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The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective

(2007, Computer Software - Learning Adventure, Rated E, Play it on: Mac/Windows)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Kids become detectives to fight childhood obesity.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Delivers a serious message about eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise.
  • Messages:

    Sends a great message about being active when it shuts off after 20 minutes, tells you to go be active, and won't let you back in for 60 minutes.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Developed and sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and their branding is present.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

Parents need to know that while this game has eight short mysteries and 24 fun arcade Mini games, it delivers a serious message about eating healthy and exercising. The target audience is 9- to 10-year-olds, but most of the Mini games can be enjoyed by children as young as 6. Parents will appreciate that this game turns itself off after 20 minutes of play and won't let kids back in for 60 minutes. The game can be played in English or Spanish and comes with teacher and parent materials. It also offers printables with lessons on healthy living.

Families Can Talk About

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  • Families can talk about the mysteries. Why was the child featured in each mystery unhealthy, and how did your actions change his or her life? Have you experienced any of the problems these children faced? Which of the printable materials did you find useful? The recipes? The exercise logs? The scavenger hunt?
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More on The Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective

What’s the Story?

In THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF THE AMAZING FOOD DETECTIVE (www.AmazingFoodDetective.com), a free online game, children join forces with a detective to solve eight mysteries of why some kids are unhealthy. By playing the game, kids learn about healthy foods and exercise habits. The Amazing Food Detective, an animated female gumshoe, provides kids with a lineup of eight children from diverse cultural backgrounds, each representing a mystery. Some of the mysteries deal with children who exercise but are not very strong (solution: eat more protein), who skip breakfast, and who eat too much; in each, the player helps the unhealthy children make changes to their lifestyles. Close

Is It Any Good?

A unique feature of this online game presented by Kaiser Permanente is that it shuts off after 20 minutes, encourages kids to go do something active, and then keeps them out of the game for 60 minutes. The game can be played in English or Spanish. In addition to unlocking Mini games, each mystery links to printable materials including healthy recipes, Internet scavenger hunts, experiments, exercises, and more.

Kaiser Permanente, a leading health maintenance organization, has partnered with Scholastic to distribute this game and related teaching materials and parent guides to 5,000 schools. Teachers and parents interested in these supplemental materials can find them for free on the Web at www.AmazingFoodDetective.com.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 09/28/2007, price $FREE, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Great way to get kids thinking about healthy choices

    While very simplistic, these little games might start kids thinking about healthy choices. The games are fun and educational. I think it's best for kids ages 5-10. Older kids will likely be bored.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Louisiana
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I READ JUNIE B.JONES IS ALMOST A FLOWER GIRL

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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