Dinosaurs Mystic Islands

Dinosaurs Mystic Islands - Keep the plant-eaters separate from the meat-eaters

Dinosaurs Mystic Islands, is a dinosaur themed, one-person logic puzzle from SmartGames. Using the six puzzle pieces, build islands in the plastic base by following the patterns in the challenge book. The one rule is to make sure that the herbivores (green dinosaurs) do not end up on the same islands as the carnivores (red dinosaurs).

The base and pieces are all hard plastic and the dinosaurs are made from a softer plastic. The six pieces are all rectangles of the same size, just with different things on them (dinosaur, island, plants).

The challenge book is divided into four sections - starter, junior, master, expert. Clues are given for the first 32 puzzles. Initial clues are given in the form of showing the color and location of three dinosaurs as well as the orientation of each of the six pieces. Clues are gradually reduced to show only one dinosaur per puzzle, then no dinosaurs are pictured and the number of piece orientations are reduced. All solutions are given in the back of the book and there is only one way to solve each puzzle. Here are images from the challenge book:

#1 - 3 dinos, all orientations. #2 - 1 dino, all orientations. #3 - No dinos, fewer orientations. #4 - No clues.

If you are interested in reading more about logic puzzles, check out my post on What's in Your Therapy Box? Logic Puzzle Edition.

Try this:

• Start backwards if working with a beginner - Solve the puzzle all but the last piece and let him place that.  Solve the puzzle all but the last 2 pieces and let him place them. Solve the puzzle all but the last 3 pieces, etc.
• Work the puzzle yourself and talk out loud to model how to problem solve and eliminate pieces. Start sentences with "This can't go here because..." and then explain the logic. Then take the pieces out and ask the person to complete the same challenge.
• Start with the first puzzles and work in the order in the booklet. It is a good way of giving fading cues and teaching what is expected.
• Use the diagrams on the answer pages and just set up the game, if the individual is not capable of solving it. 
  
• Work on spatial relations, visual closure, figure ground, visualization, visual discrimination, manual dexterity, process skills, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation 

In the box: Plastic game board base, 6 plastic puzzle pieces, challenge book with 80 challenges

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