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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 19, 2016

Memory Challenge Civil War

Memory Challenge Civil War


Match your way to victory with exciting new ways to play a classic favorite. This Memory Challenge civil war themed game features picture cards of historical portraits and depictions of Civil War leaders, events, flags, uniforms, and weapons. Memory games aren't just for kids any more.
 
Before the game starts, players will chose an allegiance to either the Union or the Confederacy, and will earn bonus points for matching their leaders and battlefield victories. In addition, when a Strategic Maneuver card is turned, new rules of war apply that will allow a player to confiscate a match from an opponent, reveal additional cards, or take an extra turn.
 
The game also includes a book with a short history lesson (a paragraph) that can be read after each match is made, and includes names, dates, detailed descriptions, and historic locations. Fun for history buffs or those wanting to learn more about one of the most significant wars in United States history.

The winner is based on points, not numbers of sets.
 
Check out other Memory Challenge games including National Parks, cooking, Holiday Edition (Christmas/winter), Marvel Comics, Book Lover's, and Super Mario. Click on the image below for more information or to purchase this game.

To read more about why memory games are so popular, read my post Memory Games. Why are They so Popular? This post also has links to the other memory games I have blogged about. 

Try this:

  • Turn all the cards picture side up to make it a simpler version of matching without the memory component.
  • Start with fewer sets for beginners. Add in a few new sets at a time until you work your way up to a game using all the cards.
  • Turn six different cards face up on the table. Turn the rest of the cards face down. Take turns turning over one card. If you made a match to one of the cards turned face up, take it and place the set next to you. Try to remember which cards have been turned up and are not matches to avoid turning them over again. When the last match is made, the person with the most pairs wins.
  • Separate out one card from each set and lay them face-up on the table. Stack the remaining cards and, one at a time, scan the face-up cards to find its match on the grid you created on the table.
  • Ask the individual to flip the card in place, not pull to the side of the table to pick up.
  • Empty the cards on the table. Ask the individual to place all the cards face-down in preparation for play. Pick each card up and, if necessary, turn it in-hand to orient it for placement instead of turning to orient it on the tabletop.
  • Put the cards away at the end by picking up one card and stacking it on top of another, pick up both cards and stack them on top of another, pick up all three cards and stack them on top of another, etc. How many cards can the individual stack and hold without dropping?
  • Create the grid for play by picking up a stack of cards in the non-dominant hand and, one at a time, push the top card off with the thumb for placement.
  • Play alone to improve memory and concentration. Count how many turns it takes you to complete the game. Play again and try to beat that score.
  • Work on visual discrimination, visual memory, spatial relations, figure ground, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, in-hand manipulation, socialization skills, process skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation  

In the box: 100 Civil War picture cards (50 sets), 10 Strategic Maneuver cards, 6 recruitment cards, rule book with historical descriptions
Ages 8+, 1+ players

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