Get Packing

Get Packing - Pack your suitcase so that the lid will close

Imagine that you're in a competition and the grand prize is a dream vacation to one of 30 different exotic destinations. Of course before you can take off you'll have to pack a few things, and this is where Get Packing gets fun. Practice fine motor and spatial skills as you strategically pack the items you will need to take with you. 30 challenge/destination cards will have you jet-setting around the world. The first person to successfully pack their suitcase and shut the lid is the winner! Good luck, I know you could use the break :)

Up to four people can play Get Packing, and each person will get one suitcase and 13 pieces. (UPDATE: Since I blogged about this, now the only game available is for two players.) All four sets of pieces are the same. The suitcases are shallow and the pieces must fit in exactly for the lid to close. Not for those who frustrate easily as you may end up putting in and taking out the same pieces several times as you try different ways to pack. Each challenge will have 2 layers of items in the suitcase.

From the answer booklet. Each location is shown in two layers, top and bottom.

The 13 items to pack are bug spray, pool float, beach ball, swimsuit bottom, teddy bear, flipper and snorkel, diving mask, sunscreen, sun hat, swim trunks, flip-flops, t-shirt, sunglasses. Many of the pieces have a shape that has been filled in at the bottom to make pieces more difficult/exact to fit. Here is an example:

There are 30 round challenge cards and a solution booklet. Each card will show either seven, eight, or nine items to pack. The instructions offer two different variations: 1) Even the playing field between kids and adults by requiring the adult to play with their non-dominant hand, and 2) Set a timer for 30 seconds and try to pack the suitcase before time runs out. One side of the card will name a destination, and searching for this destination is how you will look up the solution if you need it.

This is the type of spatial game that used to frustrate me, but after years of helping kids in this area, I also helped myself (imagine that :). Don't despair if you have trouble with the first game or two. After playing a few games you will start to develop strategies that will help you: 1) Put the big pieces in first since it's easier to find a space for a small item toward the end, 2) certain shapes go together to make other shapes (like two small triangles will fill a square space) and, 3) put pieces with diagonal sides next to other pieces with diagonal sides. Teach kids to look for these types of strategies. Initially I didn't think I would play it much, but now I have almost everybody playing it, even if it's just to put the pieces in the suitcase following the pattern on the solution sheet.  

So let's get packing! 

Object:

Be the first to pack your bag and close the lid to win a challenge card. Win three challenge cards to win the game.

Set up:

Give each person an empty suitcase. Give each person one set of items (one each of 13 different items). Mix the destination cards and place them face-down in the middle of the players. Turn the first card face-up. Each player finds the pieces shown on the card and places them by their suitcase.

Play:

On go, all players play at once. Work to get all your pieces into the suitcase so that the lid closes flat. Be quick, as the first one done will win the card.

Try this:

• Use the solution book and everyone pack one or two suitcases before playing the game to see how the pieces fit together in the bag.
• Skip the game, just play with the suitcases and packing pieces. Pack one challenge card at a time and eliminate the need for speed.
• Use the solution booklet for a faster game. Put all pieces into the suitcase but one. Let the individual place the last piece. Do another puzzle and place all pieces but two and let the individual figure out how to pack the last two. Then three, etc., until the individual is packing them all independently.
• Pack a suitcase and problem solve aloud as the individual looks on so they can learn the process and how to think about it. Say things like "this piece won't fit here because" or "I need to look for a small piece to fit into this small space".
• Pack a suitcase while the individual plays next to you. Let them copy your work while they learn.
• Pack a suitcase. Place it near the player and ask them to pack a suitcase just like it.
• Place the pieces on the table upside-down and ask the player to pick up one of each piece that he will need, turning them in-hand and placing them next to his suitcase right-side-up before starting.
• Sort out the pieces you will need before you start for a faster game. Place them all in a pile in the middle of the table and make players find what they need as they play for a longer game.
• Work on visual discrimination, spatial relations, eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, fine motor, planning, problem solving, logic, executive functioning skills, process skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 4 suitcases, 52 packing pieces, 30 challenge/destination cards, solution booklet

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

Jack Straws

Jack Straws - A type of pick-up-sticks featuring tiny tools

Your fine motor skills will be put to the test with Jack Straws. Fifty light-weight, miniature plastic tools, shaped like the real thing, makes this game look fun right from the get-go. Included in the box are miniature rakes, hoes, crutches, ladders, wrenches, canes and shovels, to mention a few.

Do you remember pick-up-sticks? This reminds me of pick-up-sticks because you have to pick up one tool at a time without disturbing any tools around it. This game is similar but a lot more fun because of 2 differences: 1) the pieces are all different shapes that keep them from rolling and may give you something to grip and 2) there is a hook with a very thin wire to help you pick the pieces up, if you are lucky enough to remove it before your opponent. With that being said, the wire is thin and pieces are slick and they can still be difficult to pick up. 

The pieces fall into four different groups, depending on how difficult they are to pick up, and each group has it's own point value. The box reads "Steady hands not included".

Do you see that hook on the end of the wire in the image at the top of this page? Well mine didn't have a very defined hook and nothing would stay on it so I attempted to bend it, thinking a wire this thin ought to bend quite easily.  Well it didn't, and that part at the very end of the hook that is curled under easily pierced my thumb, twice. I will leave it for my husband to figure out tonight. That man can fix anything. Off to find the Neosporin...

Object:
Have the most points when all of the pieces have been claimed.

Set up:
Empty the tools on the table and create a messy pile.

Play:
Taking turns, players will announce a piece that want to remove and then attempt to pick it up. If they are successful, without moving any of the surrounding pieces, the player claims the piece and the next player plays. If a player moves another piece at all while attempting to pick up his piece, his turn ends immediately. Play until all pieces have been picked up. Players add up their points using the scoring in the instructions. Highest scorer is the winner.

Try this:

• Practice picking up the pieces and using the tool before playing a game. 
• Allow a person who picks up a piece successfully to keep going, picking up as many as he can in one turn. 
• Allow anyone to use the hook at any time during the game.
• Ask the player to describe how each tool could be used. You may get some fun(ny) answers here.
• Sort the tools into piles by how they can be used. For instance, a shovel and hoe can both be used in the garden. The golf club and oar are both used for sports. Or all four can be used for outdoor activities. How many different categories can you come up with?
• Work on visual discrimination, figure ground, eye-hand coordination, fine motor precision, manual dexterity, tool use, motor planning, graded movement, socialization skills, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 50 plastic tools, 1 hook

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