Common Sense Media Review
By Dana Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Absorbing addition puzzle game ramps up challenge fast.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Hexologic
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
To play HEXOLOGIC, follow the on-screen prompts for a visual tutorial. Tap on each hexagon in a row to fill them with the number of dots that equal the numerals at the tips. Once the puzzle is complete, the app automatically unlocks the next puzzle.
Is It Any Good?
This app's pretty design and relaxing music make the puzzles feel less academic than traditional sudoku puzzles. Hexologic has a way of sucking players in with the first few easy levels. Before you know it, your brain is feeling challenged -- in good ways. One caveat: The level of difficulty on Hexologic's puzzles increases quickly, so be ready to help younger kids as they progress. With some gentle prompting and a few additions of your own, most kids familiar with basic addition will likely be able to work through at least some of the more complex puzzles (but probably not all). Older kids may find this "easy" game suddenly becoming challenging and -- with greater challenge -- even more fun.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how fun games like Hexologic can help kids think fast in math class. For more ideas, check out Common Sense Media's lists Best Math Games for 1st Grade and Best Math Games for 2nd Grade.
If your kid is stumped on a Hexologic puzzle, try some real-life "manipulatives" (such as dry macaroni or pennies) to test different combinations of "dots" off-screen.
Return to some basic addition skills practice that doesn't include the added challenges found in these puzzles, if your kid struggles with the game as the levels progress.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Subjects : Math : addition
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : part-whole relationships , solving puzzles , thinking critically
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : May 29, 2018
- Genre : Puzzle Games
- Publisher : MythicOwl
- Version : 1.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 7.0 or later; Android varies with device
- Last updated : August 17, 2020
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