Osmo Starter Kit Review (So fun they won’t feel it’s educational!)

The Osmo Starter Kit is simply packaged in a paper sleeve and shrink-wrap. Once the shrink-wrap and the paper sleeve are removed there are three separate, small boxes stacked neatly together. Each box stacks together magnetically so they store nice and neat. The three boxes include once with the Osmo Base and two starter games Words and Tangram. You will need an Apple device in order to play with the Osmo games. The Osmo is compatible with iPad 2, 3, 4, Mini, Air, Air 2 and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

To play with the Osmo Starter Kit you will need to visit the website at www.playosmo.com/start this website does a great job of walking you through all the necessary set up steps. First, you will need to set up the base for the size tablet you are using and download the Tangram and Words application. Once done you are ready to start playing. The website has tutorials for each of the games for learning how to play.

Tangram is a type of puzzle game using several brightly colored shape pieces to emulate a figure displayed on the screen. The tablet uses the camera to recognize where the tiles are placed in front of the tablet and colors in the appropriate shape on the screen when things are placed correctly. There are several settings from easy to hard in the Tangram game.

Words offers several types of letter and word centered games. You use the several colored, alphabet tiles to play a sort of “hangman” game either against an opponent or against the computer. You can also learn words, spelling and download more content for play.

This is an extremely unique and innovative game I can see why everyone likes it so much. While it does involve screen time there is so much hands on activity and learning happening it’s easy to forget. I can see how beneficial these games can be for young minds learning to solve problems and build learning with hands on activities.

I just wish that this was able to be used with Android tablets as well since it would open play opportunities to more families.

The Osmo Starter Kit is recommended for players ages 5-12, however I had a lot of fun with it myself. The Words game in particular is great for building spelling skills and vocabulary while Tangrams was great for problem solving.

I loved playing with the Osmo Starter Kit. I am amazed at how cool toys are these days and the Osmo games are blowing away my expectations. I can’t wait to see what else Osmo brings for play time fun.

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