Learning Resources Mental Blox Critical Thinking Game, Homeschool, 20 Blocks, 40 Activity Cards, Ages 5+,Multicolor

I use this game in my Public Speaking course (Freshman-level Speech) for college students. We play the game 2 different ways: 1) Active Listening/Effective Communication: There are about 5-6 students in a group. I have the picture cards. One student from each group will come view the card for 10 seconds and then return to the group to describe how to build the structure in the picture. They have to employ memory skills and effective communication skills during this process. They have to remember the shapes, colors, and patterns on each block and how they were positioned in the picture, and THEN they have to communicate all of that info back to the group. And when they are actively competing against other teams, it's even more challenging, but it gets them up and moving and working in teams, which is my goal. (15-30 mins) 2) Team-Building/Small Group Communication: Again, there are about 5-6 students in a group (I would prefer 4 or less, but I only have 2 sets of these blocks). They determine their own roles in the group and what each member will do. Some choose to observe, some prefer to build, and some prefer to interpret the cards and direct the building of the structure. The cards include a picture and a challenge statement at the bottom, so after they build the structure, they must then rebuild the structure according to the challenge statement. Only a few of the challenges have only ONE answer, so they inadvertently discuss all possible solutions. I generally don't interact with the groups when they are playing this game; I prefer to monitor if and how well their teams are working together and occasionally offer remind them who is hands-on, who is good at interpreting data, and who is a good evaluator or helper. (15-30 mins) Durability: pretty good 1) The cards are printed on slick paper and are fairly durable. 2) The blocks are plastic and get knocked over often. We have linoleum floors in our classrooms so they have endured some abuse. Only one block has broken so far - the sphere - and we just taped it back together and it's still going strong. What you get: 1) The cards are double-sided and include 40 puzzles total. They range from easy to difficult. 2) There are 2 sets of blocks included, which allows (for me) only 2 teams to be working from the same set of cards. For $18, I have gotten a LOT of use out of this critical-thinking game. I will most likely add 2 more sets to my collection, to facilitate more group activities in the classroom. The only downside is I have only been able to incorporate the game once per semester, but that could just be a lack of creativity on my part.

This is seriously the best game for all ages! I don’t know why it says 5+ as it can easily be modified for toddlers and every age above. I have children ranging in ages from 3-12 and they all love this puzzle game. I originally purchased it as a sensory toy for my five year old child with sensory processing disorder. This game helps calm him as he focuses on building each picture. He is also able to build what I describe to him. His older siblings like to play too and even the three year old can copy the pictures on the card. It truly is a game for every age. The pieces are made from hard plastic and are perfect for little hands. My only complaint is the game cards. Though they are laminated card stock they are very thin making them easy to bend. Already ours are bending and creasing.

This 3-D puzzle game is a lot of fun. The pictures give great ideas for the builder to make. I love that the cards are multi-level and multi-lingual. All different age groups can enjoy these for hours of fun!

I’m not sure why it is labeled 5+. I have two 3 year olds that were able to do even the most “challenging” cards on the first try...it’s just matching the blocks the picture, it’s pretty simple. I think pattern blocks or tangram puzzles are much more difficult. It is nicely made and I try to pull it out from time to time but it doesn’t hold their attention very well.

I first heard about this game from a great review by a fellow homeschooling mom. I am so glad we decided to get it. We use this as just same basic logic/critical thinking activities during our school day. My 5 and 3 year old use this and love it. It says that it is for ages 5 and up, but with a little encouragement, my 3 year old can participate. The blocks are made of sturdy colorful plastic. The cards give them lots of different puzzles to make, change and figure out and the game itself comes with 2 different ways to play. I like that there are 2 sets of identical blocks, it makes it easy to play with 2 kids ( or 2 teams even). We haven't gotten to the harder levels yet, but so far this game has been great. I like that it makes learning and thinking so much fun.

I love the many ways i can use this activity and how i can dial it up or down for different levels of development. For the younger kids i show the a card and ask them to build it. For the older kids i have them build a design using no more than one of each shape/color unseen by me and have them describe it to me so i can build it. Great fun. Only complaint is when returning it to the box the cardboard dividers do not stay together and i must fit them together to keep the pieces seperate like i want to store them. This is a bit time consuming. I guess i will get some tape and affix them so i don't have this problem.

I purchased this item in 2019 for my grandkids. Five years later, I’m using the same item for 2 other grandkids. It develops vocabulary, concentration, copying figures to 3-D. Figures are durable and easy to handle for 3-4 year old hands. This is truly a learning toy! I did not make a mistake when I purchased this in 2019.

I bought this for my kindergarten class because I thought that it was the perfect thing for them to do during math time. They love building stuff even when not following the cards that were included in the set. It is a fun game but it is frustrating when the pieces topple over and fall down but I guess that is a good thing because it just encourages you to keep on trying to get it right. I love how it has 3 different languages on the cards because it makes it easier for people who don't speak English. Love this product a lot. :)

Ce jeu a été une très belle découverte. Je l’utilise avec mon fils autiste pour travailler la perception spatiale, la logique et la concentration, et il a fait d’énormes progrès grâce à Mental Blox. Les pièces sont agréables à manipuler, solides, bien conçues, et les cartes de défi stimulent vraiment la réflexion. L’approche est ludique, non scolaire, ce qui rend l’apprentissage plus fluide et naturel. Aujourd’hui, il est capable de réaliser toutes les cartes, un apprentissage long mais toujours positif et motivant pour lui. C’est un jeu intelligent, bien pensé et "autism friendly", que je recommande sincèrement à tous les parents d’enfants neuroatypiques, ou simplement à ceux qui veulent un outil amusant pour développer la logique et la visualisation dans l’espace. Un vrai coup de cœur.

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Mi hijo tiene 6 años y entrará a primero de primaria. Es muy listo, así que colocar las piezas como la foto no le cuesta ningún trabajo, y hasta me Desanimé un poco, PERO de ahí leí que en cada carta hay una pregunta o reto por lograr y ahí es cuando las cosas se ponen interesantes. La mente se pone a trabajar y es cuando se convierte en un juego de buen nivel con pensamiento analitico e intuitivo. Las piezas son de plastico resistente. Las esferas tienen dos bases para que se mantengan en su lugar y los colores son brillantes. Muy buen juego de calidad como todo lo de Learning Resources. Lo recomiendo!

This is a fantastic game and I wish I had come up with the idea. It is a favourite amongst my students with visual motor skills difficulties. They love the look and feel of the blocks and how challenging the cards can be. I have since ordered 2 more for my class so there is not an argument over them.

My 3.5-year-old son loves the challenge of recreating images with the blocks. It's both challenging and fun. an excellent tool for early critical thinking.