• Welcome
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Learning Apps
  • Alphabet
  • Learn to Read
  • Phonics
  • Spelling
  • Struggling Readers
  • Comprehension
  • Writing with Kids
  • Free Printables

This Reading Mama

Encourage Problem Solving with Brainteasers {a Thinkfun Review and Giveaway}

By thisreadingmama 72 Comments

I was given A-Ha! Brainteasers Kit from Thinkfun for free to review for my readers. All opinions expressed in this post belong to me. For more information, please read my full disclosure policy.

Enourage Problem Solving with Brainteasers | This Reading Mama

My 2nd grade son, ALuv, has always been gifted at figuring things out. He really blows my mind when it comes to all that engineering stuff {that I don’t understand one bit}. So when I heard about Thinkfun’s A-Ha! Brainteaser Kit, I just knew it would be right up his alley. And it was. There are many reasons why he {and several others in our family} enjoyed this kit.

My Favorite Things about Thinkfun’s A-Ha! Brainteaser Kit

  • It is great for ages 5+. Although the box says ages 6-11, NJoy {age 5} liked playing with it just as much as ALuv did. So did dad, who has one of those engineering minds. He felt it was challenging enough for adults, too!
  • It is perfect for one child or multiple children, working together on the same puzzle. The instruction pamphlet also comes with more ideas on how to use it as a classroom center.
  • It can be modified as easy or more challenging. Each puzzle comes with an objective card, telling the child the objective of working the puzzle, and 3 hints to help him solve it. Younger children can go through the hint cards quicker for shorter attention spans. Older children {or adults, in my opinion} can be given the hint cards at a slower pace; maybe even stretching them out over days!

hint cards provide hints without giving away the solution | This Reading Mama

  • It encourages thinking. With each puzzle {there are 8 included}, there is an objective card and three hints. BUT, the hints don’t give away the answer. They simply encourage more thinking and problem solving.

 

easy storage for hint cards and brainteaser pieces | This Reading Mama

  • It can be easily organized and stored. It has a wonderful storage box, with room for all the cards and puzzles. We’ve had the kit since September and haven’t lost a piece. That’s a big deal for this family of 6!
  • The puzzles can be re-worked over and over again. Because the puzzles are challenging enough, I found that if given enough time, ALuv forgot how to work most of them. After a couple of weeks, I brought the kit out again and he was excited over solving them again.
  • It makes the perfect Christmas gift {for your child or for your classroom}! Christmas is just right around the corner. Enter below to for the chance to win one for your child, family, or classroom!

Would you like the chance to win a free A-Ha! Brainteaser Kit from Thinkfun for your family or classroom? Then, enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. Please be sure to read the terms and conditions before entering {U.S. Residents only}.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want MORE Free Teaching Resources?

Join thousands of other subscribers to get hands-on activities and printables delivered right to your inbox!

Filed Under: Math Activities

« Integrate Some Writing This Thanksgiving {and After School Link Up}
FREE Thanksgiving Lacing Cards {and another goodie} »

Comments

  1. Justin Nancy says

    November 19, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    No, I am awful at brain teasers.

    Reply
  2. Leslie says

    November 19, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    This is a great item! My older kids got to solve these puzzles. The younger set would love it as well.

    Reply
  3. Christa H says

    November 19, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    What a great looking game. I LOVE games that are both fun and make you think. This is exactly the kind of game I will buy, if I can win it even better.

    Reply
  4. Anna C. says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:00 pm

    Sometimes I can solve brainteasers, but my husband is usually better. We were discussing the other day that our kids need more problem-solving in their “curriculum”.

    Reply
  5. Jennifer says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    Love brain teasers but have to be in the “zone” to be good at them. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Deana says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:32 pm

    I am not so great at brain teasers but my son would love this!

    Reply
  7. Caterina says

    November 19, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    We love brain teasers! Not so great at them though.

    Reply
  8. Minal says

    November 19, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    Its my daughter’s birthday today so I think she should win this and she loves brain teasers 🙂

    Reply
  9. Kristen says

    November 19, 2013 at 10:48 pm

    I’m usually able to figure out brain teasers and my daughter has recently begun enjoying the challenges. Thank you for the review!

    Reply
  10. Regina says

    November 19, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    This looks like fun! I could see us playing quite often.

    Reply
  11. debbie jackson says

    November 20, 2013 at 6:50 am

    Yes I am and i enjoy them

    Reply
  12. Ally says

    November 20, 2013 at 7:14 am

    Yes! And I have two daughters who seem to have an aptitude for problem solving as well.

    Reply
  13. Jana Pritchett says

    November 20, 2013 at 7:21 am

    I am not very good at brain teasers, so this will be good for me and the kids 🙂

    Reply
  14. Christine says

    November 20, 2013 at 7:35 am

    I love to do brain teasers and this would be a great way to pass that on to my kids. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  15. Heather says

    November 20, 2013 at 7:38 am

    I am not very good at brain teasers but my kiddos would love this!!

    Reply
  16. Mandy Heitman says

    November 20, 2013 at 7:45 am

    Some days I am and some days I am not. However, I enjoy a good brain workout.

    Reply
  17. mamamayor says

    November 20, 2013 at 7:53 am

    Sometimes I am,thank you

    Reply
  18. Tammy says

    November 20, 2013 at 7:53 am

    I’m not great at brain teasers.

    Reply
  19. Tonia Fortkamp says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:08 am

    I love brain games. Solving them on the other hand is a different story 🙂 This is right up my sons alley!

    Reply
  20. Ivonne Bernabe says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:15 am

    I love brain teasers!! I usually can figure them out although it might take me awhile lol

    Reply
  21. Katie says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:22 am

    The brainteaser box sounds perfect my 5 year old!

    Reply
  22. DianeMargaret Miller says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:26 am

    I used to be good at them…I haven’t done any lately!

    Reply
  23. etrieberbeth says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:28 am

    I am so bad at them! Maybe this would help my spatial reasoning!

    Reply
  24. Angela Robbins says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:28 am

    I love brain teasers! My husband and oldest do as well 🙂

    Reply
  25. Tammy says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:43 am

    I have always loved puzzles and brain teasers! I think a couple of my kids are wired that way as well.

    Reply
  26. Leanne says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:58 am

    I’m actually pretty good (not great) at logic puzzles. I encourage my kids to do them.

    Reply
  27. Sarah Miller-Kramer says

    November 20, 2013 at 8:59 am

    I love brainteasers! My kids would have a blast with this!!

    Reply
  28. barbee says

    November 20, 2013 at 9:04 am

    My son loves these. We are both good at them.

    Reply
  29. Christy says

    November 20, 2013 at 9:18 am

    We all enjoy logic puzzles – sounds like a great addition to our shelf!

    Reply
  30. Amanda says

    November 20, 2013 at 9:19 am

    I’m to great not solving them, but i love them!

    Reply
  31. Krista says

    November 20, 2013 at 9:29 am

    I love brainteasers. I was in the gifted program in school growing up so we did them all the time.

    Reply
  32. claudia304@msn.com says

    November 20, 2013 at 9:31 am

    This would be great to help my son!

    Reply
  33. Bonny Boyd says

    November 20, 2013 at 9:57 am

    Looks like fun! I would love to win this and get it for free but if not, I will most likely get it for the kiddos for Christmas!! Thanks–I love your blog!!

    Reply
  34. Katie H says

    November 20, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Looks like something my son would love!

    Reply
  35. Bethany says

    November 20, 2013 at 10:01 am

    We love brain teasers and have a lot of books around the house! I think a hands on approach would be a new challenge and would be so fun for the whole family! My daughter would love it!

    Reply
  36. Suzanne parke says

    November 20, 2013 at 10:22 am

    I love doing them but rarely so! This would be great for our whole family! My mom has Alzheimer’s (as well as most members of her family :() and I am trying to add brain activities to our daily habits. I’m wondering if this would be good for that as well?!

    Reply
  37. Ticia Adventures in Mommydom says

    November 20, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Sometimes, I like to pretend I am though.

    Reply
  38. Kandi says

    November 20, 2013 at 10:54 am

    Depends on my mood. Some days yes, some days no.

    Reply
  39. Cindy says

    November 20, 2013 at 10:57 am

    I think they are fun to try to solve.

    Reply
  40. Jess McCarthy says

    November 20, 2013 at 11:05 am

    I LOVE brainteasers! But, if I’m tired I’m awful at them.

    Reply
  41. Angie M. says

    November 20, 2013 at 11:45 am

    I am good at verbal brain teasers, but awful at spatial ones. I get frustrated really easy!

    Reply
  42. valorian says

    November 20, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    I love brainteasers! I’m fairly good at them.

    Reply
  43. Jessica says

    November 20, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    I pretty good in solving brainteasers and I enjoy them very much.

    Reply
  44. tammy cordery says

    November 20, 2013 at 1:18 pm

    I think I’m okay

    Reply
  45. 3gigglygirlsathome says

    November 20, 2013 at 1:32 pm

    I struggle somewhat with brainteasers but enjoy trying them. My kiddos love them so this would be fantastic for us all!

    Reply
  46. Mary Bond says

    November 20, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Oooh, Love this one.

    Reply
  47. Tara S. says

    November 20, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    Ha, probably not as good as I used to be.

    Reply
  48. Tammy Jones says

    November 20, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    When I’m patient enough to sit. 🙂

    Reply
  49. Deanna says

    November 20, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    I usually stink at brain teasers! 🙂 Maybe I need this more than my kids!

    Reply
  50. Alicia says

    November 20, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    It depends… Some brain teasers I am good at and some I just can’t get 🙂

    Reply
  51. JoAnne E. says

    November 20, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    Sadly, I am awful at brainteasers!

    Reply
  52. Nancy S. says

    November 20, 2013 at 10:34 pm

    I’m a little above average in brain teaser solving, and enjoy working them through with my children. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂

    Reply
  53. nancy says

    November 20, 2013 at 10:41 pm

    I have no idea 🙂

    Reply
  54. Gina Arkell says

    November 20, 2013 at 11:50 pm

    It depends on what the brain teaser is. Generally, I’d rather just try for a few minutes and then “cheat” if I can’t get it. 🙂

    Reply
  55. Sandra says

    November 21, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    Depends on the day and if I have had coffee yet!

    Reply
  56. Kelly P says

    November 21, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    I used to like the challenge, but now my child is my challenge, lol. My 2nd grade son is very good at these types of things and could always use more practice and learn new tricks. We both could use the practice and then watch as Daddy easily figures it out, lol. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply
  57. Rhoda says

    November 22, 2013 at 3:03 am

    I love brainteasers. Have one child that also loves a good challenge. My other child would prefer not to do any type of brain teaser or game. She would rather sit and draw or dance and twirl around the room. Talk about opposites! Thank you for the give away.

    Reply
  58. Laura says

    November 22, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    I definitely have to be in the right frame of mind for brainteasers.

    Reply
  59. Kimberly R says

    November 22, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    My husband and kids are a lot better at brainteasers than I 🙂

    Reply
  60. Amy says

    November 22, 2013 at 9:26 pm

    not generally!

    Reply
  61. Andrea @ No Doubt Learning says

    November 22, 2013 at 9:52 pm

    I love the challenge of brain teasers.

    Reply
  62. Michelle says

    November 22, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    I stink at brain teasers but would love for my kids to try them out.

    Reply
  63. Malisa says

    November 23, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    I am not that great at brainteasers, but love to watch my daughter get look on her face. I know she is thinking.

    Reply
  64. Brandi says

    November 24, 2013 at 7:10 am

    Not really but my boys are. Thanks for the chance to win this kit!

    Reply
  65. Kellye says

    November 24, 2013 at 7:16 am

    This looks awesome!

    Reply
  66. Danielle says

    November 24, 2013 at 7:27 am

    I am not good at brain teasers at all.

    Reply
  67. Missy @ Dot-to-Dot Connections says

    November 24, 2013 at 10:12 am

    No, I am not good at solving brainteaseres! But at least 2 of my kids have an interest in them and I’m all for encouraging them to develop in that area 🙂

    Reply
  68. sherece says

    November 24, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    No, it take me a minute to figure things out.

    Reply
  69. Stephanie Craig says

    November 24, 2013 at 2:47 pm

    When I have enough sleep I am. So most of the timevthe answer is no. LOL

    Reply
  70. Julie Stewart says

    November 24, 2013 at 5:06 pm

    I love solving brain teasers! Usually I’m pretty good at it, too 🙂

    Reply
  71. Martha says

    November 24, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    Sometimes I am good at solving brain teasers. others not so much.

    Reply
  72. Nancy says

    November 24, 2013 at 9:40 pm

    I have no particular skill with brain teasers. but my son and husband do!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

JOIN MY NEWSLETTER

and get free printables!

Sign me up!


Hi! I’m Becky, a homeschooling mama with 4 blessings who keep me on my toes {and knees}. Before homeschooling, I was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor. Read more about me here.

Let’s Get Connected!

  • Email
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

  • Home
  • Start Here
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Checkout
  • Privacy
  • Affiliates

Copyright © 2023 · Designed by Visibilia Media