Kid K'Nex Furry Friends

Build 8 models with 22 pieces.

K'Nex is one of my favorite construction sets (LEGO is my top favorite). K'Nex pieces are unlike any other construction set that I know of and many of the sets are animal-themed, like this Furry Friends set. Some of the pieces are somewhat flexible while others are not flexible at all (like feet and eyes). This is definitely a two-handed activity and the pieces take some strength to push/pinch together.

One big reason that I prefer LEGOs over other construction sets is because sets typically include a step-by-step guide. K'Nex sets do not. You will typically get a large sheet with a number of images of finished models. The individual must be able to create a 3D model from a 2D model where parts of pieces, and even whole pieces at times, are not visible. This will take some thinking. This set includes images for eight furry friends (see below). You can only make one model at a time. To build a different model you will have to disassemble the first one since there are only 22 pieces.

The 8 models in this set.

To read more about construction toys, click here.

Try this:

• Give time for free play at the beginning so that the person can examine the different shaped pieces and how they snap together.
• Ask the individual to pick up the model when possible and hold it in one hand while adding pieces with the other hand so that both hands work together while adding pieces.
• Hold the model in the non-dominant hand and pick up the correct piece in the dominant hand, setting up a natural opportunity to manipulate the piece in-hand for placement. 
• Turn pieces on the table so they are not in the correct orientation. Ask the individual to pick up a piece and turn it in-hand to the correct orientation.
• Set a piece, or only a few pieces, at a time in front of the individual to cue him which piece(s) he will be placing next. It can be difficult to look at a completed model and determine where to start and/or how to proceed. 
• Give the beginner one piece at a time as he needs it and point to the piece on the picture to direct where he should place it. Or gives clues such as 'let's add the head next', or 'now it's time to add the legs'.
• Cover the part of the model that you are not working on to reduce confusion or to direct the building sequence. 
• Keep the unused pieces in a pile so the child will have to search for each needed piece. Turn some of the pieces upside down or half bury them under other pieces so they will look different from the picture.
• Add a piece while the individual watches if he gets stuck. Then take the piece off, turn it so that it is not in the correct orientation, and hand it to the individual to add back on.
• Advise the child to hold the model in the same orientation as the one in the picture to aid in orienting pieces.
• Have fun building your own creations. Describe them, name them, talk about the different body parts and how they will get around.
• Work on visual discrimination, visual closure, visual form constancy, figure ground, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, coordinated use of both hands, in-hand manipulation, finger/hand strength, motor planning, executive functioning skills, sequencing, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 22 pieces, building guide

I SPY Holiday Wishes

A non-traditional, holiday I SPY memory game.

I SPY Holiday Wishes is a Christmas card game. Unlike the typical I SPY game, this game is based on memory only. You will not be searching for objects in busy backgrounds.

The cards are a little bigger than the average playing card, measuring 3.5" x 5.5". The Wish cards each feature one large item in the middle, something you might wish for at Christmas, surrounded by small items. The item in the middle is different on each card but the smaller items around the edge are the same on all cards and are just a decorative border. The item in the middle is the object you will be remembering. Here is a picture of the Stocking card and the Wishes Come True card. There are 4 of each.

Object:
Collect the most cards.

Set up:
Shuffle all the cards together and deal them equally to players.

Play:
The first player begins a wish list by placing any one of his cards face-up in the middle of the playing area so everyone can see it. He names the main item on the card. For instance, if laying the card with the candy cane in the middle he will say, "I SPY a candy cane." He then turns the card face-down. The next player will show one card from his hand and then add it, face-down, to the pile. Here are his options for play:

• Play a Wish card: A player will play one card face-up for all to see, name the item on the card, and then turn the card face-down and place it on top of the previous card, building a pile.
• Play a Wishes Come True card: A player can play this card on any of his turns. Once played, the player will recite from memory all the cards in the pile that have already been played, in the order they were played. If he is correct, he gets all the cards. If he is not correct, the cards remain in the face-down pile and the next player takes their turn.
• Play a Stocking card: A player can play this card on any of his turns. This card gives the player the opportunity to pick up the pile of played cards, flip them over, and look at them. Then, they must place the pile face-down again and recite from memory each card in the order it was played.

To determine if the player is correct, someone will have to look at the cards. This will give that person an advantage of having seen all the cards again. If you have another person who is not playing but will agree to play this role, it would be nice. Another option is for the cards to be played in a line as you go, instead of in a pile. As the person names each card he flips it over and checks, with all players looking on. Then everyone has the same advantage of a review. Play continues until all the cards have been played. Players count the cards they have collected and the one with the most cards is the winner.

You probably won't be able to hold and fan these cards like regular playing cards. There are a lot of them and each player will get quite a few. Since they are not printed in the corner with the object featured in the middle, when you fan them you cannot see what is in the middle. Players will just have to hold the cards and flip through them the best they can. Another option is for all players to keep their un-played cards in a face-down pile in front of them. In turn, each player will just flip his top card over and play that card.

Check out other Christmas games on my Christmas Edition post. 

Check out more fun figure ground games at I SPY Games. 

Try this:

• Place three cards, face-up, on top of each other as you name them. Then ask the other player to name them. If he can, he gets the pile. Then he does the same for you. Once the player can name three, then play four cards, then five, etc.
• Place all the cards face-up so everyone can see them. Ask one player to choose three things he would want for Christmas. He names each card as he picks them up. Then another player will recite the three cards without looking at them. If he is correct, he gets the cards. Then he picks up three, etc. Keep playing until you can pick up four or five. A little different from the idea above because it lets everyone look at the pictures and choose their favorites.
• Place the shuffled deck face-down in the playing area. A player will pick up three cards, adding them to his hand and naming them as he goes. Separate each card and pick it up off the stack without sliding other cards off the deck. The player hands the cards to someone else and recites the cards in order. If correct, he gets them back. If not, the other player keeps them. Play with four or five to remember. 
• Practice saying the cards in order several times, out loud as you play. This may help you remember them. Then move to rehearsing the order silently in your mind as you play. 
• Work on visual discrimination, visual memory, sequential memory, short-term memory, manual dexterity, process skills, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
  

In the box: 40 Wish cards, 4 Stocking cards, 4 Wishes Come True cards, 2 rules cards