Play, Solve and Learn with SmartGames Bunny Peek-A-Boo

Mommy University received Bunny Peek-A-Boo from SmartGames at no cost in exchange for an honest review.

Bunny Peek-A-Boo by Smart Games is a three dimensional game designed for children as young as two years old. SmartGames creates brain-building reasoning games for single players and Bunny is no different as it is the perfect introduction for little hands to begin a life of problem solving. Bunny Peek-A-Boo includes 4 wood blocks and 30 cards which are double sided so it totals 60 challenges. The child selects a card which provides an image that they are now asked to duplicate by manipulating the blocks.

The purpose of this game is to duplicate the image on the card with the physical pieces.  While it may sound simple, SmartGames designs their games so that there are four levels of difficulty so that the player is consistently challenged.  At Mommy University, we focus on the educational benefits of toys that we review.  However, I do have to insert that the quality of Bunny Peek-A-Boo is impressive as well. The wood pieces are sturdy and chunky perfectly designed for toddler and preschooler sized hands. Bunny Peek-A-Boo has been recognized by Parents Magazine 2013 top picks from Toy Fair, recipient of the Tillywig Top Fun Award Spring 2013 and recognized by many additional distinctions which is another solid reason we felt this is a phenomenal toy to review.

Mommy University explores 5 Educational Benefits of Smart Games Bunny Peek-A-Boo

Focuses on Problem Solving

This is a three dimensional puzzle where children are challenged to recreate the image they find on the card using the brightly colored chunky pieces.  Since there are 60 challenges, there will be many possibilities using the pieces and in some instances moving one piece slightly can alter the result significantly.  In other words, a small change can make a big difference which is important skill for children to understand.

Enhances Motor Skills

In order to recreate the image on the card, children will need to move pieces that balance on each other or placed inside each other which means that they will be developing their motor skills.  In addition, since they will not always be successful in their attempts, they will have to manipulate the pieces again and again.  Children need to maneuver several pieces and re-arrange them as they trouble shoot why what they have created does not match the image on the card.

Increases Language Skills

There are not many pieces to this toy, but the language that is heavily developed using this toy are your prepositions and location vocabulary words.  When you look at the card with the child discuss what they see: colors, shapes, what is the position of the shapes and the bunny.  Language development will be encouraged when the image doesn’t match what your child has created and you begin to solve the problem.  Talk out loud as you navigate if the piece should be rotated or turned. For example, is the bunny in or out of the blue box? Is the bunny above or below the yellow arch?  Outside or inside? Forward or backwards?  Over, around, or through? By talking about these terms, you are also helping develop your child’s spatial awareness.

Develops Spatial Awareness

Strong spatial awareness encourages children to have better critical math and science skills. By understanding how pieces fit together, children improve their spatial perception which is also an important skill in reading. Math is not simply solving problems using paper and pen.  When children play with shapes and blocks they enhance their understanding of dimensions.  Bunny Peek-A-Boo is a reasoning game that relies heavily on understanding perception. It is also a great introduction to geometry concepts.

Encourages Imaginative Play

While three of the pieces are shapes, the remaining wood piece in this puzzle is a bunny which gives a face to this toy. For some children, they will engage easily with shapes, but the bunny engages that child that needs an emotion in their toys.  Don’t be surprised if you see your child playing with the bunny and the other shaped pieces without attempting to recreate the challenge.  This is good to witness because they are engaging with the toy in imaginative play.  As my daughter talks to the bunny and hugs it proceeding to put it to bed in “its house”, this is how she enjoys engaging with this toy and her self-exploration of the toy is just furthering her understanding of the toy.

Fosters Resilience

Resilience is the quality of not giving up.  As they complete each task, I celebrate with encouraging words focusing on how hard they worked to solve the problem.  It is important for kids to challenge themselves and feel tastes of success.  It is also important for them to try to solve the problem on their own as much as possible.  The first level is very simple which gives the player a feeling of accomplishment that fosters self-confidence. Currently, my children are enjoying playing with Bunny Peek-A-Boo and they don’t realize that they are learning resilience simply because it’s fun.

Bunny Peek-A-Boo is a strategic game that offers children many opportunities to challenge themselves. This is a product that will survive many days of play and is a great gift not only for Easter but for birthdays as well. You can purchase your own Bunny Peek-a-Boo for $26.99 on amazon.com.