Architecto

Architecto - A logic, spatial puzzle in the Brain Builder Series

In the box: 18 solid plastic pieces, pattern book with 60 patterns
Ages 5+, 1 player

Architecto is one of six logic games from FoxMind. I only bought the book for this game since the 18 orange pieces are the exact same 18 pieces that are in four games in this series. I have blogged on all four games and will put links to the other games below.

Architecto builds models upright. You can see from the example in the book in the image above that shadowing will show where some individual pieces are, but not all. Some pieces will not even show at all, you will have to deduce where any missing pieces are from the shapes and sizes of the pieces around them. The 60 puzzles in this book will get more challenging as you go. All solutions are in the back of the book. The book is spiral bound and so conveniently lays flat. 

Four games in this series that I have blogged about are Equilibrio, Perspecto (old name is Cliko), Architecto and Tangramino, and they all use the same 18 pieces. Therefore if you have the pieces, you can just buy the books singly for the other games. Here is some information on each game:

• Equilibrio - Build structures upright, some with challenging balance aspects such as the one above that is built on round blocks.
• Perspecto - Build structures from a variety of perspectives (up to three views per puzzle). The old name for this game is Cliko. The Perspecto puzzle book is the exact same book as the Cliko book, just a new name.
• Architecto - Build structures upright.
• Tangramino - Build structures flat on the table.

You can buy each game with the book and the pieces as a set, or you can buy the books separately and one set of pieces separately. I also have the book for Cliko (which uses the same 18 blocks that I have in this Equilibrio set). Both books fit in the box and I just carry them together. I have primarily used this set with high-functioning teens as the later puzzles in the books can be quite challenging.

Try this:

• Start by examining each piece and comparing it to the chart. Discuss how one piece can look different when looking at it from different perspectives.
• Make a copy of the chart so that you can have it next to the puzzle for comparison if you need help as you build.
• Solve a puzzle while the individual looks on. Talk out loud as you work, so they can learn the logic, problem solving process.
• Models built on cylinders, as the example above, may be easier to construct on a rougher, flat surface, such as a piece of paper or cardboard, if a table top is too smooth and offers little friction.
• Orient a puzzle piece and place it on the model if an individual gets stuck or cannot orient the piece correctly. Then pick it up, turn it askew, and hand it to the individual to orient. The individual may not be able to "see" the shape as it would look in a different orientation and a visual demonstration like that can help a great deal.
• Use consistent directional and positional language as you cue.
• Work on visual discrimination, visualization, spatial relations, visual closure, visual form constancy, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, in-hand manipulation, coordinated use of both hands, executive functioning skills, process skills, leisure exploration and participation