

Smarty Blocks
Fall 2014 GamesSmarty Blocks, an educational game for two to four players aged five years and up, includes ten wooden learning blocks, eighty double-sided challenge cards, a sand timer, and game rules. The object of the game is to complete as many of the challenges as possible in one minute. There are two levels of play (indicated by color-coding on the cards themselves), one for children who can read and one for those who cannot. Challenges range from simple stacking tasks to more complex problems involving sequencing, reading, spelling, math and logic.
The fast-paced nature of the game as well as the attractive, easy-to-handle blocks make it especially appealing to young children. Those not yet ready for the challenges can simply play with the blocks and/or ease into the games via pattern recognition, number and letter recognition, sequencing, etc.
Although our testers wished for a better storage solution (once the packaging cellophane is removed, the blocks fall out and are easy to misplace) they eagerly applauded the learning value, unique design, and engaging game play.