Learning Resources Kanoodle Fusion Review

Reviewed by Jo Hardy

This game consists of one light up board, a booklet showing fifty possible puzzles and thirteen puzzle pieces, ten of which are translucent and various colours the other three are a solid black.  Everything fits into a small plastic case making this an easy game to take on a journey or on holiday.

Suitable for ages seven and above this game can be played alone or with any number of other people.  Designed to help children develop critical thinking and problem solving, the basics of the game are choose a puzzle out of the booklet, choose your puzzle pieces and position them on the board to replicate your chosen puzzle. Some of the required colours on the puzzles shown in the booklet can only be made by placing one coloured piece over another, so there is skill required in choosing the correct pieces and placing them correctly on the board.  You can only tell if you’ve got it right by pressing the button at the side of the board to light up the puzzle.  The light shinning through the translucent pieces shows up all the colours. As you go through the booklet the puzzles become more advanced and requires more thought.

This is a real hands on game and a good way to get children away from screen based games.  It would also be a good way for children to engage and interact with older members of the family like grandparents.

The game requires two AAA batteries.  I would make sure you had some to hand before giving this game to a child.  There’s nothing more disappointing than opening a new toy to find that you can’t play with it straight away because you don’t have the right batteries.

I’ve got to admit I didn’t immediately understand what this game was all about.  The instructions were very sparse and in so many different languages I could barely find any English, but once I tried doing one of the puzzles it all became clear.  It’s a very simple format and I was over thinking it.

I could see this game becoming quite addictive.  It gives a great sense of achievement when you press that button to light up the board and you see you’ve got it right.  I was a bit irked to find that batteries weren’t included but this a pet hate of mine.

Kanoodle Fusion is priced at £22 and available from learningresources.co.uk. There is also a junior version of Kanoodle for ages 4 plus priced at £14.  Delivery cost is £4.95 or free on orders over £50.

The Learning Resources web site is packed full of products that promote learning through fun both in the class room and at home.  Many of them are award winning and go from ABC’s to STEM skills.  They can be looked at in age range which is very helpful if looking for gifts.

There is also a teachers hub showing lots of classroom resources and free activity sheets.

Rating: 4/5

RRP: £22.00

This product can be purchased from the Learning Resources website here.