Castle Logix

 

Castle Logix is made by SmartGames, one of my favorite brands, and I have used it a lot in therapy. There are only seven wooden pieces, but with 48 challenges that increase in difficulty as you go, kids can grow with this one. 

The object of Castle Logix is to look at a 2D model in the book and use the blocks to build a 3D model. The seven blocks include four castle blocks and three flag blocks (see image above). The blocks are solid wood, smooth, and easy to manipulate. The gold, green, and blue blocks have different designs on two sides. The red block has the same design on two sides but it is facing up in different orientations so the hole is in different places as related to the design. The flags are three different lengths - long, medium, and short - and correspond to the heights of the blocks.

The solution for each puzzle is on the back of the puzzle. Looking at the book above, the left shows a solution for the puzzle on the page before it, and the right shows the next puzzle.  Maybe it is the wood and the chunkiness of the blocks, or maybe the fact that the puzzles don't take long to create and you move on, but the kids have liked this one. There are four levels of puzzles, from junior to master, that increase in difficulty as you go. This game has held up well. 

SmartGames is a brand that makes a lot of one-person logic games that help build visual perceptual skills over multiple challenges that increase in difficulty as you go. If you would like to read more about these kid-friendly fun games, check out my post called One-Player SmartGames.

If you would like to read more about one-person logic puzzles, check out my post What's in Your Therapy Box? Logic Puzzles Edition. 


Try this:

• Start by playing with the blocks and comparing the heights and lengths of blocks to flags, orienting the blocks differently, stacking, checking out the designs, etc.
• Hand each block to the individual, one at a time, as he builds the castle if he does not know where to start or how to proceed.
• Build a model yourself as the individual looks on. Talk out loud as you problem solve and build. Then take the model apart and let the individual build the same model.
• Place a piece as the player watches if they get stuck. Then take it out and hand it to them so they can place it.
• Show the player a puzzle. Give them a little time to memorize it and turn over the puzzle. Can they recreate it without the flags? With the flags?
• Stand the flag(s) next to the castle if they are having trouble seeing which part of the castle is three blocks high (tall flag), which is two blocks tall and etc.
• Stand the book upright if the player is having trouble building a castle vertically while looking at a 2D model that is lying flat on the table. 
  
• Work on visual discrimination, visual closure, spatial relations/position in space, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, coordinated use of both hands, executive functioning skills, logic, problem solving, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 7 wooden castle pieces, 1 puzzle book with 48 challenges

If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.