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Monkey Pod Games #Review and #Giveaway

March 10, 2014 by Michelle M

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Written by Michelle of Honest & Truly! who received a sample of Monkey Pod Games Tangram Set for review purposes. We are not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions remain our own.

I love games, and so do the wee ones. Most of their favorite gifts for birthdays or Christmas tend to be games they’re given, especially ones they can play on their own when they need to or with others when they want to.

Monkey Pods

We used to have a tangram game when they were younger, but it was made of cardboard, and both the designs and the game pieces didn’t last long, and it has been long consigned to the land of lost games. The Monkey Pod Games Tangram Set ($34.95) is a wonderful reintroduction to one of their old favorite brain teasers.

The tangram wooden puzzles we had previously were aimed at preschoolers, as well. They were great for fine motor skills and mental dexterity, but they tended to be fairly simply puzzles where the wee ones merely needed to place the right shape in the right hole, much like paint by numbers activity. The Monkey Pods version is more like real art, and it is just as challenging – but in a good way.

The Monkey Pod Games version comes in a gorgeous wooden case with a hinged lid, helping to ensure that no pieces go missing, and includes the traditional seven pieces that are used to make up various complex shapes. There are varying levels of difficulty within the 50 silhouette options included with the puzzle set, but even the most difficult has the solution shown on the back so that if cheating is necessary to solve the puzzle, you can easily do so.

The actual tans (the 7 pieces of wood used to make up the shapes) are made from the same eco-friendly Monkey Pod wood (yes, there is an actual Monkey Pod Games tree that grows in northern Thailand) as the case. They are thick enough that they will last, unlike our previous set, and they are incredibly soft and smooth, making playing with them a pleasure.

When Little Miss first tried out the Monkey Pod Games Tangram Set, she got a little frustrated because the pieces weren’t fitting together for her the way she thought they should. Once I showed her how to solve the puzzle and how the tans didn’t necessarily line up the way you think they would, she got it and quickly started work on her next tangram. The pride in her voice when she solved it – and the next one and the next one – was exactly what every mother wants to hear from her child.

I love how the case holds the tans when they aren’t in use, as well as the thick, laminated game cards. We have been keeping the cards in the box even when playing with the tangram set because it works so well to keep the cards from being damaged as well and ensuring that we all know what puzzle we’re working on. The biggest challenge was actually trying to figure out how to get the tans back into their square in the wooden case, but fortunately the cheat for that was also on one of the cards!

While Little Miss started out playing the with the tangrams by herself, she quickly attracted a crowd. I helped her, and Mister Man was all over the game, as well. Not only is the game great for increasing their spatial reasoning, problem solving, memory, and more, but working on the puzzles together is a great lesson in cooperation as they each have ideas of how to best solve the puzzle but have to determine which theories to test first and how to make it happen together.

While educational puzzles like tangrams are primarily thought of as a child’s game – and the Monkey Pod Games version is designed for those 7 and up – tangrams are great for adults, as well. Research has shown that puzzle games like this increase long term mental performance in adults, as well as the ability to process new information and memory retrieval. I know those are benefits I need, and this would make a great gift for my parents, as well.

The Monkey Pod Games Tangram Set was chosen as a 2011 Parent Choice Winner, and it’s easy to see why. Brain teasers are fun for all ages, and this particular set is one that we enjoy displaying because of its gorgeous case, which also reminds us to play it regularly!

Want to win a set? We are giving away 5! Enter in the form below.

Entry-Form

Michelle may never stop running around Chicagoland, but she always makes time for the important things in her life – her wee ones, cooking, reading, and spending time with friends – and of course, writing. You can see what she’s up to on her blog Honest & Truly! or on Twitter where she tweets as @HonestAndTruly.

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About Michelle M

Michelle is a stay at home mom of Mister Man (8) and Little Miss (6). When she's not out volunteering or running children to therapy or practices, you can find her in the kitchen or on her personal blog Honest & Truly where there's always a good story or new recipe or at her review blog Honest And Truly Reviews.

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67 Comments

  1. Rachel says

    March 28, 2014 at 12:37 am

    Any news on the winner? 😉

    Reply
  2. Katie says

    March 24, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    A family day outing – perhaps visit our local amusement park.

    Reply
  3. Sand says

    March 24, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    I’d spend it towards new workout clothes.

    Reply
  4. susan smoaks says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:57 am

    i would spend the $100 on a keurig coffee maker.

    Reply
  5. DanV says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:56 am

    I’d get math puzzles like the Fifteen Puzzle

    Reply
  6. Leslie L Stanziani says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:17 am

    I would use a $100 gift card on spring clothing for my 4 kids. I love these kinds of games for my kids.They make them use their brain.

    Reply
  7. Alison Wood says

    March 24, 2014 at 11:06 am

    I’d use it towards yarn to fuel my knitting addiction. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Kathy Pease says

    March 24, 2014 at 9:53 am

    I like the Three in One Wooden Thai Chess/Checkers/Backgammon Set – Handmade

    Reply
  9. Jenny Q says

    March 24, 2014 at 6:31 am

    I would get clothes for my daughter or son.

    Reply
  10. Jenny Q says

    March 24, 2014 at 6:31 am

    I would get clothes.

    Reply
  11. Rebecca L says

    March 24, 2014 at 1:54 am

    I would spend on groceries. (boring, I know)

    Reply
  12. amy deeter says

    March 24, 2014 at 1:46 am

    i would get some groceries

    Reply
  13. Melissa L. says

    March 24, 2014 at 12:50 am

    I would spend it on our growing wishlist. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply
  14. Shirley Hicks says

    March 23, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    id add it to my vacation fund

    Reply
  15. Wendi S says

    March 23, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    What a bummer I missed the Barbie Giveaway!

    Reply
  16. Gennie Lancaster says

    March 23, 2014 at 10:10 pm

    I would spend $100 GC on my spring clothes for my daughter.

    Reply
  17. Wendi S says

    March 23, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    I know we would enjoy the Monkey Pods Game. We played a similar game at a neighbors house. Thanks for the chance.
    If I had an extra $100.00 I would use it on a few lamps. We are light poor here.

    Reply
  18. sarah tracey says

    March 23, 2014 at 9:09 pm

    I would spend it on clothes for our boys

    Reply
  19. Candice Hull says

    March 23, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    Looks like an interesting game. If I won a $100 GC, I would use it for a gift for my husband or kids
    thank you

    Reply
  20. Paula Michele Hafner says

    March 23, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    I would buy new sheets for our bed and some new towels. I really need to replace them.

    Reply
  21. Jessibeth Vicenty says

    March 23, 2014 at 3:29 pm

    I would get more puzzles especially Brain teasers and Pyramids! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Terri Layfield says

    March 23, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    I would help pay for chemo treatments for my husband.

    Reply
  23. Terri Deeds says

    March 23, 2014 at 11:42 am

    I would spend the giftcard on games like Tangrams!

    Reply
  24. tina d reynolds says

    March 23, 2014 at 10:24 am

    I like the Large Tumbling Tower Game with a Wooden Box (12 Inch) and The Diamond Cube

    Reply
  25. Karen Drake says

    March 23, 2014 at 5:47 am

    I would spend the 4100. on groceries.

    Reply
  26. Jodie Rosenblum says

    March 22, 2014 at 11:47 pm

    Save it to spend towards textbooks.

    Reply
  27. Charlene says

    March 22, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    My son loves puzzles & games, so I’d get more of those for his birthday 🙂

    Reply
  28. william says

    March 22, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    This puzzle looks so fun not only for the kids but me too. If I had a $100 giftcard I would use it for a small game table for the kids.

    Reply
  29. Jonathan Brigden says

    March 21, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    I’d spend it on some new toys for my kids.

    Reply
  30. Brittney House says

    March 21, 2014 at 10:28 pm

    I would get new work clothes

    Reply
  31. Miz Vickik says

    March 21, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    I’d get some shoes for the family!

    Reply
  32. Tamar says

    March 21, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    I think this is the wrong question. The giveaway is for a game, not for a $100 GC.

    Reply
  33. Lisa V. says

    March 21, 2014 at 10:42 am

    I would spend on hiking supplies for my trip this summer.

    Reply
  34. Linda G. says

    March 21, 2014 at 10:30 am

    I would do my Christmas shopping with it.

    Reply
  35. Christie Kammerer says

    March 21, 2014 at 12:55 am

    I would save it for Christmas and spend it on Christmas for the kids.

    Reply
  36. Erica C. says

    March 21, 2014 at 12:37 am

    Any extra money would be for groceries.

    Reply
  37. Lataevea Burke says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    I would buy some clothes

    Reply
  38. heather says

    March 20, 2014 at 11:42 pm

    I would buy clothes for a little one hope I win this one.

    Reply
  39. Xty Cruz says

    March 20, 2014 at 10:01 pm

    Id buy a new GPS for my husband

    Reply
  40. Mihaela Day says

    March 20, 2014 at 8:21 pm

    I would probably get a tanagram set

    Reply
  41. Ann Fantom says

    March 20, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    I would buy some of the Metal Brain Teasers from Monkey Pod Games

    Reply
  42. Shannon Baas says

    March 20, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    I’d use it on gas.

    Reply
  43. Steph says

    March 20, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    My kids would love this game, plus it could help them with their math. Added bonus. As for a $100 gift card…I would use it to buy some games or books for my family.

    Reply
  44. april yedinak says

    March 18, 2014 at 9:42 am

    My son would love this game. As for a $100, I would spend it on new clothes. I recently lost a lot of weight.

    Reply
  45. Suzie Williams says

    March 18, 2014 at 2:10 am

    I think the question in the widget is from a different giveaway? My daughter would enjoy playing with the monkey tangram. We had tangram pieces at school when I was a kid and I loved them!

    Reply
  46. Natalia says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    Probably math puzzles and 3D puzzles, my son loves to solve them!

    Reply
  47. Louise says

    March 17, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    I would have entered the raffle but we already have this monkey pod games tangram set for my kids, which they love! Our daughters have really enjoyed trying to solve the card challenges together. We look forward to our next purchase from them!

    Reply
  48. lisa says

    March 16, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    clothes for the kiddos

    Reply
  49. christine jessamine says

    March 16, 2014 at 11:16 am

    I would love the tangram set. this would be alot of fun for my kids to use their imagination

    Reply
  50. Rachel Rich-Shea says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:45 am

    I’d spend it on this tangram set and some more eco-friendly toys for my son!

    Reply
  51. samantha wagner says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:26 am

    Probably get the kids some summer clothes, and maybe me a new haircut

    Reply
  52. Alvina Castro says

    March 14, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    I would spend it on a summer wardrobe for my kiddo. he is growing!

    Reply
  53. Janice Crespo says

    March 14, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    Any extra cash now would go towards our moving expenses (2 weeks til move) but I think the question is wrong – LOL This would be a great game to play with my daughter 🙂

    Reply
  54. Debbie Jackson says

    March 14, 2014 at 9:01 am

    It would go for for my patio.

    Reply
  55. lana says

    March 12, 2014 at 10:15 pm

    summer clothes for the boys

    Reply
  56. Brittany says

    March 12, 2014 at 11:01 am

    We would love to win this game set, they have a lot of cool choices at Monkey Pod Games. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Reply
  57. Katherine says

    March 12, 2014 at 6:58 am

    Groceries to stoc k my pantry

    Reply
  58. Heather B says

    March 11, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    If I had an extra $100 It would more than likely end up in my gas tank!

    Reply
  59. Jessica T says

    March 11, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    I’d have to share the wealth – but stuff for my kids but also some good learning toys for my niece and nephews

    Reply
  60. Dianna Auton says

    March 11, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    I would probably get a tanagram set and possibly one of the brain teaser sets.

    Reply
  61. Sonya Morris says

    March 11, 2014 at 10:39 am

    I think the wrong question is in the form but I would spend an extra $100 on clothes for my kids. I love this Tangram set!

    Reply
  62. Tracey says

    March 11, 2014 at 10:07 am

    I would use a $100 GC on a summer wardrobe for my girls.

    Reply
  63. Krystal says

    March 11, 2014 at 5:43 am

    We love games at our house. My MIL has a similar wooden tangram set, my husband actually loves it. It would be awesome to introduce our children to such a quality game. I’d spend the gift card on the tangram set or other educational games.

    Reply
  64. Eduardo says

    March 11, 2014 at 1:51 am

    Pipes of all types have passed through these hands, and passing it on my favorite to your
    dear friend today will bring me all kinds of joy, as I have determine my new PAX (by Ploom) vaporizer could be the only
    way I will ever ingest my selection of herbal medication, apart from mediebles, another dear favorite.

    A popular option to smoking today could be the using e-cigarettes.
    Other vaporizers require herbs be ground, some even suggest finely ground.

    Reply
  65. Noreen says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:37 pm

    Let my kids pick out some Legos

    Reply
  66. Jenn W says

    March 10, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    This looks like a fun puzzle. We have a smaller Tanagram set that the kids love!

    Reply
  67. Jen says

    March 10, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    I’m building a new house so it would probably go to curtains or something for the home.

    Reply

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