Not all tech games are created equal. I am not a huge fan of video games, but my kiddos enjoy them and I don’t mind participating once in a while. But, truth be told, they drive me crazy. I can’t steer with those joystick controller things, I get a bit of vertigo during games that have you up in the sky, jumping over stuff and the constant fights and races and weird little mushroom creatures popping up and ink bombs going off, well, it drives me up the wall. So, when we were asked to check out Osmo, I was a bit skeptical that it would be worth my time. After a bit of research, I realized this was exactly the type of game we needed in this house.
Osmo is an award-winning educational game system designed for ages 5 and up that features hands-on learning games for the iPad. All you need to play is an iPad with a camera and the Starter Kit or Genius Kit. With its unique gaming accessory, Osmo changes the way children interact with the iPad and gives gaming a whole new meaning. We use my iPad Mini to play with Osmo and it works perfectly.
The Osmo Starter Kit comes with the following:
- The Osmo Game System (white iPad base & red reflector that goes over the iPad camera)
- Words game with two complete alphabet letter tile sets
- Tangram game with wood tangram pieces
- Masterpiece and Newton games (which don’t require any pieces: just paper, pen and imagination).
- All games are free downloads from the App Store but you need the Osmo game system (base + reflector) to play them
- MSRP: $174.98
- RETAIL AVAILABILITY: Amazon.ca & Best Buy Canada
Once we had the box open setting up the games was pretty easy. It took us a couple of minutes to download the apps and then we were off to the races! The Osmo Coding game teaches coding to young children using problem-solving and logic skills. These are the skills kids are going to need to succeed in this ever increasing digital world. Just to write this blog I have had to teach myself how to do some coding and it was not easy. 🙂 It is a skill every person should have.
Both my seven and thirteen year olds have had fun playing with Osmo and the Coding Game. Even their dad has snuck on it a few times. 🙂 While the educational part is not lost on me, my kids don’t seem to notice they are learning. Osmo is a great item to purchase and add to as your children learn the different games that go with it. This is one form of gaming I don’t mind at all. 😉
Do you or your children like to play video games? Which ones are your favourite?
FT&PD
Suz
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Disclosure: I was provided with the Osmo Starter Kit and Coding Game for the purposes of facilitating this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
My 6yr old grandson would play video games 24 hrs a day if his mum & dad let him! I on the other hand wouldn’t know where to start 🙂
kathy downey says
This does sound rather interesting,thanks for sharing!
Stephanie LaPlante says
This looks like a fun way to learn. I’ve never heard of this.
LisaM says
This looks awesome. Our son loves to play video games – just like his dad does. They play a variety of things together which is kind of cool.
Canadianmummum says
My grandson likes to play on the Xbox One but I think this would be a better alternative.
Darlene Schuller says
Oh this might be great for my 10 year old. She has a very small list this year… iphone/laptop/drawing tablet/3ds …… small but dang she’s trying to break me!
I’m sure you guessed by now she’s not getting a freaking Iphone.. nor is she getting a laptop…. I’m doin the last 2 things… maybe this will substitute for the 2 I’m not getting lol