Mobi Max Math Game: A Review
(Cheers and party emoticons, you guys – it’s my first Timberdoodle review. Thanks to Timberdoodle I have the opportunity to receive this math game at no cost in exchange for my honest review – with opinions all of my own. The opinions — that’s the easy part!)
Math and I aren’t BFFs so when I see anything that can make math seem fun or attractive or appealing — I’ll give it a shot.
The Mobi Max Game arrived in the mail and the first impressions were of its cool packaging.
Eh. Maybe fun packaging shouldn’t matter – but we all know, it does. The whale is cute, has a hook for hanging and is small enough to fit in a bag or the console of the car. I liked all that.
At first the directions felt like — a lot. Of course, not only am I less-than-stellar at math, I also prefer learning a new game by watching someone play it first or having someone explain the game to me. (I should have looked online first, like a smart consumer. The Timberdoodle website actually has a video of the game being played. That would have been handy! Now YOU know though, so you needn’t suffer as I did.)
However. It actually only took about five minutes in reality for the game to make sense and I’m pretty sure the kids were quicker on the uptake than I was.
The kids were anxious game testers – excited to give Mobi a go. (Which I think is a thumbs up already – right? Kids anxious to play a math game?)
Basically, I’d call Mobi Max a math version of Bananagrams.
The tiles are all numbers (and strongly resemble the little Chiclets gum) or operation signs – addition, subtraction, division, multiplication.
As the game play goes, each player creates his own little math “crossword” – Mobi Max calls this a “pod”.
We played about twelve rounds in a row at the kitchen table. The kids wanted to play more but I had to shut it down in favor of moving on to our history lesson of the Romans.
What’s really remarkable about this simple game is its unique ability to be both challenging and fun for literally all ages. A first grader and a seventh grader were in genuine fair competition in a math game!
Because players are basically competing at their own level in a group setting seventh grade London was challenging herself and using multi-step operations and division and first grade Otto was rocking out speedy addition and subtraction.
A math game that gives a level playing field to multiple ages is a daunting task.
When the twelfth round ended, London said, “I liked that game.” And even my Mosely who feels about math the way I feel, enjoyed herself and felt on equal footing with her siblings.
I think it’s an absolute Thumbs Up from the gang here at Wildwood.
(If you want to own your own version – you can find it at Timberdoodle.)
9 Comments
Renee
This looks great! I love the fact that older and younger kids can play together. In our family that is a huge plus.
laceykeigley
Yes – meeting kids at various ages is something I love.
(It’s one reason I have loved our history this year. I need to write about that actually!)
Deborah
I’m Sara’s friend and I have been reading your blog for the last year or more… And for some reason never commented. But now, I just wanted to say….
I love your words. And the heart behind them. They inspire me and motivate me on all sorts of different levels.
Anyways- this math game looks fabulous. We just might have to try it!!
Keep writing.
I’ve prayed for you many times.
For your strength and healing and ability to do life in whatever moment you are given. Blessings.
laceykeigley
I am so glad you’ve been reading – and even more glad that you commented so I know! 🙂
I’m so honored that you’ve been praying for my family – and so grateful. Thank you.
Margie
I want this…and we really need it!
laceykeigley
Who doesn’t need math help? 🙂
Sally
Thank you! I love games and Number Chiclets looks like a whale of a good time!
laceykeigley
You should’ve written my title.
Sara
A few years ago we got a math game for Jasmine for Christmas. It was on the order of math Scrabble. And it was HARD… Too hard for me or Polly or Karen. (Both sisters informed me that this was the worst Christmas present ever!)
But. It has tiles of numbers. And tiles of operation signs. I bet we could use your directions and make it an at least bearable learning game.
Thanks for the review. Maybe I’ll buy the next one but I think we don’t need this one. 🙂