RapiDoodle

Practice drawing with precision. Make your own game without buying this one.

RapiDoodle is another doodle game to get those writing tools into the hands of kids. I need to say up front that this one does not involve copying, so it will take some imagination and skill on the part of the players. I find that kids with good visual perceptual skills often like games like this. There are instructions for two different versions, beginner and advanced, which I will explain below.

There are four exact sets of shape cards, each set has nine cards. Each set has a different color border around the outside edge so they are easy to separate. Each shape card is divided into four squares, and the same shape is printed in grey in each square. Look closely at the image on the box above and you will see a pyramid, a house, a teepee, and a sailboat. Each drawing started with the beginning shape of a triangle.

There are 18 different shapes total (9 cards, 2 sided, 18 shapes). Shapes include a diamond, square, arrow, long thin rectangle, zigzag, half circle, circle, heart, and hexagon.

A RapidDoodle drawing tablet consists of a 5-1/4 X 5-3/4 inch piece of cardboard with a transparent piece of plastic (like the kind they use for overhead projectors) glued to the cardboard across the top. This way you can lift the plastic and place a shape card under it. Draw on the plastic with the dry erase marker, then erase and start over with a new shape card. There are four tablets included.

The markers are short, about 3-5/8 inches tall, and narrow, about the width of a pencil. The sand timer is for 1 minute, so this will require players to be able to think and work fast to complete 4 different doodles/images before time runs out. Or skip the timer like I do most of the time in most games.

Object:

Be the person with the most points after four rounds.

Set up:

Give each player a set of shape cards, a drawing tablet, a marker, and set the timer nearby. 

Play:

• BEGINNER - The first player looks through the shape cards and chooses one he likes. All players place that shape card into their drawing tablet. The timer is turned over and all players quickly draw four different images based on that shape. When the time is up, all players stop drawing. The player who chose the card describes each of his drawings - such as a person, a cat, a car, etc. If any of the other players have drawn the same thing, no one gets a point for that drawing. If the drawing is unique, the player gets one point, a possible four point per game. Each of the remaining players goes over his unique drawings. Players total their points for unique drawings and write the number at the very top of the drawing tablet to keep score. The next player chooses a shape card and players repeat the process. Play four times and total all the scores at the top of the tablet. Highest scorer is the winner. 
• ADVANCED -Before starting, shuffle and place the deck of bonus rules cards next to the players. Instead of each person choosing a drawing card, each player, in turn, will choose a bonus card. Each card shows a shape and a category. This is the shape card you will use to draw your four doodles. In addition, for each doodle you draw in the category listed, you will earn 1 extra point. Categories include a household object, clothing, found in a store, furniture, bigger than a person, found in nature, and food. There is also a memory rewind card that instructs players to play the last round's shape again, rewarding points only to doodles that are drawn by more than one player. After four rounds, the player with the most points wins.

If you would like to read more about games that require writing or drawing in some form, check out my post Games That Require a Writing Tool.  

Try this:

• Give players a minute to think about what they will draw before setting the timer.
• Stress precision - sharp corners, closed shapes, starting and stopping on a line, rounding, proportion, etc.
• Skip the timer. Draw four doodles and let the player copy you.
• Skip the game. Put a card in the drawing tablet and let the individual trace each of the images. Then take the shape card out and ask the individual to draw several without tracing. Leave the shape card next to the drawing tablet for reference, then remove the shape card after practicing for a more difficult challenge of drawing from memory. 
• Don't buy the game. Draw shapes on regular paper and play. Keep drawings to track and document improvement.
• Work on visual memory, visual closure, visual motor integration, fine motor precision, precise use of a writing tool, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation 
  

In the box: 4 drawing tablets, 4 dry erase markers, sand timer, 36 shape cards, 24 bonus rule cards

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

 

Operation

Operation - Using tweezers, remove the pieces that are bugging your patients

Somebody needs surgery and, for better or worse, you are the doctor. Operation is a game that has been around for a long time and it comes in lots of different themes. I have found that therapists are divided on their feelings about this game - some love it, some hate it. I use it occasionally but am careful who I use it with because of the high potential for frustration and the shrill sound it gives off. Of course you can avoid the sound, just take out the batteries. Some of the games also have a red light that will light up when you touch the sides, but that will not work either if you take the batteries out. 

The operating table is made of plastic and a pair of tweezers, the operating tool, are tethered to it by a piece of plastic coated wire. The table has a card stock picture of the victim on it and has 11 or 12 small holes, depending on the game version. The holes are shaped like the matching pieces and labeled so you know which piece goes where.

The pieces you need to remove are small, plastic, usually white and approximately 1/4 to 1/3 inches in size. The pieces are easy to lose because they are so small, so I keep mine in a baggie. Some of the game boards have a small drawer that slides open to keep the pieces in, but it doesn't snap shut so there is still the possibility of losing them.

All but one version that I have seen have money and cards that tell what you will be attempting to remove. Minion Operation is one version that I know of that doesn't have money and cards, you choose what you will remove. Below are images from the Star Wars version.

Left: The version described below.      Middle: Tweezers.      Right: Game board.

Object: 
Be the person with the most money when all 12 pieces have been removed.

Set up: 
Shuffle the cards. Deal out the specialist cards evenly between the players. Take any extras out of the game. Place the doctor cards face down next to the operating table (game board). Choose someone to distribute the money for successful operations and give them the money. Drop each piece flat into its matching hole on the game board.

Play: 
The first player draws a doctor card. The card will tell you which piece to attempt to remove and how much you will get if you remove it without setting off the buzzer and the light. The player gets one attempt. If he succeeds, the person in charge of the money gives him the amount shown on the card. If he is not successful the play passes to the person who has the specialist card for that piece. If he can remove it, he will get double the money. If neither remove the piece, the doctor card is placed on the bottom of the draw pile and the next player chooses the top card and plays. If the specialist does remove the piece, he is paid the money and both the doctor and specialist cards are taken out of play. The game ends when all 12 pieces have been successfully removed, freeing the victim from all his aches and pains. (Just like real life, right?)

To see a list of games with money, click here.
To see a list of games with tweezers or tongs, click here. 

Try this:

• Scatter the pieces on the table top and practice picking them up from there before attempting to pick up from inside the game board.
• Practice with the tweezers and the sound off before playing a game. Try different things with the tweezers - 1) Keep them closed (to avoid accidentally hitting the wall) while going into the hole and then open them, 2) Push the piece around so that it is lined up with the shape of the hole before attempting to remove, 3) Slide them under the part instead of trying to grab the piece from the top. 
• Forget the rules, the money and the cards. Just play 1:1 and try to remove the pieces.
• Give more attempts to remove a piece while setting off the sound. Start with four attempts, then move to three, two, one, as the player gets more experienced.
• Take the batteries out so you don't set off the buzzer and take as many turns as necessary to remove a part. Try to improve with practice.
• Place the pieces into the holes askew to make it more difficult to remove them.
• Start with the pieces on the playing surface and add them to the board instead of removing them.
• Quit if you sense frustration that is not eased with practice. This game is not for everybody. 
• Work on visual discrimination, figure ground, spatial relations/position in space, body awareness, tool use, fine motor control, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, thumb opposition, rounded web space, separation of the two sides of the hand, executive function skills, process skills, social interaction skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: Varies, but each has an operating table with a pair of tweezers attached and approximately 12 small pieces that fit into the holes on the board. Some also include game cards and money.  

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