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A while back my family received SmartGames IQ Waves for review, I knew it was something we would put to good use because back then Charlie was still #Homeschooling and we used it when I was #HomeschoolingwithBoardGames Charlie, and it became one of those games that wasn’t just another item sitting on the shelf.
Even now, Charlie still plays IQ Waves when he needs some downtime. Even David and Charlie and I play at times. And honestly, that is one of the things I love most about this game. It is something we can pick up when we want to give our brain something to do without sitting down to do “play video games or for me working.
IQ Waves is a one-player logic puzzle game from SmartGames with 120 challenges. The goal is to place the puzzle pieces correctly and work through the challenges by thinking about how the pieces fit together. I like that the game can be played with just one person and that its small enough to take when running errands to keep kids busy while learning.
The game encourages skills such as planning, problem-solving and logical thinking, making it a fun addition to a #homeschool environment or simply a brain-teasing game for downtime. And because it is designed for one player, children and even adults can play it completely on there own.
One of the reasons IQ Waves has a special place in our home is because we used it while I was homeschooling Charlie. Homeschooling isn’t always about sitting at a desk with a workbook. There were times when I wanted Charlie to continue thinking and working on problem-solving skills without making everything feel like another lesson.
That’s where games like IQ Waves came in. He could work through a challenge, think about the different ways the pieces could fit, and keep working until he found the solution. It gave him something constructive to do while still feeling like play Allowing me to work while he was leaning besides me.
What really surprised me is that IQ Waves didn’t disappear once our homeschooling days were over. Charlie is now older, but he still plays it when he needs some downtime. That tells me something about the game. It wasn’t just something I chose because it had educational benefits when he was younger. It is something he actually enjoys picking up and playing.
Sometimes you find a game that works for a particular age or stage and then gets forgotten. IQ Waves has been different for us because Charlie has continued to enjoy it. I have to mention the colors because they are one of the first things that caught my attention.
The pieces are colorful, with shades including orange, blue, turquoise, yellow, red and purple. And then there is a piece with a candy-cane-striped design that I absolutely love! The bright colors make the game visually appealing, and I think that helps make it feel more like a fun puzzle than an educational exercise.
I especially like having games like IQ Waves available for those moments when someone needs a little downtime. It gives Charlie something he can do independently, and it doesn’t require a screen. There is also something satisfying about sitting down with a puzzle and figuring it out. You can take your time, try different possibilities and keep working until everything fits.
We’re also including SmartGames IQ Waves in our Christmas Gift Guide/ Wish List as we help Santa load his sleigh this year. With the combination of logic, problem-solving, independent play and those colorful puzzle pieces, I think it makes an interesting gift idea for kids who enjoy puzzles and challenges. The game will even fit inside the Christmas Stockings we will be filling.
And since Charlie used it while we were homeschooling and still enjoys it now, I’ve seen firsthand that it can remain interesting beyond the initial “new toy” stage. If you’re shopping for a child who enjoys figuring things out, puzzles or games that make them think, IQ Waves is one to put on your list.
You can learn more about SmartGames IQ Waves and explore their other games on the SmartGames website. SmartGames also offers a Smart Toy Quiz to help shoppers find a gift for someone else—or even themselves. They also have a SMART TEACHERS program for educators, which includes teacher-community resources, special discounts and education programs designed for teachers and schools.
Have you tried SmartGames IQ Waves? What puzzle games does your family enjoy?
Grateful, Thankful, Blessed.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
