Grab your helmets and get ready for Crash Cats by ThinkFun. Players manipulate a tilting game grid to slide determined cats around a room (game grid) full of furniture and obstacles. The objective: only the cat with the red helmet should remain on the grid after all the others have been “bopped” off. When the cats collide, they fly off the grid, creating a fun, unpredictable environment where strategy and quick thinking are crucial to success.
While the game is full of chaotic crashing and sliding, it also offers tremendous learning benefits, making it an excellent tool for developing cognitive skills.
Players are practicing planning and decision making as they evaluate the current positions of the cats, furniture, and obstacles. The make decisions about which direction to tilt and in what sequence is key to ensure the right cats collide. This promotes forward-thinking, as players need to anticipate multiple steps ahead to achieve the goal of ejecting all but the red-helmeted cat.
With so many ThinkFun games, there are layered challenges at 4 different levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert). Each challenge presents a unique arrangement of obstacles and cats, which requires players to think critically. This is great for kids to adapt to constantly changing scenarios, sharpening their analytical skills and logical reasoning, as well as gaining confidence.
Crash Cats fosters perseverance and problem-solving, as each attempt provides opportunities to learn from mistakes, refine strategies, and try again. This develops a growth mindset, encouraging players to view challenges as opportunities for improvement rather than setbacks. Since it’s super fun to watch cats fly through the air, even failed attempts seemed to keep frustration at bay, making it easier for players to stay motivated and persevere through difficult challenges.
Crash Cats by ThinkFun encourages the development of important cognitive skills like planning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance. Its trial-and-error format, combined with strategic decision-making, provides a rich learning experience while keeping players entertained with its quirky gameplay. Whether played solo or with friends, Crash Cats is a fun, brain-boosting adventure!
Available at Ravensburger and Amazon