Sum Swamp

Nothing like a good sale to get me to try out a new toy.  I bought this game at diapers.com because it was an “educational” game and it was on disount-what a great combination!.  I had never come across a math board game for young children so I was anxious to try it out.

The Look

The board game is smaller than the average board and it’s design is fairly basic.  In fact, when I first opened it my first thought was that I could have made this game myself.  I mean, it’s cute and it’s got a few twists and turns but nothing so visually appealing that I (or anyone) could not top with some art supplies and extra hours to the day.  There are three dice.  Two with the printed numbers 1-6 and one with the plus and minus signs.

How to Play

The child rolls the dice and then arranges them in the form of a numerical equation (always starting with the highest number first).   The child then moves forward the amount of squares that correspond to the result of the mathematical equation.  Some squares have a number on them and when the you land there, you must roll the sign die to either go forward or backwards that many squares.

Skills and Modifications

Math: This game is obviously all about math and it’s fantastic because there are a variety of different ways that it can be modified.  

Different player abilities: One child can play the way the game is intended by finding the sum or difference of the equation while another child can take his/her turn by rolling only one die and identifying the number and advancing that many squares.  

Getting acquainted with plus and minus: I recommend throwing one number die and the sign die.  When the die shows the plus, you advance that many squares. When it show a minus you backtrack that many squares.  I like this because it’s totally random when you move backwards and not because you answered something wrong or landed on the dreaded backward.

Keeping one or more die constant:  To just focus on addition, keep the plus die showing on the board at all times and just have the children throw the numerical dice.  To add or subtract by just one number, keep one number constant and have the child roll the other two.

The best part of the game is that the players don’t realize they are “doing” math. Number Identification, counting, addition, subtraction, even the concept of odds and evens is incorporated into the game.  Encourage use of counting on fingers or small manipulatives like counting bears.

Rating

Overall rating: 8

Fun value: 8

Educational value: 10

Durability: 8

Cost: 9