miQube

miQube features four strategic games and a puzzle, all in one box.

If you're like me and you like games that play different ways, check out miQube by Mindware.

All pieces are wooden. The game board measures 6.25" square. It is covered with 36 black and neutral colored squares, colors alternating like a checker board. You can see the bottom right hand corner of the board in the image above. 

Each of the 13 pieces is made up of multiple small blocks that have been joined together to form an irregular shape. Each piece is made up of anywhere from four to six of these small blocks. There are two pieces and a die sitting next to the board in the image above. There are six different colors and each side of a piece will have only one color per side. You can see that in the image above also. The colors are red, black, white, green, orange and blue. The die has a different color on each side and the six colors match the colors on the 13 pieces. 

Puzzle:

Build a cube that is four blocks high by four blocks wide by four blocks deep. Each side of the cube will be made up of one color only, a different color for each side. There is only one solution.

Games:

• Domination - For 2, 3, or 4 players. Dominate the board with your color by covering the largest amount of the board's surface. The person with the highest number of their colored dots facing up at the end of the game is the winner.
• Advance - For 2, 3, or 4 players. Advance your color across the board and take over the most territory. The person who has advanced upon more territory than their opponents by the end of the game is the winner.
• Connect Five - For 2 players. Place your pieces so that they form a chain made up of five of your colors in a row. The chain can be straight or diagonal. Colors are considered to be in a line even if they are on different levels. First player to make this chain of five is the winner.
• Gridlock - Stop other players from placing their pieces by blocking their moves. Last person to successfully place a piece on the board is the winner.

Try this:

• Look over the pieces before playing. Play with the pieces, putting them together in different formations, and observe how a single color is on each side.
• Work on visual discrimination, spatial relations, manual dexterity, logic, strategy, problem solving, executive functioning skills, process skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: Game board, 13 pieces, custom die

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

Mix and Match Magnetic Vehicles

Lots of possibilities with magnetic vehicle parts.

Cement truck, train, bulldozer and semi truck are just a few of the vehicles you can create with Mix and Match Magnetic Vehicles. The set include five bases, each with four wheels that move freely. An additional 17 pieces are included to build with and on. The black rectangles that you see on the pieces in the image above are the magnets. Most of the pieces have more than one magnet in different locations so you have more options for building. The pieces are made of hard plastic.

There are a number of reviews on Lakeshore Learning, where this Magnetic Vehicles set is sold, that talk about weak magnets. In my set, some of them hold tight, others not as much. They will hold tight enough to attach and hold as you push them around, but may not be strong enough to hold if you try to pick up your vehicle. 

Try this:

• Build several vehicles ahead of time and take a picture of each. Present each picture so that the individual can build a vehicle that looks just like it.
• Call pieces by color for building. For instance, let's put a purple piece on top of a white bottom. Now put a red piece behind the purple piece.
• Reinforce positional language as you play. Use words like below, under, on top of, above, next to, etc.
• Make one great big vehicle, linking the bases together. Can you use all the pieces?
• Talk about each vehicle as you make it. Describe what it is used for (hauling, moving earth, mixing cement, etc.).
• Make up a story about construction. Build each vehicle and describe how it will be involved in the process.
• Work on visual discrimination, spatial orientation, manual dexterity, creative play, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 22 pieces

If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, go to the Lakeshore Learning website.