Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cute games best for kids who already know shapes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
GazziliShapes
What's It About?
The first time kids play GAZZILISHAPES they must do each of six activities in a particular order, earning a shape each time that completes a picture. After that favorite activities can be redone in any order. When kids pause while playing directions are repeated and hints are given. In the pizza delivery activity kids tap the square window, a van pulls up, they tap the rectangles in the door to open it, they tap the pizza box open, then the shapes of the toppings, then tap the triangular pieces to watch the pizza disappear in bites. The number of each shape found during the activity is flashed across the screen before they're taken back to the main menu.
Is It Any Good?
The characters in GAZZILISHAPES are cute, especially the weird purple dude who hammers on the spaceship and balances on a ball in the circus. All the activities are ones kids like -- who doesn't like to make cookies? Younger kids may get frustrated that they have to follow directions more than they get to just explore and move around where they want, but that makes it a bit more educational; most kids could use a little practice following directions.
Most younger kids won't notice or understand the key at the bottom that tells them how many of each shape they need to find or the congratulations box at the end of each activity that explains how many of each shape they found. Something more reinforcing would have been better like, "You found two ovals" while showing them the oval eggs they cracked right next to an oval shape. Parents will have to throw in those reminders here and there, which may just be a good thing: When the game is done, you can keep pointing out shapes all over the house and out in the world. Happy hunting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Point out shapes in everyday objects wherever you go.
Chop up veggies and cheese in fun shapes as a snack.
Cut out lots of shapes with bright tissue paper, make a collage, then count all the shapes together.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , Math : counting , shapes
- Skills : Communication : listening
- Pricing structure :
- Release date : November 17, 2011
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : GazziliWorld
- Version : 1.0.0
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 3.0 or later
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate