I am not a fan of math. I’ve always disliked it. Math was always my worse subject in school. As an adult, I can easily add, subtract, multiply and divide. I’m even OK with percentages, especially when it comes to figuring out tips. Decimals I do OK with as well. Fractions… eh… those are not as easy for me.
I work with children K-6th grade. One of the services we offer in our program is to help children with their homework. I’m OK with that, but when it comes to math, especially the new “common core math” – UGH!!!
I have been known to Google and go on YouTube to figure out how to do “their math” and to help them to understand it as well. I think the teachers need to teach US so that we can better help THEM. Ha Ha.
I like educational toys and games for kids, but only if the kids don’t realize that they are learning. I enjoy toys and games that are so much fun that kids have no clue that it’s to help them learn, not just to have fun with.
I was recently introduced to a unique game that helps children learn fractions, decimals and percentages, and they don’t even realize they are learning.
If you say to a child “do you want to play a math game?” chances are the child will say “no.” However, if you ask a child if they want to play a game called Blobby’s Pizza, more likely than not the child will jump at the opportunity. The name “Blobby” sounds fun, and who doesn’t love pizza? Seriously, now I’m craving pizza just thinking about it. Can anyone tell me the best pizza Arlington Texas?
Blobby’s Pizza is from Semper Smart Games. It’s made for 2-6 players, ages 9+. I think having more than 2 players would make the game more fun and interesting.
I read somewhere that the game can take upwards of 30-40 minutes, so you might want to “tweak” it for some children who might not keep with it that long (it depends on the child). The game sells for $22.00 on the brand’s website, which is the average price for a game.
Hopefully I can explain how this game works. I’ll also share a video I found on YouTube that explains it in great detail (there is a shorter game play YouTube video found here).
In a nutshell, players use their pizza cards to complete full pizzas using the different fraction cards. For each pizza you complete, you add it to your guest check. The player who has the highest check amount, wins the game. But watch out! Other players can steal your cards in order to complete their pizza cards.
There are different types of pizzas you can make (veggie, cheese, supreme, pepperoni..) and each pizza has a different price.
Players start off with five cards (their “plates”).
The “pizzas” are divided into twelve (12) slices. Players need to accumulate enough fraction cards for the same pizza in order to make it a “whole pizza” that you can add to your check.
To give you an example, you might have a pepperoni pizza card that is 3/12, that means three slices out of twelve. That leaves you 9 more slices to get a whole pie. If you acquire a 4/12 card, that means you have 7 “slices” of the pie, and you need 5 more slices in order to complete the pie.
Have I confused you yet?
Players must always have 5 cards in their hands. Whenever they play cards to make a pizza, or lay cards down on the “table,” they must draw up to 5 more cards.
Watch out! There are monsters who want to gobble up your pizza. Each monster is color coded, meaning the red monster can only eat red cards, the purple monster can eat purple cards, and so forth.
Players use the monster cards in their card hand to steal pizza from other players in order to help them create whole pizzas.
There are also special cards, like the switch card, and the Blobby card.
The game goes on until all of the seven monster cards have been drawn. Then a player can play the Blobby card (if they have it) to signify the end of the game. That is when players add up their whole pizzas and add them to their check (bill). Everyone totals up their pizzas, and the person with the highest total wins.
There is an advanced way to play this game as well, but we only played it the regular way.
What I like about this game is that it’s teaching children fractions and how to make a whole. You can make things easier by counting up the numbers to equal 12. Meaning, if you have these cards – 3/12, 3/12, 5/12, and 1/12, you can add up the numbers (3+3+5+1) and that equals 12. Twelve (12) is the whole number, so that means you’d have a whole pie.
I also like that the cards show the fractions reduced, as well as the fractions in decimal form. Trust me, kids as young as 2nd and 3rd graders are already learning about fractions and decimals, so “seeing” the fraction/decimal equivalent is a great thing. Even me, as an adult, appreciated the refresher.
I honestly thought this game might be hard to learn, but it’s not. It’s actually pretty easy to understand it once you play a whole game or two.
When you play the game, make sure the cards are shuffled very well. I’ve found that if cards are not shuffled well you’ll end up with players getting enough cards right away to make a pizza or two. What is the fun in that?
I think kids would like not only the game it’s self and the monster cards, but also being able to write their own checks/bills. I think that was a great touch to make this game even more realistic.
I have not played this game with children, yet. I have only played with my husband and (young) adult children. In September when I return to work I’ll be working with kids K-6th grade. I am looking forward to playing this game with my “work kids,” especially when the 2nd and 3rd graders learn about fractions.
Another great thing about this game is that it all fits nicely in a small, portable box. I also like that the box has a magnetic closure, so it’s super easy to open and close. It even comes with little pencils.
If you are looking for a fun and educational game, on that kids won’t even realize they are learning about fractions, decimals and percentages, then Blobby’s Pizza is worth checking out.
You can find the game at SemperSmartGames.com. The brand has other interesting games worth checking out. The brand can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Those links are found on the bottom of their website.
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.