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Children learn through play. As an occupational therapist who works with children and youth, I use games and toys almost every day to help develop important cognitive, visual perceptual, motor, sensory, social, play and leisure skills. While many different types of activities can be used in therapy, this blog focuses on off-the-shelf games and toys that are accessible to most. Whether you are a therapist, parent, teacher, or a game lover like me, I hope you discover something useful while you are here. Learn a different way to play a game you already own or discover a new game for your next family game night. Either way, just go play. It's good for you!

The OT Magazine named The Playful Otter one of the Top 5 Pediatric OT Blogs.


Jun 25, 2016

Make 'N' Break Challenge


Make 'N' Break Challenge - Use tongs to stack wooden pieces that match pattern cards.
The goal of Make 'N Break Challenge is to look at the 2D pattern card and recreate the model faster than your opponent. I have a lot of Ravensburger games and puzzles and I like their quality. 

The blocks and tongs are made from wood. There are six different block shapes, 20 blocks total. This is a two-player game, so each player gets an identical set of 10 blocks. The two players will build at the same time to see who can correctly complete the model first.

The 80 model cards are numbered 1-4, based on their difficulty. The higher in difficulty, the more pieces used and the trickier it may be to get them oriented or balanced. Each card has the same picture printed on both sides. A clear plastic holder is included (see image below) and once the card is placed in the clear card holder, both players can see the model, whether they are facing the front or the back of the card holder.
There are several games in the Make 'N Break line. Here is another game that I've blogged where one player plays at at time - Make 'N Break Family Game.

Object:
Be the first to complete more structures than your opponent.

Set up:
Give each player an identical set of 10 blocks and one pair of tongs. Place a card in the card holder.

Play:
Both players work quickly, at the same time, to see who can be the first to complete the structure. The person who wins takes the card and a new card is placed in the holder. Play until one player wins a certain amount of cards (number set before the game starts) or for a certain amount of time, such as 15 minutes. Person with the most cards is the winner.

To see a list of games with tweezers or tongs, click here.

Try this:
  • Work on spatial relations, visual discrimination, visual closure, visual memory, tool use, fine motor skills, problem solving, manual dexterity, motor planning, play and leisure exploration and participation, eye-hand coordination, socialization skills, executive functioning skills, process skills
  • Start by playing with the tongs and the pieces, practice picking the pieces up and stacking in any order.
  • Use as an activity to work on visual perceptual and motor skills without playing a game and competing. Present one card and build.
  • Use the hands to build a model. Once the individual can do that, then build again using the tongs.
  • Show the individual the card and ask him to memorize the model. After removing the card, can he build the model from memory?
  • Demonstrate how to use the tongs. Picking up a piece from the end and letting gravity pull it into a vertical position is easier than picking it up in the middle, trying to torque your arm/hand into an awkward position to orient, and placing it correctly without tipping everything over.
  • Build side by side with the individual, no speed. One piece at a time, model how to turn and place the block on the model as the individual copies you.
  • Build one big model, your own design, using all the pieces.
  • Time yourself as you build a model. Then build it again and try to beat your time.
  • Build a model and lay several cards in front of the individual. Ask him to find the card that matches the model.
  • Ask the individual to build his own structure as you call each piece by color or shape.
  • Build a model and leave a piece out. Give the individual the card and ask him which piece is missing.
  • Build the cards in numerical order, easiest to most difficult. Sort and stack them ahead of time.
  • Use a piece of plain paper to cover the pieces above where you are building if the individual cannot remember to start from the bottom or they have trouble keeping their place.
In the box: 20 wooden blocks, 80 challenge cards, 2 tongs, card stand

Ages 8+, 1-2 players
 
If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.

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