Timberdoodle IQ Gears

I want to share with you today a fun game from Timberdoodle, IQ Gears.  IQ Gears is a one player game recommended for kids 7 and older or 3rd grade and up.  Even adults will enjoy getting their brain in gear!

What's included in our game?

Our set includes the compact game board with transparent lid, 7 puzzle pieces with gears and a booklet containing 120 challenges and their solutions.  The 120 challenges increase in difficulty from Starter, Junior, Expert, Master, and Wizard.

 

Above you can see the 7 different colored gears pieces and their various shapes.  Also notice the big wheels on the side of our game board, these are important.
 

How do you play?

Simply try to fit all the gears on the game board.  When the solution is correct, the pieces will connect and the big wheels on the side of the game board will spin together!  That's it.  Challenges begin easy and progressively get harder as there are five levels: Starter, Junior, Expert, Master and Wizard.

 

First 8 challenges at the Starter level 

You can see that these challenges are easier as they give you the outline shapes of every piece in the puzzle.

So a player will choose a challenge from the booklet.  The challenge will show them which puzzle pieces to place on the game board and where to place them.  Players will continue to play pieces on the game board.

 

 They are finished when all pieces fit and they have created a connection between the big gears (wheels) on the right and left of the game board (see above diagram).

 

A player needs to pay special attention to the placement of the gears in some of the challenges, especially when setting up the board to begin.  This can be seen in the Expert challenges above.  This does not apply in the Starter challenges.

 

The Master challenges only show the position of all the gears, you have to figure out the position of the full puzzle pieces.

F was my first to play IQ Gears

F double checking to see that he has the solution correct!

G was next to play.

G is trying various combinations in the photo above as he works one of the Expert challenges.

 

If you have previously read my blog you know that we really enjoy Smart Games and own a plethora of them.  Smart Games encourage concentration, planning, problem solving and flexible thinking and we 💕 them.  It's so great to have a selection of creative and quality single player games in our home and IQ Gears fits right into the mix.  I also love that they are relatively inexpensive and make great gifts!  If you are looking for a new single player logic game, we highly recommend IQ Gears.  It's fun and makes you think!

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I received IQ Gears in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

College Care Package (Out of the Blue)

I remember when I was in college I loved getting mail!  I sent B a fun "out of the blue" care package this week and it was super fun to put together.

I packed fun items that all had blue color or packaging.  It included gum, beach note cards, nerd clusters, hot cocoa mix, fruit snacks, jolly rancher ropes, stickers, Trolli, Mike & Ike, popcorn and a fun book to take church notes.  We love you B!!

I'm always looking for fun themes to send so if you have any ideas let me know!

Veterans Day

 A huge thank you to everyone who has served our country past and present!

Operation Christmas Child Box Ideas

 

Every year the kids enjoy picking out items for our Operation Christmas Child Boxes, we have done it for many years.  It's a fun activity the kids enjoy coming up with new gift ideas and ways to bless others during the holiday season.  This year we filled up 4 boxes, 2 for girls and 2 for boys.

D chose a girl age 10-14 and above you can see what we put in her box - a few journals, markers, toothbrush, washcloths, bandages, tissues, socks, several sets of bracelets, key chain, compact mirror, comb, calculator, mini flashlight with batteries, hair ties, scrunchies and clips, sunglasses and a fun balancing bird.

 E also chose a girl age 10-14 and above you can see what we put in her box (very similar to D's box) - a large pink journal, markers, toothbrush, washcloths, bandages, tissues, watermelon socks, bracelets, necklace, key chain, compact mirror, comb, calculator, mini flashlight with batteries, hair ties and clips, sunglasses and a fun balancing bird.

 

F and G both chose a boy age 5-9 and above you can see what we put in their boxes (basically the same things) - coloring book, notepad, stickers, crayons, dominoes, toothbrush, bandages, tissues, washcloths, toy car, spinner, mini flashlight with batteries, sunglasses and a fun balancing bird.

The boys with their boxes

If you are looking for ideas for filling your own boxes, I hope this gives you some new ideas.

Eat Some Nachos!

Just a friendly reminder 😉

Timberdoodle Game Review: Mantis

I want to share with you today a fun game from Timberdoodle, Mantis.  Mantis is a 2-6 player card game recommended for kids 7 and older or 2nd grade and up so everyone in our family can enjoy the fun!  Games are easy to set-up and fairly fast paced estimated to last ~ 10-15 minutes each.

How do you play?  The video below is a fantastic explanation of how to play Mantis so you definitely want to check it out!

I have been playing Mantis with the younger boys and we are having so much fun!  The first time we played, I definitely tried to "steal" too much so I wasn't able to score enough to win.

F was our first ever winner!  He scored 10 cards :)

 

However, I definitely improved and came back and won the next two matches.  I think the boys improved every match as well.

Mantis is quick and just like many card games you learn a lot every time you play!  I love the fast-pace as it is so easy to make time for a quick game.  If your family likes cards games like we do, you will want to check out Mantis!

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I received Mantis in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Happy Birthday E (And Me)

We celebrated E's 13th birthday and my 47th this month!  E had a few close friends come over and stay the night and we had a fun little family gathering for mine.

E with her cake

David made E a fun cake

And he made me my favorite chocolate cake!

I love the Fall!  I hope you are enjoying the slightly cooler weather, I know I am!