journey). 

(4) Classic Wooden Game For All Ages! 

I love that this is a game for all ages. The adults and our 7 year-old love it. Our 4 year-old enjoys simply shaking the board randomly and watching them running around the course without an aim. 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://www.gullyboards.com.au/collections/balance-games/products/gully-balance-games-5-legs

Enjoy the video! 

KAPLA Challenge Box, By KAPLA - REVIEW

Nature/ Type:          Balance game 

Rating:                     ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Recommended age:  6 year-old ++   

Who would love this: Older Kids or adults who love to challenge themselves with some difficult balance / stacking games 

I love games that display the beauty of balance. Balance is an intersect between art and science; it’s a challenge of hand-eye coordination, full concentration, and skill of searching for that exact point where weight distribution equally meets. I have tested quite a few balance games in the past - but KAPLA Challenge Box (kindly provided by Kapla Australia) is probably the most challenging one I have ever seen, and we’re absolutely loving it! 

Why I love ❤️ this game: 

(1) 12 Exciting Challenges - The set comes with 16 KAPLA planks (of identical size, in ratio of 1:3:5) and 12 challenge cards. The objective of the game? Reproduce and build the models as depicted in the 12 challenge cards using just the 16 KAPLA planks included. At first glance, the game looks deceptively simple. I mean, it’s just 12 challenges, with 16 planks of same size and shape. How hard can it be, right? Turn out, it’s pretty impossible and oh-so-unbelievably tough. We were stuck (and still are) at challenge 7, and have yet to figure out the strategy to get the structures stay in the gravity-defying positions. I love that the level of difficulty increases progressively; these are puzzles that require extreme dexterity and perseverance, from placing 2 planks simultaneously at two opposite edges, precariously balancing a plank vertically in gravity-defying state, to patiently searching for the perfect balance point at the tip of an intricate model. KAPLA Challenge Box is captivating, addictive, intriguing, and we definitely need more of KAPLA challenges in life! 

(2) Compact & Light Weight - I love how compact, light weight, portable the game set is. The planks and challenge cards come in a small, classy, durable box. This is an amazing on-the-go game to bring around for travel and any road-trip! All you need is a flat surface to get the building challenge started! 

(3) Quality & Sustainable Materials - KAPLA is made of 100% untreated French pinewood, ethically sourced from the sustainable, renewable forests in the south west of France. They are versatile building planks, smoothly finished with beautiful craftsmanship, and top-notched in quality. 

Genuinely, we are so grateful to have met KAPLA in our play journey! 

# gifted in exchange for review 

Where to buy this: 

https://kaplaaustralia.com/products/kapla-challenge

Enjoy the video!