Make all of the pieces out of compressed recovered fibers - basically like paper pulp, so they are lightweight, cannot hurt other kids in case they start throwing them at each other and they are good for the environment as well as easily biodegradable. Use non-toxic vegetable based inks as well and a water-based non-toxic varnish. Put them all in a carry sack with a string closure that is easy to carry around and is made of bamboo fabric or some other renewable resource.
Of course, be sure to use 100% recycled paper sheets, veg ink, etc.
An innovative approach to learning! I like that it will allow the child to think logically and remain engaged by providing a tactile feel.
The layout stresses the rules of the traditional Sudoku in a very basic way. Advanced versions (either including differently colored pieces and/or placement cards) could focus on color (so instead of each row, column, and box containing one cube, it could have one white piece), size (a tactile way of representing numbers for instance a piece that is 4, 5, ... inches high), instead of basic shape. Or, for that matter, any combination of the three! This will make this an extremely innovative and challenging game that I would definitely purchase for myself.
I agree with Adrija that having a customizable board may allow the product to grow with the children. Though I like the idea of having Lego-ish pieces, it would almost make that a plaything all by itself. If it is going to be 4x4, 6x6, 9x9, and so on, with every variation in-between (http://www.sachsentext.de/en/), there's a significant amount of change that has to occur with every change in puzzle. In addition, many more pieces would be required in the initial set to allow for this customization will drive up the cost.
Jose's comment was great! Although, that sort of system might have some drawbacks... the individual puzzles would then have to be programmed into a single board, since I don't think that each piece would need to run on batteries-that seems a little excessive. The only challenge would be giving each piece a unique placement signal which would play the appropriate sound. A little too excessive for quirky methinks.
One thing that would probably be helpful to the child would be a locking mechanism for the starter pieces. The adult (or child) would place the starting pieces on the board, and lock them into place, which will allow them to know which are correct even if they make a mistake. This could be done with magnets, pegs, or any number of other means.
Why note make the board of individual squares connected end to end (similar to lego). Provide enough squares so that the parents or kids can decide whether they want to solve a 4x4 or 6x6 or 8x8 or whatever sized board they want. Also, they can rearrange the location of squares with defined shapes (similar to the given numbers in Soduku) to create different possibilities for the same board size. This way we will have a board suitable for all ages and skill levels. The one size fits all and the fully customizable nature of the board might help in marketing the product as a parent does not have to buy new boards as the child grows mature to the game.
I just think if there were vibrating or musical pieces (that would react according to the puzzle in some way or proximity to other pieces..maybe as possible hints that they're doing it right or wrong) it would add a completely new dimension of interactivity..it would require internal battery and a charge station (relatively simple if you can have it be like a rechargeable phone type charge system)..ohh yea the pieces could be a bit bulky; but this being a kids game it could be a good thing!
Thanks Jene for the market research and your comments.
And thank you Nicole for your suggestion - themed boards is a cool idea indeed.
We can make different background images/cartoons for different puzzles, having it look like more fun, giving each puzzle more of a "character", and helping remember which puzzles have been solved already.
BTW I did it with my PC, some clay, color paint and two left hands. I'm sure the final design will be better.
I checked out the Sudoku games for kids on Amazon site and like your game so much better. As a elementary school teacher you are hitting so many of those early themes with colors, shapes, themes, senses. I do like Nicole's suggestion of adding color to the game board instead of white.
Comments
Competitors:
http://www.amazon.com/Do-You-Sudoku-Kids-Game/dp/B000FCW0Z6
http://www.amazon.com/Pressman-Toy-Sudoku-for-Kids/dp/B000H7K6W8
http://www.areyougame.com/interact/item.asp?itemno=01516
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/228653105/Puzzle_Sudoku_Puzzle_Game.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/216226026/numeral_game_sudoku_.html
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/218792814/Puzzle_Sudoku_Puzzle_Game.html
Make all of the pieces out of compressed recovered fibers - basically like paper pulp, so they are lightweight, cannot hurt other kids in case they start throwing them at each other and they are good for the environment as well as easily biodegradable. Use non-toxic vegetable based inks as well and a water-based non-toxic varnish. Put them all in a carry sack with a string closure that is easy to carry around and is made of bamboo fabric or some other renewable resource.
Of course, be sure to use 100% recycled paper sheets, veg ink, etc.
An innovative approach to learning! I like that it will allow the child to think logically and remain engaged by providing a tactile feel.
The layout stresses the rules of the traditional Sudoku in a very basic way. Advanced versions (either including differently colored pieces and/or placement cards) could focus on color (so instead of each row, column, and box containing one cube, it could have one white piece), size (a tactile way of representing numbers for instance a piece that is 4, 5, ... inches high), instead of basic shape. Or, for that matter, any combination of the three! This will make this an extremely innovative and challenging game that I would definitely purchase for myself.
I agree with Adrija that having a customizable board may allow the product to grow with the children. Though I like the idea of having Lego-ish pieces, it would almost make that a plaything all by itself. If it is going to be 4x4, 6x6, 9x9, and so on, with every variation in-between (http://www.sachsentext.de/en/), there's a significant amount of change that has to occur with every change in puzzle. In addition, many more pieces would be required in the initial set to allow for this customization will drive up the cost.
Jose's comment was great! Although, that sort of system might have some drawbacks... the individual puzzles would then have to be programmed into a single board, since I don't think that each piece would need to run on batteries-that seems a little excessive. The only challenge would be giving each piece a unique placement signal which would play the appropriate sound. A little too excessive for quirky methinks.
One thing that would probably be helpful to the child would be a locking mechanism for the starter pieces. The adult (or child) would place the starting pieces on the board, and lock them into place, which will allow them to know which are correct even if they make a mistake. This could be done with magnets, pegs, or any number of other means.
+1
Why note make the board of individual squares connected end to end (similar to lego). Provide enough squares so that the parents or kids can decide whether they want to solve a 4x4 or 6x6 or 8x8 or whatever sized board they want. Also, they can rearrange the location of squares with defined shapes (similar to the given numbers in Soduku) to create different possibilities for the same board size. This way we will have a board suitable for all ages and skill levels. The one size fits all and the fully customizable nature of the board might help in marketing the product as a parent does not have to buy new boards as the child grows mature to the game.
I just think if there were vibrating or musical pieces (that would react according to the puzzle in some way or proximity to other pieces..maybe as possible hints that they're doing it right or wrong) it would add a completely new dimension of interactivity..it would require internal battery and a charge station (relatively simple if you can have it be like a rechargeable phone type charge system)..ohh yea the pieces could be a bit bulky; but this being a kids game it could be a good thing!
Thanks Jene for the market research and your comments.
And thank you Nicole for your suggestion - themed boards is a cool idea indeed.
We can make different background images/cartoons for different puzzles, having it look like more fun, giving each puzzle more of a "character", and helping remember which puzzles have been solved already.
BTW I did it with my PC, some clay, color paint and two left hands. I'm sure the final design will be better.
This is an awesome concept. I'd definitely buy this for my kids.
I checked out the Sudoku games for kids on Amazon site and like your game so much better. As a elementary school teacher you are hitting so many of those early themes with colors, shapes, themes, senses. I do like Nicole's suggestion of adding color to the game board instead of white.
Innovation can be just making better something that already exists. The nice job and the advices that be enough to make it a success.
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