Bejeweled

Bejeweled - Prepare to be bedazzled.

Bejeweled is a tabletop game that was designed after a popular digital game by the same name. Kids today may prefer the digital app, but as an OT I like playing the 3D version, considering all the pieces there are to manipulate.

 

There are two different types of plastic gems, regular and power, that are set up on a plastic grid/tray. The power gems look the same as the regular gems with the exception that they have glitter in them. The grid is 8 X 8, so it will take 64 of the gems, sitting side-by-side.

 

 

Game in play.

Object:

Be the first player to accumulate three different colored sets with three scoring chips each.

 

Set up:

Randomly fill the tray with the regular gems. Make sure that you don't place three of any one color in a row horizontally or vertically. Place the remaining 10 regular gems and the 7 power gems in the bag.

 

Play:

Players take turns. Each play will swap two gems that are sitting side-by-side (horizontally or vertically) on the tray. The goal is to make a row or column of three or more gems of the same color. If you do, take those gems off the tray. If you match three of one color you will also collect 1 scoring chip of that color. If you match four of one color you will collect 2 scoring chips of that color. If you match five or more gems of one color you will collect 3 scoring chips of that color. You also collect one chip for each power gem you remove. Once you have removed the gems from the grid, push the gems forward to fill in any gaps. Refill the tray with gems from the bag, then put the gems you took off the tray back into the bag. Your turn is over and the next person plays. Once a player has accumulated three different colored sets of three scoring chips, he wins. 

Try this:

• Skip the game, just line up the gems on the tray by color to practice sorting by color.
• Randomly fill the tray. Call out colors and ask the individual to pick up any gem of that color and hold it in his cupped, non-dominant hand. See how many pieces can be held without dropping.
• Set up the game by picking up two or three gems in the hand. Bring them to the fingertips one at a time and rotate and place without dropping any.
• Make a pattern card by drawing an 8 X 8 grid of squares and coloring in the squares to match the colors in the game. Prop the pattern card in front of the person (or lay it off to the side of the tray) and ask the individual to recreate this pattern on the tray using the gems. Leave some of the spaces empty for a more difficult game.
• Work on visual discrimination, figure ground, spatial relations/position in space, eye-hand coordination, visual scanning, visual closure, manual dexterity, fine motor precision, sequencing, executive functioning, values, social interaction, play exploration and participation 
  

In the box: 84 gems, 7 power gems, 70 scoring coins, bag, game tray 

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

Thin Ice

Thin Ice - Don't let your marble be the one that breaks the ice!

Using tweezers, pick up and set one marble at a time onto the top of the igloo. The weight from the marbles will eventually break through the "thin ice" tissue, and all the marbles will fall into the base. It does make a racket, for those who need the forewarning.

Once you run out of tissues, you can use regular tissues, like Kleenex. I use single ply. I actually added some of my own glass marbles because we have played games where the tissue has not given way even though all marbles were on it. Maybe a cheaper brand or thinner tissue would be better. Not for young kids or anyone who may put a marble in the mouth.

The base, legs, and hoops all make up the igloo and are lightweight plastic. To assemble, stand the three legs on the base. Place a tissue over one hoop and press the second hoop on top to make the tissue taut. That part is then balanced on the three legs. I typically have to try a few times to assemble it, getting the legs balanced while putting the hoop on the top without the legs falling.The marbles are plastic and come in four colors - red, blue, green and yellow. Although the image below shows only three colors. So you may only get three.

Object:

Don't be the one to place the marble that breaks through the ice (tissue).

Set up:

Assemble the igloo. Place the marbles around the base. Place the tweezers nearby.

Play:

Each player, in turn, will pick up one marble from the base and place it on top of the tissue. Keep taking turns until someone "breaks the ice" by putting on the marble that breaks through the tissue. 

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

Try this:

• Work on colors by calling a color of marble for each player to pick up.
• Put the game away by cupping one hand, fingers together, and dropping the marbles in one at a time. How many can you hold? Throw the handful into the box and do it again, switching hands.
• Put the game away by picking up one marble at a time and squirreling it in the palm. Get a handful before putting them into the box.
• Set the game up by picking up the marbles with the tweezers and putting them into the rim of the base.
• Ask the player to name the marble colors as he picks them up.
• Put the game away by grabbing up a handful of marbles in the dominant hand. Bring them to the fingertips one at a time and count them as you drop them back into the box.
• Skip the game and just use the base. Sort the marbles by color into the base.
• Ask the individual to put two or three marbles onto the igloo on each turn, not just one. Give him a sequence, such as red-yellow, for the order of placement.
• Skip the tweezers and use your fingers to place the marbles.
• Work on visual discrimination, in-hand manipulation, manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, fine motor precision, tool use, palmar arch support, coordinated use of both hands, socialization skills, executive functioning skills, process skills, play and leisure exploration and participation  

In the box: Igloo base, 2 hoops, 3 legs, marbles, tissues, tweezers

Ages 5+, 2+ players

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

It's a Charlie Brown Christmas Android App

A charming Christmas story from my youth that still offers hope today. It's A Charlie Brown Christmas is one of several interactive apps from Loud Crow based on the Peanuts gang. This app features original images and voices from the TV special that aired 50 years ago. Plenty of interactive features makes this app a kid pleaser. Start by decorating your own Christmas tree for the story, then change the shape of falling snowflakes by tapping them, help Snoopy decorate his house for the contest, play a piano tune with Schroeder, make the stars twinkle by tapping them, and help Linus knock the cans off the wall. Follow along with the written story (at the bottom of the app) as it is read by the now-adult Linus (Christopher Shea).

Some of the scenes from the story:

 

My favorite parts are Linus stepping onto the stage and quoting several Bible verses from the Christmas story and the gang singing Hark the Herald Angles Sing at the end. A Christmas favorite for me.

 

If you are interested in purchasing this app or just want more information, click on the image below. I see that there is a free version right now.

 

 

Oriental Trading Thanksgiving

One of my favorite places to shop for craft kits and sticker sheets is an online store called Oriental Trading.  I also shop at my local Michael's and Hobby Lobby, but if you need at least a dozen of one thing, Oriental Trading will have a better price and more greater selection. Shipping is expensive these days, but if you sign up for their newsletter, they will send you offers from time to time for free shipping on any order, no dollar minimum. Some of the crafts I am using this season are the sun catcher turkeys, the Thanksgiving sticker scenes, and the cornucopia. The cornucopia offers opportunities to lace, remove the backing off adhesive stickers and work with letters. I have had a problem with an order only twice and the customer service is fast and fair in resolving issues. I have been a regular customer for many years. They have a lot of variety and things for all holidays as well as everyday.

If you are interested in checking out Oriental Trading this link will take you there.

Oriental Trading