The Cat Game

The Cat Game - A chance to practice precision with a writing tool.

I will have to give it to The Cat Game for having one of the most unusual game boxes I have ever seen. The pet-able box lid may be the attention-getter you need to get things off and running. This is one of those games that just might entice someone to pick up a writing tool and have some fun, especially if they like cats.

The Cat Game is a drawing and guessing game. The game comes with 18 assorted cut out cats in different poses and with different facial expressions (see image below). The tallest ones are about 2.5" tall. Also included are two drawing boards, two blue dry erase markers and 150 cat-egory cards.

The category cards each have three categories - 1) Flicks (movies), 2) PURRsons and PURRfessionals and 3) CAT-tivities. Here are a few examples of what can fall into each category:

• Flicks - Jurassic Park, Beauty and the Beast, Mission: Impossible
• PURRsons and PURRfessionals - Tuba player, George Washington, kickboxer
• Cat-tivities - Eating sushi, alien abduction, ice skating

After choosing what you will draw, choose a cat cut out(s) that you feel will help you get your message across, place it under the clear plastic on the drawing board, and draw on top of it (two blue dry erase markers are included). You can add physical features, clothing, accessories, and any other objects that would help the player(s) guess what you are drawing. For instance, if drawing a waiter, you could draw your cat holding a tray with food on it, but also a table and another cat or stick person sitting on the chair at the table for context. Whatever will help get your idea across. Here are some examples of drawing on the cats: 

Cats with drawings added.

Object:

First player to earn five cards wins.

Set up:

Shuffle the cards and place them in a face down pile. Spread out the 18 cats so everyone can see them.

Play:

Players take turns. The first player picks a card, chooses one category, picks the cat(s) he wants to use and places them under the plastic. He announces the category and then proceeds to draw while all other players look on. Players can call out guesses and the first player to guess correctly gets the card. The board and marker are passed to the person on the left, who picks a new card and the steps are repeated until someone wins five cards.

Try this:

• Skip the game. Just have fun picking a category and drawing on the cats.
• Talk about how body position and facial expression help you understand communication. It's not just with people.
• Let the individual drawing use their cell phone or some other source to look up a picture to help them determine how/what to draw if drawing from memory is difficult for them.
• Decide to skip a category up front if a player does not feel he could guess correctly in that category. For instance, I am not a movie watcher, so I would be a complete failure in that category.
• Give the person opportunities to guess as you go, before your picture is finished. Can they fill in the lines in their mind and guess correctly?
• Work on using a writing tool, efficient writing grip, fine motor precision, manual dexterity, visual closure, eye-hand coordination, spatial relations, process skills, socialization skills, executive functioning skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: cutout cats, 2 drawing boards, 2 dry erase markers, category cards

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

Learning Resources Lab Set

Lab Set - Conduct real hands-on experiments.

While this Lab Set is not exactly a game, it is a fun activity none the less. I have included it because it covers many goals an OT might work on such as using measuring tools, following multi-step directions, using hand tools, using your senses, well I could go on and on. 

In the box are all of the items you see above. The instruments are large and made of hard plastic. If you look at the picture on the box you can get an idea of the sizes.

Also included are 10 experiment cards. The cards are laminated and large, measuring 10" x 7". Besides the name, there are three things listed on the front of each card: 1) Tools needed, 2) Extras (items not supplied in the box) and 3) Key science concept that you will be testing. On the back are the step-by-step directions. There are between four and seven steps per card. The age on this box starts at 3+, so these are very basic experiments. Here are a few examples:

• What's That Smell? - Fill four test tubes with fragrant substances. Identify the smells with your eyes closed.
• Dancing Raisins - Use the magnifying glass to watch raisins dance in clear soda.
• Mini Volcano - Make a small volcano and watch it erupt.
• Sink and Float - Add different items to a beaker of water and watch to see if they sink or float.

Ingredients needed over the 10 cards, besides the tools in the box, are water, food color, baking soda, vinegar, paper towels, cooking oil, cotton balls, celery, seeds and soil, bugs, clear soda, raisins, dull pennies, lemon juice, variety of substances each with a distinct smell such as vanilla, perfume, cinnamon and coffee, and small objects such as coins, cereal pieces, and rocks.

Learning Resources has a whole line of these lab sets.

Monitor for safety. 

Try this:

• Name each instrument before you start the experiments. Show how each is used.
• Allow for time to try out the instruments without involving an experiment.
• Allow time for free play.

In the box: Beaker, eyedropper, flask, funnel, glasses, magnifying glass, test tubes, tweezers, 10 activity cards

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