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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.


Jul 3, 2016

Mastermind Fairies


Mastermind Towers - Fairies and Sponge Bob
Mastermind Towers is a fun, inexpensive game to help kids develop logic and deductive reasoning skills. The object of the game is to guess the order of the picture cards in your opponent's tower before he guesses the order of your cards.  

All pieces are plastic. There are six different characters and one character is featured on each tower card. Each player will get an identical set. Each time you play a game, you will drop these six character cards into your tower, in any order, through a slot in the top of the tower. Don't let your opponent see these cards. Each player will also get a second set of cards with the same character pictures as the tower cards. You will use these cards on the table top to help you figure out the order of your opponent's cards. Anyone can see these. 

These games come in different themes, and sometimes you will find them in a metal tin instead of a box.

Object:
Figure out the order of your opponent's cards before he figures out the order of yours.

Set up:
Each player will place one tower into one base, with the back of each tower facing their opponent. Each player will drop that five tower cards into the tower in any order. Give each player a set of cards to use to work out the solution. Make sure each player knows the name of each character. If you don't know the names, they are in the instructions.

Play:
To figure out the order, players will take turns asking each other yes or no questions. Each question must include two different character names and either the word "above" or "below". For instance, "Is Rosetta above Tinker Bell?" If the answer is yes, place those two large cards on the table, placing Rosetta above Tinker Bell. As you continue to ask questions, you will add the other three fairies to your solution card arrangement. Move them around to match the answers from your opponent. Once you think you know the order of your opponent's tower cards, you may guess on your turn. If you are right, you win the game. If you are not, your turn is over and the game continues until someone is correct.

Try this:
  • Start with three cards for an easier version. Then increase the difficulty by going to a four card tower game, and then five.
  • Record how many questions it takes you to figure out the solution. Play again and try to ask fewer questions before solving.
  • As you ask questions about specific cards, place your solution cards in a column, in order according to your opponent's answers. These are positions that you know for a fact are in order because you have already asked about them. Leave space between these cards for shuffling as you ask further questions. If you find out that two cards are in the exact order they should be, push them together to remind yourself not to place any other card in between them.
  • Make one tower with six cards and ask the player to put the cards in the same order on his tower.
  • Work on logic, problem solving, manual dexterity, visual discrimination, visual closure, socialization skills, process skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

    In each box: 2 towers, 2 tower bases, 12 character tower cards, 12 solution cards
    Ages 6+, 2 players
If you are interested in purchasing this game or just want more information, click on the image below.

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